This International Standard specifies a method for the determination of volatile organic compounds. This comprises e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons, trihalogen methanes, gasoline components (like BTEX, MTBE and ETBE), naphthalene, 2-ethyl-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane and highly odorous substances like geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in drinking water, ground water, surface water and treated waste water by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limit of determination depends on the matrix, on the specific compound to be analysed and on the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. For most compounds to which this International Standard applies, it is at least 0,01 µg/l. Validation data related to a concentration range between 0,02 µg/l and 2,6 µg/l have been demonstrated in an interlaboratory trial. Additional validation data derived from standardization work show applicability of the method within a concentration range from 0,01 µg/l to 100 µg/l of individual substances. All determinations are performed on small sample amounts (e.g. sample volumes of 10 ml). This method is applicable to other compounds not explicitly covered by this International Standard or to other types of water. However, it is necessary to verify the applicability for each case.