FprEN 197-10
(Main)Cement - Part 10: Assessment of conformity regarding water-soluble chromium (VI) content
- Abstract
This document specifies the scheme for the assessment of conformity with the FPC-limit for water-soluble hexavalent chromium.
This document provides technical rules for factory production control, including autocontrol testing of samples, and for assessment of factory production control. It also provides rules for actions to be followed in the event of non-compliance with the procedure set in place, or that of exceeding the limit of water-soluble hexavalent chromium, hereafter to be referred to as “water-soluble chromium (VI)”.
This document applies to all cements and cementitious mixtures.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 01-Dec-2026
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 51 - Cement and building limes
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 51/WG 13 - Assessment of conformity
- Current Stage
- 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
- Start Date
- 24-Sep-2026
- Due Date
- 13-Dec-2026
- Completion Date
- 24-Sep-2026
FprEN 197-10 is a CEN draft European Standard for assessing conformity of cement with the regulatory limit for water-soluble chromium (VI). It sets the rules for factory production control, autocontrol testing, third-party assessment, compliance checks and corrective action when results exceed the limit. It is written for cement manufacturers, testing laboratories and third-party bodies that verify cement and cementitious mixtures.
What does FprEN 197-10 specify?
FprEN 197-10 specifies how conformity is assessed for the water-soluble hexavalent chromium limit in cement and cementitious mixtures. Its purpose is to link production control, sampling, testing and third-party review into one conformity scheme.
The document is organized into clauses 1 to 8:
- Scope and normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Factory production control
- Third-party assessment
- Compliance criteria
- Compliance assessment
- Actions in the event of non-compliance
What are the key requirements of FprEN 197-10?
FprEN 197-10 requires manufacturers to control production so that cement stays within the regulatory limit for water-soluble chromium (VI), and to prove that control with documented procedures, samples and test results.
Factory production control
Clause 4 requires Works’ quality documentation to describe process planning, the use of the reducing agent, testing, inspection, corrective action, dispatch and record keeping. In practice, this means the manufacturer must show how the reducing agent is handled and how shelf life is set and monitored.
The same clause requires regular checking and calibration of measuring and testing equipment, plus documented control of the oxidation/without oxidation option for each cement. This matters because the test approach used in production must be known, recorded and reviewed each year.
Sampling and autocontrol testing
Clause 4.2 requires autocontrol testing of dispatched cement. Sampling follows EN 196-7, and the minimum sampling frequency is once per month for continuously dispatched cement.
Samples must be stored under stable temperature and moisture conditions until the end of shelf life, then tested with EN 196-10 at the end of shelf life, within a narrow time window. This means the result is intended to reflect the cement as delivered and stored, not just the condition at manufacture.
Third-party assessment and audit testing
Clause 5 sets out surveillance, assessment and acceptance of factory production control, normally once per year. It also requires evaluation of autocontrol results at least twice a year and allows audit testing of samples taken at the factory or depot when needed.
Audit samples are spot samples taken at the point of release and are used to check the accuracy and representativeness of autocontrol testing. The document also calls for regular proficiency testing for chromium (VI) determination.
Compliance and non-compliance
Clause 6 uses a single result compliance criterion rather than a statistical average. A result counts as compliant only if it is within the maximum criterion and the uncertainty of EN 196-10 is taken into account.
Clause 7 compares autocontrol, audit and manufacturer results, then checks whether the Works’ quality documentation has actually been implemented. If results exceed the criterion, the focus shifts to whether the planned controls, corrective actions and reducing-agent provisions were applied.
Clause 8 requires documented corrective action when non-compliance occurs. If several autocontrol results exceed the criterion, the autocontrol frequency is doubled for three months unless adequate measures can be shown.
What terms does FprEN 197-10 define?
- Water-soluble chromium (VI) - chromium in cement that is soluble in water as chromate, especially relevant during mixing.
- Reducing agent - an additive used to convert water-soluble chromium (VI) into insoluble chromium during hydration.
- Shelf life - the manufacturer’s declared storage period during which the reducing agent remains effective.
- Reduction capacity - the quantity of water-soluble chromium (VI) that the reducing agent can potentially reduce.
- Third-party body - an impartial body that carries out evaluation, acceptance recommendation and audit of compliance tasks.
- Works’ quality documentation - the manufacturer’s documented production-control system for meeting the chromium (VI) limit.
- Regulatory limit - the chromium (VI) content limit for the dry cement, including related requirements for keeping the reducing agent effective.
Who uses FprEN 197-10?
FprEN 197-10 is used by cement producers, quality managers, factory production control teams and testing laboratories that sample and test cement for chromium (VI). Third-party bodies use it when inspecting production control, reviewing results and carrying out audit testing. It is also relevant to competent authorities and buyers who need evidence that cement or cementitious mixtures meet the regulatory limit.
Which standards are used with FprEN 197-10?
- EN 196-7 - gives the sampling and sample-preparation method used for autocontrol and audit samples.
