ISO 5667-6:2014 sets out the principles to be applied to the design of sampling programmes, sampling techniques, and the handling of water samples from rivers and streams for physical and chemical assessment.

It is not applicable to the sampling of estuarine or coastal waters nor for microbiological sampling. (Procedures for microbiological sampling are given in ISO 19458.)

ISO 5667-6:2014 is neither applicable to the examination of sediment, suspended solids or biota, nor to dammed stretches of rivers or streams. Also, it is not applicable to passive sampling of surface waters (see ISO 5667‑23).

In cases where naturally occurring or artificially constructed dams result in the retention or storage of water for several days or more, the stretch of the river or stream should be considered as a standing water body. For sampling purposes, see ISO 5667‑4.