A quality control material (QCM) for the analysis of volatile compounds in alcoholic beverages was developed. The problems of the development and production of QCM were investigated. The seven water-ethanol solutions, containing 9 volatile compounds (acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methanol, propan-1-ol, propan-2-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, butan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-1-ol) with a concentration range from 1.20 to 5000 mg/L of anhydrous ethanol were prepared and studied according to the ISO Guide 80 and ISO Guide 35 in order to prove their stability over 6 months. The algorithm for the assessment of uncertainty associated with the characterization of QCM was developed. The studies were carried out by validated direct gas chromatography (GC) method with flame ionization detection (FID), based on using ethanol as an internal standard. The expanded relative uncertainty of QCM does not exceed 4.5 %.

A method is proposed for correctly determining the quantitative content of volatile components, including ethyl alcohol, in alcohol-containing products. The method is based on the use of sample density measurement data and chromatographic data for determining the quantitative content of volatile compounds. It is shown that in a number of cases the difference between the values of the volumetric content of ethyl alcohol in alcoholic products, calculated according to the interstate standard GOST 3639 and according to the proposed method, exceeds by several times the declared measurement error limit of 0.1 % by volume. The results obtained can be used to update state, interstate and international standards for quality control and safety of alcoholic and alcohol-containing products.