EN 16637-1:2023

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2024
Nadomešča:
SIST-TS CEN/TS 16637-1:2019
Gradbeni proizvodi - Ocenjevanje sproščanja nevarnih snovi - 1. del: Navodilo za
določanje preskusov izluževanja in dodatnih korakov preskušanja
Construction products - Assessment of release of dangerous substances - Part 1:
Guidance for the determination of leaching tests and additional testing steps
Bauprodukte - Bewertung der Freisetzung von gefährlichen Stoffen - Teil 1: Leitfaden für
die Festlegung von Auslaugprüfungen und zusätzlichen Prüfschritten
Produits de construction - Évaluation du relargage de substances dangereuses - Partie 1
: Guide pour la spécification des essais de lixiviation et des étapes supplémentaires
d’essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16637-1:2023
ICS:
13.020.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi z Other standards related to
varstvom okolja environmental protection
91.100.01 Gradbeni materiali na Construction materials in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 16637-1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 91.100.01 Supersedes CEN/TS 16637-1:2018
English Version
Construction products: Assessment of release of
dangerous substances - Part 1: Guidance for the
determination of leaching tests and additional testing
steps
Produits de construction - Évaluation du relargage de Bauprodukte - Bewertung der Freisetzung von
substances dangereuses - Partie 1 : Guide pour la gefährlichen Stoffen - Teil 1: Leitfaden für die
spécification des essais de lixiviation et des étapes Festlegung von Auslaugprüfungen und zusätzlichen
supplémentaires d'essai Prüfschritten
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 July 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 16637-1:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
3.1 Sampling and products . 7
3.2 Release laboratory testing . 10
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 15
4.1 Symbols . 15
4.2 Abbreviations . 15
5 Determination of the appropriate release test method. 15
5.1 Principles and general review of the test methods . 15
5.2 Product properties and test conditions for the determination of the relevant test method
............................................................................................................................................................................. 16
5.3 Determination of the appropriate test method . 18
6 Adoption of modules for the product specific leaching standard . 19
6.1 Overview of the modules . 19
6.2 Product sampling and transport to the laboratory . 21
6.2.1 Introduction on sampling . 21
6.2.2 Objective of sampling . 21
6.2.3 Preparation of a sampling plan and sampling strategy . 21
6.2.4 Information from the testing laboratory needed to complement the product sampling
plan . 24
6.2.5 Packaging and transport of laboratory sample . 25
6.2.6 Sample description and marking of laboratory sample and sampling report . 25
6.2.7 Chain of custody report . 25
6.2.8 Dispatch of product samples, time schedule . 26
6.2.9 Report on sampling . 26
6.3 Preparation of the test portion . 26
6.4 Collection of eluates . 26
6.4.1 Dynamic surface leaching test . 26
6.4.2 Up-flow percolation test . 27
7 Indirect methods . 28
7.1 Definition . 28
7.2 Requirements for indirect methods. 28
7.3 Examples of indirect methods . 28
Annex A (informative) Release scenarios and impact assessment . 29
Annex B (informative) Different types of leaching tests . 33
Annex C (informative) Key concepts for product sampling . 35
Annex D (informative) Example form of a chain of custody report . 47
Annex E (informative) Example form for the sampling report . 48
Annex F (informative) Metallic products . 49
Annex G (informative) Guidance on how to identify and handle unexpected test results and how
to recognize heterogeneous products . 50
Bibliography . 53

European foreword
This document (EN 16637-1:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 351
“Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances”, the secretariat of which is held
by NEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2024 and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes CEN/TS 16637-1:2018.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— transfer of technical specification into a European Standard;
— addition of guidance on how to identify and handle unexpected test results and how to recognize
heterogeneous products (see Annex G);
— updating of normative and informative cross-references.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
This document deals with the determination and use of test methods for leaching of construction
products taking specific situations into account. It specifies preconditions under which leaching tests for
monolithic products and for granular products need to be selected.
EN 16637, Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances, consists of the following
parts:
— Part 1: Guidance for the determination of leaching tests and additional testing steps;
— Part 2: Horizontal dynamic surface leaching test;
— Part 3: Horizontal up-flow percolation test.
Background information on characterization of leaching behaviour of construction products can be found
in Technical Reports provided by CEN/TC 351 (i.e. CEN/TR 16098 [1], CEN/TR 16496 [2]).
