Introduction: In laboratory settings, where precise liquid volumes are crucial, accurate and reliable measurement is paramount. To establish consistency and quality in pipette performance, international standards have been developed. These standards provide guidelines for manufacturers, calibration laboratories, and users to assess and maintain the accuracy of pipettes. In this blog post, we will explore the key international standards for determining the performance of pipettes, highlighting their significance in achieving reliable results.
DIN 12650: The German Institute for Standardization (DeutschesInstitut für Normung) developed DIN 12650, a comprehensive set of standards. These standards consist of specific sections that address various types of pipettes and related apparatus. DIN 12650 provides detailed requirements and guidelines for general use, piston-stroke pipettes, dispensers, diluters, piston burettes, gravimetric testing, non-gravimetric methods, and multi-channel pipettes. Adhering to these standards ensures consistent performance and accuracy across different pipette types.
ISO 8655: ISO 8655 is an internationally recognized standard that sets forth metrological requirements, maximum permissible errors, marking requirements, and user recommendations for piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA). This standard is applicable to different types of pipettes, burettes, dilutors, and dispensers.
ISO 8655-1:2022: Part 1 of ISO 8655 focuses on terminology, general requirements, and user recommendations for POVA. It defines essential terms and provides valuable recommendations for the proper use of piston-operated volumetric apparatus.
ISO 8655-2:2022: Part 2 of ISO 8655 specifically addresses pipettes. It outlines metrological requirements, maximum permissible errors, marking requirements, and user information for both air-displacement (type A) and positive displacement (type D) single-channel and multi-channel pipettes. These requirements ensure accurate and reliable volume measurements in various pipetting applications.
ISO 8655-3:2022: Part 3 of ISO 8655 pertains to burettes. It establishes metrological requirements, maximum permissible errors, marking requirements, and user information for burettes with nominal volumes up to 100 ml. Compliance with these standards guarantees accurate and consistent volumetric delivery in laboratory settings.
ISO 8655-4:2022: Part 4 of ISO 8655 focuses on dilutors. It specifies metrological requirements, maximum permissible errors, marking requirements, and user information for dilutors designed to deliver specific sample and diluent volumes. These standards ensure precise and reliable dilution processes, critical in various analytical and research applications.
ISO 8655-5:2022: Part 5 of ISO 8655 addresses dispensers. It outlines metrological requirements, maximum permissible errors, marking requirements, and user information for dispensers with nominal volumes ranging from 1 ml to 200 ml. Compliance with these standards guarantees accurate and reliable dispensing of liquid samples and reagents.
ISO 8655-6:2022: Part 6 of ISO 8655 introduces a gravimetric reference measurement procedure for determining the volume of POVA. This procedure is applicable to complete systems, including disposable or reusable parts used in the measurement by delivery or containment. By following this procedure, laboratories can ensure accurate volume measurements with traceability to recognized standards.
ISO 8655-8:2022: Part 8 of ISO 8655 outlines a photometric reference measurement procedure for determining the volume of POVA with a maximum nominal volume of 5,000 µl. This procedure involves specific apparatus and provides accurate measurements by delivery, ensuring precise volume control.
ISO 8655-9:2022: Part 9 of ISO 8655 focuses on manually operated precision laboratory syringes. It specifies metrological requirements, maximum permissible errors, marking requirements, and user information for syringes made of glass or glass and metal. Compliance with these standards ensures accurate and reliable measurements in manual syringe-based applications.
Other Relevant Standards: In addition to DIN 12650 and ISO 8655,
other standards play a significant role in maintaining accuracy and reliability in pipette performance.
ASTM E1154-14 establishes requirements, operating conditions, and test methods for piston or plunger operated volumetric apparatus.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017-11 sets general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, ensuring the reliability of measurement results.
ISO 3696 provides specifications and test methods for water used in analytical laboratory applications.
ISO/TR 20461 guides the determination of uncertainty for volume measurement using the gravimetric method, providing valuable insights into measurement accuracy.
Conclusion: International standards, such as DIN 12650 and ISO 8655, play a vital role in ensuring accurate and reliable performance of pipettes. These standards provide manufacturers, calibration laboratories, and users with guidelines to assess, maintain, and validate the accuracy of pipettes. By adhering to these standards, laboratories can achieve consistent and precise volume measurements, enhancing the reliability and quality of their analytical results. Compliance with international standards not only fosters confidence in measurement data but also promotes consistency and comparability in scientific research and analysis.
