FprEN 891

• Abstract:

  This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of iron (III) chloride sulfate and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chloride sulfate 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) chloride sulfate (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: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Start Date: 29-Jun-2026
• Due Date: 09-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 29-Jun-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 891:2025 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride sulfate

• Revises: EN 891:2023 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride sulfate
• Effective Date: 04-Dec-2024

Overview

FprEN 891 specifies the requirements for iron (III) chloride sulfate (ferric chloride sulfate) used for the treatment of water intended for human consumption. Developed by CEN/TC 164, this standard outlines the chemical’s characteristics, purity criteria, analytical methods, safe handling guidelines, and recommended applications in drinking water treatment. It ensures that iron (III) chloride sulfate meets stringent quality and safety benchmarks, supporting reliable and compliant water purification processes across Europe.

Key Topics

• Product Identification:

  • Chemical name: Iron (III) chloride sulfate (FeClSO4)
  • CAS Registry Number: 12410-14-9
  • EINECS reference: 235-649-0
  • Commercial form: Supplied as a dark brown solution

• Physical and Chemical Properties:

  • Density: Approx. 1.5 g/cm³ at 20 °C
  • Solubility: Fully dilutable in water
  • Boiling point: 102 °C at 100 kPa
  • Acidic and corrosive, requires careful handling

• Purity Standards:

  • Specifies minimum content and maximum allowable impurities:
    • Iron (III) content: ≥11% (as Fe)
    • Impurity limits for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, antimony, and selenium
    • Grading for product quality (grades 1, 2, and 3)

• Testing and Analysis:

  • Analytical procedures are referenced to EN 17215

• Labelling, Transportation, and Storage:

  • Must follow relevant EU and international regulations for dangerous goods
  • Corrosive substance (UN 3264), Class 8
  • Product markings must include product name, grade, net mass, supplier, and conformity statement

Applications

• Water Treatment:

  • Iron (III) chloride sulfate is a primary coagulant, widely used in drinking water purification plants
  • Efficient at removing impurities, suspended solids, and organic matter through coagulation and flocculation
  • Suitable for dosing as delivered or in diluted form; dilution should be managed carefully to avoid precipitation

• Benefits for Potable Water:

  • Reliable reduction of contaminants to ensure water is safe for human consumption
  • Complies with the EU Drinking Water Directive (EU 2020/2184), minimizing the risk of introducing heavy metals above regulatory limits
  • Selected grade and type should be tailored to raw water characteristics, dosage requirements, and water quality targets

• Safe Handling Practices:

  • Operators must adhere to safety guidelines for corrosive acids
  • Storage in plastic or rubber-lined containers is recommended to prevent reactions with metals or alkalis
  • Emergency and first aid procedures are specified for accidental contact or spillage

Related Standards

• EN 17215: Analytical methods for iron-based coagulants used in water treatment
• Directive (EU) 2020/2184: Quality of water intended for human consumption
• Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008: EU regulations for classification, labelling, and packaging of chemical substances (CLP)
• Transport Regulations: ADR, RID, IMDG, and IATA rules for hazardous materials

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FprEN 891 is essential for water utilities, manufacturers, and suppliers of chemicals for water treatment. By following this standard, stakeholders ensure compliance with European regulatory requirements, protect public health, and support operational excellence in the provision of safe drinking water. For additional details, always consult the latest published standard and applicable national regulations.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2025
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Železov (III) klorid sulfat
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III)
chloride sulfate
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen
(III)chloridsulfat
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l’eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Chlorosulfate de fer (III)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 891
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 891
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 891:2023
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Iron (III) chloride sulfate
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Chlorosulfate de menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen(III)chloridsulfat
fer (III)
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 891:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 891:2025 (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 . 7
4.1.7 EINECS reference . 7
4.2 Commercial form . 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 . 8
4.4 Chemical properties . 8
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 . 9
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 . 10
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) chloride sulfate . 12
prEN 891:2025 (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 . 14
A.3.1 Function . 14
A.3.2 Form in which it is used. 14
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

prEN 891:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 891:2025) 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 891:2023.
prEN 891:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 891:2023:
— update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.

prEN 891:2025 (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.

prEN 891:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride sulfate used for treatment of water intended for
human consumption. It describes the characteristics of iron (III) chloride sulfate and specifies the
requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chloride sulf
...