M0160 [2016-N]

Nissan Engineering Standard

NES Method of Testing the Smell of Interior Parts

1. SCOPE AND CLASSIFICATION

This Standard specifies odor test procedures (hereafter referred to simply as test procedures) for automotive interior parts. These test
procedures are used for all interior trim areas.
Remark: The unit and numerical values given in { } in this Standard are based on the conventional unit system and are appended for
informative reference.
2. TEST PROCEDURE CLASSIFICATION
Test procedures are divided into 4 classifications:
Method (1) Ordinary temperature odor tests
Method (2) High temperature odor tests
Method (3) Humidity application odor tests (Ordinary temperature / High temperature)
Method (4) Ordinary temperature exposure odor test
3. TEST METHOD APPLICATION GROUPING
Applicable test methods vary with part material. Refer to Table 1 below.
Table 1 Odor test methods and application
Part material Method (1) Method (2) Method (3) Method (4)
PP, ABS, PVC, POM, PET and other rubber materials with no hygroscopic
O O X X
characteristics
Wood grain or wood textiles reinforced with plastic, composite sheets, urethane,
O O O X
genuine leather and similar materials having hygroscopic characteristics
Hardboard, press board, resin felt and other textiles that use phenol resin as a
O O X O
hardening material (*1)
O: Applicable to the above test method X: Not applicable to the above test method
Note *1: Applicable to all resins containing phenol (single resin components and/or other components such as olefin).

4. TEST CONDITIONS
4.1 Test piece preparation
Prepare the test pieces under the conditions shown below.
- 20 ± 5°C at 50 ± 10% Rh for at least 24 hours
4.2 Test methods and applications together with pre-treatment requirements are shown in Table 2 below. If pre-treatment is required, it
must be performed after test piece preparation but before the test pieces are attached to the test equipment. The test conditions
shown in the Table assume that the test pieces have been attached to the test equipment.
Table 2 Test conditions and pre-treatment
Test method Pre-treatment Test conditions
Method (1) None 20 ± 2°C at 50 ± 5% Rh for 24 hours
Method (2) None High-temperature conditions specified in NES M 0132 for 4 hours
Method (3)
(Ordinary 35 ± 2°C at 95 ± 5% Rh for 168 hours 20 ± 2°C at 50 ± 5% Rh for 24 hours
temperature)
Method (3)
35 ± 2°C at 95 ± 5% Rh for 168 hours High-temperature conditions specified in NES M 0132 for 4 hours
(High-temperature)
Method-(4) None 20 ± 2°C at 50 ± 5% Rh for 96 hours
Note: The test conditions shown above are not applicable to the high-temperature test procedure for the seat trim covers.
Use the test temperatures shown below.
North America and tropical areas of the Middle East: 70°C
Japan and Europe: 60°C
5. TEST EQUIPMENT
(1) Odor box: Use the odor box shown in Figure 1 or its equivalent.
(2) Odor bags: The use of 3-point comparison odor bags (developed by the Tokyo Air Pollution Bureau) is recommended.
If these bags are not available, use polyester odor bags having equivalent characteristics.
(3) Odorless air: Odorless air may be taken from a special canister. It can also be created using the odorless air filler device shown in
Figure 2.
Remark: The use of the test equipment specified above is recommended. However, when a part is constructed of a single
material, it may be directly inserted into the odor bag specified in Item 5.(2) above to determine its odor characteristics
(approval of the head of the Material Engineering Department Vehicle Materials Technology Group is required).
Normative references, References: NES M 0132 (Mar. 23, 2007) Thermal Cycle Test Methods for Plastic Parts
JIS Z 8703 (Mar. 1, 1983) Standard atmospheric conditions for testing
Related Standard: Tokyo Air Pollution Bureau "3-point odor comparison bag method developed in 1975"

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Figure 1 Odor box test equipment

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Figure 2 Odorless air filler equipment

6-way pipes

Fillter paper holder

Activated
charcoal canister

Stand

6. TEST SPECIMENS
Use completed parts as test specimens. The part to be tested should be at least 1 week old but not more
than 4 weeks old (since the time of manufacture).
Remark: Completed part ; A completed part is a fully formed and usable component. This includes parts that have
undergone secondary processing and composite parts.
6.1 Test piece size
Use the following formulas to determine test piece size. Cut the test pieces from the completed parts.

