ISO 8655 is an international standard for the volumetric calibration of Piston Operated Volumetric Apparatus (POVA).
Calibration methods are detailed in the standard and the gravimetric test is the reference method. Maximum errors for trueness (Inaccuracy) and precision (CV%) are listed for all types of POVA device.
ISO 8655 defines the useful volume range of a pipette as being from 10% of nominal to 100% of nominal. The most commonly used volume settings take after the ISO standard; the nominal volume (100%), 50% of nominal and the lower limit or 10% of nominal volume (ISO 8655-6:2002 section 7.1.1).
Volume settings can sometimes vary depending on the calibration standard applied.
The standard states "Apparatus shall be calibrated with noted tips. (A pipette calibrated with a specific tip shall only be deemed within calibration with that tip)".
ISO 8655 recognises pipettes, tips and service as a complete system.
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