ASTM E3131-17

1.1 General: 

1.2 Operational Concepts—Nucleic acid-based detection systems are used to detect, identify, or quantify, or combinations thereof, biological hazards to support short-term tactical decision making to protect responders and the public. The system should provide low false-positive and false-negative rates. Uses of these systems include survey, surveillance, and screening of samples, particularly during a response to a suspected biological agent incident. A field-deployable system should withstand the rigors associated with uses including, but not limited to, high- and low-temperatures and storage conditions, shock and vibration, radio frequency interference, and rapid changes in operating temperature and humidity. Note that this specification does not address testing the potential impact of the rigors associated with use of systems in the field.

1.3 Nucleic Acid-Based System Detection Capabilities—Manufacturers or independent third-party testing entities shall document and verify, through testing, the capabilities of the system.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. Liquid concentrations of the biohazard materials are presented in number of biological agents or genome equivalents per volume for pathogens such as bacteria and spores (biological agents/mL, genome equivalents/mL (GE/mL), colony forming units/mL (CFU/mL), or spores/mL).

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.