Test piece size = Part surface area × Odor bag volume

Vehicle passenger compartment volume or box volume
where
Vehicle passenger compartment volume:
The actual vehicle passenger compartment volume or the passenger compartment volume of
representative vehicles of a given type.
Sedan, coupe, hatchback type vehicles, mini car: 2,000 liters (MICRA, VERSA, ALTIMA, MOCO
etc ...)
Wagon type vehicles: 3,300 liters (X-TRAIL, ROGUE, QASHQAI, WINGROAD etc …)
1-box vehicle: 5,500 liters (NV200 ets …)
Box volume: Actual luggage or other box interior volume.
Table 3 The example of test piece size computation
Parts surface area Volume of odor bag Compartment volume
Vehicle T/P size
(A) (B) (C)
MICRA 36.0 cm2 1.2 m2 6.0 L 2000 L

QASHQAI 36.4 cm2 2.0 m2 6.0 L 3300 L

NV200 38.2 cm2 3.5 m2 6.0 L 5500 L

* T/P size = A x (B / C)

7. TEST SITE CONDITIONS

Test site conditions are specified in JIS Z 8703 (Standard atmospheric conditions for testing). There are 5
grades of standard temperatures (15 to 25°C) and 20 grades of standard humidity (45 to 85% RH).

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 M0160 [2016-N]
8. PROCEDURE
8.1 Test piece preparation
Cut the test piece out of the part to the size calculated in item 6.1. If the chosen area comprises of a
number of different materials. Each one should be included in the final test piece.
8.2 Test piece adjustment
Prepare the test pieces as described in Item 8.1 above under the conditions specified in Item 4.1 of this
Standard.
8.3 Test location
The test location should be set up prior to testing. Ensuring it will not affect the final odor classification of
the part. If this odors, Active carbon sheets must be used and environment improvement and maintenance
controls must then be performed.
* Environmental standards of test location - odor strength: 1 or less, foulness: 0
8.4 Test piece attachment to test equipment
Following test piece preparation and adjustment, attach the test pieces to the test equipment as specified in
Item 5 of this Standard. At this time, fill the odor bags with odorless air.
8.5 Test execution
After attaching the test pieces to the test equipment, set the equipment as specified in Item 4.2 of this
Standard.
8.6 Odor verification
After completion of item 8.4. Evaluation should be made with more than 70°C. Using the odor evaluation
panel procedure described in attachment 1 of this standard. A minimum of 5 panelists must be used.

9. EVALUATION
9.1 Evaluation items
The odor evaluation items are shown in Table 3. The 4 items are, "Existence of a stimulus", "Pleasant or
unpleasant", "Odor classification", and "Odor strength". Criteria for odor strength and foulness are listed in
Table 4 and Table 5 of this Standard.
9.2 Recording of evaluation results
For evaluation results obtained from 9.1, note the mean value of each item as this shall be used as the test
result.

10. JUDGEMENT CRITERIA

Criteria for the evaluation of test results obtained in Item 9 above are shown in Table 6. Odor
characteristics and strength characteristics should be reported for future reference.

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Table 4 Odor test data sheet
Odor Evaluation Results
Vehicle type: Test date:’ . . Tester's name:
Odor Pleasant or
Test material No. Stimulus evaluation Odor strength
characteristics unpleasant

Stimulus evaluation Odor Pleasant or

Description Description
0 None strength unpleasant
1 Slight 0 Not detectable -4 Extremely
2 Definite 1 Detectable with effort unpleasant
Pronounced 2 Some odor obviously present -3 Very unpleasant
3
(Cannot be ignored) 3 Clearly detectable -2 Unpleasant
4 Strong -1 A little unpleasant
5 Overwhelming 0 Neither pleasant
nor unpleasantl
Odor classification (Expression method) 1 A little pleasant
Objectionable or irritating odor (Eyes, nose, and/or throat), adhesive 2 Pleasant
agent, kerosene, gasoline, rubber or vinyl. 3 Very pleasant
Leather, urethane, cardboard, cleaning or antiseptic agent, lumber or 4 Extremely pleasant
plastic.
Sourness, decayed matter, sweetness, burned or charred, sulfur
(rotten eggs) and others.

