M/564 AMD 2 - Fertilizers Amd2

This document specifies a method for the determination of the dimensions and of the bulk density of pre-shaped growing media.
In this document, "pre-shaped growing media":
-   includes solid, regular shaped, stable growing media sold, or which are ready for use, as a growing medium, where the dimensions and any corners are stable;
-   excludes plugs;
NOTE   For the determination of the dimensions and the bulk density of plugs, EN 18250:-  applies [1].
-   excludes solid growing media that has to be hydrated for it to form, varies in dimension with varying water content - for example, coir or peat slabs or growing bags.

This document is applicable to the sampling of the following solid inorganic fertilizers and liming materials supplied or ready for supply, and stored in static heaps:
-   Single nutrient fertilizers,
-   Uniform complex fertilizers,
-   Milled, granulated or dredged liming materials,
-   Any other materials deemed suitable for sampling by the method described in this part of the standard,
for the purpose of testing for compliance with legal requirements and other descriptions and declarations.
NOTE 1   The term “fertilizer” is used throughout the body of this document and includes liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   Manufacturers, importers and sellers might choose to use this method to obtain samples of other products or blends as well as long as both parties to a transaction agree. The build-up of a static heap often leads to granulometric segregation, which makes the collection of a truly representative sample unlikely.
NOTE 3   It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and sellers, however, to ensure they supply a product that complies with its label declaration at the moment of delivery and fulfils the expectations of the end user at the moment of application.

This document specifies methods for the reduction and preparation of samples of fertilizers, liming materials, inhibitors and blends and sets out the requirements for sample preparation reports. It also specifies methods for the preparation of test samples and test portions from laboratory samples of fertilizer for subsequent chemical or physical analysis. It does not cover the preparation of samples for certain physical tests which require test portions of more than 2 kg.
NOTE 1   The term “fertilizer” is used throughout the body of this document and is understood to include liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   In relation to the procedures set out in this part of the standard any special procedures specific to a particular test method will be set out in that method standard.

This document specifies sampling plans and methods of representative sampling of inorganic fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors for physical and chemical analysis, from packages and containers up to and including 1 000 kg, in liquid and solid form. This document covers sampling of products in bulk only while in motion.
NOTE 1   The sampling of bulk heaps of specified types of fertilizers is covered in prEN 1482 3. Sampling for detection of microbial presence is covered by prEN 1482 4.
NOTE 2   The term product is used throughout the body of this document and is understood to include inorganic fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
It is applicable to the sampling of batches of fertilizer, liming material and inhibitors supplied or ready for supply to third parties, as such, or in smaller batches, each of which would be subject to local, national or regional legislation.
This document does not cover complete, statistical sampling plans.
This document is also applicable to the blends of products where inorganic fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are the main part of the blend in quantity. If fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are not the main part of the blend, the European Standard for the main part of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of parts in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Special care is needed to ensure that the blend is/stays homogeneous and well mixed when sampled.
NOTE 3   It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and sellers, however, to ensure they supply a product that complies with its label declaration at the moment of delivery and fulfils the expectations of the end user at the moment of application.

This document gives guidance on a consistent approach to justify the claims associated with the use of plant biostimulants.
This document is aimed primarily at manufacturers, laboratories, researchers, technical centres, and companies that intend to place plant biostimulants on the market, as well as notifying authorities, notified bodies, and market surveillance authorities.
To be in compliance with this standard, it is important to also follow the recommendations and quality criteria described in the standard EN 17700-1:2024 on general principles to demonstrate plant biostimulant claims.

This document specifies methods for the reduction and preparation of samples of fertilizers, liming materials, inhibitors and blends and sets out the requirements for sample preparation reports. It also specifies methods for the preparation of test samples and test portions from laboratory samples of fertilizer for subsequent chemical or physical analysis. It does not cover the preparation of samples for certain physical tests which require test portions of more than 2 kg.
NOTE 1   The term “fertilizer” is used throughout the body of this document and is understood to include liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   In relation to the procedures set out in this part of the standard any special procedures specific to a particular test method will be set out in that method standard.

This document is applicable to the sampling of the following solid inorganic fertilizers and liming materials supplied or ready for supply, and stored in static heaps:
-   Single nutrient fertilizers,
-   Uniform complex fertilizers,
-   Milled, granulated or dredged liming materials,
-   Any other materials deemed suitable for sampling by the method described in this part of the standard,
for the purpose of testing for compliance with legal requirements and other descriptions and declarations.
NOTE 1   The term “fertilizer” is used throughout the body of this document and includes liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   Manufacturers, importers and sellers might choose to use this method to obtain samples of other products or blends as well as long as both parties to a transaction agree. The build-up of a static heap often leads to granulometric segregation, which makes the collection of a truly representative sample unlikely.
NOTE 3   It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and sellers, however, to ensure they supply a product that complies with its label declaration at the moment of delivery and fulfils the expectations of the end user at the moment of application.