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
The European Standards EN 16637-1, EN 16637-2 and EN 16637-3 are developed to assess the release
of regulated dangerous substances (RDS) from construction products into soil, surface water and
groundwater in the framework of Mandate M/366. The horizontal test methods developed under the
Mandate M/366 are intended to be used to show compliance with notified regulations. The tests cover
the release of substances from construction products and in particular, those that are regulated in
notified regulations in one or more EU Member States.
EN 16637-1 specifies how the CEN Technical Product Committees and EOTA experts should determine
the appropriate leaching test for the determination of the release of RDS from a construction product into
soil, surface water and groundwater. EN 16637-1 gives background information for CEN Technical
Product Committees on the following aspects:
— description of the intended conditions of use of the construction product (e.g. above ground exposed
to the precipitation, or shielded from direct infiltration, in surface or groundwater) with respect to
the release of RDS into soil, surface water and groundwater;
— identification of main release mechanisms, and the appropriate leaching test for a given construction
product.
EN 16637-2 specifies a horizontal test to assess surface dependent release from monolithic, plate-like or
sheet-like construction products (tank test).
EN 16637-3 specifies a horizontal test to assess release from granular construction products.
The test methods can be used for both steps in the hierarchy (type testing (TT) and factory production
control (FPC)) and form the reference tests for the intended uses and conditions specified in EN 16637-1.
In this hierarchy of testing conditionally “indirect tests” can be used, but are not specified.
The release of substances upon contact with water results in a potential risk to the environment during
the intended use of construction products. The intent of these tests is to identify the leaching behaviour
of construction products and thereby allow assessments of the release of RDS from such products to soil,
surface water and groundwater under intended conditions of use in relation to CE marking and
assessment and verification of constancy of performance.
This document does not address impact assessment. However, since the test methods described in the
document may be used in the context of impact assessments and regulation based on impact assessments,
some guidance on this issue is provided in this document in Annex A (informative).
In addition to existing validation results, in 2011 CEN/TC 351 began an extensive research program on
robustness validation of the existing tank leaching and percolation tests. This was carried out by a
consortium of European experts on 20 construction products to unify differences from the protocols of
the different CEN Members and to check the influence of testing conditions on the test result (e.g.
temperature, flow rate, renewal scheme). The results ([3], [4]) of the research program confirmed the
robustness of the horizontal tests known from former works. Conclusions from the program have been
implemented into the Technical Specifications for the test methods. The performance of the leaching tests
regarding repeatability and reproducibility was deduced from a second validation step and respective
data ([5], [6]) are included in EN 16637-2 and EN 16637-3.
1 Scope
This document allows the identification of the appropriate leaching test method for the determination of
the release of RDS from construction products into soil, surface water and groundwater. This document
provides a stepwise procedure for the determination of appropriate release tests, including:
a) determination of the test method based on general product properties;
b) choice of the test method using specific product properties.
Furthermore, this document gives general guidance for CEN Technical Product Committees and
EOTA WGs on basic aspects (sampling, sample preparation and storage, eluate treatment, analysis of
eluates and documentation) to be specified in the relevant product standards or ETAs.
Metallic products and coatings on metallic products are not considered in the determination scheme of
this document since the test methods in EN 16637-2 (tank test) and EN 16637-3 (column test) are not
appropriate for the testing of these construction products due to a different release mechanism
(solubility control).
NOTE See Annex F.
It is assumed that intermittent contact with water (e.g. exposure to rainwater) is tested – by convention –
as permanent contact. For some coatings (e.g. some renders with organic binders according to
EN 15824 [7]) in intermittent contact with water, physical and chemical properties might be altered in
permanent contact with water. These products are not considered in the determination scheme of this
document since the test method in EN 16637-2 is not appropriate for the testing of these construction
products (in this case EN 16105 [8] might be an alternative method).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 16637-2:2023, Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances — Part 2:
Horizontal dynamic surface leaching test
EN 16637-3:2023, Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances — Part 3:
Horizontal up-flow percolation test
EN 16687:2023, Construction products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances — Terminology
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 16687:2023 and the following
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 Sampling and products
3.1.1
compacted granular product
granular product with a low permeability, due to very small pores between the particles
Note 1 to entry: Compacted granular products are usually tested by a test method for granular construction
products with low hydraulic conductivity, because the percolation test is not applicable due to the low permeability
of the products (e.g. fine aggregates that do not allow significant percolation of water through the solid material in
a regular percolation test). The compacted granular tank test may also apply to granular products to be placed in
stagnant water or in use scenarios with very low flow gradients
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.2.2 — modified: brackets and second sentence added to Note to Entry]
3.1.2
composite sample
average sample
aggregated sample
two or more increments, mixed together in appropriate proportions, either discretely or continuously,
from which the mean value of a desired characteristic may be obtained
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.1]
3.1.3
curing
hardening of freshly prepared mixtures under well-defined conditions (time, temperature, humidity, etc.)
