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SAM-201

Chemicals, liquid
Sampling

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Chemicals, liquid
Definition

(list of HS codes covered by this card)		 Miscellaneous chemicals, chemical products and preparations in liquid form, including fertilisers, organic and inorganic compounds; colourants and pigments; surface-active agents, washing and lubricating preparations, pulp of wood, etc.;

Chemicals transported in a liquid state at a raised temperature are also included.

For sampling of undenatured or denatured alcohol of any strength, see specific card ‘Foodstuffs, liquid, low viscosity’.

For sampling of petroleum products and other fuels, see specific card for ‘Petroleum liquids’.

For sampling of chemicals in form of creamy paste or hard paste, at ambient temperature (i.e. not heated) see specific card ‘Wax’.

For waste chemicals see specific card for ‘Waste’.

For products in retail sale packages see specific card for ‘Retail packages and finished articles’.

Certain chemicals should not be sampled because of their highly dangerous properties; see the General principles – ‘Sampling of dangerous goods’. If in doubt, consult your laboratory.

Chemicals, liquid
Recommended minimum quantity for each final sample 0.1 l
Applicable standards (ISO and EU Norms) and relevant legislation
  • ISO 1995 Aromatic hydrocarbons – Sampling
  • ISO 2096 Glycerols for industrial use - Methods of sampling
  • ISO 2209 Liquid halogenated hydrocarbons for industrial use – Sampling
You should also refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.

Equipment needed
Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used Before use you should ensure that any equipment will not react with the chemical being sampled – see the ‘SDS and/or ADR’.

  • Vacuum pump sampler (L01-01).
  • Dipping vessel (L02-01).
  • Pipette-type sampler (L03-01).
  • Sampling scoop (L04-01), esp. for heated fluids.
  • Piston tube sampler (L05-01).
  • Equipment for continuous automatic or manual sampling (e.g. pipeline sampler (L06-01). Some equipment includes not only an automatic sampling device that extracts the samples from the line, but also a suitable probe, connecting lines, auxiliary equipment, etc.;
  • General tools: mixing vessel and vessel for waste from flushing, etc.
Containers to be used for the sampling Before use you should ensure that any storage containers will not react with the chemical being sampled – see the ‘SDS and/or ADR’.

The containers must be made of a material suitable for the safe storage of chemicals, and should be sealed to prevent leakage, evaporation or the absorption of moisture:
  • Glass bottles, air-tight (G01)
  • Plastic bottles, narrow opening, various sizes (P01, P02, P04, P06, P07), preferably not transparent
  • Metal cans and bottles (M01, M02)
For liquid samples, which are heated, the appropriate containers resistant to the heat must be used.
Safety precautions and risk assessment Please refer to your national legislation and guidelines on health and safety.

Remember:
  • Some products must not be sampled because of their ‘Sampling of dangerous goods’.
  • Some products should be sampled only by authorised personnel or a contractor ‘Sampling of dangerous goods’.
  • For legally traded chemicals an SDS must exist and if they are legally transported, transport documents (e.g. ADR) must be provided.
  • Unknown chemical liquids should be considered dangerous until they are properly identified: see the General principles – ‘Sampling of dangerous goods’; when no information is available or the information (labelling, danger symbols, documents) diverges from what you would expect you should always treat the goods as dangerous.
  • Pay attention to safety and warning sign – see the ‘Health and Safety’.
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • You should be aware of and follow any health and safety instructions in the local risk assessment and/or safe working practices for the location where the sampling is to take place.
  • Hazardous situations may occur when opening pressurised containers, the pressure must be safely relieved.
When sampling hazardous chemicals, it is extremely important that the operator is not exposed to the liquid itself or its toxic fumes or vapours. These can cause fatal harm and if they are released in the environment, they will cause pollution!

Personal protective equipment:

Sampling plan
Type of consignmentProcedure
Consignment for customs clearance One aggregate sample consisting of an appropriate number of incremental samples chosen randomly or systematically throughout the consignment. When you are satisfied the consignment is homogeneous, one incremental sample is usually taken as representing the goods covered by the same customs declaration.