This document specifies sampling plans and methods of representative sampling of inorganic fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors for physical and chemical analysis, from packages and containers up to and including 1 000 kg, in liquid and solid form. This document covers sampling of products in bulk only while in motion.
NOTE 1   The sampling of bulk heaps of specified types of fertilizers is covered in prEN 1482 3. Sampling for detection of microbial presence is covered by prEN 1482 4.
NOTE 2   The term product is used throughout the body of this document and is understood to include inorganic fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
It is applicable to the sampling of batches of fertilizer, liming material and inhibitors supplied or ready for supply to third parties, as such, or in smaller batches, each of which would be subject to local, national or regional legislation.
This document does not cover complete, statistical sampling plans.
This document is also applicable to the blends of products where inorganic fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are the main part of the blend in quantity. If fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are not the main part of the blend, the European Standard for the main part of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of parts in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Special care is needed to ensure that the blend is/stays homogeneous and well mixed when sampled.
NOTE 3   It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and sellers, however, to ensure they supply a product that complies with its label declaration at the moment of delivery and fulfils the expectations of the end user at the moment of application.

This document gives guidance on a consistent approach to justify the claims associated with the use of plant biostimulants.
This document is aimed primarily at manufacturers, laboratories, researchers, technical centres, and companies that intend to place plant biostimulants on the market, as well as notifying authorities, notified bodies, and market surveillance authorities.
To be in compliance with this standard, it is important to also follow the recommendations and quality criteria described in the standard EN 17700-1:2024 on general principles to demonstrate plant biostimulant claims.

This document specifies methods for determining temperature-time profiles during composting and anaerobic digestion for the production of compost and digestate.
The process monitoring is an organized check and recording of the temperature during a specific time of the composting and anaerobic digestion process.
This document only applies to composting and anaerobic digestion.
This document is intended to be used by manufacturers and enforcement agencies for the purpose of manufacturing control.
The requirements of this document can differ from national legal requirements for the production process of compost and digestate.

This document specifies methods for determining temperature-time profiles during composting and anaerobic digestion for the production of compost and digestate.
The process monitoring is an organized check and recording of the temperature during a specific time of the composting and anaerobic digestion process.
This document only applies to composting and anaerobic digestion.
This document is intended to be used by manufacturers and enforcement agencies for the purpose of manufacturing control.
The requirements of this document can differ from national legal requirements for the production process of compost and digestate.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the mass fractions of ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content that passes certain mesh sieves (0,5 mm and 1,0 mm).
This document is not applicable to fertilizing products blends, other than ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content.

This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of nitrification inhibitoring compounds and urease inhibiting compounds in inorganic fertilizers.
This document is not applicable to fertilizing products blends.

This document specifies a method for the titrimetric determination of the ammoniacal nitrogen content in inorganic fertilizers (including compound fertilizers), in which nitrogen is found exclusively either in the form of ammonium salts or ammonium salts together with nitrates.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category: inorganic fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizers are not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
In the case of application to ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content, this document is not applicable to fertilizer product blends.
This document is not applicable to fertilizers or fertilizer product blends containing urea, cyanamide, nutrient polymers or other organic nitrogenous compounds.

This document specifies a method for the determination of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni)), boron (B), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S) and sodium (Na) in aqua regia digests of organic, organo-mineral fertilizers, and their fertilizing product blends using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
It is applicable and validated for several types of matrices as indicated in Annex A.
This document is applicable to the component materials “by-products”, when used as components of fertilizing products, as well as the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
This method is applicable to aqua regia digests prepared according to prEN 17768.
NOTE   Alternatively, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used for the determination of the elements in the aqua regia digests if the user proves that the method gives the same results.

This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following parameters in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers:
—   Determination of the total organic carbon content;
—   Determination of the dry matter content.
The method for the determination of the total organic carbon is not applicable to products containing urea-formaldehyde polymers or urea as long as there is no method available to assess carbon in urea-formaldehyde polymers or urea. The carbon contained in these compounds is not considered organic [1].
The scope of the standards referenced in this document specifies in which cases the method is also applicable to fertilizing product blends.

