Overview
ISO 23783-1:2022 - "Automated liquid handling systems - Part 1: Vocabulary and general requirements" defines standardized terminology and establishes general operational requirements for automated liquid handling systems (ALHS). It applies to complete, installed liquid handling devices (including tips and essential parts) that perform liquid handling tasks without human intervention into labware. The document sets the foundation for calibration, routine testing, environmental controls, and reporting practices used across laboratory automation and the broader ISO 23783 series.
Key Topics
- Vocabulary and definitions: Clear, standardized terms for ALHS concepts such as accuracy, delivered volume, air displacement, dispense height, calibration, and correction.
- Types of ALHS: Classification and operational considerations for piston-operated systems, pump-operated systems, inkjet-type dispensers, acoustic droplet ejection, pin tools, and more.
- Tip and consumable types: Descriptions and use constraints for air-displacement tips, positive-displacement tips, and fixed tips.
- Metrological confirmation & calibration: Requirements for establishing relationships between target and delivered volumes, calibration documentation, and routine testing.
- Testing parameters: Guidance on channels to test, test volumes, test liquids, replicate measurements, test frequency, and reporting of results.
- Environmental and operational requirements: Environmental conditions for factory and site acceptance testing, handling of firmware/software updates, cleaning of reusable components, and adjustment procedures (including liquid classes and ALHS settings).
- Change management: Considerations for exchangeable components (automatic/manual), adjustments, corrections, and documentation of results.
Applications
ISO 23783-1:2022 is practical for:
- Laboratory users and quality teams - for calibration, verification, validation, optimization, and routine testing of trueness and precision in automated liquid handling workflows.
- Manufacturers of ALHS - to define acceptance test specifications, provide consistent user documentation, and support quality control and declarations.
- Calibration laboratories and test houses - as a basis for metrological confirmation, certification, and standardized reporting of volumetric performance.
- Regulated environments - to support traceability and harmonized procedures in clinical, pharmaceutical, biotech, and high-throughput screening labs.
Related Standards
- ISO 23783-2 - Measurement procedures for determination of volumetric performance.
- ISO 23783-3:2022 - Determination, specification, and reporting of volumetric performance.
These parts together form the ISO 23783 series for comprehensive guidance on automated liquid handling systems and volumetric performance.
Keywords: ISO 23783-1:2022, automated liquid handling systems, ALHS, vocabulary, general requirements, volumetric performance, calibration, laboratory automation, metrological confirmation.