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Partly approved 2000
Table 5 6-step odor strength indication method

Odor strength Description

0 Not detectable
1 Detectable with effort
2 Some odor obviously present
3 Clearly detectable
4 Strong
5 Overwhelming

0: Relative absence of any discernible odor. Undetectable by a person having a normal sense of smell.
1: An indistinguishable and very faint odor. It is there but cannot be defined.
2: A weak but clearly distinguishable odor. Examples might be flowers or some charred object.
3: A moderately strong and easily sensed odor. An example is the smell of cresol or other disinfectants that
one smells immediately upon entering a large hospital.
4: A strong objectionable odor immediately perceived. An infrequently cleaned public toilet at Summer time
is a good example.
5: A very intense and strong and objectionable odor. Its strength is such that one's breath stops
momentarily upon initial contact.

Table 6 4-step Stimulus evaluation indication method

Stimulus evaluation Description
0 Completely undetectable
1 Slightly evident
2 Clearly evident
3 Very evident - Impossible to ignore
Note: A foul odor is an odor that once smelt, immediately irritates the eyes and nose.

Table 7 Judgement criteria

New spec is adapted by Oct/2018.Old spec is adapted before Oct/2018
New Spec

Pleasant or
Market destination Test conditions Stimulus
unpleasant
Normal temperature
Humidity application - 1.0 min. 1.0 max
Japan, Europe and general (Normal temperature)
export High temperature
Humidity application - 1.0 min. 1.0 max
(High temperature)
Normal temperature
North America and tropical Humidity application - 1.0 min. 1.0 max
areas of the Middle East, (Normal temperature)
Africa, Southeast Asia High temperature Humidity
- 1.0 min. 1.0 max
application (High temperature)

Old spec
Pleasant or
Market destination Test conditions Stimulus
unpleasant
Normal temperature
Humidity application - 1.5 min. 1.0 max
Japan, Europe and general (Normal temperature)
export High temperature
Humidity application - 2.0 min. 1.0 max
(High temperature)
Normal temperature
North America and tropical Humidity application - 1.5 min. 1.0 max
areas of the Middle East, (Normal temperature)
Africa, Southeast Asia High temperature Humidity
- 2.4 min. 1.0 max
application (High temperature)

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Attachment 1: Panelist selection procedure

1) In principle, there shall be one test subject for each tester. The test subject should not be informed of the
test results. Position a simple screen between the test subject and tester.
2) Arrange the 5 test papers (odor papers) in a single group. Write the number 1 through 5 on the test papers,
one number for each paper. Place the papers in a magnetic clip or other suitable holder as shown in Figure
1 below. The test papers are special materials that are completely odorfree. Other types of paper cannot be
substituted.
3) Select 2 of the 5 test papers. Immerse approximately 1 cm of each test paper end in the standard odor
solution.Immerse the ends of the other 3 test papers approximately 1 centimeter into liquid paraffin (Nujol).
The dipping procedure must be hidden from the test subject to prevent him or her from knowing which
papers have been dipped in which substances.
4) Pass the 5 test papers as a group to the test subject. Have the test subject sniff and smell the test papers
one at a time. Ask the test subject to identify the papers that have an odor and those that do not.
To smell the test papers, bring the moistened end of the test paper close to the tip of the nose. Do not allow
the paper to actually touch the nose. Refer to Attachment 1 Figure 2 below.
5) After the test subject has smelled all of the test papers, ask him or her the number of the test papers that
had a discernible odor. If the test subject is not sure which of the test papers has a discernible odor, allow
him or her to smell the papers again. Allow the test subject as much time as he or she requires. Do not rush
him or her.
6) Discard the test papers immediately after each test.
7) Any test subject who correctly identifies all 5 test papers is considered to have passed the test. Conversely,
a test subject who makes a single mistake fails the test and is not eligible as a panelist.
8) Those who pass the panelist selection test shall be noted and retested every three years.
9) Selection of panelists shall be based on (2) above.
Panelist preparation prior to testing is detailed below. Shall observe the following preparations while being
aware that the odor panelist shall be judging.
- Those whose sense of smell is affected by a cold, nose inflammation (including pollen allergy), etc., and
those whose physical condition is bad
- Those who have a concern in the evaluation result
- Those who wear makeup, perfume and hairdressing with a strong smell that affects the sensory
evaluation test on the test date. It is necessary to notify the panelists about this matter by telephoning
them in advance. An operator should make a check on the test date. In particular, makeup with a strong
smell affects not only the person himself but also the panelists around him, so care should be taken for
this matter.
- Those who have smoked, dined, or chewed gum before the test.

