The British Standards Institution (BSI) has launched new guidance on detecting microplastics in the water supply and ultimately protect consumers from the associated risks.
This comes at a critical time, as UK waterways, such as the River Thames and River Nene, have been found to contain alarming levels of microplastics.
Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water (ISO 5667-27), published by BSI in its role as the UK national standards body, offers comprehensive guidance on accurately assessing microplastic pollution in domestic water, freshwater, seawater, treated wastewater, and untreated wastewater.
With microplastic pollution becoming an urgent issue, ISO 5667-27 offers organizations, researchers, and environmental agencies a tool to enhance environmental monitoring, policy development, and water treatment processes. The standard is designed to ensure collection of consistent, reliable, and comparable data, supporting decision-making in water treatment and sustainability efforts across sectors. It can also help track trends in pollution, fostering long-term solutions.
As the UK faces increasing concerns about water quality, BSI said ISO 5667-27 directly addresses these challenges, positioning organizations that adopt it as proactive leaders in the fight against environmental degradation.
David Fatscher, Head of Standards Development at BSI, said:
“The publication of ISO 5667-27 marks a significant milestone in the global effort to understand and mitigate the growing threat of microplastic pollution. This standard aims to help organizations worldwide produce consistent, reliable data that is critical for shaping effective policies and interventions. By adopting standardized, scientifically sound sampling methods, businesses and environmental agencies can be empowered to drive real change, protect water resources, and enhance public health. Ultimately, this standard is an opportunity to foster greater trust, resilience and accountability in tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.”
The guidance is designed to enable:
- Improved Accuracy & Reliability: Minimize inconsistencies in sampling and contamination, leading to reliable data on microplastic sources and concentrations.
- Long-Term Environmental Monitoring: Enable researchers and policymakers to track microplastic trends and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
- Consistency & Comparability: Standardized methods allow better collaboration between organizations, fostering a unified global approach to tackling microplastic pollution.
- Efficient Resource Use: Streamlined sampling techniques save time and reduce unnecessary duplication of efforts.
BSI said that by implementing ISO 5667-27, organizations demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment and public health, while ensuring compliance with emerging regulations.