Bulk products - loose in tank, tank truck, reservoir wagon One aggregate sample from one or more incremental samples taken from different heights depending on the product homogeneity, liquid level, number of tanks chosen randomly or systematically throughout the consignment, see the ‘General principles – Sampling of liquids’.

Check the homogeneity of the lot — if the homogeneity is in doubt, take more incremental samples. Separate aggregate samples should be created from tanks containing different products or lots.

An aggregate sample is prepared from incremental samples taken from the same tank. If an aggregate sample is for multiple tanks, it must consist of proportional parts from each tank sampled.

Samples are usually taken from top openings through the hatch or by means of special sampling taps placed at the side of tanks at the correct heights. Cross-sectional sampling can be also used. A vacuum pump may also be used if the depth from which the sample is to be taken does not exceed 4 m and the viscosity of the liquid is not too great.

Samples can be also taken during loading or discharging as the product is being moved.
Liquid chemicals being moved One aggregate sample: Where the product is being mechanically moved by gravity, pumps or other equipment, there may be diverter valves at the side of pipeline that allow samples to be drawn at regular intervals determined by the moving speed from the liquid stream, see ‘Sampling from moving cargo’ in the General part.

Chemicals in barrels, drums, cans, and similar smaller containers One aggregate sample from incremental samples (one or more depending on the product homogeneity, number of containers) drawn from the middle of each container chosen randomly or systematically throughout the consignment, see ‘Sampling from transport packages’ in the General part.

Equal quantities of incremental samples are taken from different transport containers found at different positions in the transport vehicle or in the storage facility.

An aggregate sample may be formed only from containers from the same lot contained in the same consignment. If there are several lots, they should be identified and sampled separately.

If possible, always properly homogenize the content of the container.

The sampling is performed by using a vacuum pump, various pipette-type samplers or other appropriate samplers.

If a sample is taken from only one container (e.g. barrel), it is poured directly from the sampler into the sample container.

Handling of samples
General comments In principle the minimum quantity of identical final samples, required by the laboratory according to your national guidelines, should be enough, providing you are satisfied the product is homogenous.

When possible, take a sample directly into the sample bottle. This reduces the possibility of air absorption, loss of vapours, and contamination. Just before sampling, rinse the bottle with the product to be sampled.

If a mixing vessel is used, it must be rinsed with the sampled product before commencing. All incremental samples from all sampling spots are collected and after they have been thoroughly mixed, an aggregate sample is created.

The sample bottle should be filled leaving a small space for expansion due to heat. Samples where the moisture content may affect the analysis must be packed in moisture-tight containers with an airtight closure and must be filled completely.

After obtaining the sample, close the bottle immediately with a tight-fitting stopper and check the tightness (leakage test).

The sample should be handled and packaged in a well-ventilated place or outdoors.

Sampling of heated liquids: The sample is drawn from sampling valves provided on tanks, tank trucks or reservoir wagons or the sample is taken by using of metal sampling scoop. The incremental samples are then collected directly from the valve or the sampler into the wide mouth sample container, or if needed into the mixing vessel, from which they are transferred to the wide mouth sample container. The containers must be allowed to cool before closing.

‘Goods in special atmospheres’ (e.g. in nitrogen): Goods packed in medically sterile conditions should be sampled at the recipient’s premises under customs supervision

Sampling form Fill in the sampling form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record. Mention if the sample was taken under heated conditions.
Transport Samples must be labelled to indicate the specific nature of their hazard (symbols or code letters).

A copy of the SDS should always be kept with each of the samples.

If the sample is a hazardous material the transport of which is governed by ADR rules or other relevant transportation rules these rules must be complied with.

Exemptions for dangerous goods packed in limited quantities can be applied. When combination packages are used (consisting of an inner and an outer packaging not liable to break or be easily punctured), see ‘Transport’.
Storage Store in a cool, dark, dry and well-ventilated place, away from heat sources.

Keep container tightly closed in order to prevent loss of volatile components and cross-contamination with other samples.

Use ventilated cabinet for flammables if available.

Appropriate warning signs should be displayed.

Chemicals, liquid (expand list)
HS Heading Description


Revisions
Version Date Changes
1.1 30.01.2020 First version