This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following specific elements in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers:
Determination of the total phosphorus content;
Determination of the total potassium content;
Determination of the total calcium content;
Determination of the total magnesium content;
Determination of the total sodium content;
Determination of the total sulphur content;
Determination of the inorganic arsenic content;
Determination of the cadmium content;
Determination of the total chromium content;
Determination of the total mercury content;
Determination of the total nickel content;
Determination of the total lead content;
Determination of the total copper content;
Determination of the total zinc content;
Determination of the water-soluble calcium content;
Determination of the water-soluble magnesium content;
Determination of the water-soluble sodium content;
Determination of the water-soluble sulphur content.
This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following specific elements in organo-mineral fertilizers:
Determination of the water-soluble phosphorus content;
Determination of the water-soluble potassium content;
Determination of the neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus content
Determination of the formic acid soluble phosphorus content;
Determination of the total boron content;
Determination of the total cobalt content;
Determination of the total iron content
Determination of the total manganese content
Determination of the total molybdenum content;
Determination of the water-soluble boron content;
Determination of the water-soluble cobalt content;
Determination of the water-soluble copper content;
Determination of the water-soluble iron content;
Determination of the water-soluble manganese content;
Determination of the water-soluble molybdenum content;
Determination of the water-soluble zinc content.
The scope of the standards referenced in this document specifies in which cases the method is also applicable to blends.

This document specifies a method for determination of the content of mercury (Hg) using (cold) vapour generation apparatus coupled to an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a method using a direct amalgamation technique.
It is applicable to aqua regia digests prepared according to prEN 17768.
It is applicable to organic fertilizers and organo-mineral fertilizers.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category: organic fertilizers or organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in case of liquid form by dry mass. If organic fertilizers and organo-mineral fertilizers are not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
NOTE   It is also possible to use other suitable methods for the determination of mercury described in Annex A if users prove that the method gives the same results as the methods described in this document.

This document specifies the procedure for digestion of different organic and organo-mineral fertilizers with aqua regia to enable a subsequent determination of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), boron (B), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S) and sodium (Na)).
This document is applicable to the component materials “by-products”, when used as components of fertilizing products, as well as the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
The digests are suitable for analysis using prEN 17770  [11] and prEN 17769  [10].
This document is applicable and validated for several types of matrices as indicated in Annex A.
NOTE 1   Digestates prepared by the procedure given in this document can also be applied for determination of other elements.
NOTE 2   Alternatively, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used for the measurement if the user proves that the method gives the same results.

This document specifies a method for extraction, separation, and determination of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in organic or organo-mineral fertilizers using anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or ion chromatography (IC) coupled to ICP-MS.
This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category organic fertilizer or organo-mineral fertiliser is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies the procedure for extraction of different organic and organo-mineral fertilizers with water to enable a subsequent determination of boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn).
NOTE   Extracts prepared by the procedure given in this document can also be applied for determination of other elements.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies the procedure for the extraction of different organic and organo-mineral fertilizers with a solution of neutral ammonium citrate to enable a subsequent determination of phosphorus.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil Improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies a method for the determination of boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
NOTE 1   Alternatively, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used for the measurement if the user proves that the method gives the same results.
This method is applicable to extracts prepared according to prEN 17766, prEN 17767 and prEN 17779.
NOTE 2   The method can be used for the determination of other elements, provided the user has verified the applicability.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies the procedure for the determination and calculation of the dry matter content of organic and organo-mineral fertilizers for which the results of the performed analysis are to be calculated to the dry matter content basis.
This document is applicable and validated for several types of matrices as indicated in Annex A.
This document is applicable to the component materials “by-products”, “thermal oxidation materials and derivatives”, or “recovered high-purity materials”, when used as components of fertilizing products, as well as the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizers is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies a method for the determination of total organic carbon (TOC) by elemental analysis using dry combustion. The method is applicable to organic and organo-mineral fertilizers containing more than 1 g carbon per kg of dry matter (0,1 %), with the exclusion of organo-mineral fertilizers containing urea-formaldehyde polymers or urea as long as there is no method available to assess carbon in urea-formaldehyde polymers or urea.
This document is applicable to the component materials “by-products”, or “recovered high-purity materials”, when used as components of fertilizing products, as well as the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
This document is applicable and validated for several types of matrices as indicated in Annex B.

