Standard

BS ISO 5667-27:2025

Water quality. Sampling - Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water

Current

•

Published:

31 Mar 2025

For a clear and practical introduction on what is new on the standard and how to implement it, download your free copy of the Executive Briefing today.

What is BS ISO 5667-27:2025 - Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water about?

It's critical that we can accurately and consistently determine the amount and distribution of microplastics in all kinds of water. BS ISO 5667-27:2025 sets out agreed general methods for sampling water to identify the extent that microplastics are present.

Who is BS ISO 5667-27:2025 - Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water for?

Users of the standard might include:

environmental researchers/scientists;
manufacturers;
water treatment and purification companies;
government agencies and regulatory bodies;
academic institutions; and
environmental consulting firms.

What does BS ISO 5667-27:2025 - Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water cover?

This part of ISO 5667 describes the basic methods for sampling suspended microplastics in water (domestic water, fresh water, seawater, treated wastewater and untreated wastewater) for their subsequent characterization. Suspended particles could also include synthetic or semi synthetic polymeric materials (such as rubber).

BS ISO 5667-27:2025 covers general methodologies for grab sampling, sampling using a set of successive filters of different pore sizes (cascade filtration), for water samples with low, medium and high content of suspended solids; and net sampling, using, for example, manta, plankton or neuston nets.

Sampling methods set out in BS ISO 5667-27:2025 will help identify the extent that microplastics are present in water offering a more targeted and detailed set of sampling protocols to account for the differences in composition, size/ shape and colonization.

NOTE: This standard does not cover chemical analysis, biological (ecotoxicological) methods or physical methods, nor the pre treatment or digestion methods intrinsic to such analyses.

Why should you use BS ISO 5667-27:2025 - Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water?

Improved accuracy and reliability: the standard minimizes the risk of inconsistent or contaminated results, leading to more reliable conclusions about the sources, types and concentrations of microplastics. These can support sound decision-making and policy development and help water treatment companies accurately assess the effectiveness of their water treatment processes at removing microplastics.
Better long-term environmental monitoring: the standardized methods in BS ISO 5667-27 enable the establishment of long-term monitoring programmes to track trends in microplastics pollution over time, helping researchers to assess the effectiveness of interventions and policymakers to frame and enforce regulation.
Consistency and comparability of data: BS ISO 5667-27 can ensure that samples collected in different places by different researchers are directly comparable, enabling a better understanding of the extent and distribution of microplastics, and enabling stronger collaboration between researchers, environmental agencies and governments.
Efficient resource use: the standard can help streamline sample taking training and equipment use, reducing duplication of effort and resources across organizations and research teams.
Public awareness and engagement: by generating clear, accurate, consistent and reliable data, the standardized methods in BS ISO 5667-27 can contribute to communicating the scale of microplastic pollution more effectively, which in turn can help drive public pressure for regulatory action and encourage innovation in plastic alternatives.

Product Details

Descriptors

Natural resources

Water

Water testing

Quality

Samples

Sampling methods

Plastics

ICS Codes

13.060.45 Examination of water in general

Committee

EH/3/6

International relationships

Identical to:

ISO 5667-27

ISBN

978 0 539 23227 1

Publisher

BSI