Standards Development

Scope

This document sets out key principles for the investigation of microplastics using thermo-analytical methods in water with low content of natural suspended solids. This document gives requirements for the standardisation of methods towards harmonized procedures for determination of microplastics contents.

Purpose

Microplastics and microelastomer pollution is a global phenomenon challenge calling for crossenvironmental-media and cross-material questions which can only be solved through overarching cooperation. There is a need to better understand microplastics (including nanoplastic) presence in the environment, how they degrade and move through the environment (air, soil, sludge) and in particular in water, and what the impacts may be, including on humans (through exposition by food, air and drinking water).

Although the analysis of microplastics in water has been carried out for many years now, there are no standardized methods for sampling, sample preparation and detection of microplastics in relation to the different types and qualities of water (i.e. for physical, chemical, biological and/or toxicological characterisation) available. Methods for sampling and analysis of microplastics must fit together and shall not show any methodological breaks. Different analytical approaches are necessary to answer the respective questions and goals. This concerns not only the detection methods, but also includes the processes of sampling, sample preparation and the methods of statistical evaluation of the results.