This part of ISO 13099 describes methods of zeta-potential determination, both electric and acoustic, in heterogeneous systems, such as dispersions, emulsions, porous bodies with liquid dispersion medium.

There is no restriction on the value of zeta-potential or the mass fraction of the dispersed phase; both diluted and concentrated systems are included. Particle size and pore size is assumed to be on the micrometre scale or smaller, without restriction on particle shape or pore geometry. The characterization of zeta-potential on flat surfaces is discussed separately.

The liquid of the dispersion medium can be either aqueous or non-aqueous with any liquid conductivity, electric permittivity or chemical composition. The material of particles can be electrically conducting or non-conducting. Double layers can be either isolated or overlapped with any thickness or other properties.

This part of ISO 13099 is restricted to linear effects on electric field strength phenomena. Surface charge is assumed to be homogeneously spread along the interfaces. Effects associated with the soft surface layers containing space distributed surface charge are beyond the scope.