ISO 4787-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 4787:2021 — Laboratory glass and plastic ware — Volumetric instruments — Methods for testing of capacity and for use. This international standard specifies methods for testing, calibration and best-practice use of volumetric instruments made from glass and plastic to achieve and verify required measurement accuracy.

Abstract

ISO 4787:2021 provides standardized procedures for determination of the capacity and calibration error of common laboratory volumetric instruments (pipettes, burettes, volumetric flasks, graduated cylinders) and guidance on correct use to minimise measurement error. It covers reference temperature, calibration liquids and apparatus, factors affecting accuracy, meniscus setting, calibration and routine-use procedures, and includes informative annexes on cleaning, thermal expansion and uncertainty estimation.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 22 November 2021
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 17.060 — Measurement of volume, mass, density, viscosity
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2021)
• Number of pages: 21

Scope

This document is applicable to volumetric instruments with nominal capacities in the range 100 µl to 10 000 ml. It is intended for single-volume pipettes (transfer and one-mark), graduated pipettes, burettes, volumetric flasks and graduated measuring cylinders made of glass or plastic. Procedures are not intended for instruments with capacities below 100 µl (micro-glassware). While not specifically addressing pycnometers, many calibration procedures in ISO 4787 can be applied to pycnometer volume determination with appropriate handling adjustments.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle and general test method for determining volume by mass of liquid at a reference temperature.
• Reference temperature and correction for density/temperature effects.
• Required apparatus, calibration liquids and environmental conditions for testing.
• Factors affecting accuracy (thermal expansion, meniscus reading, delivery time, evaporation, technique).
• Detailed instructions for setting the meniscus consistently for different instruments.
• Calibration procedure to determine error of measurement at specified volumes and reporting of results.
• Recommended procedures for routine use of volumetric instruments to minimise measurement uncertainty.
• Annexes with practical guidance: cleaning procedures for glass and plasticware, calculation formulae and tables, coefficient of cubic thermal expansion, and guidance on uncertainty estimation and repeatability.

Typical use and users

Laboratories performing analytical chemistry, clinical testing, environmental testing and quality control use ISO 4787 for instrument calibration, validation and operator training. Users include calibration and testing laboratories, manufacturers of laboratory glassware and plasticware, metrology institutes, accreditation bodies, and laboratory managers establishing standard operating procedures for volumetric measurements.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside ISO 4787 include ISO 385 (burettes), ISO 648 (single-volume pipettes), ISO 835 (graduated pipettes), ISO 1042 and ISO 5215 (volumetric flasks), ISO 4788 and ISO 6706 (graduated measuring cylinders), and ISO 3507 (pycnometers). Regional/adopted versions include EN ISO 4787:2021 and various national adoptions.

Keywords

volumetric instruments, calibration, capacity testing, pipette, burette, volumetric flask, graduated cylinder, meniscus, reference temperature, uncertainty, laboratory glassware, plasticware

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 4787:2021 is an international standard that specifies methods for testing the capacity and for the correct use of laboratory volumetric instruments made of glass and plastic.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers methods to determine instrument capacity and calibration error, environmental and procedural requirements (including reference temperature and calibration liquids), meniscus reading, delivery time considerations, and guidance for routine use and cleaning. It applies to nominal capacities from 100 µl to 10 000 ml.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Calibration laboratories, analytical and clinical laboratories, manufacturers of volumetric glassware and plasticware, metrology institutes, laboratory managers and accreditation bodies use this standard for calibration, quality control and training.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 4787:2021 is the current edition (3rd edition) published on 22 November 2021. It supersedes the previous editions, including ISO 4787:2010 and earlier versions, which have been withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 4787 belongs to the family of ISO standards on laboratory glass and plastic ware and volumetric measurement managed by ISO/TC 48 (and subcommittee SC 8). It is frequently used in conjunction with instrument-specific standards such as ISO 385, ISO 648, ISO 835, ISO 1042, ISO 4788 and related metrology documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are volumetric instruments, calibration, capacity testing, pipette, burette, volumetric flask, graduated cylinder, meniscus, reference temperature, uncertainty.