ASTM_D_4840_-_99_2018e1.pdf

Designation:D484099(Reapproved 2018)1Standard Guide forSample Chain-of-Custody Procedures1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4840;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1NOTEThis standard was reapproved with editorial changes in August 2018.1.Scope1.1 This guide contains a comprehensive discussion ofpotential requirements,in the analysis of water,for a samplechain-of-custody program and describes the procedures in-volved in sample chain-of-custody.The purpose of theseprocedures is to provide accountability for and documentationof sample integrity from the time samples are collected untilsample disposal.1.2 These procedures are intended to document samplepossession during each stage of a samples life cycle,that is,during collection,shipment,storage,and the process of analy-sis.1.3 Sample chain-of-custody is just one aspect of the largerissue of data defensibility(see 3.2.2 and Appendix X1).1.4 A sufficient chain-of-custody process,that is,one thatprovides sufficient evidence of sample integrity in a legal orregulatory setting,is situationally dependent.The procedurespresented in this guide are generally considered sufficient toassure legal defensibility of sample integrity.In a givensituation,less stringent measures may be adequate.It is theresponsibility of the users of this guide to determine their exactneeds.Legal counsel may be needed to make this determina-tion.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1129 Terminology Relating to WaterD3325 Practice for Preservation of Waterborne Oil SamplesD3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed ConduitsD3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers andfor Preservation of Organic ConstituentsD3856 Guide for Management Systems in LaboratoriesEngaged in Analysis of WaterD4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Proce-dures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data(Withdrawn 2002)3D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for WaterSamples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents2.2 U.S.EPA Standard:U.S.EPA Good Automated Laboratory Practices43.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard,refer toTerminology D1129.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 custody,nphysical possession or control;a sample isunder custody if it is in possession or under control so as toprevent tampering or alteration of its characteristics.3.2.2 data defensibility,na process that provides sufficientassurance,both legal and technical,that assertions made abouta sample and its measurable characteristics can be supported toan acceptable level of certainty.See Appendix X1 for adiscussion of the elements of a data defensibility process.3.2.3 sample,na portion of an environmental or sourcematrix that is collected and used to determine the characteris-tics of that matrix.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and isthe direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.02 on Quality Systems,Specification,and Statistics.Current edition approved Aug.15,2018.Published August 2018.Originallyapproved in 1988.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D4840 99(2010).DOI:10.1520/D4840-99R18E01.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.4Available from U.S.Government Printing Office,Superintendent ofDocuments,732 N.Capitol St.,NW,Washington,DC 20401-0001,http:/www.access.gpo.gov.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 3.2.4 sample chain-of-custody,na process whereby asample is maintaine