Overview
ISO 8213:1986 - Chemical products for industrial use - Sampling techniques - Solid chemical products in the form of particles varying from powders to coarse lumps specifies general procedures for taking representative samples from lots of particulate chemical products (powders to coarse lumps up to 100 mm maximum particle size). The standard covers the stepwise process from taking increments, mixing to form a bulk sample or several primary samples, and preparing reduced and laboratory samples by replicate reductions. Each division stage is to be preceded, where necessary, by blending, grinding and sieving to ensure representativity.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Sampling principle: take a defined number of increments from the lot; mix increments to form bulk or primary samples; prepare reduced and laboratory samples by replicate reductions.
- Sampling unit & plan: define sampling units (containers, hypothetical units for bulk/transport/heaps) and establish a statistical sampling plan (number of increments, mass per increment, number of primary samples) based on heterogeneity and required precision.
- Apparatus: describes suitable samplers and equipment, including:
- Scoop samplers and probe samplers (length related to container/heap depth and max particle size),
- Sample dividers (stationary and moving/rotary dividers; slot/receiver width at least 3–4× maximum particle dimension),
- Automatic samplers for streams,
- Crushers, grinders, laboratory mills and manual grinding for sample preparation,
- Sieving equipment for particle-size control.
- Material & contamination control: all apparatus must be made of materials inert to the product and must not cause contamination, segregation or loss.
- Sample handling environment: sampling should be done in dust/fume-free, moisture-protected areas and avoid heating or drying that could alter material properties.
- Safety: observe applicable safety procedures (see related safety standard references).
Practical applications
- Establishing representative samples for chemical analysis, moisture determination, and particle-size assessment of industrial chemical products.
- Quality control during production, loading/unloading, shipping, and receiving of bulk solids and packaged containers (sacks, drums, big bags).
- Preparing laboratory samples for physical or chemical testing, ensuring reductions and subsampling methods minimize bias and preserve sample integrity.
- Useful wherever accurate lot evaluation is required-minimizing sampling error is essential for legal, commercial and quality assurance decisions.
Who should use this standard
- Quality control and laboratory staff in chemical manufacturing and processing plants
- Sampling technicians and inspectors for bulk materials handling and logistics
- Analytical laboratories conducting chemical composition or particle-size testing
- Regulatory bodies and purchasers specifying sampling procedures in procurement contracts
Related standards
ISO 8213 is intended to be used alongside other ISO standards such as ISO 565, ISO 2591, ISO 3165, ISO 6266, ISO 667, and other sampling plans (e.g., ISO 6663, ISO 6064). These references cover test sieves, sieving methods, safety in sampling, vocabulary and sample-division methods.