Attachment 1 Figure 1 - Odor paper set Attachment 1 Figure 2 - Odor sniffing method

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Panelist selection chemical agents

5 basic odors for panelist selection

β - phenylethyl alcohol
-4.0W/W
● 10
-4.5W/W
● Methyllcyclo 10
-5.0W/W
● Isovaleric acid 10
γ - undegalactone
-4.5W/W
● 10
-5.0W/W
● Scatol 10

Odorless liquid: Liquid paraffin

Odor paper

For reference purposes, standard odor characteristics are shown in Attachment 1 Table 1 below.

Attachment 1 Table 1 - Chemical constitutional formula and odor characteristics of standard odor liquids

Basic odor liquid Chemical constitutional formula Odor characteristics

Flower aroma - very similar to the

A β - phenylethyl alcohol
smell of rose petals.

Sweet smell - very similar to the

B Methyllcyclo (Diketone type) crusty upper surface of a baked
pudding.

Perspiration odor - similar to the

C Isovaleric acid
smell of dirty socks.

Similar to the smell of fruit that has

been recently picked and set
D γ - undegalactone
aside for further ripening or to the
smell of canned peaches.

Moldy smell - Smell contained in

E Scatol
dung

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Attachment 2: Odor box specifications

The odor box is used to evaluate the odors of vehicle interior parts. There are three test pieces classified by
size. Arrange each of the test pieces so that they correspond. The generated odors are collected in the
fixed capacity pack through the pack installation slot.
The odor box consists of:
1) Body (Lower section)
2) Lid (Upper section)
3) Bag installation slot
4) Other areas
Individual area specifications are shown below.

1. Body (Lower section)

Material : SUS304
Dimensions : 250 × 250 × 100
Finishing : Mirror finish

2. Lid (Upper section)

Odor emission cross-sectional area will vary with test piece classification. Prepare 3 test piece
classifications for each part.

Material : SUS 304

Dimensions : 256 × 256 × 20
Finishing : Mirror finish

3. Bag installation slot

Set to the upper lid area. Install the bag.

Material : SUS 304

Dimensions : 150 dia. × 50 H
Finishing : Mirror finish

4. Other areas

1) Installation fasteners : SUS, 8 each

2) Handle : SUS, 2 each

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Attachment 4 Figure 1

Notes : 1. Use only SUS 304 materials.

2. Both inner and outer surfaces must have a mirror finish.
3. The inside diameters of the upper lids are 159 mm,
108 mm, and 54 mm.

5 Lid SUS 3
4 Handle SUS 2
3 Metal fitting SUS 8
2 Bag connector SUS One piece with lid
1 Test equipment (lower part) SUS 1
Part No. Nomenclature Material Qty. Remarks
Approval To: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Inspection Interior part test equipment
Design Drawing No. Date: 4.9
Drawing
OHMI ODOR AIR SERVICE CO., LTD.
Scale

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Attachment 3: Odor bag specifications

1. Odor bag and attachments

Odor bags may be used so long as they are themselves odor-free. Until recently, many different films were
used to produce odor bags. Materials used for these films included polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride
and polyvinyl chloride. Polyethylene terephthalic acid ester films (commonly called polyester film) have
been found to have a highly stable and unchanging minimal odor and are consequently now used.
Required odor bag attachments are the silicon rubber stopper (No. 03) and the nose piece. These
attachments must also be as odor-free as possible.

● Type-O flake sampler

■Film material ■Bag capacity and size

Polyester/Deposition sealing type 3  (250 mm × 260 mm)
Film thickness: 16µ 6  (250 mm × 420 mm)

■Intake ■Packing information

Outside diameter: 12 mm 500 sheets per packing case
Inside diameter: 10 mm
Material: Hardened glass

■Rubber stopper (No. 03) ■Nose piece

Material: Specially treated silicon rubber Material: Polyvinyl chloride

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Attachment 4: Odor bag sealing procedure

Method A

1. Cut the odor bag so that it can be installed to the odor box.

Cutting line

2. Set the cut portion of the odor bag to the odor box. Wrap adhesive tape around the entire circumference
of the setting area.

