The primary pH-metric standardization, in compliance with the IUPAC guidelines is, for the first time. introduced in the domain of nonaqueous media of extremely high permittivities. In this context the primary standard pH(ps) values for the potassium hydrogen phthalate buffer in formamide have been determined over a range of temperatures, based on the potential difference measurements of Harned's cell. The found pH(ps) values decrease slightly with increasing temperature in the range 283-323 K according to: pH(ps) = 7.9538 - 0.008093 x (T (K)) + 0.0000100 x (T-2 (K)). Furthermore, to make the operational cell for pH measurements applicable to the present medium, a suitable equitransferent salt bridge (NH4Cl in formamide) has been characterized by the method of the concentration cell with transference. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.