FprEN 18252
(Main)Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the chloride content
- Abstract
This document specifies a method for the determination of the chloride (Cl-) content by potentiometric titration. This method is applicable to growing media and soil improvers.
NOTE 1 It is possible to use other analytical techniques (e.g. ion chromatography, discrete analyser, continuous flow analyser); in this case a validation is carried out by the laboratory for the procedure and data generated.
NOTE 2 This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (as included in Annex B, (composted bark, green compost, solid digestate, soil improver in pellet form and growing media blend 1 (peat + green compost + wood fibre + liming material + inorganic fertilizer)).
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 13-Jan-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 223 - Soil improvers and growing media
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 223/WG 4 - Analytical methods
- Current Stage
- 5020 - Submission to Vote - Formal Approval
- Start Date
- 24-Sep-2026
- Due Date
- 21-Dec-2024
- Completion Date
- 24-Sep-2026
FprEN 18252 is a CEN draft European Standard for determining the chloride (Cl-) content in soil improvers and growing media. It specifies a potentiometric titration method for laboratory use, and it covers how to extract the sample, measure the endpoint, calculate the result and report it.
What does FprEN 18252 specify?
FprEN 18252 specifies a method for chloride (Cl-) content by potentiometric titration for growing media and soil improvers. The scope also notes that other analytical techniques may be used if the laboratory validates the procedure and the data.
The document is organized into clauses for scope, references, terms, principle, reagents, apparatus, sampling, procedure, calculation and expression of results, test report, and method validation.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | Preparation and standardization of 0,1 mol/l silver nitrate solution |
| Annex B | Performance characteristics of the method from the interlaboratory study |
What are the key requirements of FprEN 18252?
FprEN 18252 is built around water extraction of soluble chlorides and potentiometric titration with silver nitrate. In practice, that means the laboratory must control sample preparation, endpoint detection and quality checks so that the reported chloride result is comparable from one test to another.
Sample preparation and extraction
Sampling is outside the method and EN 12579:2024 applies. The laboratory sample is prepared according to prEN 13040-1:2025, and the laboratory bulk density is determined there as well.
FprEN 18252 uses different extraction routes for solid, pre-shaped and liquid materials. The sample is mixed or shaken with water, then filtered or centrifuged to obtain a clear extract. For the reader, this means the physical form of the product affects how the chloride is brought into solution before titration.
Titration conditions
FprEN 18252 calls for recognized analytical grade reagents, including a 0,1 mol/l silver nitrate standard solution. The titration is done after adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution and enough nitric acid solution to bring the pH below 2.
The endpoint is found potentiometrically using a silver electrode or ion selective electrode with a reference electrode, or a combined electrode. Manual titration is allowed, and automatic titrators may also be used. This matters because the result depends on reading the equivalence point consistently.
Checks before reporting
FprEN 18252 requires a blank test carried out the same way as the sample but without sample material. It also requires a recovery test with added sodium chloride before estimations are made.
If recovery is below 95 %, the sample result is corrected with the recovery. In practice, this is the method’s built-in check that the extraction and titration are behaving as expected for that sample matrix.
Calculation and result expression
FprEN 18252 reports chloride content first as g/kg of fresh matter, and it also gives a way to express the result as g/kg of dry matter using the dry matter content from prEN 13040-1:2025. The final result is the average of two replicated determinations on two different test portions from two different samples.
The result is given to two figures. That helps laboratories and buyers compare results in a consistent format.
What terms does FprEN 18252 define?
Chloride content is the mass fraction of chlorides, expressed in g/kg of dry matter, determined by the procedure in this document.
Potentiometric titration is the titration method used here, where the endpoint is identified from the electrode potential during addition of silver nitrate solution.
Blank test is the same titration carried out without sample, used to correct for reagent and procedure background.
Recovery test is the check made by adding a known amount of sodium chloride to the sample to verify accuracy.
Laboratory bulk density is the bulk density of the prepared laboratory sample, determined according to prEN 13040-1:2025.
Dry matter content is the mass fraction of the sample that remains after water is removed, and it is used to convert the result from fresh matter to dry matter.
Who uses FprEN 18252?
FprEN 18252 is used by laboratories that test soil improvers and growing media for chloride content. It is also relevant for manufacturers, quality control staff and purchasers who need a standard laboratory method for product checking and technical documentation.
The method is especially relevant where chloride level matters for product characterization, such as composted bark, green compost, solid digestate, soil improver in pellet form and growing media blends.
Which standards are used with FprEN 18252?
FprEN 18252 relies on CEN/TS 17732:2022 for terminology, so the product and test terms are used consistently.
It uses EN 12579:2024 for sampling, which matters because the chloride result is only meaningful if the laboratory receives a representative sample.
It uses prEN 13040-1:2025 for sample preparation and for determining dry matter content and laboratory bulk density.
It also refers to ISO 5725-2:2019 for validation, repeatability and reproducibility, and cites EN ISO 385:2005, EN ISO 1042:1999 and EN ISO 3819:2015 for burettes, volumetric flasks and beakers used in the method.
