kSIST FprEN 888:2026

• 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
• 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: 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 28-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 16-Oct-2026
• Completion Date: 02-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: FprEN 888 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride

• Referred By: SIST-TS 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
• Referred By: SIST EN ISO 11296-9:2023 - 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
• Revises: SIST EN 888:2023 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride
• Effective Date: 04-Dec-2024

Overview

kSIST FprEN 888:2026 establishes requirements and analytical methods for iron (III) chloride - both as solution and as hexahydrate - used in the treatment of water intended for human consumption. Developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) and aligned with CEN/TC 164’s guidelines, this standard details product characteristics, purity criteria, commercial forms, and safety protocols for the safe application of iron (III) chloride in drinking water treatment processes.

The document ensures water treatment chemicals meet appropriate purity and performance standards, contributing to the overall safety and quality compliance for potable water systems throughout Europe.

Key Topics

• Product Identification

  • Covers both iron (III) chloride solution and hexahydrate (FeCl₃·6H₂O).
  • Specifies chemical names, physical properties, and commercial forms.

• Purity and Composition Requirements

  • Defines minimum purity grades, limit values for impurities (such as heavy metals and insoluble matter), and composition tolerances.
  • Ensures product composition aligns with both regulatory and operational safety.

• Analytical Methods

  • References prescribed sampling and analysis methods for accurate quality verification (e.g., EN 17215 for iron-based coagulant analysis).

• Labelling, Transportation & Storage

  • Outlines detailed labelling for hazard communication per EU regulations.
  • Provides guidance on safe delivery, storage, and marking for traceability and compliance.
  • Includes information on transport classifications and compatibility requirements to prevent contamination or safety incidents.

• Safe Handling and Use

  • Summarizes essential practices for handling, personal protection, and emergency protocols in accordance with Annex B’s safety instructions.

Applications

Iron (III) chloride, as described in kSIST FprEN 888:2026, is widely used in municipal and industrial water treatment plants, particularly in the following roles:

• Coagulation and Flocculation Agent

  • Facilitates the aggregation of suspended solids, organic matter, and colloids, enabling their removal from raw water by sedimentation or filtration.
  • Effectively lowers turbidity and helps reduce levels of various contaminants.

• Versatile Product Forms

  • Available as ready-to-use solutions or as crystalline granules (hexahydrate), adaptable to facility requirements.
  • Solutions can be directly dosed or diluted for precise application control.

• Process Optimization

  • Suitable for a range of water qualities and plant designs, with treatment doses adjusted based on raw water characteristics and operational needs.
  • Acts as a primary coagulant in surface and ground water treatment, supporting compliance with EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184).

• Safe and Regulated Use

  • Emphasizes adherence to storage, labelling, and transportation protocols to mitigate chemical risk and maintain product integrity.
  • Includes clear rules for spill management and first aid, protecting workers and the environment.

Related Standards

• EN 17215
  Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption – Iron-based coagulants – Analytical methods
  Describes test methods for sampling and analysis of iron coagulants, complementing the requirements specified in kSIST FprEN 888.

• Directive (EU) 2020/2184
  Addresses the legislative framework for the quality of water intended for human consumption, defining safety and quality parameters for treatment chemicals.

• Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
  Concerns classification, labelling, and packaging of substances and mixtures, mandating hazard communication in line with EU chemical legislation.

These and other referenced standards ensure that the use of iron (III) chloride in drinking water treatment is robust, compliant, and safe, supporting the delivery of high-quality potable water.

---

Keywords: iron (III) chloride, drinking water treatment, water purification chemicals, iron-based coagulants, kSIST FprEN 888, water quality standards, safe handling, chemical storage, EU regulations.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 888:2025
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
oSIST prEN 888:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 888:2025
oSIST prEN 888:2025
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.

oSIST prEN 888:2025
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
oSIST prEN 888:2025
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

oSIST prEN 888:2025
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.

oSIST prEN 888:2025
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.

oSIST prEN 888:2025
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:/
...