- EN 196-10 - provides the test method for determining water-soluble chromium (VI) content, including the uncertainty to consider in compliance decisions.
- EN 197-2 - supplies terms and concepts for assessment and verification of constancy of performance.
What does the FprEN 197-10 document contain?
FprEN 197-10 contains the full conformity-assessment scheme for chromium (VI) control in cement. It covers factory production control, internal quality control, sample storage, end-of-shelf-life testing, third-party surveillance, audit testing and proficiency testing.
It also describes how test results are compared across autocontrol, audit and third-party testing, and how reports are prepared after inspections and evaluations. The document uses EN 196-10 for the analytical determination and EN 196-7 for sampling, while screening methods may be used for factory production control.
Relations
- Referred By
EN ISO 23953-1:2023 - Refrigerated display cabinets - Part 1: Vocabulary (ISO 23953-1:2023) - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
FprEN 197-10 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Cement - Part 10: Assessment of conformity regarding water-soluble chromium (VI) content". This standard covers: This document specifies the scheme for the assessment of conformity with the FPC-limit for water-soluble hexavalent chromium. This document provides technical rules for factory production control, including autocontrol testing of samples, and for assessment of factory production control. It also provides rules for actions to be followed in the event of non-compliance with the procedure set in place, or that of exceeding the limit of water-soluble hexavalent chromium, hereafter to be referred to as “water-soluble chromium (VI)”. This document applies to all cements and cementitious mixtures.
This document specifies the scheme for the assessment of conformity with the FPC-limit for water-soluble hexavalent chromium. This document provides technical rules for factory production control, including autocontrol testing of samples, and for assessment of factory production control. It also provides rules for actions to be followed in the event of non-compliance with the procedure set in place, or that of exceeding the limit of water-soluble hexavalent chromium, hereafter to be referred to as “water-soluble chromium (VI)”. This document applies to all cements and cementitious mixtures.
FprEN 197-10 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
FprEN 197-10 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 23953-1:2023. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
FprEN 197-10 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
01-december-2025
Cement - 10. del: Ugotavljanje skladnosti glede vsebnosti vodotopnega kroma (VI)
v cementu
Cement - Part 10: Assessment of conformity regarding water-soluble chromium (VI)
content
Zement - Teil 10: Bewertung der Konformität hinsichtlich des wasserlöslichen Chrom
(VI)‑Gehalts von Zement
Ciment - Partie 10 : Évaluation de la conformité concernant la teneur en chrome (VI)
soluble dans l'eau du ciment
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 197-10
ICS:
91.100.10 Cement. Mavec. Apno. Malta Cement. Gypsum. Lime.
Mortar
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 197-10
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 91.100.10
English Version
Cement - Part 10: Assessment of conformity regarding
water-soluble chromium (VI) content
Ciment - Partie 10 : Évaluation de la conformité Zement - Teil 10: Bewertung der Konformität
concernant la teneur en chrome (VI) soluble dans l'eau hinsichtlich des wasserlöslichen Chrom(VI)-Gehalts
du ciment von Zement
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 51.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 197-10:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
prEN 197-10:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Factory production control . 6
4.1 Internal quality control . 6
4.1.1 Process control . 6
4.1.2 Measuring and testing . 7
4.1.3 Handling, storage, packaging and delivery . 7
4.2 Autocontrol testing of samples . 7
4.2.1 General. 7
4.2.2 Sampling, storage and testing . 8
4.2.3 Corrective action . 8
5 Third-party assessment. 8
5.1 General. 8
5.2 Surveillance, assessment and acceptance of factory production control. 8
5.2.1 Inspection task . 8
5.2.2 Frequency of inspection . 9
5.2.3 Reports . 9
5.3 Evaluation of the results of auto control testing of samples . 9
5.3.1 Evaluation tasks . 9
5.3.2 Number and timing of evaluations . 9
5.3.3 Control period . 9
5.3.4 Evaluation of tests results . 9
5.3.5 Reports . 9
5.4 Audit testing of samples taken at the factory/depot . 9
5.4.1 General. 9
5.4.2 Sampling . 9
5.4.3 Transportation and storage of samples before testing . 10
5.4.4 Testing . 10
5.4.5 Evaluation of tests results . 10
5.4.6 Reports . 10
5.4.7 Proficiency testing . 10
6 Compliance criteria . 10
6.1 General. 10
6.2 Single result compliance criterion . 11
7 Compliance assessment . 11
7.1 General. 11
7.2 Evaluation of test results . 11
7.3 Evaluation of the implementation of the works' quality documentation . 12
7.4 Evaluation of cement compliance and report . 12
8 Actions in the event of non-compliance . 13
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
prEN 197-10:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 197-10:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 51 “Cement and
building limes”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
prEN 197-10:2025 (E)
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide a scheme for the evaluation of compliance with the
requirements in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006
concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH),
establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council
Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive
76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC contain
prohibitions, among other requirements, against placing on the market or using cement and cement-
containing mixtures if they contain, when hydrated, more than 2 mg/kg (0,0002 %) soluble
chromium (VI) of the total dry weight of the cement. This legislation is intended to minimize the
occurrence of chromate-related allergic contact dermatitis arising from the use of cement or cement-
containing preparations. In order to comply with the regulatory limit, in most cases a reducing agent is
added during production of the cement or cement-containing preparation, which converts soluble
hexavalent chromium into insoluble trivalent chromium during hydration. Regulation (EC) No
1907/2006 prescribes that information on the packing date, as well as on the storage conditions and the
storage period appropriate to maintaining the activity of the reducing agent and to keeping the content
of soluble chromium VI below the limit is legibly indicated on packaging and dispatch documentation.
