This document is applicable to sodium hypochlorite used for treatment of water intended for human consumption. It describes the characteristics of sodium hypochlorite and specifies the requirements and the corresponding test methods for sodium hypochlorite. It gives information on its use in water treatment. It also determines the rules relating to safe handling and use of sodium hypochlorite (see Annex B). NOTE While this document is not applicable to sodium hypochlorite generated in situ (see bibliographic reference [6]), the limits for impurities and chemical parameters apply.