UNE-EN ISO 13843:2018

This International Standard deals with characterization of microbiological methods. In terms of this

document, characterization means the study of parameters that can be measured to describe how the

method is likely to perform in a given set of conditions, which can be described as performance

characteristics. The standard describes procedures for the determination of performance

characteristics which can be used for subsequent validation or verification of methods.

The emphasis is on selective quantitative methods and the standard applies to all types of water.

Methods are considered microbiological when the quantitative estimate is based on counting of

particles either directly with the aid of a microscope or indirectly on the basis of growth

(multiplication) into colonies or turbidity. The principles and procedures within the scope are

commonly known as direct (microscopic) count, most probable number (MPN) and colony count. Most

of the procedures for the determination of performance characteristics described in this document are

applicable to all three types of method. However, where the procedures are not applicable, alternative

suggestions are made within the body of the document or in Annexes D and E (for repeatability,

reproducibility and uncertainty of counting).

Plaque counts of bacteriophages are in most respects similar to bacterial colony counts.

Some of the newer microbiological methods such as those utlizing fluorescent in situ hybridization

(FISH) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be covered by this document but, they may require

special consideration, depending upon how they are used. The issues of importance in these situations

include the mechanism of determining the numbers of microbes present (e.g. standard curve for qPCR

or microscopical count for FISH) and the viability of the organisms detected. If such techniques are used

for confirmation as part of a method then all sections of this document are relevant. For methods that

involve detection of components of cells or their metabolites then the applicability of this document

should be assessed on a case by case basis.

While not essential, during the characterization of microbiological methods it may be beneficial to

generate data using stressed organisms. Various methods can be used to stress organisms, but the two

that are most useful for water are disinfectant stress (usually chlorine injury) and nutrient depletion

caused by organisms being in a low nutrient environment (i.e. drinking water and other oligotrophic

waters) for a period prior to testing. The effect on some of the performance characteristics of

stressing organisms is almost totally dependent on the type and degree of stress applied and it is

inappropriate to include such detail in this standard. However, there are descriptions in the literature

that laboratories can follow in case they should wish to determine performance characteristics of a

method with stressed cells (Reference [17]).