ISO/TC 48 - Laboratory equipment

This document provides symbols and defines standard datasheets for some of the most often used microfluidic pumps, such as the peristaltic pump, pressure pump, syringe pump and diaphragm/membrane pump.

This document describes the measurement uncertainty analysis of the measurement procedures described in ISO 23783-2, following the approach described in ISO/IEC Guide 98-3. This document also includes the determination of other uncertainty components related to the liquid delivery process and the device under test (DUT) to estimate the overall measurement uncertainty of delivered volumes by an automated liquid handling system (ALHS).

This document provides user guidance regarding the selection of piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA) (including exchangeable parts) and best practices for their use. This document also specifies requirements for user training and competence. Further, this document introduces performance tolerances and testing of POVA to ensure fitness for their intended use.

This document provides terms and definitions for micro process engineering and microfluidics applied in medical and veterinary diagnostics, chemistry, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology and the agrifood industry, as well as other application areas.

This document specifies requirements and tests for glass Petri dishes intended for general laboratory purposes and microbiological work.

This document gives detailed information regarding the evaluation of uncertainty for the photometric reference measurement procedure specified in ISO 8655-8 and the photometric procedure specified in ISO 8655-7:2022, Annex B according to ISO/IEC Guide 98-3. This document also describes the determination of other uncertainty components related to the liquid delivery process of a piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA), e.g. repeatability and handling. Furthermore, it provides examples for the calculation and application of the uncertainty of the mean delivered volume and the uncertainty in use of a single delivered volume.

This document gives detailed information regarding the evaluation of uncertainty for the gravimetric reference measurement procedure specified in ISO 8655-6[1] and the gravimetric procedure specified in ISO 8655-7:2022[1], Annex A, according to the ISO/IEC Guide 98-3[16]. This document also includes the determination of other uncertainty components related to the liquid delivery process of a piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA), e.g. repeatability and handling. Furthermore, it provides examples for the calculation and application of the uncertainty of the mean delivered volume and the uncertainty in use of a single delivered volume.

This document defines terms relating to automated liquid handling systems (ALHS). This document also specifies general requirements for the use of ALHS. It describes types of ALHS and specific use requirements, settings, and adjustments for each ALHS type. It also specifies environmental requirements for the use of ALHS. This document is applicable to all ALHS with complete, installed liquid handling devices, including tips and other essential parts needed for delivering a specified volume, which perform liquid handling tasks without human intervention into labware. NOTE Measurement procedures for the determination of volumetric performance are given in ISO 23783-2. The determination, specification, and reporting of volumetric performance of automated liquid handling systems are described in ISO 23783-3.

This document provides guidance and establishes requirements for collecting and examining volumetric performance data of automated liquid handling systems (ALHS). It specifies how to index and track volumetric performance data and provides descriptive statistics for the evaluation of these data. This document also specifies reporting requirements of ALHS volumetric performance. This document is applicable to all ALHS with complete, installed liquid handling devices, including tips and other essential parts needed for delivering a specified volume, which perform liquid handling tasks without human intervention into labware. NOTE For terminology and general requirements of automated liquid handling systems, see ISO 23783-1. Measurement procedures for the determination of volumetric performance are given in ISO 23783-2.

This document specifies procedures for the determination of volumetric performance of automated liquid handling systems (ALHS), including traceability and estimations of measurement uncertainty of measurement results. This document is applicable to all ALHS with complete, installed liquid handling devices, including tips and other essential parts needed for delivering a specified volume, which perform liquid handling tasks without human intervention into labware. NOTE For terminology and general requirements of automated liquid handling systems, see ISO 23783-1. Determination, specification, and reporting of volumetric performance of automated liquid handling systems is described in ISO 23783-3.

This document sets out requirements for the construction of general laboratory volumetric flasks made of plastic material.

This document specifies alternative measurement procedures for the determination of volume of piston-operated volumetric apparatus. The procedures are applicable to complete systems comprising the basic apparatus and all parts selected for use with the apparatus, disposable or reusable, involved in the measurement by delivery process (Ex). Methods described in this document are suitable for various maximum nominal volumes of piston-operated volumetric apparatus. It is the responsibility of the user to select the appropriate method.