Odor bag

Adhesive tape

Odor box

Method B

1. Make a cut in the lower part of the odor bag just long enough to permit the entry of the test piece.
Do not make an excessively large cut.

Cutting line

Test piece

2. Place the test piece in the odor bag through the cut in the bag. Seal the cut by pressing the adhesive
plastic sealer (included with the odor bag) against the cut portion of the bag.

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Attachment 5: Odor bag fusion utensil specifications

Attachment 5 Figure 6 - Part No. and explanatory illustration PS-310E type

Attachment 5 Table 1 - Type PS-310E plastic sealer parts list

Part No. Part name Quantity Part No. Part name Quantity Part No. Part name Quantity
1 Frame column 1 14 Electrode spring 2 32 Spring pin 2
2 Pressure plate lever 1 15 Name plate 1 33 Fulcrum lever 1
Pressure plate lever
3 1 21 Transformer 1 34 Rubber bushing 1
stand
Pressure plate with Transformer retaining Power supply
4 1 22 2 35 1
silicon rubber plate cable-plug assembly
Pressure plate
Transformer
5 installation flat head 1 23 4 36 Bottom plate 1
installation screw
screw
6 Pressure plate spring 2 24 Microswitch (Small) 1 38 Rubber foot pads 4
Rubber foot pad
7 Lever knob 1 25 Microswitch platform 1 39 4
installation screw
Lever knob
8 1 26 Bakelite plate 1 40 Silicon rubber only 1
installation screw
Microswitch
9 Glass tube (or: tape) 2 27 1 41 Timer set mechanism 1
installation plate
10 Heater lead 1 28 Tapping screw 2 42 Timer knob 1
Electrode installation
11 Teflon tube (or: tape) 1 29 Lever return spring 1 43 2
screw
12 Teflon retaining plate 2 30 Lever fulcrum pin 1
Lever platform
13 Teflon retaining pin 6 31 1
attachment bolt

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 M0160 [2016-N]
ANNEX
Revision in 2016
1. Revision objectives (Revision in 2016)
Old spec is set for purpose of prevent claim, but recently more high quality is demanded. So new spec is set for prevent
the complaining. This spec is set based on IQS bench mark and aim to be TOP level. This revise is adapted after
Oct/2018 SOP car because developing car is difficult to adapt this spec.

Revision in 2015
1. Revision objectives (Revision in 2015)
Mini car category is added in the list of vehicle interior volume which is used to calculate the test piece size
Odor Test temperature is specified because the inner temperature is strictly come down at high temperature test

Revision in 2013
1. Revision objectives (Revision in 2013)
An odor test shall be performed using a test piece cut out of a part. A table was added to be used to compute a test
piece size for each vehicle model type.

Revision in 2011
1. Revision objectives (revision in 2011)
In accordance with review of the standard series, it was decided to delete a physical property table for each material
grade which has been conventionally described in ANNEX from this NES, and transfer/integrate it to Engineering
Manual (NEM) together with the know-how of material development. Hereafter, this NES is continuously used as the
standard to judge material quality.

Revision in 2007
2. Objective of 2007 NES revision
This NES was enacted in 1994 and although it was revised in 2002, as 5 years have now elapsed since the last revision
and due to the ever increasing market concerns regarding odor every year, the following points were revised.

2-2. Major revision points

2-2-1 Test method
The test location is often affected during part odor testing by the parts (material) being handled, causing the air (odor)
to become contaminated. As such, it should be confirmed prior to testing that the odor classification shall not affect the
test in regards to the test location. Added the requirement for placing charcoal or charcoal sheets at the test location
and performing environmental improvement and maintenance control of the test location when there are concerns of
contamination.

2-2-2 Recording of evaluation results

There is a tendency for concerns relating to odor within the market, to increase every year. As customer evaluations
are also increasing in severity, the deletion of the upper and lower values of each item was abolished and all test
results shall be reflected.
Evaluation results calculated using both the new and old calculation methods are shown below. By abolishing the
deletion of the upper and lower values, the severity of the judgment increases, bringing it closer to that of the market.

Revision in 2002
3. Purpose of NEM revision in 2002
This NES was enacted in 1994 and although it was revised in 1997, as 5 years have now elapsed since the last revision
and to keep up with the current status, this standard was updated with the following contents.

