Overview
ISO 8655-10:2024 - "Piston‑operated volumetric apparatus - Part 10" is the 2024 first edition guidance document for users and managers of piston‑operated volumetric apparatus (POVA). It complements the ISO 8655 series by providing practical user guidance, specifying requirements for user training and competence, and introducing performance tolerances and testing methods to demonstrate POVA suitability and fitness for intended use.
Key Topics
- Selection of POVA: Guidance to choose apparatus with a nominal volume close to the working volume and factors to consider (volume range, liquid properties, single‑ vs multi‑channel, application risk).
- Exchangeable parts: Requirements for matching tips and parts to the POVA design; effects of tip geometry, dead air volume, and material on system performance. Clear recommendation that plastic tips for air‑displacement pipettes are single‑use.
- Best practices: Operator techniques and procedures affecting trueness and precision, including volume setting for adjustable POVA (e.g., dialling down screw‑type plungers) and pre‑wetting tips for air‑displacement pipettes.
- Device‑specific guidance: Practical instructions for air‑displacement and positive displacement pipettes, burettes, dilutors, dispensers and syringes, and handling non‑aqueous, viscous or volatile liquids.
- User competence and training: Defined requirements for user training, competence assessment, documentation and re‑qualification.
- POVA qualification and re‑qualification: Introduction of metrological performance requirements, maximum permissible errors, process tolerances, testing frequency, replicate measurement impact on uncertainty, pass/fail decision rules, safe liquid handling ranges and maintenance.
- Uncertainty in use: Guidance on estimating uncertainty associated with a single delivered volume.
Applications
- Laboratories and quality systems that rely on accurate liquid handling (pharmaceutical R&D, clinical diagnostics, analytical chemistry, biotechnology).
- Laboratory managers and quality assurance staff establishing training programs, competence assessments and calibration/test schedules.
- Calibration and metrology laboratories that perform verification and routine testing of pipettes and other POVA in accordance with ISO 8655 series principles.
- Procurement teams selecting appropriate POVA and exchangeable parts for specific workflows and liquid properties.
Related standards
- ISO 8655 series (general POVA tests and requirements)
- ISO 8655-1 (terminology, general requirements and user recommendations)
- ISO 8655-2 (air‑displacement pipette error sources referenced in this part)
- ISO/IEC Guide 2 and ISO/IEC Guide 99 (standardization and metrology vocabulary)
ISO 8655-10:2024 is intended to be used alongside other ISO 8655 parts to ensure reliable, reproducible liquid handling through proper equipment selection, validated testing, and formalized user competence.
Open preview (PDF)Piston-operated volumetric apparatus — Part 10: User guidance, and requirements for competence, training, and POVA suitability