EN 888:2026
(Main)Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride
- Abstract
This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride solution a) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate b) used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chlorides a) and b) and gives information for their use in water treatment. It also specifies the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and describes the use of iron (III) chloride (Annex A).
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 15-Dec-2026
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 164 - Water supply
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 164/WG 9 - Drinking water treatment
- Current Stage
- 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
- Start Date
- 15-Oct-2026
- Due Date
- 12-Jan-2027
- Completion Date
- 15-Oct-2026
EN 888:2026 is a CEN standard for iron (III) chloride used in treatment of water intended for human consumption. It specifies the characteristics, purity criteria, test methods, labelling, transport, storage and safe handling of iron (III) chloride solution and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate for water treatment users and suppliers.
What does EN 888:2026 specify?
EN 888:2026 applies to two commercial forms of iron (III) chloride for drinking water treatment: solution and hexahydrate. It sets out how the product is identified, what purity limits apply, how it is tested, and how it should be labelled, transported, stored and handled.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | General information on iron (III) chloride, including origin, manufacturing process and use |
| Annex B | General rules relating to safety, including first aid, spillage and fire procedures |
The main body is organised into scope, normative references, terms and definitions, description, purity criteria, test methods, and labelling - transportation - storage. For a buyer or plant operator, this means the document is not only a product specification but also a practical guide for receiving, using and controlling the chemical.
What are the key requirements of EN 888:2026?
EN 888:2026 combines product description, quality limits and operational requirements. The most important points are the product form, the purity grades and types, the test methods, and the handling and labelling rules.
Product identification and form
Clause 4 identifies the two covered products as iron (III) chloride solution and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate. It gives their names, synonyms, molecular data, CAS Registry Numbers and commercial forms. In practice, this helps buyers and laboratories confirm they are dealing with the correct chemical form before acceptance or testing.
Physical and chemical properties
Clause 4 describes appearance, density, solubility, vapour pressure, boiling or decomposition behaviour, freezing and melting points, viscosity and chemical behaviour. It notes that both products are acidic and corrosive, and that very diluted solutions hydrolyse and can form iron hydroxide. This matters because storage, dosing and compatibility with equipment depend on these properties.
Purity criteria, grades and types
Clause 5 sets minimum purity requirements and separates them into product composition, grade and type. The standard uses three grades and three types with limits for impurities such as manganese, iron (II) and insoluble matter, and for trace metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, antimony and selenium. For users, this is the core purchasing control: the selected grade and type should match raw water quality, dosage and treatment objectives.
Test methods
Clause 6 directs users to EN 17215 for sampling and analysis. This means the acceptance testing is not carried out with ad hoc methods in EN 888 itself, but through the companion analytical standard. That keeps supplier and laboratory results aligned.
Delivery, labelling, transport and storage
Clause 7 requires suitable non-corrosive delivery equipment, proper labelling, and storage that avoids contamination and incompatible materials. It also gives transport classifications and marking content, including the product name, commercial form, grade, type, net mass and supplier details. For operations staff, this is the part that affects receiving checks, warehouse practice and transport documents.
Safe handling and use
Annex B gives the safety rules, including first aid for skin, eye, ingestion and inhalation exposure, spill response and fire precautions. Users are told to read the safety data sheet and follow the supplier’s current safety instructions. This is the section most relevant to site safety procedures and emergency training.
What terms does EN 888:2026 define?
EN 888:2026 does not list formal terms in Clause 3, but it uses several key identifiers and abbreviations throughout the document.
- Iron (III) chloride - the iron-based coagulant covered by the standard.
- Iron (III) chloride solution - the liquid commercial form, used as delivered or diluted.
- Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate - the crystalline granular commercial form.
- FeCl3 - the chemical formula used for the anhydrous iron (III) chloride reference in the document’s data.
- Fe(III) - the oxidation state used in the purity and grade tables.
- CAS Registry Number - the chemical registry identifier listed for each form.
- EINECS reference - the European inventory reference given for the substance.
- GHS05 / GHS07 - the hazard pictograms shown for the labelling examples.
Who uses EN 888:2026?
EN 888:2026 is used by drinking water treatment operators, chemical manufacturers, suppliers, laboratories and purchasing teams. It is also relevant to transport and warehouse staff, because it covers packaging, labelling, storage incompatibilities and transport classifications.
In practice, the standard helps users select the right grade and type, verify conformity on receipt, carry out sampling and analysis, and manage safe handling at the plant. Regulators and quality managers can also use it as a common reference for product control.
What changed in EN 888:2026 from the previous edition?
The document states that it supersedes EN 888:2023. The significant technical change identified is an update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.
Which standards are used with EN 888:2026?
EN 17215 is the normative reference used with EN 888:2026. It provides the analytical methods for sampling and analysis of iron-based coagulants, so it supports the test work needed to check conformity with this product standard.
What does the EN 888:2026 document contain?
The document contains identification data for the two product forms, physical and chemical property data, purity tables for grades and types, and the test-method reference to EN 17215. It also contains transport and marking information, storage guidance, and an example-based labelling section with hazard pictograms and statements.
