oSIST prEN 888:2025

Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride

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).

Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen(III)chlorid

Dieses Dokument ist anzuwenden für Eisen(III)chloridlösung a) und Eisen(III)chloridhexahydrat b) zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch. Es beschreibt die Eigenschaften von Eisen(III)chlorid a) und b) und legt die Anforderungen sowie die entsprechenden Analysenverfahren für Eisen(III)chlorid a) und b) fest. Es enthält Angaben für dessen Anwendung in der Wasseraufbereitung. Es legt darüber hinaus Regeln für die sichere Handhabung (Anhang B) und Verwendung von Eisen(III)chlorid fest (Anhang A).

Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation humaine - Chlorure de fer (III)

Le présent document est applicable au chlorure de fer (III) liquide a) et au chlorure de fer (III) hexahydraté b), utilisés pour le traitement de l’eau destinée à la consommation humaine. Il décrit les caractéristiques et spécifie les exigences et les méthodes d’analyse correspondantes pour les chlorures de fer (III) a) et b) et donne les informations pour leur utilisation dans le traitement de l’eau. Il fixe également les règles relatives à la sécurité de manipulation (Annexe B) et d’utilisation du chlorure de fer (III) (Annexe A).

Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Železov (III) klorid

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 15-Oct-2025
• ICS: 13.060.20 - Drinking water
• ICS: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water
• Technical Committee: IOVO - Water supply and waste water engineering
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 19-Aug-2025
• Due Date: 06-Jan-2026
• Completion Date: 20-Oct-2025
• Ref Project: prEN 888 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride

Relations

• Revises: SIST EN 888:2023 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride
• Effective Date: 04-Dec-2024

Overview

The oSIST prEN 888:2025:2025 standard, developed by CEN, defines specifications for iron (III) chloride used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. It applies to both iron (III) chloride solution and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate, outlining their characteristics, purity requirements, and analytical methods. The standard also provides important guidelines on the safe handling and use of these chemicals for water treatment applications. This ensures the effective and safe use of iron (III) chloride in potable water treatment while maintaining water quality and public health safety.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  The standard covers iron (III) chloride solution and hexahydrate forms utilized in drinking water treatment processes. It specifies chemical identity, composition, and purity criteria essential to meet water safety requirements.

• Chemical Identification

  • Iron (III) chloride solution (FeCl3)
  • Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O)
    It includes molecular masses, chemical and empirical formulas, CAS registry numbers, and EINECS references for precise identification.

• Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Appearance: Dark brown solution and yellow deliquescent crystals for hexahydrate.
  • Density values at 20°C, solubility in water, melting/freezing points, viscosity, and corrosive, acidic nature of solutions are described.
  • Hydrolysis behavior in dilute solutions leading to iron hydroxide precipitates is noted.

• Purity and Quality Requirements
  Minimum purity thresholds are specified, including limits on impurities from raw materials and manufacturing processes. Notification obligations for additional impurities ensure regulatory transparency.

• Analytical Methods
  Standardized sampling and analysis techniques are referenced to verify compliance with quality and safety parameters.

• Safety and Handling Protocols

  • Annex A: General information on iron (III) chloride, manufacturing, and usage in water treatment.
  • Annex B: Normative rules for safe handling, emergency procedures, appropriate storage, and transportation guidelines.

Applications

Iron (III) chloride is widely used as a coagulant in drinking water treatment to remove suspended particles, reduce turbidity, and facilitate purification. The oSIST prEN 888:2025 standard ensures that the chemicals meet stringent quality controls essential for municipal and industrial water treatment plants. Practical aspects include:

• Dosage and Application
  Specified dosing levels and application methods optimize treatment efficiency while avoiding excess residual chemicals in potable water.

• Quality Assurance
  Assuring compliance with purity and safety parameters reduces health risks and environmental impact, supporting regulatory requirements for safe drinking water.

• Safe Handling
  Clear rules minimize hazards related to storage, spillage, and emergency situations, safeguarding workers and communities.

Related Standards

oSIST prEN 888:2025 references and aligns with other relevant CEN standards for water treatment chemicals, such as:

• EN 17215: Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron-based coagulants - Analytical methods, which complements testing and verification procedures for iron (III) chloride.

• National regulations and EU Directives related to chemical safety, transportation, and environmental protection should also be considered in conjunction with oSIST prEN 888:2025 to ensure comprehensive compliance.

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Keywords: oSIST prEN 888:2025, iron (III) chloride, drinking water treatment, water purification chemicals, iron chloride hexahydrate, water treatment standards, coagulants for potable water, CEN water standards, chemical safety handling, analytical methods for water treatment chemicals.

Standards Content (Sample)

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
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.

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
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

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.
— update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.

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.

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:/
...