This document specifies the procedure for the extraction of different organic and organo-mineral fertilizers with 2 % formic acid (20 g/l) to enable a subsequent determination of phosphorus, representing the amount of soft natural phosphates.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, and where the following category: organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizer is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document is applicable to the component materials by-products, thermal oxidation materials and derivatives, or recovered high-purity materials, when used as components of fertilizing products.
This document provides an overview of relevant methods for the determination of specific properties of these components when used in fertilizing products, including:
—   for the component materials “by-products”:
—   determination of the total iron content;
—   determination of the total zinc content;
—   determination of the total copper content;
—   determination of the total cobalt content;
—   determination of the total manganese content;
—   determination of the dry matter content;
—   determination of the total organic carbon content;
—   for the component materials “thermal oxidation materials and derivatives”:
—   determination of the dry matter content;
—   for the component materials “recovered high-purity materials”:
—   determination of the dry matter content;
—   determination of the total organic carbon content.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the biuret content by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detector.
This document is applicable to organic and organo-mineral fertilizers containing urea.
This document is applicable to fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following products: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where organic matter is present in at least one of the products in the blend. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed only of inorganic products, the European Standard for inorganic fertilizers applies. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
NOTE 1   This method was tested only for one fertilizing product blend during the inter-laboratory study. The product tested was a liquid organo-mineral mixture of a liquid organic fertilizer, a growing medium and a non-microbial plant biostimulant.
NOTE 2   Nowadays, there is a method standardized as EN 15479 that allows the determination of biuret in urea by spectrophotometric detection. Organic and organo-mineral fertilizers contain organic matter and other compounds apart from urea that would interfere in a spectrophotometric method. HPLC allows an accurate determination of biuret by separating it from possible interfering compounds [2] [5].

This document specifies a method for the determination of hexavalent chromium (chromium(VI)) in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers.
The method specified is suitable to quantify the chromium(VI) content in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers down to 2 mg/kg dry matter.
The results obtained from this method are strictly dependent on the extraction conditions. Results obtained by using other extraction procedures (extraction solution, pH of the extraction solution, extraction time, extraction temperature, etc.) are not comparable with the results produced by the procedure described in this document.
This document is applicable to fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where organic matter is present in at least one of the products in the blend. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed only of inorganic products, the European Standard for inorganic fertilizers or liming materials applies. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies a method for the extraction of water-soluble calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulfur (in the form of sulfates), so that the same extract can be used for the determination of each nutrient required.
This document is applicable to inorganic fertilizers.

This document specifies a method applicable to inorganic fertilizers for the extraction with diluted mineral acid of total calcium, total magnesium and total sodium and for the extraction of total sulfur present in the form of sulfates, so that the same extract may be used for the determination of each nutrient required.

This document specifies a method for the extraction of phosphorus soluble in mineral acids in inorganic fertilizers.

This document specifies the procedure for the determination/calculation of the dry matter content of inorganic fertilizers for which the results of the performed analysis are expressed in relation to the dry residue.

This document specifies a method for the extraction of the total sulfur contained in fertilizers in elemental form and/or in other chemical combinations.
The method is applicable to inorganic fertilizers for which a declaration of the total sulfur present in various forms (elemental, thiosulfate, sulfite, sulfate) is provided.

This document specifies a method for the extraction of phosphorus soluble in neutral ammonium citrate in inorganic fertilizers.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the content of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc in fertilizers and liming materials using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after aqua regia dissolution. Limits of quantification are dependent on the sample matrix as well as on the instrument, but can roughly be expected to be 0,3 mg/kg for Cd and 1 mg/kg for Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category: inorganic fertilizers and liming materials is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizers and liming materials is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply.
NOTE 1   The term fertilizer is used throughout this document and needs to be taken to include liming materials unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   Dissolution by aqua regia is equivalent to digestion and extract and digest are equivalent terms in this sense for the purposes of this standard.

This document specifies terminology for soil improvers and growing media.
Annex A contains an overview of all terms defined in this document in alphabetical order.

This document provides an overview of relevant methods for the determination of specific parameters in solid soil improvers, including:
— dry matter content;
— quantity;
— copper and zinc content;
— chloride content;
— nitrogen content;
— P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) and K2O (potassium oxide) content.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE A soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).

This document refers to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in soil improvers and growing media, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document include:
—   the cadmium content;
—   the lead content;
—   the nickel content;
—   the chromium (VI) content;
—   the mercury content;
—   the inorganic arsenic content;
—   the phosphonates content;
—   the total chromium content;
—   the bioavailable nickel content.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE   A soil improver or a growing medium consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).

This document refers to methods to be used for the detection of Salmonella spp. and the enumeration of Escherichia coli and enterococci in soil improvers and growing media, but does not contain the methods themselves.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE   A soil improver or a growing medium consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).