This document specifies — metrological requirements, — maximum permissible errors, — requirements for marking and — information to be provided for users, for dispensers. It is applicable to dispensers with nominal volumes from 1 μl up to 200 ml, designed to deliver their volume (Ex).

This document specifies — metrological requirements, — maximum permissible errors, — requirements for marking and — information to be provided for users, for dilutors with a sample uptake capacity (In) from 5 μl to 1 ml and a diluent capacity (Ex) from 50 μl to 100 ml. They are designed to deliver the sample and diluent together in measured proportion and measured volume.

This document specifies general requirements for piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA). It is applicable to pipettes, burettes, dilutors, dispensers and manually operated precision laboratory syringes. It furthermore defines terms for the use of piston-operated volumetric apparatus and gives user recommendations. This document does not apply to medical products intended for use on humans, e.g. for medical syringes.

This document specifies — metrological requirements, — maximum permissible errors, — requirements for marking and — information to be provided for users, for manually operated precision laboratory syringes made of glass or glass and metal designed to deliver their selected volume (Ex). Manually operated precision laboratory syringes are instruments used for delivering liquids and gases. The barrel is typically made of glass and the plunger and the needle are typically made of metal.

This document specifies the photometric reference measurement procedure for the determination of volume of piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA). The procedure is applicable to complete systems comprising the basic apparatus with a maximum nominal volume of 5 000 µl and all parts selected for use with the apparatus, disposable or reusable, involved in the measurement by delivery (Ex).

This document specifies — metrological requirements, — maximum permissible errors, — requirements for marking and — information to be provided for users, for burettes. This document is applicable to burettes with nominal volumes up to 100 ml, designed to deliver their specified volume (Ex).

This document specifies — metrological requirements, — maximum permissible errors, — requirements for marking and — information to be provided for users, for air-displacement (type A) and positive displacement (type D) single-channel and multi-channel pipettes, complete with their selected tip(s) and any other essential, consumable parts, designed to deliver the selected volume (Ex).

This document specifies a gravimetric reference measurement procedure for the determination of volume of piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA). The procedure is applicable to complete systems comprising the basic apparatus and all parts selected for use with the apparatus, disposable or reusable, involved in the measurement by delivery (Ex) or contained (In).

This document specifies requirements for the seamless integration with other microfluidic components and systems to facilitate the process of designing new microfluidic devices (e.g. microfluidic chips, sensors, actuators, connectors). This document is applicable to devices in the field of “microfluidics” needing microfluidic interconnections.

This document provides methods for the testing, calibration and use of volumetric instruments made from glass and plastic in order to obtain the best accuracy in use. NOTE Testing is the process by which the conformity of the individual volumetric instrument with the appropriate standard is determined, resulting in the determination of its error of measurement at one or more points. This document is applicable to volumetric instruments with nominal capacities in the range of 100 µl to 10 000 ml. These include single-volume pipettes (see ISO 648), graduated pipettes (see ISO 835), burettes (see ISO 385), volumetric flasks (see ISO 1042 and ISO 5215), and graduated measuring cylinders (see ISO 4788 and ISO 6706). The methods are not intended for testing of volumetric instruments with capacities below 100 µl such as micro-glassware. This document does not deal specifically with pycnometers as specified in ISO 3507. However, the procedures specified for the determination of volume of glassware can, for the most part, also be followed for the determination of a pycnometer volume. For some types of pycnometers, special handling can be necessary.

This document specifies requirements for borosilicate 3,3 glass tubing according to ISO 3585 for laboratory apparatus in an outer diameter range from 4 mm to 300 mm. This document defines dimensions, material, denomination, designation, requirements and inspection methods.

ISO 16496:2016 recommends dimensions and specifies requirements and test methods for laboratory glassware manufactured from borosilicate glass 3.3 and provided with a vacuum jacket for thermal insulation. It covers Dewar vessels, vacuum-jacketed reaction vessels and vacuum-jacketed columns intended for laboratory use and laboratory related applications. Typical dimensions are given in Tables 1 to 5. ISO 16496:2016 does not apply to large scale production equipment and equipment operated with pressures of more than 0,1 bar above atmospheric pressure.