specified in harmonized product standards
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.2.6]
3.1.4
curing time
minimal time defined necessary for curing before a release/emission test can be executed to obtain test
results, that are relevant to in use conditions
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.2.7 — modified: addition of “release/”]
3.1.5
granular product
product composed of solid particles with a particle size smaller than a specified size or grading
Note 1 to entry: Granular products are usually tested by a percolation test.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.2.1]
3.1.6
increment
portion of product collected by a single operation of a sampling device which will not be tested as a single
entity, but will be mixed or combined with other increments in a composite sample
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.2]
3.1.7
laboratory sample
sample or sub-sample(s) sent to or received by the laboratory
Note 1 to entry: When the laboratory sample is further prepared by subdividing, cutting, sawing, coring, mixing,
drying, grinding, and curing or by combinations of these operations, the result is the test sample. When no
preparation of the laboratory sample is required, the laboratory sample is the test sample. A test portion is removed
from the test sample for the performance of the test/analysis or for the preparation of a test specimen.
Note 2 to entry: The laboratory sample is the final sample from the point of view of sample collection but it is the
initial sample from the point of view of the laboratory.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.2.1]
3.1.8
monolithic granular product
granular product with specific requirements on the grain size distribution to be tested in the dynamic
surface leaching test (DSLT)
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.2.3]
3.1.9
monolithic product
product which has certain minimum dimensions and physical and mechanical properties that ensure its
integrity over a certain period of time in the considered intended conditions of use
Note 1 to entry: Monolithic products are usually tested by a dynamic surface leaching test.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.2.4]
3.1.10
plate-like product
product formed as a semi-rigid or rigid plate, which has certain minimum dimensions and physical and
mechanical properties that ensure its integrity over a certain period of time in the intended conditions of
use
Note 1 to entry: Plate-like products are usually tested by a dynamic surface leaching test.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.2.5]
3.1.11
population
totality of items under consideration
Note 1 to entry: See also the term “sub-population”.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.3]
3.1.12
sample
portion of material selected from a larger quantity of material
Note 1 to entry: The manner of selection of the sample should be described in a sampling plan.
Note 2 to entry: The term “sample” is often accompanied by a prefix (e.g. laboratory sample, test sample) specifying
the type of sample and/or the specific step in the sampling process to which the obtained material relates.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.5]
3.1.13
sampling plan
predetermined procedure for the selection, withdrawal, on-site pre-treatment — if necessary,
preservation and transportation of samples to be removed from a population
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.6]
3.1.14
scale
minimum quantity (dimension, mass or volume) of the product for which test results are obtained
Note 1 to entry: Information on characteristics of the product, including emission and variations therein, for a
quantity of product smaller than the defined scale, is judged to be unimportant.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.7]
3.1.15
sheet-like product
product formed as a flexible or semi-flexible sheet, which has certain minimum dimensions and physical
and mechanical properties that ensure its integrity over a certain period of time in the considered
intended conditions of use
Note 1 to entry: Sheet-like products are usually tested by the dynamic surface leaching test.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.2.6]
3.1.16
sub-population
defined part of the population that is targeted for the purposes of sampling
EXAMPLE Consider a continuous production process that results in a specific product. The population for that
product is all the individual products produced between the moment the production process started (this may be
years ago) and the moment the production process ends (this may be years ahead). From the perspective of testing,
this definition does not provide a practical concept. Products produced in the past are no longer available for testing,
while products that might be produced in the (far) future are also not available. The term sub-population provides
a workable alternative, as the ‘start’ and ’end’ of the sub-population can be defined in a practical way. For the same
product, already in production for a number of years, the sub-population might be the production for a year, the
production for a month, or another definition that is practical.
