TS ISO 11648-1

TS ISO 11648-1 is the standard that addresses the statistical aspects of sampling from bulk materials and sets out the general principles for that field. Sampling bulk materials is about obtaining a specimen that represents the whole mass, not just a convenient portion, so the design of the sampling plan, the treatment of variability, and the interpretation of results are central concerns.

The statistical framework behind sampling

The subject of this standard is how the natural heterogeneity of bulk materials is reflected in sampling results. In practice, products such as grains, minerals, coal, chemical feedstocks, or other granular and bulk solids are often highly variable from point to point. A small sample is expected to provide reliable information about the lot, which makes concepts such as sampling error, representativeness, subsampling, and result variability essential to the technical context.

General technical context

• Representative sampling depends on capturing the variation within the bulk material correctly.
• A sampling plan considers how sample size, location, and number of increments affect the outcome.
• Segregation, particle-size differences, and moisture changes are common sources of variation in bulk materials.
• Statistical principles support the interpretation and comparability of data obtained through sampling.

For that reason, TS ISO 11648-1 provides a foundational conceptual framework for people who plan, assess, or interpret sampling work for bulk materials. Rather than being a product-specific procedure for one material group, it explains the general principles that underpin statistical thinking in this area.