ISO 6639-2:2025

Overview

ISO 6639-2:2025 - "Cereals and pulses - Determination of hidden insect infestation - Part 2: Sampling" specifies standardized methods for sampling cereals and pulses (grain) in bags or bulk to detect hidden insect infestation. Applicable at any point in the supply chain - from producer through storage, transport and final trade - the second edition (2025) updates normative references and sampling location/time/period guidance from the 1986 edition.

Relevant keywords: ISO 6639-2:2025, hidden insect infestation, cereals and pulses sampling, grain sampling, bulk grain sampling.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability: Sampling procedures for grain in any storage structure or transit vehicle and at any trade level.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms such as lot, increment, aggregate sample and laboratory sample (note: lot definition for hidden infestation differs from other grain sampling standards).
• General principles: Practical sampling approaches where insect populations are unpredictable; hygiene of equipment; avoiding contamination; and sample handling.
• Equipment and devices: Devices for flowing grain (automatic samplers, pelican scoops), surface scoops, concentric/probe samplers, Archimedes’ screw probes, and bag-sampling dividers.
• Sampling location, time and period:
  • Sampling can be done at any point in the chain; best during commodity movement.
  • Temperature-based sampling frequency:
    • < 15 °C - sample once a month
    • 15–25 °C - sample at least every 15 days

    • 25 °C - sample at least once every 7 days

• Pre-sampling inspection: Inspect structures, bags and temperatures; agree lot boundaries and target species (live or dead).
• Sampling methods: Procedures for flowing bulk, static bulk (surface and depth), and bagged grain; increment collection and aggregation.
• Sample preparation and handling: Homogenization, laboratory sample division, packaging (plastic zip bags ~40 × 30 cm; do not reuse), labelling, delivery and reporting.
• Analysis timing: Analyze samples within 24 hours; if delayed (and insect life status is not required), freeze samples. Avoid airtight containers.

Applications

Who uses ISO 6639-2:2025:

• Grain producers, silo and warehouse operators
• Grain traders, exporters/importers and supply-chain managers
• Phytosanitary authorities, quarantine and regulatory agencies
• Quality control laboratories and pest-management professionals

Practical uses:

• Routine monitoring for hidden pest infestations during storage and transit
• Trade inspection and dispute resolution
• Designing sampling regimes for pest control and storage management
• Supporting laboratory testing and corrective actions

Related Standards

• ISO 24333:2009 - Cereals and cereal products - Sampling (normative reference)
• Other parts of the ISO 6639 series (see ISO website for full list)

For implementation details and full procedures consult the official ISO 6639-2:2025 text and the national standards body.