Hamilton Secures North American Ex Approval for Hazardous Environments.

Hamilton has secured North American Ex approval for its VisiFerm mA and VisiTrace mA dissolved oxygen sensors, allowing their use in hazardous industrial environments. This certification, granted through CSA Group, marks a significant expansion for the company’s analytical portfolio, which recently also gained ISO 17034 accreditation for its reference materials.

Expansion Into North American Hazardous Locations

Hamilton’s VisiFerm mA and VisiTrace mA dissolved oxygen sensors have officially received North American Ex approval, a milestone that permits their deployment in classified hazardous and explosive locations across the United States and Canada. The certification confirms that the sensors meet the requirements for intrinsically safe process control equipment used in classified hazardous locations.

The approval was granted through CSA Group and includes certification against CSA, UL, and FM standards, providing coverage across all major North American regulatory frameworks for hazardous-area instrumentation. These sensors are loop-powered devices designed for reliable dissolved oxygen monitoring in demanding process environments. They operate via a 4–20 mA HART interface and are approved for intrinsically safe installations when deployed according to the certified control drawings. With this milestone, Hamilton’s dissolved oxygen sensing technology can now be deployed in facilities where flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers may be present. These environments are common in industries such as chemical manufacturing, energy production, and other industrial processes where safety-certified instrumentation is required.

Quality Standards and ISO 17034 Accreditation

Beyond sensor hardware, the company has bolstered its process analytics division by achieving ISO 17034 accreditation for the manufacture of certified reference materials. The certification of the company’s pH buffer solutions and conductivity standards was granted by the Swiss Accreditation Service and highlights Hamilton’s consistent commitment to the highest standards of quality, reliability, and compliance in the field of process analytics.

With 14 pH values in up to six sizes and eleven conductivity standards, Hamilton offers a broad product portfolio that has been measured in accredited laboratories. All are tested in accordance with ISO 17025. For users in regulated environments, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology, the certification brings significant advantages. It ensures metrological traceability, confirms long-term stability, and reduces the audit risk for GMP/GLP laboratories. Another aspect certified under ISO 17034 is compliance with legal regulations, as well as support for method validation, method verification, and instrument calibration in audit processes and qualification procedures.

“A sensor is only as good as its calibration,” said Eric Hess, Product Manager, Hamilton Process Analytics. “We have recognized that our customers need calibration solutions of the highest level, they can rely on and that deliver outstanding results.”

Introduction of GlucoSense Technology

In a move to address long-standing analytical gaps in bioprocessing, Hamilton announced on Dec. 16, 2025, the launch of GlucoSense, a breakthrough in bioprocess analytics that introduces the first reusable, in situ glucose sensor designed to deliver continuous, real-time measurements directly inside cell culture bioreactors. GlucoSense is initially available for wetted autoclave workflows, supporting glass and benchtop bioreactors widely used in R&D and early process development.

Hamilton is actively advancing the next phase of product development, and a SIP- and steam-compatible version for steel bioreactors — suitable for clinical and commercial manufacturing — is planned for release by the end of 2026. “Bioprocessing teams have been asking for a simple, reliable way to measure glucose in situ for years,” said Giovanni Campolongo, Senior Market Segment Manager at Hamilton. “With GlucoSense, we’re giving customers real-time visibility into one of the most critical parameters in mammalian cell culture without the complexity, drift, or calibration burden that has limited previous technologies. And we’ve designed the product roadmap to support every step of the development lifecycle, from R&D to GMP manufacturing.”

Field Service and Operational Support

On Oct. 24, 2023, Hamilton announced a significant expansion and enhancement of their Field Services division, dedicated to providing an unparalleled “expert partner” approach for clients within the pharmaceutical and life science sectors. John Gleeson, Director of Field Services at Hamilton, emphasizes the pivotal role of going above and beyond the industry’s conventional service standards. Gleeson states, “In a sector where routine troubleshooting and instrument maintenance prevail, we aspire to transcend the ordinary ‘check the box’ approach. Our objective is to comprehensively understand our customers’ entire processes and equipment portfolios. By tailoring our services to their unique requirements, we offer a holistic solution that ensures seamless operations.”

A fundamental cornerstone of Hamilton’s approach is its commitment to root cause analysis. This meticulous examination identifies and resolves underlying issues specific to the systems and processes in use, ultimately preventing future failures and elevating overall system performance. Hamilton’s dedication to customer education further distinguishes them from the competition. The company provides comprehensive training and hands-on support, empowering clients to gain a deeper understanding of their systems.

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