Annex A adds background on raw materials, manufacturing routes, use as a primary coagulant, typical treatment dose, application method and removal of excess product. Annex B provides safety procedures for first aid, spillage and fire. For readers, these annexes are the most practical parts when setting up procurement, dosing, operator training and emergency response.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 04-Dec-2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 888:2026 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III) chloride". This standard covers: This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride solution a) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate b) used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chlorides a) and b) and gives information for their use in water treatment. It also specifies the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and describes the use of iron (III) chloride (Annex A).
This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride solution a) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate b) used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics and specifies the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chlorides a) and b) and gives information for their use in water treatment. It also specifies the rules relating to safe handling (Annex B) and describes the use of iron (III) chloride (Annex A).
EN 888:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 888:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 11296-9:2022, CEN ISO/TS 23818-2:2022, EN 888:2023. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 888:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 888:2025
01-oktober-2025
Kemikalije, ki se uporabljajo za pripravo pitne vode - Železov (III) klorid
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption - Iron (III)
chloride
Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen
(III)chlorid
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau destinée à la consommation
humaine - Chlorure de fer (III)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 888
ICS:
13.060.20 Pitna voda Drinking water
71.100.80 Kemikalije za čiščenje vode Chemicals for purification of
water
oSIST prEN 888:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 888:2025
oSIST prEN 888:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 888
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 71.100.80 Will supersede EN 888:2023
English Version
Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human
consumption - Iron (III) chloride
Produits chimiques utilisés pour le traitement de l'eau Produkte zur Aufbereitung von Wasser für den
destinée à la consommation humaine - Chlorure de fer menschlichen Gebrauch - Eisen(III)chlorid
(III)
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 164.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 888:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
oSIST prEN 888:2025
prEN 888:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Description . 6
4.1 Identification . 6
4.1.1 Chemical names . 6
4.1.2 Synonym or common names . 6
4.1.3 Relative molecular mass . 6
4.1.4 Empirical formula . 7
4.1.5 Chemical formula . 7
4.1.6 CAS Registry Number . 7
4.1.7 EINECS reference . 7
4.2 Commercial forms . 7
4.3 Physical properties . 7
4.3.1 Appearance . 7
4.3.2 Density . 7
4.3.3 Solubility (in water) . 7
4.3.4 Vapour pressure . 8
4.3.5 Boiling point at 100 kPa . 8
4.3.6 Melting and freezing point . 8
4.3.7 Specific heat . 8
4.3.8 Viscosity (dynamic) . 8
4.3.9 Critical temperature . 8
4.3.10 Critical pressure . 8
4.3.11 Physical hardness . 8
4.4 Chemical properties . 8
5 Purity criteria . 8
5.1 General . 8
5.2 Composition of commercial product . 9
5.3 The grade of the product . 9
5.4 The type of the product . 10
6 Test methods . 10
6.1 Sampling . 10
6.2 Analyses . 10
7 Labelling - Transportation - Storage . 10
7.1 Means of delivery . 10
7.2 Risk and safety labelling according to the EU Directives . 10
7.3 Transportation regulations and labelling . 12
7.4 Marking . 12
7.5 Storage . 12
7.5.1 Long term stability . 12
oSIST prEN 888:2025
prEN 888:2025 (E)
7.5.2 Storage incompatibilities . 12
Annex A (informative) General information on iron (III) chloride . 13
A.1 Origin . 13
A.1.1 Raw materials . 13
A.2 Manufacturing process . 13
A.2.1 General . 13
A.2.2 Quality of commercial product . 13
A.3 Use . 15
A.3.1 Function . 15
A.3.2 Form in which it is used. 15
A.3.3 Treatment dose . 15
A.3.4 Means of application . 15
A.3.5 Secondary effects . 15
A.3.6 Removal of excess product . 16
Annex B (normative) General rules relating to safety . 17
B.1 Rules for safe handling and use . 17
B.2 Emergency procedures . 17
B.2.1 First aid . 17
B.2.2 Spillage . 17
B.2.3 Fire . 17
Bibliography . 18
oSIST prEN 888:2025
prEN 888:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 888:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 164 “Water
supply”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 888:2023.
prEN 888:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 888:2023:
— update of the information related to limit values in Table 2 and Annex A.
oSIST prEN 888:2025
prEN 888:2025 (E)
Introduction
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption, caused
by the product covered by this document:
a) this document provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction
in any of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;
b) it should be noted that, while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing
national regulations concerning the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
NOTE Conformity with this standard does not confer or imply acceptance or approval of the product in any of
the Member States of the EU or EFTA. The use of the product covered by this document is subject to regulation or
control by National Authorities.
oSIST prEN 888:2025
prEN 888:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable to iron (III) chloride solution a) and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate b) used
for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics and specifies
the requirements and the corresponding analytical methods for iron (III) chlorides a) and b) and gives
information for their use in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling
(Annex B) and use of iron (III) chloride (Annex A).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 17215, Chemicals used for treatment of water intended for human consumption — Iron-based
coagulants — Analytical methods
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:/
...