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
prEN 197-10:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies the scheme for the assessment of conformity with the regulatory limit for water-
soluble hexavalent chromium.
This document provides technical rules for factory production control, including autocontrol testing of
samples, and for assessment of factory production control. It also provides rules for actions to be followed
in the event of non-compliance with the procedure set in place, or that of exceeding the limit of water-
soluble hexavalent chromium, hereafter to be referred to as “water-soluble chromium (VI)”.
This document applies to all cements within the meaning of the term “cement”.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all 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 196-7, Methods of testing cement — Part 7: Methods of taking and preparing samples of cement
EN 196-10:— , Methods of testing cement — Part 10: Determination of the water-soluble chromium (VI)
content of cement
EN 197-2, Cement —Part 2: Assessment and verification of constancy of performance
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 196-10 and EN 197-2 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
water-soluble chromium (VI)
chromium in cement, which is soluble in water as chromate (e.g. during the mixing process)
3.2
dry cement
sample of cement as received by the testing laboratory
3.3
third-party body
impartial body, possessing the necessary organisation, staff, competence and integrity to carry out,
according to predetermined criteria, tasks such as evaluation, acceptance recommendation and
subsequent audit of those operations to check the compliance of cement with the regulatory limit for
water-soluble hexavalent chromium and, whenever appropriate, testing and test result assessment
Under preparation. Stage at the time of preparation: prEN 196-10:2025
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
prEN 197-10:2025 (E)
3.4
reducing agent
additive incorporated in cement for the purpose of reducing the water-soluble chromium (VI) during
hydration, thus rendering chromium insoluble
3.5
shelf life
storage period declared by the manufacturer for the cement in which the reducing agent remains effective
in limiting the water-soluble chromium (VI) content to the regulatory limit for water-soluble hexavalent
chromium when cement is stored in accordance with the conditions recommended by the manufacturer
3.6
reduction capacity
quantity of water-soluble chromium (VI) that can potentially be reduced by the reducing agent
incorporated in the cement
Note 1 to entry: The reduction capacity can be determined, for example, by the method described in EN 196-10:—
Annex D.
3.7
testing laboratory
laboratory that measures, examines, tests, calibrates or otherwise determines the characteristics or
performance of materials or products
3.8
regulatory limit
water-soluble chromium (VI) content of the total dry weight of cement including any associated
requirements for maintaining the effectiveness of any reducing agent during the declared shelf life
3.9
Works’ quality documentation
documentation that provides information on the production control which is applied by a manufacturer
to ensure compliance of the cement with the regulatory limit for water-soluble hexavalent chromium
4 Factory production control
4.1 Internal quality control
4.1.1 Process control
4.1.1.1 General
The Works’ quality documentation shall describe the measures to be implemented for process planning
and control, to enable compliance of cement with the regulatory limit for water-soluble hexavalent
chromium with special attention to the use of reducing agent, as well as testing, inspection, corrective
action, assessment, dispatch and associated records. It shall also indicate the shelf life for the cement
dispatched.
The Works’ quality documentation shall also contain a list of those cements with water-soluble chromium
(VI) contents impacted by regulatory limits on water-soluble hexavalent chromium without the use of a
reducing agent. The documentation shall also give, for each of these cements, references of the records
demonstrating compliance as well as a list of the parameters that would be monitored to ensure on-going
production stability in respect of the water-soluble chromium (VI) content.
oSIST prEN 197-10:2025
prEN 197-10:2025 (E)
NOTE Cements in compliance with local regulations on water-soluble hexavalent chromium without the use of
a chromium (VI) reducing agent are neither subject to the auto control tests described in 4.2 nor to the sampling
described in 5.4 and no indication of the shelf life on the packaging or in the delivery documents is required.
4.1.1.2 Reducing agent and composition of cement
Procedures to indicate that the reducing agent meets the documented specification shall be documented.
The Works’ quality documentation shall describe the methods used to ensure compliance with the limit
for water-soluble hexavalent chromium as well as conformity of cement composition to the relevant
product specification standard.
NOTE The method of determination of chromium reduction capacity (3.6) in cement as an alternative to direct
determination of water-soluble chromium (VI) has proved to be suitable for internal control in countries with
several years of experience. See EN 196-10:— Annex D.
4.1.1.3 Control of off-specification production
The Works' quality documentation shall contain procedures to ensure that production which does not
meet internal speci
...