3-2. Major revision points

3-2-1 Panel selection
Although panels have been conventionally used after it was selected following the protocol of T&T olfactometry, it was
decided that the items that seem to affect the test results (such as physical condition and readiness of the panels on
the test day) shall be extracted and removed form the displayed source data.

- Those whose sense of smell is affected by a cold, nose inflammation (including pollen allergy), etc., and those
whose physical condition is bad
- Those who have a concern in the evaluation result
- Those who wear makeup, perfume and hairdressing with a strong smell that affects the sensory evaluation test on
the test date. It is necessary to notify the panelists about this matter by telephoning them in advance. An operator
should make a check on the test date. In particular, makeup with a strong smell affects not only the person himself
but also the panelists around him, so care should be taken for this matter.

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 M0160 [2016-N]
3-2-2 Handling the protective film
Although it is desirable to evaluate the protective film for interior parts of automobiles in the vehicle odor evaluation, the
protective film was added to the application examples in the ANNEX as a part that requires a single unit evaluation
because its specifications was not defined at the time of vehicle evaluation.

Partial revision in 2000

4. The following errors in revision points were corrected.
Pleasant or offensive in Table 6 on Page 7
-1.5 max. → -1.5 min.
-2.0 max. → -2.0 min.
-1.5 max. → -1.5 min.
-2.4 max. → -2.4 min.

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Revision in 1997
5. Revision objectives
This standard was enacted in 1994 and has been managed. Parts that may fill a small container (such as a luggage box in RV vehicle)
with odor components originating from structural materials are recently specified in comparison with the vehicle interior capacity and it
shall be appreciated that the conventional test methods cannot be used effectively for evaluation of this kind of odor. Moreover, the
conventional test conditions may not be sufficient enough to detect such odor components in some of the materials. To cope with
these problems, the test methods and conditions were reviewed and the standard was revised.
5-2. Major revision points
5-2-1 Variety of test methods
In addition to the conventional humidity application condition, an ordinary temperature exposure condition was added as a condition
for the material in which fibers such as hardboard and resin felt are reinforced by impregnation of phenol resin. This is a condition
under which vaporization of amine and its derivative chemistry (triehtylamine, etc.) in the catalyst contained in phenolic resin shall be
evaluated. Although this evaluation was possible in the conventional high temperature and humidity application conditions, detection
sensitivity may become low in comparison with that of the ordinary temperature condition due to the following reasons. As such, a
small amount of amine (catalyst) may not be accepted for use with a vehicle although it is accepted in this test.
High temperature condition;
As an odor test is performed in a high temperature condition, it is given foulness by high temperature air. To compensate for
this, the criteria is also eased for a test that will be performed at ordinary temperature. On the other hand, regardless of the
fact that the amount of odor components increases in the high temperature condition, this study showed an example of
results that were worse in the odor evaluation performed under ordinary exposure conditions. (See the table below.) Although
details are unknown, it can be assumed from the results that the panel's sensitivity to odor deteriorates as it is affected by
temperature. It can also be assumed that when the amount of evaporation of odor components is small, the results of an odor
evaluation may be accepted in the high temperature criteria due to the small amount of evaporation rather than the sensitivity
deterioration, although the results are not accepted in the ordinary temperature criteria, thus making it difficult to know if the
evaluation is affected by temperature or the evaporation of odor components.
Humidity application condition;
It is necessary to apply a load (humidification degree) as preprocessing to the exposed T/P for humidification. When a load is
applied, part of odor components in T/P evaporates in the humidification chamber and is eliminated from T/P. Since only T/P
in this condition can be assembled with the tester, performing the evaluation using T/P, from which some of odor components
have been eliminated, cannot be avoided. Therefore, it can also be assumed that almost no odor components may remain at
the time of odor evaluation when T/P contains a small amount of odor components.
Based on the study results described above, an ordinary temperature exposure condition was added as an odor evaluation condition
for phenol resin. Furthermore, a comparison was made between odor levels in the ordinary temperature exposure and high
temperature/humidification conditions mainly for board materials and additionally for resin materials other than phenol resin, but the
results of their evaluations showed that no material produced higher odor levels than those in the other condition similar to phenol
resin. Therefore, it was determined this time that the ordinary temperature exposure condition shall only be applied to phenol resin but
it is planned to make experimental tests with diversified materials for odor level confirmation and clarify the application range.
5-2-2 Production of a test piece
The size of the test piece has been determined based on the capacity of odor bags, assuming that the interior space of a vehicle
would be fully filled with odor components evaporating from parts. However, recent RV models show that some of them are equipped
with box-type parts having lids such as a luggage box. In this case, no evaporated odor components come out of the lid nor the box.
They remain inside the box and can be felt right after the lid is opened. Therefore, a higher concentration would be expected
depending upon the difference in capacity filled with odor components, proving that the results of a conventional T/P test may not be
accepted for vehicles even though they are accepted in the test. To solve this discrepancy, it was determined to decide the size of a
test piece according to the capacity of a box-type part having a lid.
Although the interior capacity of all vehicles are conventionally assumed to be 2,000 liters, some results of tests related to wagon or
one-box type vehicles that have large capacities showed low correlation in comparison with the evaluations made on actual vehicles
because the interior capacity of each model is greatly different and severe T/P tests were applied. Therefore, it wad determined that
interior capacity shall be measured using a representative of each model and the obtained value shall be used as a typical one. For
reference, the interior capacities of some models are shown below, excluding the typical values that have already been obtained.
Model W10 C23 W30 E50 E24(Van) W40
Interior capacity 3,300 5,500 6,000 5,500 7,800 15,000

