IEC specifications (standards) for sulphur hexafluoride

What Are the IEC Standards for SF6 Gas?

At DILO, we are committed to providing sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions for the professional handling of gases. With locations in Florida, Arizona, and Oregon, DILO provides certified sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, high-quality industrial gas equipment, and testing, monitoring, and disposal services. We hold ourselves to the highest SF6 gas standards to give our customers the utmost confidence in our products.

What is the IEC?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that sets standards for electrical and electronic technologies and related materials. First founded in 1906, the IEC is comprised of 89 member countries and dozens of affiliate countries. Many member countries adopt IEC’s standards as their national standards, some of which are developed jointly with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

What Is Included in the SF6 Gas Standards?

IEC sets specifications for both new and used SF6 gas. IEC 60480 is the standard that provides criteria for the re-use of SF6 gas, while IEC 60376 defines the quality for technical-grade SF6 gas, as well as complementary gases, including nitrogen (N2) and carbon tetrafluoride (CF4).

These international standards cover several essential aspects, such as:

  • Requirements for the secure handling, storage, and transportation of SF6 gas
  • Potential contaminants and their sources
  • Specifications for the re-use of SF6
  • Methods of analysis for SF6 gas
  • Decomposition and behavior of SF6 gas
  • Neutralizing solutions
  • Safety and first aid
IEC Specification Standards for SF6 Gas Infographic

SF6 gas is one of the six greenhouse gases that must be monitored following the Kyoto protocol. To avoid emissions, SF6 must be used in closed systems.

Choose DILO for Certified SF6 Gas

At DILO, we are an industry leader in responsible gas handling and safety. Using rigorous testing procedures, we guarantee each cylinder of SF6 gas provided by our company has the following:

  • <99.5 ppmV (-41.5⸰ dew point) moisture content
  • >99% SF6 purity
  • Zero SO2 / gas byproducts


Headquartered in Odessa, Florida, DILO provides certified SF6 gas to customers throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. DILO’s SF6 gas exceeds the IEC 60480 standard, as well as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ standard for SF6 gas handling (IEEE C37.122.3-2011). For more information about us and the current SF6 gas standards.