Overview
EN 12933:2015 (CEN) specifies requirements for trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) when used for the emergency treatment of water intended for human consumption. The standard describes identification, physical and chemical properties, purity criteria, required test methods and safety, labelling, transportation and storage rules. It is intended to support quality control, safe handling and effective emergency disinfection practice across EU/EFTA countries while recognising national regulatory controls.
Key facts from the standard:
- Chemical name: 1,3,5‑trichloro‑1,3,5‑triazine‑2,4,6‑trione
- Synonyms: trichloroisocyanuric acid, TCCA, Symclosene
- Relative molecular mass: 232.42; empirical formula C3N3O3Cl3
- CAS: 87‑90‑1; EINECS: 201‑782‑8
- Commercial forms: powder, granules, tablets (white, chlorinous odor)
- Solubility: 12 g/L at 25 °C; bulk density values provided for different forms
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Identification and description: chemical names, formulas, commercial forms and physical properties.
- Purity and composition: limits on active chlorine content, impurities and main by‑products.
- Test methods: sampling protocols and analytical methods, including determination of available chlorine, impurity testing and chemical parameter analysis. Annex C provides a hydride AAS procedure for arsenic, antimony and selenium.
- Labelling & transport: requirements aligned with EU chemical legislation and transport regulations.
- Storage & safety: storage incompatibilities, long‑term stability and detailed safety/first‑aid/spill/fire procedures (Annex B).
- Informative guidance: Annex A covers origin, manufacturing, functional use in emergency water treatment, dosing forms and secondary effects.
Applications
EN 12933:2015 is focused on the emergency disinfection of drinking water supplies - e.g., post‑disaster, contamination events or temporary breakdowns of supply - where rapid, effective chemical treatment is required. Typical applications:
- Emergency response kits and protocols for municipal water utilities
- Specification and quality control of TCCA supplied for potable water emergencies
- Guidance for safe storage, transport and on‑site handling during emergency interventions
- Laboratory testing and acceptance criteria for suppliers and purchasers
Who should use this standard
- Water utilities and public health authorities
- Emergency responders and civil protection agencies
- Chemical manufacturers and suppliers of disinfectants (TCCA producers)
- Testing laboratories and conformity assessors
- Procurement and regulatory bodies setting emergency water treatment policies
Related standards
EN 12933 references other normative standards (sampling and analytical methods) such as EN 1233, EN ISO 12846, EN ISO 3696, and relevant ISO sampling standards for chemical products.
Keywords: EN 12933:2015, trichloroisocyanuric acid, TCCA, emergency water treatment, chemicals for emergency use, drinking water, CEN, available chlorine, safety, test methods.