Overview
ISO 6639-2:2025 - "Cereals and pulses - Determination of hidden insect infestation - Part 2: Sampling" specifies standardized methods for sampling cereals and pulses (grain) in bags or bulk to detect hidden insect infestation. Applicable at any point in the supply chain - from producer through storage, transport and final trade - the second edition (2025) updates normative references and sampling location/time/period guidance from the 1986 edition.
Relevant keywords: ISO 6639-2:2025, hidden insect infestation, cereals and pulses sampling, grain sampling, bulk grain sampling.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability: Sampling procedures for grain in any storage structure or transit vehicle and at any trade level.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms such as lot, increment, aggregate sample and laboratory sample (note: lot definition for hidden infestation differs from other grain sampling standards).
- General principles: Practical sampling approaches where insect populations are unpredictable; hygiene of equipment; avoiding contamination; and sample handling.
- Equipment and devices: Devices for flowing grain (automatic samplers, pelican scoops), surface scoops, concentric/probe samplers, Archimedes’ screw probes, and bag-sampling dividers.
- Sampling location, time and period:
- Sampling can be done at any point in the chain; best during commodity movement.
- Temperature-based sampling frequency:
- < 15 °C - sample once a month
- 15–25 °C - sample at least every 15 days
-
25 °C - sample at least once every 7 days
- Pre-sampling inspection: Inspect structures, bags and temperatures; agree lot boundaries and target species (live or dead).
- Sampling methods: Procedures for flowing bulk, static bulk (surface and depth), and bagged grain; increment collection and aggregation.
- Sample preparation and handling: Homogenization, laboratory sample division, packaging (plastic zip bags ~40 × 30 cm; do not reuse), labelling, delivery and reporting.
- Analysis timing: Analyze samples within 24 hours; if delayed (and insect life status is not required), freeze samples. Avoid airtight containers.
Applications
Who uses ISO 6639-2:2025:
- Grain producers, silo and warehouse operators
- Grain traders, exporters/importers and supply-chain managers
- Phytosanitary authorities, quarantine and regulatory agencies
- Quality control laboratories and pest-management professionals
Practical uses:
- Routine monitoring for hidden pest infestations during storage and transit
- Trade inspection and dispute resolution
- Designing sampling regimes for pest control and storage management
- Supporting laboratory testing and corrective actions
Related Standards
- ISO 24333:2009 - Cereals and cereal products - Sampling (normative reference)
- Other parts of the ISO 6639 series (see ISO website for full list)
For implementation details and full procedures consult the official ISO 6639-2:2025 text and the national standards body.
