Piston-Operated Volumetric Apparatus (POVA) Calibration
The ISO 8655 standard is an international standard for the calibration and testing of pipettes and other piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA), such as burettes, dilutors, dispensers, and syringes. The new ISO 8655:2022 has nine parts, two more than the previous version, and includes stricter language about pipettes, maximum permissible errors, and user information. Pipette testing and calibration are addressed in Part 6, Part 7, and Part 8, with requirements for higher precision balances. The new ISO 8655:2022 aims to ensure reliable and reproducible pipetting accuracy in laboratories.
Whether you need a better understanding of the guidelines for in-house pipette calibration or for outsourcing services, it is important to know what these changes mean for you. Sartorius has decoded the standard and shares its expertise on the following topics.
- Balances
- Pipettes and tips
- Related services
- Pipette Calibration Software
- Grade 3 Lab Water Systems
Contact an Expert Download Application Note: Pipette Calibration and Standards
Our Solutions for Pipette Calibration
Discover the solution that meets your pipette calibration needs
Product Highlights
System to Calibrate Multi-Channel Pipettes
Laboratories working with microwell plates commonly use multichannel pipettes. These pipettes are involved in calibration curves or serial dilutions; therefore it is important that each channel deliver the exact expected volume. Calibrating a 12-channel pipette with a single-channel balance can take up to 1.5 h, which impacts both cost and time efficiencies in the lab.
Sartorius Speedcal mobile is a patented and unique pipette calibration system including up to 12 weighing systems to speed up precise and efficient calibration of pipettes up to 12 channels.
- Test 12 channels as described in ISO 8655:2022 Part 6 in approximately 10 minutes
- Choose from 4, 8 or 12-channel version with the option to upgrade later
- Readability of 0.01 mg to check pipettes from 0.5 µl
- Benefit from a stabilization time of < 4 seconds
Cubis® MPS Pipette Calibration Balance
To achieve professional pipette calibration, it is crucial to have a balance that combines accuracy, precision, speed, and convenience. Accuracy and precision are necessary to comply with international regulations.
Sartorius Cubis® MPS offers a dedicated portfolio of micro and semi-micro balances designed for fast, ergonomic, and precise pipette calibration. These instruments are ideal for customers who use their balance exclusively for pipette calibration and require the fastest stabilization times and the most ergonomic handling. The Cubis® MPS features a draft shield with a motion sensor that opens automatically upon detecting the user, and closes automatically when the pipette is removed. This provides convenience, allowing the user to focus on proper pipette handling. This allows the user to focus on proper pipette handling.
- Scale interval up to 1 µg to check pipettes below 20 µl
- Integrated evaporation trap and humidity sensor
- Draft shield with automatic door opening and closing, on user movement detection
Evaporation Kit for Cubis® II Ultra-High Resolution Balances
With the recent update of ISO 8655, the calibration of pipettes requires balances of higher resolution with respect to the pipettes nominal volume. The new Pipette Calibration Kit YCP07MC includes an evaporation trap and 21 mL liquid reservoirs for Cubis® II Ultra-High Resolution Balances to keep the error due to evaporation as small as possible, without the need of an internal draft shield. It’s particularly recommended for small volumes <50 µL.
Services for Pipetting and Dispensing Products
In most laboratories, liquid handling products are utilized daily to prepare samples, controls, and assay reagents. Given that mechanical and electronic pipettes, as well as dispensers, are involved in almost every experiment, precision is of utmost importance.
Sartorius offers certified and accredited services to ensure the accuracy of your laboratory results and the dependability of your pipetting devices. Our services can be conducted on-site or at one of our Sartorius calibration laboratories. We also provide services for devices from other pipette manufacturers.
Sartorius’ services guarantee:
- Audit security and regulatory compliance
- Optimized device performance
- Consistent, reliable, and reproducible pipetting and dispensing results
Software for Pipette Verification
Before any critical manipulation, after the pipette has been disassembled, after autoclaving or to follow the performance of your pipette between 2 calibrations, it is recommended to regularly check the dispensed volumes.
No more uncertainty with Ingenix Suite. The Pipette Check Module is the ideal complement to your laboratory balance and makes it easy to check your pipette.
- Pipette fleet management, regardless of brand, in combination with specific modules from the Ingenix Suite
- Pipette functional performance efficiently checked on a lab balance
- Automated and centrally managed job and workflow management
Software for Advanced Pipette Calibration Acc. To ISO 8655:2022
The management of your pipette fleet with as-found and as-left ISO 8655 compliant calibrations requires the accuracy and precision values to be adapted to the nominal volume of the pipette, its environment or the number of channels.
Ingenix Pipette Advanced Calibration Module is the ideal software for service providers or for industries wishing to bring pipette calibration in-house.
- Pipette calibration compliant to ISO 8655:2022, 21CFR part 11 and EMA annex11
- Supports 3rd party balances
- Includes the license to connect 1 balance
Lab water grade 3 as specified in ISO 3696
The ISO 8655-6 standard requires the use of grade 3 water defined in ISO 3696, as the testing liquid. The Arium® Mini Plus enhances the efficiency of metrology labs with its easy-to-use, touch-activated color display showing water quality and temperature. Whatever your water source, use the Arium® Mini Plus with our unique bag tank technology.
- High-quality water production, including carbon pretreatment, reverse osmosis, and point-of-use filters
- Touch-activated color display for easy interaction and real-time monitoring of water dispensing, quality, and temperature
- Space saving 28cm wide footprint to fit easily into any laboratory environment
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
The balance used for testing shall be chosen according to the minimum requirements specified in the following table, depending on the nominal volume of the POVA under test.
Nominal volume of apparatus under test (V) | Resolution (d) mg | Repeatability (s) mg |
|---|---|---|
0,5 μl ≤ V < 20 μl | 0.001 | 0.006 |
20 μl ≤ V < 200 μl | 0.01 | 0.025 |
200 μl ≤ V ≤ 10 ml | 0.1 | 0.2 |
10 ml < V ≤ 1 000 ml | 1 | 2 |
1 000 ml < V ≤ 2 000 ml | 10 | 10 |
Sartorius Cubis II and MPS balances comply with these requirements.
Gravimetric Calibration and Testing of POVA According to Part 6 and 7 of the ISO 8655:2022
Calibration ensures pipettes dispense volumes accurately and precisely, adhering to GLP and ISO 8655 standards, and should match the specific pipette-tip combination used in the lab. Preventive maintenance involves cleaning, greasing, and part replacement to guarantee the pipette's longevity and reliable results.
ISO 8655 is an international standard that outlines requirements for pipette calibration, including environmental conditions, procedures, and equipment, ensuring reliable measurements. It provides guidelines for pipette characteristics, user and manufacturer responsibilities, and specifies testing equipment and procedures.
ISO 17025 is a standard that establishes the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, ensuring the reliability and traceability of their measurements. Laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 undergo rigorous evaluations and annual audits, providing confidence in their calibration services and the accuracy of their issued certificates, which are recognized internationally through various accreditation bodies.
To establish a pipetting quality control program aligned with Good Laboratory Practice, create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that includes:
- In-lab testing routine specifications, such as testing frequency, equipment, personnel qualifications, volumes to be tested, acceptance criteria, result documentation, and actions for non-compliant pipettes.
- Maintenance and calibration protocols, detailing requirements for the calibration lab (adhering to ISO 8655 and ISO 17025 for example), testing procedures, frequency, decontamination, documentation, and evaluation of pipette failures.
- Continuous education plans for lab personnel, covering training in correct pipetting techniques, quality systems, and standards, with documentation of their qualifications.
