This International Standard specifies a method for the determination of the dissolved amount of selected plant treatment agents and biocide products in drinking water, ground water and surface water by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limit of determination depends on the matrix, on the specific compound to be analysed and on the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. For most plant treatment agents and biocides to which this International Standard applies, it is at least 0,05 µg/l. Validation data related to a concentration range between 0,05 µg/l and 0,3 µg/l have been demonstrated in an interlaboratory trial.

This method may be applicable to other compounds not explicitly covered by this International Standard or to other types of water. However, it is necessary to verify the applicability of this method for these special cases.