ISO 12966-4:2015 specifies a method for the determination of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) derived by transesterification or esterification from fats, oils, and fatty acids by capillary gas chromatography (GLC). Fatty acid methyl esters from C8 to C24 can be separated using this part of ISO 12966 including saturated fatty acid methyl esters, cis- and trans-monounsaturated fatty acid methyl esters, and cis- and trans-polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters.

The method is applicable to crude, refined, partially hydrogenated, or fully hydrogenated fats, oils, and fatty acids derived from animal and vegetable sources.

This method is not suitable for the analysis of dairy, ruminant fats and oils, or products supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Milk and milk products (or fat coming from milk and milk products) are excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 12966.

ISO 12966-4:2015 is not applicable to di-, tri-, polymerized and oxidized fatty acids, and fats and oils.