Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 7850:1975 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for wooden box for microscope slides. This standard specifies the requirements for the materials, dimensions, construction, and finish of wooden boxes intended for storing 100 microscope slides. It ensures a standard quality for these common laboratory storage items, making them durable and fit for purpose.
ISO 8037-1:2018International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
LowCurrent
Microscopy — Slides — Part 1: Dimensions, optical quality and marking
This standard is not for slide boxes but defines the dimensions of the slides that IS 7850 boxes are designed to hold.
IATA PI 650International Air Transport Association (IATA), International
LowCurrent
Packing Instruction 650 (for UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B)
Defines packaging for shipping biological substances, which may involve using a slide box as a primary or secondary receptacle.
Key Differences
≠Material Specification: IS 7850 exclusively specifies seasoned wood (like Toon, Haldu, or Mango wood), whereas modern international practice heavily favors injection-molded plastics (like polypropylene or ABS) for which no single design standard exists.
≠Construction Method: The Indian Standard details traditional woodworking techniques, including specific joint types (dovetail, combed), metal hinges, and clasps. Modern equivalents are typically molded with integral 'living hinges' and plastic snap-latches.
≠Scope Focus: IS 7850 is a prescriptive standard for a single, finished product. Equivalent international standards for such a specific product do not exist; instead, related standards focus on the object being stored (the slide) or on material safety and performance rather than a specific box design.
≠Finish: IS 7850 requires the box to be finished with French polish or varnish. Plastic boxes are self-finished, with color and texture determined during the molding process.
Key Similarities
≈Core Function: Both the IS 7850 box and its modern counterparts share the primary function of providing organized, secure, and clean storage for standard microscope slides.
≈Dimensional Compatibility: The most critical internal dimensions, such as the spacing and depth of the grooves, are fundamentally determined by the standard size of a microscope slide (approx. 75x25 mm), a principle common to both the IS standard and international practice.
≈Indexing System: IS 7850 specifies an index card pasted on the inside of the lid for sample identification. This feature is nearly universal in all types of slide boxes, wooden or plastic, worldwide.
≈Slide Protection: Both designs aim to hold slides individually in vertical slots, preventing them from touching each other and protecting the specimen area from scratches, dust, and damage.
What is the capacity of the box as per this standard?+
The box is designed to hold 100 microscope slides of size 75 x 25 mm (Clause 4.1).
What type of wood is specified?+
The standard specifies suitable species of timber according to IS 399, which must be well-seasoned and free from defects like knots and cracks (Clause 3.1).
Are there requirements for the box's finish?+
Yes, the box should be smoothly finished with sandpaper and can be either polished or painted as agreed upon between the purchaser and supplier (Clause 6).
What markings are required on the box?+
Each box should be marked with the manufacturer's name or trade-mark and the ISI Certification Mark (Clause 8.1).