This International Standard specifies a general method for determining the average molecular mass and molecular mass distribution of polymers (see Reference [1]) from 2 000 g·mol⁻¹ to 20 000 g·mol⁻¹ by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

The average molecular masses and molecular mass distributions are calculated from a calibration curve constructed using synthetic-polymer and/or biopolymer standards. This method is therefore classified as a relative method.

The method is not applicable to polyolefins or to polymers with a polydispersity >1,2.