ISO 17294-1-2024 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 17294-1-2024 — Water quality — Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) — Part 1: General requirements. This International Standard specifies the principles of ICP‑MS and gives general requirements and guidance for applying ICP‑MS to determine elements in aqueous matrices, including water and digests of sludges and sediments.

Abstract

This document describes the fundamentals of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) and provides general requirements for instrument configuration, sample introduction, calibration, interference management, quality control and reporting when analysing aqueous solutions (e.g. drinking, surface, ground and waste waters) and digests of sludges and sediments. Detailed procedures for the determination of individual elements are provided in separate parts of the ISO 17294 series; this part establishes the overarching principles and laboratory practices required for reliable ICP‑MS measurements.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 22 March 2024
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 (Water quality)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2024)
• Number of pages: 32

Scope

Applies to the use of ICP‑MS for analysing aqueous solutions and digested solids relevant to water quality. The standard covers principles of the technique, recommended instrumental configurations, considerations for sample introduction (liquid, gaseous or fine particulate), strategies to identify and reduce spectral and non‑spectral interferences, calibration and quantification approaches, blank and contamination control, limits of detection/quantification, and required quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) practices. It does not prescribe the detailed step‑by‑step procedures for every element; those are given in the separate parts of the ISO 17294 series.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles and theory of ICP‑MS (ionisation, mass separation, detection).
• Recommended instrumental components and configurations (nebulisers, cones, collision/reaction cells, detectors, interfaces).
• Sample introduction considerations for aqueous samples and digests, including contamination control and memory effects.
• Assessment and management of spectral and non‑spectral interferences (including use of collision/reaction cell technology and mathematical corrections).
• Calibration strategies, internal standards, and verification of linearity and dynamic range.
• Quality assurance and quality control: blanks, spikes, certified reference materials, repeatability, reproducibility and recovery checks.
• Guidance on method detection limits, limits of quantification and factors that affect these (e.g. matrix, blank levels, instrument sensitivity).
• Reporting requirements: units, uncertainty statements, and metadata about sample handling and instrument settings.

Typical use and users

Used by environmental testing laboratories, water utilities, regulatory agencies, contract testing facilities, research laboratories and instrument manufacturers. Typical applications include monitoring of drinking water, surface and groundwater, wastewater, effluents and environmental samples (after appropriate digestion), as well as method development and validation related to trace and ultra‑trace element determinations.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 17294 series. Closely related documents include ISO 17294-2 (determination of selected elements, including uranium isotopes) and other parts that specify element‑specific methods. The standard is aligned with sample digestion and preparation standards such as ISO 15587 (relevant parts on digests) and is commonly adopted/adapted in regional implementations (for example EN/DIN adoptions of ISO 17294-1:2024).

Keywords

ICP‑MS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, water quality, trace elements, detection limit, interferences, calibration, quality control, sample digestion, sludges, sediments, method validation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17294-1:2024 is the Part 1 International Standard that sets out general requirements and guidance for the application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) to the analysis of water and related digests.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the principles of ICP‑MS, recommended instrument configuration, sample introduction, handling of interferences, calibration, QA/QC procedures, limits of detection/quantification, and reporting requirements for aqueous matrices and digests of sludges and sediments. Element‑specific procedures are given in other parts of the ISO 17294 series.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and water testing laboratories, regulators, research institutions, water utilities and instrument manufacturers use this standard to ensure consistent, traceable and quality‑assured ICP‑MS measurements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition (Edition 2) was published on 22 March 2024 and is the current version, superseding ISO 17294-1:2004.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO 17294 series. Other parts (for example ISO 17294-2) provide element‑specific methods and additional technical detail.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ICP‑MS, water quality, trace elements, interferences, calibration, detection limit, QA/QC, sample digestion, sludges, sediments.