BS EN ISO 13079-2011 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN ISO 13079:2011 — Laboratory glass and plastics ware — Tubes for the measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate by the Westergren method. This is the European/British adoption of ISO 13079:2011 and specifies requirements for single‑use and reusable glass and rigid‑plastic Westergren tubes and for the supports used when performing the Westergren ESR test.

Abstract

Specifies dimensional, material, marking and performance requirements for tubes (often called Westergren tubes or Westergren pipettes) and for tube supports used to measure the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by the Westergren method. The standard includes type tests (rigidity, contamination/compatibility, straightness) and an informative annex describing the Westergren reference procedure; it excludes primary blood‑collection containers and devices derived from the Westergren principle.

General information

• Status: Published (ISO international standard; confirmed in periodic review).
• Publication date: ISO edition published July 2011 (ISO 13079:2011); British adoption published August 2011 (BS EN ISO 13079:2011).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Adopted/published nationally as BS EN ISO by British Standards Institution (BSI) / national standards bodies.
• ICS / categories: 11.100.10 (Laboratory glassware and related apparatus).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2011) — ISO 13079:2011; corresponding BS EN ISO 13079:2011 adoption.
• Number of pages: ISO original ~15 pages (national adoptions vary; BSI publication lists a longer national PDF).

Scope

Applies to single‑use and reusable glass and rigid‑plastic tubes used to measure ESR by the classical Westergren method and to the supports that hold these tubes during testing. The standard defines required dimensions of the measuring portion and bore, acceptable materials and finish, marking and graduations, and prescribes type tests for rigidity, contamination/compatibility and straightness. It does not apply to primary blood‑collection devices or to devices that implement modified ESR methods derived from the Westergren principle.

Key topics and requirements

• Materials and transparency: tubes may be made of suitable glass (classified by hydrolytic resistance) or rigid transparent plastics; surface finish must permit clear observation of the blood column.
• Dimensional controls: defined measuring length and internal bore tolerances for the measuring section (examples in normative tables: measuring length ≈ 200 mm, specified bore tolerances for single‑use and reusable tubes).
• Graduation and marking: millimetre scale requirements (spacing, line thickness, figure heights), required inscriptions (units, temperature reference for the method, manufacturer identification and standard reference).
• Performance/type tests: rigidity/distortion limits under load, contamination/compatibility tests for plastics (limits on effect on ESR), straightness checks and other type tests described in annexes.
• Support (stand) requirements: construction and dimensional features to hold tubes vertically and allow accurate reading, durability for disinfection and position of scale relative to tube.
• Informative annex: description of the Westergren reference procedure (timing, temperature conditions and reading convention) to ensure compatibility with the reference method.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of laboratory glassware and diagnostic consumables use the standard to design and test Westergren tubes and supports; clinical laboratories, hospital procurement and quality/validation teams reference it when selecting ESR consumables to ensure accuracy and traceability to the Westergren reference method; regulatory and conformity assessment personnel use the defined type tests and marking requirements for product verification.

Related standards

Related documents include ISO technical work from ISO/TC 48 (laboratory glass and related apparatus) such as glass classification and test methods (e.g., ISO standards addressing hydrolytic resistance/classification of glass), and national adoptions (BS EN ISO 13079:2011 and other EN/ national publications). The standard also refers users to separate standards that apply to primary blood‑collection containers and to any device standards for instruments that implement alternative ESR methods.

Keywords

erythrocyte sedimentation rate; ESR; Westergren tubes; Westergren pipette; laboratory glassware; rigid plastic tubes; tube support; graduations; type tests; ISO 13079.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: An international standard (ISO 13079:2011) and its European/British adoption (BS EN ISO 13079:2011) that specifies requirements for Westergren tubes and supports used to measure the erythrocyte sedimentation rate by the reference Westergren method.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Material and dimensional requirements, marking and graduation details, performance/type tests (rigidity, contamination/compatibility, straightness) and an informative annex describing the reference Westergren procedure; it excludes primary blood‑collection devices and non‑Westergren‑derived ESR devices.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of laboratory tubes and supports, clinical laboratories and procurement staff, quality managers and conformity assessment bodies involved with ESR testing supplies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The ISO publication date is 2011 (ISO 13079:2011). The ISO record indicates the standard has been subject to periodic review and was listed as confirmed in subsequent reviews; users should check with their national standards body for the current national publication status or any later amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone ISO technical product within the portfolio of laboratory glass and plastics standards developed by ISO/TC 48 (and related subcommittees). It is referenced alongside other ISO standards addressing glass classification and laboratory ware test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ESR, Westergren, Westergren tube, laboratory glassware, plastic tubes, tube support, measurement, graduation, type tests.