FprEN 890

• Abstract:

  This document is applicable to iron (III) sulfate solution of various iron and/or acid contents (see 4.2) used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of iron (III) sulfate solution and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) sulfate solution and gives information on its use in water treatment. It also specifies the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and describes the use of iron (III) sulfate solution (Annex A).

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-2026
• ICS: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 164 - Water supply
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 164/WG 9 - Drinking water treatment
• Current Stage: 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 15-Oct-2026
• Due Date: 12-Jan-2027
• Completion Date: 15-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 890:2026 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) sulfate solution

• Referred By: EN ISO 22753:2022 - Molecular biomarker analysis - Method for the statistical evaluation of analytical results obtained in testing sub-sampled groups of genetically modified seeds and grains - General requirements (ISO 22753:2021, Corrected version 2022-11)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 18033:2024 - Food authenticity - Quantitation of equine DNA relative to mammalian DNA in raw beef (meat)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 17882:2024 - Food authenticity - DNA barcoding of meat derived from mammals and birds using defined mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase I gene segments
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 17881:2024 - Food authenticity - DNA barcoding of bivalves and products derived from bivalves using a defined mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene segment
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 11781:2025 - Molecular biomarker analysis - Requirements and guidance for single-laboratory validation of qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods (ISO 11781:2025)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 17174:2024 - Molecular biomarker analysis - DNA barcoding of fish and fish products using defined mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase I gene segments (ISO 17174:2024)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 20813:2022 - Molecular biomarker analysis - Methods of analysis for the detection and identification of animal species in foods and food products (nucleic acid-based methods) - General requirements and definitions (ISO 20813:2019)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 18057:2025 - Food authenticity - Quantitation of roe deer DNA relative to mammalian DNA in meat and meat products by real-time PCR
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Revises: EN 890:2023 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) sulfate solution
• Effective Date: 04-Dec-2024

FprEN 890 is a draft European Standard from CEN for iron (III) sulfate solution used in treatment of water intended for human consumption. It specifies the product’s description, purity criteria, analytical methods, labelling, transport, storage, and safety information for manufacturers, suppliers, laboratories, and water-treatment users.

What does FprEN 890 specify?

FprEN 890 applies to iron (III) sulfate solution with different iron and/or acid contents for drinking-water treatment. Clause 1 says the document describes the product, sets requirements and analytical methods, and gives guidance on use, safe handling, and storage.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Informative general information on origin, manufacture, quality, and use
Annex B	Normative rules for safety, emergency response, and handling

The document is organized into scope, normative references, terms and definitions, description, purity criteria, test methods, and labelling - transportation - storage. That structure helps readers move from product identity to compliance testing and then to logistics and safety.

What are the key requirements of FprEN 890?

FprEN 890 focuses on identity, purity, test methods, and safe handling. In practice, it tells a supplier what to declare, a lab what to test, and a buyer what product characteristics to check before use.

Product description and identification

Clause 4 identifies the product as iron (III) sulfate solution, with common names ferric sulfate liquor and red iron liquor. It describes the solution as red/brown, acidic, corrosive, and dilutable. This matters because users need to recognize the product, store it correctly, and avoid unsuitable materials in contact with it.

Commercial composition

Clause 5.2 states that the commercial product typically contains not less than 30 % of Fe2(SO4)3 and shall be within ±3 % of the manufacturer’s declared values. For procurement and quality control, this means the declared composition is part of acceptance checking.

Grade classification

Clause 5.3 requires the product to conform to Table 1, which sets grades 1 to 3. The grade controls manganese, Fe(II), and insoluble matter as Fe(III)-based limits. In practice, the grade helps a buyer match product quality to plant sensitivity and to the expected impact on treated water.

Type classification

Clause 5.4 requires conformity to Table 2, which sets types 1 to 3 for trace metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, antimony, and selenium. This is important when checking whether the chemical is suitable for drinking-water treatment and for comparing certificates of analysis.

Testing

Clause 6 directs users to EN 17215 for sampling and analysis. That means compliance testing is not defined locally in this document; it is tied to a shared analytical method for iron-based coagulants.

Labelling, transport, and storage

Clause 7 covers delivery in suitable non-corrosive tankers or containers, labelling under EU classification rules, and transport as UN 3264, Class 8, packing group II or III under ADR/RID, IMDG, and IATA. It also sets marking content and storage compatibility. This helps logistics teams avoid contamination, misclassification, and unsafe storage.

Who uses FprEN 890?

