ISO 14385-1:2014

Overview

ISO 14385-1:2014 - "Stationary source emissions - Greenhouse gases - Part 1: Calibration of automated measuring systems" specifies procedures to establish quality assurance for automated measuring systems (AMS) used on industrial plants to determine concentrations of greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O, CH4) and related flue-gas parameters. The standard describes how to calibrate and validate AMS following installation and to determine the variability and uncertainty of AMS measured values. ISO 14385-1 is intended for use after initial acceptance testing (per ISO 14956).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: Clear definitions for AMS, SRM (Standard Reference Method), calibration function, variability, drift, span/zero readings, peripheral parameters (temperature, pressure, water vapour, O2).
• Calibration principle: Establishing a calibration function (linear relationship between SRM and AMS) and assuming constant residual standard deviation for validation.
• Functional testing: Procedures to perform functional tests of AMS components and sampling systems (see Annex A).
• Parallel measurements with SRM: Detailed method for conducting parallel on-site measurements using an SRM to evaluate AMS performance and calculate differences, standard deviation (variability), and outlier handling (Annex E).
• Linearity and response time: Testing linearity (Annex B) and response characteristics (t90) to confirm AMS meets performance limits.
• Calibration/validation procedure: Step-by-step process for calibrating AMS using parallel SRM data, including sample size, statistical tests, and acceptance criteria.
• Uncertainty and variability: Guidance on measurement uncertainty estimation (informative Annex F) and how the standard links regulatory allowable uncertainty to AMS validation.
• Documentation and reporting: Required documentation, calibration reports, and recordkeeping formats (Annex C and Clause 6.6).

Practical applications and users

ISO 14385-1 is targeted at organizations and professionals involved in emissions monitoring and compliance:

• Environmental managers and EHS teams at industrial facilities (power plants, chemical and waste incineration plants)
• Certification bodies and competent authorities enforcing emissions legislation or emissions trading requirements
• Test laboratories and field technicians performing AMS installation, calibration, and validation
• Instrument manufacturers and system integrators designing AMS and sampling systems

Practical uses include initial validation of continuous emissions monitoring systems, establishing traceability to reference methods, demonstrating compliance with uncertainty limits, and documenting AMS performance for regulators or auditors.

Related standards

• ISO 14385-2 - Ongoing quality control of automated measuring systems (companion part)
• ISO 14956 - Evaluation of suitability of a measurement procedure by comparison with a required measurement uncertainty

Keywords: ISO 14385-1, AMS calibration, automated measuring systems, greenhouse gases, stationary source emissions, SRM, measurement uncertainty, calibration function.