5-2-3 Application classification of each test method

The application of each test method was unclear in the conventional rules. To make it clear, the following materials are clarified this
time. The examples of the representative parts related to each material are as follows.
Part material Examples of representative parts
Materials having no hygroscopic characteristics such as PP, ABS, PVC, Pillar, door pocket, instrument panel/door/seat (covering material), service
POM, PET, and various types of rubbers mat, protective cover, etc.
Materials in which wood grain and wooden textiles reinforced with plastic and
similar materials having hygroscopic characteristics such as plywood and Door/rear parcel (base material: board or plywood), etc.
urethane
Materials comprising of phenol resin and in which fibers are reinforced such
Door/ceiling (base material: phenol resin board), etc.
as hardboard and resin felt

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 M0160 [2016-N]
Revision in 1994

6. Contents of ANNEX prepared when the conventional standard was enacted (1994)
The contents at the time of enactment are described below for the necessity to record the past historical background
and subsequently required points to be noted.

6-1 Revision objectives

Considering the growing interest of users concerning offensive odors in vehicles within recent years, test methods were
developed to evaluate odors in a vehicle and parts-originated odors for which no test method had been specified so far.
Before the development, only technical materials had been referred to for this kind of test.
Judging that this test method was generalized by each supplier, it was standardized by NES at this time.

6-2 Explanation of regulated contents

6-2-1 Test method
In addition to the normal temperature and high temperature conditions, humidifying conditions were provided as a
method for evaluating materials which give off odors due to absorbing moisture. Further, regarding the high
temperature conditions for the seat trim cover, as the temperature environment differs greatly compared to that of other
parts depending on the position of the part, additional conditions to those of NES M 0132 "Thermal Cycle Test Methods
for Plastic Parts" are provided according to the correlation with the actual vehicle test environment.

6-2-2 Test device

As a general rule, in order to reproduce the environment within a vehicle, an odor box, that can reduce the affects of the
sample's rear surface, is used as an odor testing device for parts and odor bags are used as single test devices for part
composition materials.
However, when there is no odor box, shall perform tests using odor bags as a substitute and then confer with the No. 2
Materials Engineering Department (KM3) concerning the results. Also, for parts where the rear surface has a large
affect (instrument panel, door, ceiling and seat trim covers, etc.) an odor box shall be used without fail.

6-2-3 Assessment criteria

<Pleasant/offensive>
Specs were provided using degrees of pleasantness and offensiveness as a comprehensive evaluation of odor. Also,
the relation between the evaluation temperature and degree of pleasantness and offensiveness so far from the
database, is shown in annex chart 1. As this shows, the level of offensiveness rises as the temperature rises and as the
line is not straight, it is understood that the increase is rapid. On the other hand, the level of offensiveness according to
temperature, as perceived by people, is as shown in annex chart 2. As the temperature increases, although the
strength of the odor remains unchanged, the level of offensiveness rapidly increases. From the above-mentioned
results, it was considered that for assessment criteria at high temperatures, the level of offensiveness increased
depending on the temperature. Thus assessment values were classified according to conditions for Japan, and North
America - Middle East.

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