Overview
EN ISO 6888-1:2021/A1:2023 is an amendment to the international and European standard for the horizontal method for the enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci (including Staphylococcus aureus) using Baird‑Parker agar. Approved by CEN on 16 September 2023 and published as Amendment 1 to ISO 6888-1:2021, this update clarifies reporting requirements and normative references relevant to quantitative microbiology in the food chain.
This amendment is intended for laboratories, food safety professionals and accreditation bodies involved in food microbiology, microbial enumeration and test reporting.
Key Topics
- Normative reference added: ISO 19036:2019 (Estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations) is now a normative reference for ISO 6888-1.
- Reporting clarity (Clause 12): The required test method reference is explicitly stated as ISO 6888-1:2021. Laboratories must reference this document when reporting results obtained using the specified Baird‑Parker agar method.
- Measurement uncertainty (Clause 12): When necessary or upon client request, an estimate of measurement uncertainty for quantitative test results should be provided in accordance with ISO 19036:2019, Clause 9. This aligns microbial enumeration reporting with modern quality and accreditation practices.
- Annex B.6 updates: Table B.2 entries were revised. A WDCM number (00090) was removed from a specific Rabbit plasma/BHI row, and control-strain entries for RPFA incubation were reordered to correct the listing of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
Applications
- Ensures consistent enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci across food testing laboratories using the Baird‑Parker agar method.
- Supports accreditation and quality systems by formalizing the link between microbial results and measurement uncertainty estimation (ISO 19036:2019).
- Helps laboratories update documentation, test reports, and method references to remain compliant with CEN national adoptions and ISO guidelines.
Practical steps for laboratories:
- Update standard operating procedures and report templates to cite ISO 6888-1:2021 and note the A1 amendment.
- Implement or offer measurement uncertainty estimates for quantitative results when required by clients or accreditation bodies, following ISO 19036:2019.
- Review control strain listings and any internal references to WDCM numbers in line with the Table B.2 corrections.
Related Standards
- ISO 6888 series - other parts of the horizontal method for coagulase-positive staphylococci.
- ISO 19036:2019 - Estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations (now normative for this amendment).
This amendment reinforces traceability and reporting quality for staphylococcal enumeration in the food chain, delivering clearer requirements for laboratories and stakeholders involved in food safety testing.