Note 1 to entry: See also the term “population”.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.1.8]
3.1.17
test portion
analytical portion
amount of the test sample taken for testing/analysis purposes, usually of known dimension, mass or
volume
EXAMPLE A bag of aggregates is delivered to the laboratory (the laboratory sample). For test purposes a
certain amount of the aggregate is dried, the result is the test sample. Afterwards the column for a percolation test
is filled with a test portion of dried aggregate.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.2.3 — modified: EXAMPLE 2 deleted]
3.1.18
test sample
analytical sample
sample, prepared from the laboratory sample, from which test portions are removed for testing or for
analysis
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.2.2]
3.1.19
test specimen
test portion specially prepared for emission/release/radiation testing in a test facility in order to
simulate the emission/release/radiation behaviour of the product under intended conditions of use
EXAMPLE Cement is used in construction as a constituent of concrete. For testing purposes, a test specimen of
concrete is prepared for the release test, using cement and adding additional constituents (like aggregates) with a
well-known leaching behaviour.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.2.2.4 — modified: EXAMPLE 1 for emission testing into indoor air has been
deleted]
3.2 Release laboratory testing
3.2.1
test method for granular construction products with low hydraulic conductivity
GLHC
release test method in which a granular construction product with low hydraulic conductivity is exposed
with one defined surface to a leachant renewed at subsequent time intervals
Note 1 to entry: See also the term “tank leaching test”.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.4]
3.2.2
dynamic surface leaching test
DSLT
release test method in which a test portion of a monolithic, sheet-like or plate-like product is immersed
in a leachant renewed at determined time intervals
Note 1 to entry: See also the term “tank leaching test”.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.3]
3.2.3
eluate
solution obtained from a leaching test
Note 1 to entry: See also the term “leachate”.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.8]
3.2.4
impact assessment
entire process of assessing the concentrations of regulated dangerous substances, or parameters, at the
point of compliance based on the leaching test results, the source term, (or, where applicable, the façade
emission function) and the modelling of environmental transport taking into account the intended
conditions of use
Note 1 to entry: The final step after the impact assessment is the comparison of the predicted environmental
concentrations with the environmental limit values at the point(s) of compliance, see “impact evaluation”.
Note 2 to entry: Impact assessment is not part of the standardization work in CEN/TC 351. The regulator is
responsible for the definition of relevant intended conditions of use, modelling of the environmental transport, the
point of compliance and the limit values at the point of compliance.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.23]
3.2.5
impact evaluation
assessment of emissions/immissions
comparison of (predicted) environmental concentrations of substances/parameters with regulatory
limit values (or other assessment criteria) in soil, surface water or groundwater at a point of compliance
as a result of release from construction products
Note 1 to entry: Such predictions are based on the results of release tests which are translated to intended
conditions of use by modelling the source term and the environmental transport.
Note 2 to entry: The translation of test results to environmental concentrations is not part of standardization work
in CEN/TC 351.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.22]
3.2.6
intended use
intended use of the construction product as defined in the applicable harmonized standard or European
assessment document
3.2.7
intended conditions of use
conditions that a product may undergo during service life and that influence its release/emission
behaviour
Note 1 to entry: These conditions are expressed in parameters such as temperature, amount of water during
exposure, wetting/drying; intended conditions of use may vary for instance as a function of time, location,
orientation, geographical location, etc. For simplification, intended conditions of use are transferred into release
scenarios for test purposes.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.1.16 — modified: “release/” added]
3.2.8
leachant
liquid that is brought into contact with the test portion in the leaching procedure
Note 1 to entry: Usually demineralized water is used as leachant for laboratory leaching tests.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.7]
3.2.9
leaching behaviour
release and change with time in release from a solid product in contact with a leachant as a function of
major release controlling factors
Note 1 to entry: Such factors are diffusion, pH, L/S-ratio or time.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.10]
3.2.10
liquid to surface area-ratio
L/A
ratio between the volume of liquid (L) which in a given step of the test is in contact with the exposed
surface area (A) of the test portion
Note 1 to entry: L/A is expressed in l/m .
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.14 — modified: deleted]
3.2.11
liquid to solid-ratio
L/S
ratio between the total volume of liquid (L) percolated through the solid product and
of solid product (S) packed into the column
Note 1 to entry: L/S is expressed in l/kg dry matter.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.15]
3.2.12
modelling of environmental transport
modelling of environmental path
transport term
modelling of immissions
theoretical estimation of the transport of substances in the environment under specific intended
conditions of use based on test results or the source term for release of these substances
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.23]
3.2.13
percolation test
PT
column test
release test method to determine the release of substances from a granular construction product packed
in a column with a leachant percolating through it
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.5]
3.2.14
point of compliance
POC
point in an environmental medium where substance concentrations/parameters should comply with
regulatory limit values for soil, groundwater and/or surface water at a certain distance from the source
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.26]
3.2.15
regulated dangerous substances
RDS
in the context of the CPR dangerous/hazardous substances, ions and radioactive substances that may
present a danger for man or the environment during normal use of construction products when installed
in works and for which at least one European Member State has notified a law, regulation or
administrative provision or the European Union has a Community provision
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.1.1.6]
3.2.16
release
emission
liberation of chemical substances (e.g. non-volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, salts)
from a construction product into soil, surface water or groundwater or into the leachant of a test facility
Note 1 to entry: Release to soil, surface water and groundwater may be expressed in terms of area related release
(tank leaching test, e.g. mg/m ) or in terms of mass related release (percolation test, e.g. mg/kg).
