kSIST FprEN 878:2026

• Abstract:

  This document is applicable to aluminium sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of aluminium sulfate and specifies the requirements for aluminium sulfate and gives reference to the analytical methods. It gives information on its use in water treatment. It also specifies the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and describes the use of aluminium sulfate (see 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 878 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Aluminium sulfate

• Revises: SIST EN 878:2016 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Aluminium sulfate
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Overview

kSIST FprEN 878:2026 - Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption – Aluminium sulfate is an international draft European standard, maintained by SIST, that specifies the requirements for aluminium sulfate used in potable water treatment. This standard addresses the product’s identification, chemical and physical properties, purity criteria, safe handling, and guidance for applications in water treatment processes. The document also references analytical methods and emphasizes compliance with relevant EU legislation and national regulations for water quality and chemical safety.

Key Topics

Characteristics of Aluminium Sulfate:

• Identification: Covers chemical name (aluminium sulfate), synonyms (e.g., cake alum), empirical and chemical formulas, and CAS/EINECS references.
• Physical forms: Found as solid (slabs, kibbled, granulated, or ground) and as clear aqueous solutions.
• Physical properties: Density, solubility, appearance, crystallization point, and viscosity, all varying according to concentration and temperature.
• Chemical properties: Acidic hydrated salt; forms aluminium hydroxide precipitate in dilute solution, with solubility dependent on pH.

Purity and Quality Control:

• Purity requirements: Specifies minimum purity with defined limits for impurities and by-products including iron, insoluble matter, and trace metals (such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium).
• Product types: Three grades based on trace metal content, allowing selection suited to water treatment needs and regulatory parameters.

Safe Handling and Storage:

• Labelling and packaging: Addresses EU labelling for hazards (e.g., eye damage, corrosivity), transportation requirements, and storage incompatibilities (notably with alkaline substances and certain metals).
• Emergency procedures: Guidance on first aid, spill response, and fire handling, highlighting the product’s acidic and corrosive nature.

Applications

Water Treatment:

• Primary use: Aluminium sulfate is widely used as a coagulant in the purification of water intended for human consumption.
• Function: Promotes coagulation of suspended solids, facilitating their removal from water, and thereby improving clarity and safety.
• Dosage and application: Typical dosing is 1 mg/l or higher (as Al). Solutions are metered into water using positive displacement pumps with adequate mixing.
• Secondary effects: The addition of aluminium sulfate can lower pH and alkalinity and increase sulfate levels in treated water, requiring attention to overall water chemistry.

Practical Considerations:

• Selection of grade: Choose product quality based on source water quality, operational requirements, and desired water quality targets.
• Storage: Store solids and solutions in corrosion-resistant containers above 0°C. Avoid mixing with incompatible chemicals and materials to prevent hazardous reactions.

Related Standards

• EN 1302: Outlines analytical methods for aluminium-based coagulants used in drinking water treatment.
• Directive (EU) 2020/2184: Specifies the requirements for the quality of water intended for human consumption, particularly regarding trace metal limits.
• Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP): Provides rules for classification, labelling, and packaging of chemical substances, relevant to handling and transport of aluminium sulfate.

Summary

The kSIST FprEN 878:2026 standard is essential for ensuring the safe, effective, and regulatory-compliant use of aluminium sulfate in drinking water treatment. By defining clear product specifications, analytical references, and health and safety measures, this standard supports water utilities, chemical suppliers, and authorities in delivering safe, high-quality drinking water while managing risks associated with chemical usage. For organizations engaged in water treatment, following this standard helps achieve optimal process control, meet regulatory obligations, and maintain public health protection.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 878:2025
01-oktober-2025
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Aluminijev sulfat
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Aluminium
sulfate
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch -
Aluminiumsulfat
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Sulfate d'aluminium
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 878
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
oSIST prEN 878:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 878:2025
oSIST prEN 878:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 878
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 878:2016
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Aluminium sulfate
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Sulfate menschlichen Gebrauch - Aluminiumsulfat
d'aluminium
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 878:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 878:2025
prEN 878:2025 (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 . 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 . 8
4.3.4 Vapour pressure at 20 °C . 8
)
4.3.5 Boiling point at 100 kPa . 8
4.3.6 Crystallization point . 8
4.3.7 Specific heat . 8
4.3.8 Viscosity (dynamic) . 8
4.3.9 Critical temperature . 9
4.3.10 Critical pressure . 9
4.3.11 Physical hardness . 9
4.4 Chemical properties . 9
5 Purity criteria . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Composition of commercial product .10
5.3 Impurities and main by-products .10
5.4 Chemical parameters .10
6 Test methods .11
6.1 Sampling .11
6.2 Analyses .11
7 Labelling - Transportation - Storage .11
7.1 Means of delivery .11
)
7.2 Labelling in accordance with the EU legislation .11
7.3 Transportation regulations and labelling .12
7.4 Marking .13
7.5 Storage .13
7.5.1 General .13
7.5.2 Long term stability .13
oSIST prEN 878:2025
prEN 878:2025 (E)
7.5.3 Storage incompatibilities . 13
Annex A (informative) General information on aluminium sulfate . 14
A.1 Origin . 14
A.1.1 Raw materials . 14
A.1.2 Manufacturing process . 14
A.2 Quality of commercial product . 14
A.3 Use . 16
A.3.1 Function . 16
A.3.2 Form in which it is used . 16
A.3.3 Treatment dose . 16
A.3.4 Means of application. 16
A.3.5 Secondary effects . 16
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 878:2025
prEN 878:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 878:2025) 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 878:2016.
Significant technical differences between this edition prEN 878:2025 and EN 878:2016 are as follows:
a) update of information related to Drinking Water Directive.

oSIST prEN 878:2025
prEN 878:2025 (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:
1) 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;
2) 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 878:2025
prEN 878:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable to aluminium sulfate used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption. It describes the characteristics of aluminium sulfate and specifies the requirements for
aluminium sulfate and gives reference to the analytical methods. It gives information on its use in water
treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and use of aluminium sulfate (see
Annex A).
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1302, Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption — Aluminium-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://www.electropedia.org/
4 Description
4.1 Identification
4.1.1 Chemical name
Aluminium sulfate.
4.1.2 Synonym or common names
Aluminium sulfate, cake alum, alum.
NOTE In English the generic term “alum” is imprecise and is deprecated and in German the term “Alaun” is
misleading, as “alumn”/”Alaun” is a kalium aluminium sulfate salt.
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass
342,14 for Al (SO ) .
...