scope:

This International Standard provides an audit protocol to monitor conformity with declared, or assumed, practices in all areas of water quality sampling. Specifically, the standard provides guidance on the systematic assessment of sampling practices and procedures in the field, and assessing conformity with those given in the organization's sampling manual. It is applicable to the audit of sampling activities from the development of a sampling manual through to the delivery of samples to the laboratory. NOTE The design of the sampling manual is the prerogative of the data user and this International Standard is not intended to deliver criticism of a manual's structure. This standard is applicable to sampling practices associated with wastewaters, including discharges to water bodies, environmental monitoring, potable water supplies from source to tap, commercial and industrial uses of water, and power generation.