Note 2 to entry: The terms “emission” and “release” have fundamentally the same meaning. However, it is often a
tradition to use the term “emission” when describing liberation of chemical substances or radiation into air and to
use the term “release” when describing the liberation of chemical substances into soil or water.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.16]
3.2.17
release mechanism
physical-chemical processes that control the release of substances from a solid construction product into
a leachant
Note 1 to entry: In the case of monolithic products, the main release mechanisms for substances are diffusion of
substances, dissolution of substances, initial surface wash-off of substances and/or dissolution of the matrix. In case
of granular products the main release mechanisms are washout and solubility. Additional factors like pH or DOC
also have an influence on the mechanism of the release.
Note 2 to entry: Under appropriate conditions the release mechanism of every substance can be determined using
the results of the release test (tank leaching test, percolation test). Determination of the release mechanism is
relevant for modelling of the source term and so for determination of the effects on soil and water over a time
period.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.18]
3.2.18
release scenario
emission scenario
model description of the release from construction products into their immediate
soil and water environments and of the chemical, physical and geometrical parameters that influence this
release and which forms the basis for defining the test methods as a function of the products and its
intended use
Note 1 to entry: For soil, groundwater and surface water, two release scenarios have been defined for
impermeable, low permeable and permeable construction products. Release scenario should not be confused with
modelling of environmental transport.
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.21]
3.2.19
source term
calculated, long term release or release function of a substance from a product related to intended
conditions of use, which is used for modelling of environmental transport
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.24]
3.2.20
tank leaching test
tank test
leaching test where a test portion/test specimen is immersed in a leachant and the leachant is renewed
at determined time intervals
Note 1 to entry: Currently CEN/TC 351 has developed two versions of the tank leaching test: the dynamic surface
leaching test (DSLT) and the test method for granular construction products with low hydraulic conductivity
(GLHC).
[SOURCE: EN 16687:2023, 3.3.2.2]
4 Symbols and abbreviations
4.1 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols apply.
A geometric area of the test portion exposed surface of test piece(s), in m ;
L volume of liquid in contact with the test portion, in l;
S amount of solid product packed into the column, in kg.
4.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviations apply.
DSLT dynamic surface leaching test
EOTA European organization for technical assessment
ETA European technical assessment
FPC factory production control
GLHC test method for granular products with low hydraulic conductivity
hEN harmonized European Standard
POC point of compliance
PT percolation test
PTD product type determination
RDS regulated dangerous substances
TT type testing
5 Determination of the appropriate release test method
5.1 Principles and general review of the test methods
The user of this document shall determine the appropriate test methods for the respective product(s) in
applying the stepwise procedure given in this document. Furthermore, the CEN Product Technical
Committees or the EOTA WGs shall determine the appropriate test methods for the respective product(s)
in close cooperation with CEN/TC 351 applying the stepwise procedure given in this document.
To determine the release of RDS from construction products into soil, surface water and groundwater
generally two different test set-ups are applicable:
a) The dynamic surface leaching test (DSLT) according to EN 16637-2.
EN 16637-2 specifies a method to determine as a function of time the release of substances from
a monolithic, plate-like or sheet-like product or from granular construction products with low
hydraulic conductivity into a leachant in contact with its surface. A test portion of the product is
placed in a reactor/leaching vessel and the exposed surface is completely submerged in a leachant.
The leachant is introduced in the reactor up to a given volume of liquid to surface area ratio
(L/A ratio), at a given temperature. The concentration of the relevant RDS is analysed in the
individual fractions of the eluate. Annex A describes a test set-up for granular products with low
hydraulic conductivity.
b) The percolation test (PT) according to EN 16637-3.
Typically, granular construction products are subjected to percolation with water as a function of
liquid to solid ratio (L/S ratio) under specified percolation conditions. The construction products are
leached under hydraulically dynamic conditions. The eluates are collected in different fractions and
the concentrations of the relevant RDS are analysed in the individual fractions. The method is a once-
through column leaching test and the test results establish the distinction between different release
patterns, for instance wash-out and release under the influence of interaction with the matrix, when
approaching local equilibrium between construction product and leachant (for inorganic
substances).
