Tobacco; Determination of water content (Reference method)

This document establishes a reference method for determining moisture content in tobacco products. It outlines the specific procedures and equipment requirements necessary to ensure accurate and consistent measurements across different laboratories and testing scenarios. The standard defines the drying conditions, including temperature and duration, which must be applied to tobacco samples to remove water and calculate the remaining moisture percentage. Detailed instructions are provided on sample preparation, weighing precision, and the calculation formula used to derive the final result. By adhering to these standardized protocols, testing facilities can achieve high reliability and comparability of data, which is essential for quality control and international trade. The method serves as a benchmark for evaluating other moisture determination techniques and facilitates mutual recognition of test results among various stakeholders in the tobacco industry without relying on specific proprietary devices or non-standardized approaches.