This document specifies references to methods for sampling of soil improvers and growing media and sample preparation of soil improvers and growing media for subsequent determination of quality and quantity.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE   A soil improver or a growing medium consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).

This document specifies a method to determine the visible macroscopic impurities > 2 mm and stones > 5 mm in compost and digestate. Macroscopic impurities are contaminants that are not naturally occurring in soil such as pieces of glass, metal, plastic. This method is not able to make a distinction between compostable and non-compostable plastics.
Fragments of wood or bark are acceptable constituents of the sample and not classified as macroscopic impurities.

This document specifies a method for the enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in soil improvers and growing media. This document is applicable to material in solid form (including pre-shaped growing media) and liquid form.
This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilizing products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media comprise the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If soil improvers and/or growing media do not comprise the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products in equal quantity, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE 1   A soil improver or a growing medium consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
Strains of E. coli which do not grow at 44 °C ± 1 °C and, in particular, those that are β-D-glucuronidase-negative, such as E. coli O157, will not be detected. Some strains of Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. within the family Enterobacteriaceae can also show β-D-glucuronidase activity at 44 °C ± 1 °C.
NOTE 2   This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (Annex C).

This document specifies a method for the detection of Salmonella spp. in soil improvers and growing media. It is applicable to material in solid form (including pre-shaped growing media) and liquid form.
This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilizing products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media comprise the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If soil improvers and/or growing media do not comprise the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products in equal quantity, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
Most of the Salmonella serovars are detected with the method described in this document. For the detection of some specific Salmonella serovars (e.g. Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi), additional cultivation steps can be necessary.
NOTE 1   A soil improver or a growing medium consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
NOTE 2   This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (Annex C).

This document specifies a method for the enumeration of enterococci in soil improvers and growing media. This document is applicable to material in solid form (including pre-shaped growing media) and liquid form.
This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media comprise the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If soil improvers and/or growing media do not comprise the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products in equal quantity, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE 1   A soil improver or a growing medium consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
NOTE 2   This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (Annex C).

This document specifies the general requirements for the preparation of samples, initial suspensions and further dilutions prior to microbiological examinations of soil improvers and growing media. This method is intended especially for sample preparation prior to microbiological examinations of e.g. Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella spp. and enterococci.
If a laboratory receives a material/product that is not listed in Annex B but has external characteristics (i.e. hardness, fibrous nature, particle size) like one of the materials/products listed in Annex B, then the procedural steps for sample preparation (pre-treatment, treatment and dilution) are carried out in the same way as listed for the material/product which has comparable external characteristics.
Any special diluents or practices required for particular materials or microorganisms in specific standard methods take priority over the general requirements listed in this document.

This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following parameters in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers:
—   Determination of the total organic carbon content;
—   Determination of the dry matter content.
The method for the determination of the total organic carbon is not applicable to products containing urea-formaldehyde polymers or urea as long as there is no method available to assess carbon in urea-formaldehyde polymers or urea. The carbon contained in these compounds is not considered organic [1].
The scope of the standards referenced in this document specifies in which cases the method is also applicable to fertilizing product blends.

This document specifies the procedure for the determination and calculation of the dry matter content of organic and organo-mineral fertilizers for which the results of the performed analysis are to be calculated to the dry matter content basis.
This document is applicable and validated for several types of matrices as indicated in Annex A.
This document is applicable to the component materials “by-products”, “thermal oxidation materials and derivatives”, or “recovered high-purity materials”, when used as components of fertilizing products, as well as the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category organic fertilizers, organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If the organic fertilizer or the organo-mineral fertilizers is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies a method for determination of the content of mercury (Hg) using (cold) vapour generation apparatus coupled to an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a method using a direct amalgamation technique.
It is applicable to aqua regia digests prepared according to prEN 17768.
It is applicable to organic fertilizers and organo-mineral fertilizers.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category: organic fertilizers or organo-mineral fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in case of liquid form by dry mass. If organic fertilizers and organo-mineral fertilizers are not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
NOTE   It is also possible to use other suitable methods for the determination of mercury described in Annex A if users prove that the method gives the same results as the methods described in this document.

This document specifies a method for the titrimetric determination of the ammoniacal nitrogen content in inorganic fertilizers (including compound fertilizers), in which nitrogen is found exclusively either in the form of ammonium salts or ammonium salts together with nitrates.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components: fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category: inorganic fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizers are not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
In the case of application to ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content, this document is not applicable to fertilizer product blends.
This document is not applicable to fertilizers or fertilizer product blends containing urea, cyanamide, nutrient polymers or other organic nitrogenous compounds.