What is the BS EN ISO 3696

The BS EN ISO 3696 is a technical standard that specifies the requirements for water used in laboratory applications. It provides guidelines for the purity of water required in various laboratory processes, ensuring accurate and reliable results. This article will delve into the details of the BS EN ISO 3696, exploring its significance and the parameters it defines.

Purified Water for Laboratory Use

One of the primary aims of the BS EN ISO 3696 is to ensure that laboratories have access to water with defined levels of impurities. Different laboratory procedures require varying levels of water purity, and this standard helps in establishing those requirements. It classifies water into different grades, each with specific limits on impurities such as dissolved solids, conductivity, and microbial contaminants.

The BS EN ISO 3696 specifies three grades of water for laboratory use: Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. Grade 1 is the highest purity level, suitable for critical analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Grade 2 is suitable for general laboratory use, including sample dilution and routine analysis. Grade 3 is commonly used in washing glassware and non-critical experiments.

Testing and Validation

In order to comply with the BS EN ISO 3696, laboratories need to perform regular testing and validation of their water purification systems. This includes monitoring the water quality against the specified parameters for each grade. The standard outlines the methods and acceptable ranges for testing, ensuring consistency and accuracy across different laboratories.

The testing process involves measuring various factors such as resistivity, pH, oxidizable substances, and total organic carbon. By establishing a regular testing schedule, laboratories can ensure that their water meets the required purity levels and make adjustments to the purification system if needed. This helps in maintaining the reliability and consistency of laboratory results.

Conclusion

The BS EN ISO 3696 plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and reliability of water used in laboratories. By providing clear guidelines for water purity, it enables laboratories to perform experiments and analyses with accurate and consistent results. Adhering to this standard is essential for laboratories to maintain the integrity of their work and to uphold the highest standards of scientific research.