Laboratory Information Management Systems

ASTM International Committee E13 on Molecular Spectroscopy and Separation Science invites all interested parties to join in the ongoing revision of E1578, Guide for Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). E1578 is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E13.15 on Analytical Data.

According to James B. Powers Jr., managing partner, Bridge Associates LLC, and chairman of the E13.15 task group that is revising the standard, the use of electronic laboratory notebooks, cloud computing and the adoption of lean principles has led to an evolution in the use of LIMS and related analytics currently employed across laboratory environments. The revision will include a holistic review of E1578.

"Information contained in the revised guide will benefit a broad audience of people who work or interact with LIMS/informatics with laboratories," says Powers. "New LIMS/informatics users will be able to utilize the updated E1578 to understand the purpose and functions of LIMS/informatics. It will also help prospective LIMS/informatics users in understanding terminology, configurations, features, design, benefits and costs."

The revised E1578 will also serve the following functions:

  • Individuals who are purchasing LIMS/informatics products will be able to use the guide to identify functions for specific laboratory environments;
  • Commercial LIMS/informatics vendors will use the guide as a tool to evaluate, identify and potentially improve the capabilities of their products;
  • LIMS/informatics vendor sales staff will be able to use the revised E1578 to represent functions of their products to prospective customers in more generic and product-neutral terms.

The task group is seeking a broad cross section of LIMS/informatics users, implementers and vendors working in industry, government and academic laboratory environments to work on the revision to E1578. Individuals who can translate laboratory informatics visions into practical guides and those who have practical experience in the implementation and use life cycles for LIMS/informatics are particularly encouraged to become involved.

CONTACT Technical Information: James B. Powers Jr., Bridge Associates International LLC • Princeton, NJ • Phone: 610-659-2094 | ASTM Staff: Joe Koury • Phone: 610-832-9804


Issue Month
May/June
Issue Year
2012