FprEN 890 is used by water-treatment operators, chemical suppliers, laboratory staff, and buyers responsible for drinking-water treatment chemicals. It is also relevant to transport and warehouse teams because it gives shipping, marking, and storage requirements. Annex A is especially useful for process engineers because it describes dosing, application, and removal of excess product.

What changed in FprEN 890 from the previous edition?

FprEN 890 will supersede EN 890:2023. The European foreword states that the significant technical change is an update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.

Which standards are used with FprEN 890?

The normative reference named in the document is EN 17215, which provides the analytical methods for sampling and analysis of iron-based coagulants. FprEN 890 also cites Directive (EU) 2020/2184 and Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 in the bibliography for drinking-water quality and classification, labelling, and packaging context.

What does the FprEN 890 document contain?

FprEN 890 contains product identification details, physical and chemical description, purity criteria, and the grade/type tables used for product acceptance. It also includes transport classification, marking instructions, and storage guidance for corrosive liquid handling.

Annex A gives manufacturing background, quality considerations, and practical use information such as dosing, application method, side effects, and removal of excess product. Annex B gives safety instructions, first aid, spill response, and fire precautions.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 890:2025
01-september-2025
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Železov (III) sulfat, raztopina
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) sulfate
solution
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen(III)sulfat-
Lösung
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Sulfate de fer (III) liquide
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 890
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
oSIST prEN 890:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 890:2025
oSIST prEN 890:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 890
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 890:2023
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Iron (III) sulfate solution
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Sulfate de fer menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen(III)sulfat-Lösung
(III) liquide
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 164.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 890:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 890:2025
prEN 890:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Description . 6
4.1 Identification . 6
4.1.1 Chemical name . 6
4.1.2 Synonym or common names . 6
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass . 6
4.1.4 Empirical formula . 6
4.1.5 Chemical formula . 6
4.1.6 CAS Registry Number . 6
4.1.7 EINECS reference . 7
4.2 Commercial forms . 7
4.3 Physical properties . 7
4.3.1 Appearance . 7
4.3.2 Density . 7
4.3.3 Solubility (in water) . 7
4.3.4 Vapour pressure . 7
4.3.5 Boiling point at 100 kPa . 7
4.3.6 Freezing point. 7
4.3.7 Specific heat . 7
4.3.8 Viscosity (dynamic) . 7
4.3.9 Critical temperature . 7
4.3.10 Critical pressure . 7
4.3.11 Physical hardness . 7
4.4 Chemical properties . 7
5 Purity criteria . 8
5.1 General . 8
5.2 Composition of commercial product . 8
5.3 The grade of the product . 8
5.4 The type of the product . 8
6 Test methods . 9
6.1 Sampling . 9
6.2 Analyses . 9
7 Labelling - Transportation - Storage . 9
7.1 Means of delivery . 9
7.2 Risk and safety labelling according to the EU Directives . 9
7.3 Transportation regulations and labelling . 10
7.4 Marking . 11
7.5 Storage . 11
7.5.1 Long term stability . 11
7.5.2 Storage incompatibilities . 11
Annex A (informative) General information on iron (III) sulfate solution . 12
oSIST prEN 890:2025
prEN 890:2025 (E)
A.1 Origin . 12
A.1.1 Raw materials . 12
A.1.2 Manufacturing process . 12
A.2 Quality of commercial product . 12
A.3 Use . 13
A.3.1 Function . 13
A.3.2 Form in which it is used . 13
A.3.3 Treatment dose . 14
A.3.4 Means of application. 14
A.3.5 Secondary effects . 14
A.3.6 Removal of excess product . 14
Annex B (normative) General rules relating to safety . 15
B.1 Rules for safe handling and use . 15
B.2 Emergency procedures . 15
B.2.1 First aid . 15
B.2.2 Spillage . 15
B.2.3 Fire . 15
Bibliography . 16

oSIST prEN 890:2025
prEN 890:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 890:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 164 “Water
supply”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 890:2023.
prEN 890:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 890:2023:
— update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.

oSIST prEN 890:2025
prEN 890:2025 (E)
Introduction
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption, caused
by the product covered by this document:
a) this document provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction
in any of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;
b) it should be noted that, while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing
national regulations concerning the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
NOTE Conformity with this document does not confer or imply acceptance or approval of the product in any
of the Member States of the EU or EFTA. The use of the product covered by this document is subject to regulation
or control by National Authorities.

oSIST prEN 890:2025
prEN 890:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable to iron (III) sulfate solution of various iron and/or acid contents (see 4.2)
used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of iron
(III) sulfate solution and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron
(III) sulfate solution and gives information on its use in water treatment. It also determines the rules
relating to safe handling (Annex B)
...