The point of departure for test determination is that the test method reflects the presumed dominant
release mechanism in practice. The basic distinction is made on whether the construction product in its
intended use is expected to show release mainly through diffusion or percolation. The determination
scheme (Figure 1) is set up in such a way that it will be possible to test a given product “as it is produced”.
To ensure that the test takes into account the appropriate substance release mechanism, the choice to
test a product “as it is produced” may require the use of specific test conditions and product properties.
The dominant release mechanism in practice is linked to general product properties allowing the choice
of the appropriate test method. The product properties are easy to determine characteristics such as
composition, shape, size and durability/stability of the construction product, as it appears during
intended use. These general properties of a product lead to one of two “release scenarios” as explained
in the informative Annex A. The release scenario is a description of the dominant release mechanisms
expected in practice for a certain product category with the same general properties. Each release
scenario is associated with one test method:
c) Release scenario I (impermeable or low permeable “monolithic”, “sheet-like” or “plate-like” non-
metallic products; mainly diffusion controlled release): Dynamic surface leaching test according to
EN 16637-2 (standard procedure or method for granular construction products with low hydraulic
conductivity according to EN 16637-2:2023, Annex A for a few products with specific properties);
d) Release scenario II (permeable “granular” products; release mainly controlled by equilibrium-like
conditions and percolation): Percolation test according to EN 16637-3.
5.2 Product properties and test conditions for the determination of the relevant test
method
Monolithic products:
a) Monolithic products to be tested according to EN 16637-2 are:
3 3
1) products with all dimensions > 40 mm or a volume > 64 000 mm (64 cm );
2 2
2) flat products (sheet-like, plate-like) with an area > 10 000 mm (100 cm) and one
dimension < 40 mm (4 cm);
3) monolithic granular products fulfilling the requirements of Table 1. The dimensions of the test
pieces shall be in line with 5.2, a), 1). Armour stone and railway ballast may be tested according
to EN 16637-3.
Table 1 — Requirements on monolithic granular products
Sieve size
Percentage passing by
mass
mm
63 ≤ 100
40 ≤ 75
22,4 ≤ 7
b) For tiles that are produced in smaller entities that do not fulfil the size requirements for testing as a
monolithic or plate-like product but are intended to be used as larger, combined entities that do fulfil
the criteria, the test can be carried out on larger samples prepared from the smaller entities in
accordance with intended use.
Examples of construction products (impermeable products or products of low permeability) to be
tested according to EN 16637-2 are:
1) facade (e.g. bricks, concrete, treated wood, glazed products, coated products);
2) roof (e.g. flexible roofing covers);
3) bound paving materials (e.g. concrete, paving stone, asphalt, concrete slabs);
4) foundation (e.g. concrete, blocks);
5) coastal protection (e.g. armour stone or large concrete blocks withstanding wave action);
6) railway ballast;
7) glass tiles.
Monolithic products draining water in their intended use:
c) Although products draining water have a high internal surface exposed to draining water, the
situation may be rather comparable to that of a monolithic product. The surface area in contact with
the water phase is much larger than the outer surface and can hardly be determined. These products
shall be tested in a tank test (DSLT) according to EN 16637-2 after preparing test specimens by
cutting, coring or moulding. The external geometric surface of the specimen shall be used for the
calculation of the release.
Examples for these types of products are:
1) porous asphalt (EN 13108-7) used in road construction and in water works;
2) drainage tiles.
Example of granular products to be tested according to EN 16637-3 are:
d) natural, manufactured or recycled aggregate (e.g. slag, recycled concrete aggregate) for road
shoulders or road-base;
e) unbound aggregate for e.g. parking lots, forest tracks;
f) crushed clay masonry for road construction.
Granular construction products with low hydraulic conductivity:
g) In cases where fine aggregates do not allow significant percolation of water through the solid material
in a regular percolation test, the method for granular products with low hydraulic
conductivity (GLHC) according to EN 16637-2:2023, Annex A, shall be used.
NOTE 1 The method for granular products with low hydraulic conductivity according to EN 16637-2:2023,
Annex A, is a special mode of the dynamic surface leaching test.
NOTE 2 Previous studies have indicated that the point at which a regular percolation test becomes
−8
infeasible for these products is at hydraulic conducti
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