FprEN 888

• Abstract:

  This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride solution a) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate b) used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chlorides a) and b) and gives information for their use in water treatment. It also specifies the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and describes the use of iron (III) chloride (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: 08-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 29-Jun-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 888:2025 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride

• Referred By: EN ISO 11296-9:2022 - Plastics piping systems for renovation of underground non-pressure drainage and sewerage networks - Part 9: Lining with a rigidly anchored plastics inner layer (ISO 11296-9:2022)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: CEN ISO/TS 23818-2:2022 - Assessment of conformity of plastics piping systems for the rehabilitation of existing pipelines - Part 2: Resin-fibre composite (RFC) material (ISO/TS 23818-2:2021)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Revises: EN 888:2023 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride
• Effective Date: 04-Dec-2024

Overview

FprEN 888 is the draft European standard developed by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), specifying requirements for iron (III) chloride solution and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. This standard covers the product characteristics, purity requirements, analytical testing methods, labelling, handling, transportation, and storage guidelines for iron (III) chloride in both solution and solid forms. FprEN 888 ensures that these chemicals are suitable for use in drinking water treatment, conforming to established quality and safety criteria.

Keywords: iron (III) chloride, ferric chloride, water treatment chemicals, drinking water, CEN standard, coagulant, EN 888, human consumption

Key Topics

• Product Forms and Identification
  • Two main types: iron (III) chloride solution and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate.
  • Chemical formulas: FeCl₃ and FeCl₃·6H₂O.
  • Common names: ferric chloride solution and ferric chloride hexahydrate.
  • CAS Numbers: 7705-08-0 (solution), 10025-77-1 (hexahydrate).
• Physical and Chemical Properties
  • Iron (III) chloride solution: dark brown liquid, density ~1.43 g/cm³ for 40% solution.
  • Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate: yellow hygroscopic crystals, density ~1.8 g/cm³.
  • Both forms are acidic and corrosive with high solubility in water.
• Purity Criteria
  • Specifies maximum allowable levels for impurities such as manganese, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and others.
  • Three grades and types of product, each with distinct impurity limits to match water treatment requirements.
• Analytical Methods
  • References EN 17215 for analysis of iron-based coagulants in water treatment.
• Labelling and Safety
  • Conformance to EU directives on chemical classification, labelling, and packaging.
  • Required hazard symbols, safety phrases, and batch identification on containers.
• Transport and Storage
  • Safe storage in corrosion-resistant containers.
  • Classification for transport under ADR, IMDG, and IATA regulations.
  • Special handling instructions to avoid incompatibilities and ensure safety.

Applications

• Drinking Water Treatment
  • Primary use of iron (III) chloride is as a coagulation agent in the treatment of raw water sources for human consumption.
  • Applied in municipal water plants to remove impurities and particles, facilitating clarification and filtration processes.
  • Dosage typically ranges between 4 g/m³ to 10 g/m³ of water (expressed as Fe), subject to site-specific requirements and regulations.
  • Variations in grade and type allow water treatment facilities to match their specific raw water chemistry and final quality targets.
• Industrial Water Preparation
  • Used in industrial processes where potable or process water purity is essential.
• Safety in Practice
  • Detailed procedures for handling, emergency response, and first aid, covering skin contact, ingestion, inhalation, and spillage.
  • Guidance for appropriate storage to maintain product stability and effectiveness.

Related Standards

• EN 17215: Outlines analytical methods for iron-based coagulants used in water treatment.
• Directive (EU) 2020/2184: Sets quality requirements for water intended for human consumption.
• Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP): Provides the framework for classification, labelling, and packaging of chemical substances.
• EN 888:2023: The previous edition being superseded by FprEN 888.
• REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006: Covers the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals within the EU.

FprEN 888 supports safe, effective, and compliant use of iron (III) chloride in water treatment applications, helping public water suppliers and treatment professionals maintain high standards of drinking water quality and consumer safety.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Železov (III) klorid
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III)
chloride
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen
(III)chlorid
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Chlorure de fer (III)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 888
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 888
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 888:2023
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Iron (III) chloride
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Chlorure de fer menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen(III)chlorid
(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 888:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 888:2025 (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 names . 6
4.1.2 Synonym or common names . 6
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass . 6
4.1.4 Empirical formula . 7
4.1.5 Chemical formula . 7
4.1.6 CAS Registry Number . 7
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 . 8
4.3.5 Boiling point at 100 kPa . 8
4.3.6 Melting and freezing point . 8
4.3.7 Specific heat . 8
4.3.8 Viscosity (dynamic) . 8
4.3.9 Critical temperature . 8
4.3.10 Critical pressure . 8
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 . 9
5.3 The grade of the product . 9
5.4 The type of the product . 10
6 Test methods . 10
6.1 Sampling . 10
6.2 Analyses . 10
7 Labelling - Transportation - Storage . 10
7.1 Means of delivery . 10
7.2 Risk and safety labelling according to the EU Directives . 10
7.3 Transportation regulations and labelling . 12
7.4 Marking . 12
7.5 Storage . 12
7.5.1 Long term stability . 12
prEN 888:2025 (E)
7.5.2 Storage incompatibilities . 12
Annex A (informative) General information on iron (III) chloride . 13
A.1 Origin . 13
A.1.1 Raw materials . 13
A.2 Manufacturing process . 13
A.2.1 General . 13
A.2.2 Quality of commercial product . 13
A.3 Use . 15
A.3.1 Function . 15
A.3.2 Form in which it is used. 15
A.3.3 Treatment dose . 15
A.3.4 Means of application . 15
A.3.5 Secondary effects . 15
A.3.6 Removal of excess product . 16
Annex B (normative) General rules relating to safety . 17
B.1 Rules for safe handling and use . 17
B.2 Emergency procedures . 17
B.2.1 First aid . 17
B.2.2 Spillage . 17
B.2.3 Fire . 17
Bibliography . 18

prEN 888:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 888:2025) 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 888:2023.
prEN 888:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 888:2023:
— update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.

prEN 888:2025 (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 standard 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 888:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride solution a) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate b) used
for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics and specifies
the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chlorides a) and b) and gives
information for their use in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling
(Annex B) and use of iron (III) chloride (Annex A).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 17215, Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption — Iron-based
coagulants — Analytical methods
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:/
...