Six Things You Should Know about the Pipette Calibration ISO 8655:2022
In April 2022, the ISO 8655 guidelines for pipette calibration and testing got a significant update. Whether you work in a research lab, manufacturing environment, or a calibration facility, these changes impact how pipettes and their users are expected to perform. Here’s what you need to know, broken down with insights from our in-house experts.
This article is posted on our Science Snippets Blog
1. What is the ISO 8655 standard?
Pipettes are everywhere in the lab. From preparing samples and reagents to running assays, they quietly shape the accuracy of countless experiments. That’s why making sure they’re calibrated and working correctly is essential for reliable science.
ISO 8655 is the international standard that governs the calibration and testing of pipettes and other piston-operated volumetric apparatus (POVA)—including burettes, dispensers, dilutors, and syringes. This standard ensures that both the tools and the techniques behind pipetting meet globally recognized quality benchmarks.
2. The New ISO 8655:2022 Has Ten Parts
The 2022 update expanded the standard, adding greater clarity, not just for manufacturers, but also for everyday lab users aiming to meet high-quality standards.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Part 1: Terminology, general requirements, and user recommendations
- Part 2: Pipettes
- Part 3: Burettes
- Part 4: Dilutors
- Part 5: Dispensers
- Part 6: Gravimetric reference measurement procedure
- Part 7: Alternative measurement procedures
- Part 8: Photometric reference measurement procedure
- Part 9: Manually operated precision laboratory syringes
- Part 10: User guidance, training, and POVA suitability
3. Stricter Requirements for Pipettes and Their Tips (Part 2)
Part 2 of the new standard specifies maximum permissible errors for pipettes, requirements for markings, and the information manufacturers must provide. It also focuses on viewing the pipette and tip as one integrated system.
“Part 2 includes air-displacement and positive displacement pipettes, multi-channel and single-channel variants,” explains Joni Åke, Product Manager at Sartorius. “Importantly, it treats the pipette and its tip as a single unit. That means both must meet the requirements together, not just separately.”
4. More Options and Stringency in Testing and Calibration (Part 6, Part 7 & Part 8)
Calibration is the foundation of precise pipetting. Traditionally, gravimetric testing (weighing dispensed water) has been the go-to method. The new ISO keeps this but broadens acceptable approaches.
Part 6: Defines strict environmental requirements for gravimetric calibration.
Part 8: Introduces photometric testing as an alternative, using colorimetric measurements.
Part 7: Allows some flexibility when perfect environmental conditions aren’t possible, such as during on-site customer calibrations.
“The conditions at a customer site can be difficult to predict or control, making it hard to fulfill these standards for pipette calibration or testing,” says Axel Taube, Service Product Manager at Sartorius. “The alternative measurement procedures described in Part 7 allow some flexibility within defined limits.”
The Sartorius Service supports its customers with a wide range of calibration services for pipettes and other liquid handling devices.
5. Higher Precision Balances Required
The new standard raises the bar for the equipment used in calibration. Specifically, balances now need to meet stricter requirements for readability, repeatability, and overall uncertainty.
For example:
- A six-place balance (capable of microgram precision) is required for pipettes with nominal volumes under 20 μL.
- Precision balances are necessary for volumes between 20 μL and 199 μL.
Multi-channel pipette calibration is also more explicitly addressed. Sartorius' SpeedCal Calibration System, which can handle up to 12 channels in parallel, is one solution designed to meet these evolving demands.
6. User Qualification Is Now a Must
Perhaps one of the most important additions is a formal requirement for user qualification and re-qualification.
“Standardizing pipetting technique is a welcome change,” says Joni. “Good technique is just as critical as having the right equipment if you want consistent, reliable results.”
Chapter 10 of the ISO 8655 calls for:
Documented training and competence assessments for pipette users
Best practice guidance for selecting and using pipettes and tips together
Ongoing checks to ensure pipettes remain suitable for their specific applications.
Final Thoughts
The ISO 8655:2022 update brings more structure, accountability, and precision to pipette calibration and use. For labs committed to high-quality science, compliance with these updated standards ensures reproducible, reliable results.
Want to dive deeper? Explore Sartorius’ pipette calibration solutions to see how we can help you stay compliant while boosting efficiency and reducing costs. Or check out our ISO 8655:2022 FAQs for even more details.
