规定的方法适用于可溶性、不挥发性（或蒸汽压可忽略）、不会因试验溶液起泡而损失、不会显著吸附在玻璃和活性污泥上、不会抑制试验微生物的有机化合物。其原理是与控制单元排出物中溶解有机碳的比较。附录A给出了各种化合物的试验结果示例，附录B给出了典型控制值。

The method specified applies to organic compounds which are soluble, non-volatile (or which have a neglible vapour pressure), not lost by foaming from the test solution, not significantly adsorbable on glass and activated sludge, not inhibitory to the test microorganisms. Its principle is comparison with the comparison of dissolved organic carbon in the effluent from a control unit. Annex A gives examples of results of the test on various compounds, Annex B typical control values.