Procedure

VN

Overview

Tributyltin (TBT) is a priority substance listed in Annex X of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD, Directive 2000/60/EC) for which environmental quality standards (EQS) for inland waters and other surface waters have been established at EU level to protect the aquatic environment against chemical pollution (Directive 2008/105/EC). With the exception of metals, EQS are reported as total concentrations in the total water sample. Furthermore, the analytical methods used for WFD monitoring must meet certain requirements regarding the minimum limit of determination and the maximum uncertainty of measurement (Directive 2009/90/EC). For the determination of TBT in total water samples, there is so far no standardised method that fulfils these requirements. The European Commission has therefore given CEN a mandate to develop or improve standards to support the implementation of the monitoring requirements of the WFD. Directive 2008/105/EC was amended by Directive 2013/39/EU, but this standard was developed to determine TBT on the basis of Annex A to Directive 2008/105/EC. The average annual limit value for TBT according to the environmental quality standard (AA-EQS) is set at 0,000 2 µg/l in the total water sample, including suspended matter in the sample. Since compounds such as TBT adsorb strongly to solids, the amount bound to them can be significant. Therefore, it is important to examine total water samples in the analytical process. Identification and quantification of trace amounts of TBT often require highly sensitive chromatography systems and effective enrichment steps. This Technical Specification establishes a method for the determination of tributyltin (TBT) in total water samples. The procedure applies to the analysis of TBT in surface water, with a suspended matter content of up to 500 mg/l (total water samples), drinking water and groundwater. This document was prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association and supports essential requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC) and the Directive on Environmental Quality Standards in the Field of Water Policy (Directive 2008/105/EC). The preparatory work was carried out by the Working Group "Physical and Chemical Processes" (WG 1) of CEN/TC 230, under the leadership of DIN (secretariat: Germany). For Germany, NA 119-01-03-02 UA "Organische Verbindungen" ("Organic compounds") of Working Committee NA 119-01-03 AA "Wasseruntersuchung" ("Water examination") at the Water Practice Standards Committee (NAW) at DIN was involved in the preparation.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 119-01-03-02 UA - Organic compounds  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 230 - Water analysis