ISO 4796-1:2016 specifies a series of screw-neck bottles suitable for the storage of fluid liquid and solid chemicals and reagents in general laboratory use. These bottles with nominal volumes ranging from 25 ml to 20 000 ml are also suitable for the preparation and storage of microbiological growth media.

ISO 4797:2015 specifies requirements for an internationally acceptable series of boiling flasks with conical ground joints for general laboratory purposes.

ISO 3819:2015 specifies requirements for an internationally acceptable series of glass beakers for laboratory use.

ISO 384:2015 sets out principles for the design of volumetric instruments manufactured from glass or from plastics in order to facilitate the most reliable and convenient use to the intended degree of accuracy.

ISO 6556:2012 specifies requirements to filter flasks with conical or cylindrical shape for general laboratory purposes.

ISO 13079:2011 specifies requirements for single-use and re-usable glass and plastics tubes for measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by the Westergren method, and for a support to hold tubes during the performance of the test. These so-called "Westergren tubes" are also sometimes designated as "Westergren pipettes". A procedure for measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate by the Westergren method is given in an informative annex. ISO 13079:2011 does not apply to single-use containers for human venous blood specimen collection and their accessories for which other standards apply. It also does not apply for devices where the Westergren method has been used as basis to develop other, similar methods or equipment for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate determination.

ISO 13130:2011 specifies requirements and tests for desiccators and vacuum desiccators intended for general laboratory purposes such as drying of substances or material.

ISO 24998:2008 specifies requirements and test methods for plain, single-use Petri dishes for microbiological use. ISO 24998:2008 does not apply to products of similar design which may be used for cell or tissue culture purposes. Neither does it apply to dishes supplied ready loaded with microbiological media.

ISO 648:2008 specifies metrological and constructional requirements for volumetric pipettes with one mark (total delivery) and for volumetric pipettes with two marks, both of which are adequate for general laboratory purposes. The details specified are in conformity with the principles of design and construction of volumetric glassware given in ISO 384.

ISO 835:2007 specifies metrological and constructional requirements for graduated pipettes, adequate for general laboratory purposes.

ISO 24450:2005 specifies requirements and dimensions for an internationally acceptable series of conical flasks and of flat-bottom and round-bottom flasks with wide neck for general laboratory purpose. The flasks are provided for direct use in laboratory, fitting together with other equipment for general laboratory purposes, and for further work up to other products. For narrow-necked boiling flasks, ISO 1773 applies. For boiling flasks with conical ground joints, see ISO 4797.

ISO 4788:2005 specifies dimensions, material and constructional and metrological requirements of graduated measuring cylinders of tall form (Type 1a and Type 1b) and of squat form (Type 2). All types are suitable for general laboratory use. The specifications in ISO 4788:2005 are in conformity with the principles of design and construction of volumetric glassware given in ISO 384.

This International Standard provides metrological and construction requirements for an internationally acceptable series of burettes, suitable for general laboratory purposes. The details specified are in accordance with the principles of design and construction of volumetric glassware given in ISO 384. For piston burettes, see ISO 8655-3.

ISO 4142:2002 specifies a range of test tubes, suitable for general laboratory use, fabricated from borosilicate, neutral or soda/lime glass, which are designated Type I, Type II and Type III respectively.

This part of ISO 4796 specifies a series of bottles with a conical, wide or narrow neck with or without ground joints, suitable for the storage of liquid and solid chemicals and reagents in general laboratory use.

This part of ISO 4796 specifies a series of aspirator bottles with a screw neck or with a conical neck suitable for the delivery of liquid chemicals and reagents in general laboratory use.

This International Standard specifies requirements for a series of pyknometers for general laboratory use for the determination of the densities of liquids. Specialized pyknometers for use with particular products, or otherwise not in common use, are excluded. Sufficient details to define such pyknometers should be included in International Standards which specify or describe their use. A device suitable for adjustment of the liquid level in the neck of the Reischauer pyknometer is shown in annex A.

This International Standard specifies details of an internationally acceptable series of glass separating funnels and dropping funnels suitable for general use in laboratories.