What does the FprEN 18252 document contain?
FprEN 18252 gives the principle of the method, the reagent and equipment list, and the step-by-step extraction and potentiometric titration procedure. It also covers temperature control, filtration or centrifugation, blank testing and the mandatory recovery check.
Clause 9 provides the calculation approach for fresh matter and dry matter reporting and describes how to correct results when recovery is low. Clause 10 lists the report items, including sampling information, results, bulk density, recovery correction and measurement uncertainty when relevant.
Annex A gives the preparation and standardization of the silver nitrate solution. Annex B summarizes the interlaboratory validation data and performance characteristics for the materials studied.
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Frequently Asked Questions
FprEN 18252 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the chloride content". This standard covers: This document specifies a method for the determination of the chloride (Cl-) content by potentiometric titration. This method is applicable to growing media and soil improvers. NOTE 1 It is possible to use other analytical techniques (e.g. ion chromatography, discrete analyser, continuous flow analyser); in this case a validation is carried out by the laboratory for the procedure and data generated. NOTE 2 This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (as included in Annex B, (composted bark, green compost, solid digestate, soil improver in pellet form and growing media blend 1 (peat + green compost + wood fibre + liming material + inorganic fertilizer)).
This document specifies a method for the determination of the chloride (Cl-) content by potentiometric titration. This method is applicable to growing media and soil improvers. NOTE 1 It is possible to use other analytical techniques (e.g. ion chromatography, discrete analyser, continuous flow analyser); in this case a validation is carried out by the laboratory for the procedure and data generated. NOTE 2 This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (as included in Annex B, (composted bark, green compost, solid digestate, soil improver in pellet form and growing media blend 1 (peat + green compost + wood fibre + liming material + inorganic fertilizer)).
FprEN 18252 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 65.080 - Fertilizers. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
FprEN 18252 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2019/1009; Standardization Mandates: M/564, M/564 AMD 1, M/564 AMD 2. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
FprEN 18252 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 18252:2025
01-december-2025
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določanje klorida
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the chloride content
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung des Chloridgehaltes
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de la teneur en chlorures
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18252
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
oSIST prEN 18252:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 18252
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 65.080
English Version
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the
chloride content
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate -
Détermination de la teneur en chlorures Bestimmung des Chloridgehaltes
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 223.
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 18252:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
prEN 18252:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
4.1 General. 4
4.2 Interferences . 4
5 Reagents . 4
6 Apparatus and equipment . 5
7 Sampling . 6
8 Procedure . 6
8.1 General. 6
8.2 Temperature for measurements . 6
8.3 Extraction of materials . 6
8.3.1 General. 6
8.3.2 Extraction of materials in solid form . 6
8.3.3 Extraction of materials in pre-shaped form . 7
8.3.4 Filtration . 7
8.3.5 Liquid materials . 7
8.4 Determination by potentiometric titration . 7
8.4.1 Preparation of test portion (sample) . 7
8.4.2 Blank test . 7
8.4.3 Recovery test (mandatory) . 8
9 Calculation and expression of the results . 8
10 Test report . 9
11 Validation of the method . 10
11.1 Validation in accordance with ISO 5725-2. 10
11.2 Performance characteristics. 10
Annex A (normative) Preparation and standardization of 0,1 mol/l silver nitrate solution . 11
Annex B (informative) Performance characteristics of the method . 12
Bibliography . 14
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
prEN 18252:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 18252:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 223 “Soil
improvers and growing media”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN. This document was prepared in
collaboration with CEN/TC 260 “Fertilizers and liming materials”.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
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.
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
prEN 18252:2025 (E)
1 Scope
-
This document specifies a method for the determination of the chloride (Cl ) content by potentiometric
titration. This method is applicable to growing media and soil improvers.
NOTE It is possible to use other analytical techniques (e.g. ion chromatography, discrete analyser, continuous
flow analyser); in this case a validation is carried out by the laboratory for the procedure and data generated.
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.
CEN/TS 17732:2022, Soil improvers and growing media - Terminology
EN 12579:2024, Soil improvers and growing media - Sampling
prEN 13040-1:2025, Soil improvers and growing media — Sample preparation — Part 1: Sample
preparation for chemical and physical tests, determination of dry matter content, moisture content and
laboratory bulk density
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 17732:2022 and
the following apply.
3.1
chloride content
mass fraction of chlorides, expressed in g/kg of dry matter, determined in accordance with the procedure
described in this document
4 Principle
4.1 General
Soluble chlorides are extracted from the sample with water containing nitric acid. The chloride content
of the solution is titrated with silver nitrate standard solution. The end point is determined
potentiometrically by using either a silver ion selective electrode plus a reference electrode or a
combined electrode.
4.2 Interferences
-
Maintaining the sample at a lower pH can avoid the silver ion from interacting with OH to precipitate as
silver oxide (Ag O), it minimizes the interference of other anions with AgCl formation, and it improves
the binding between the titrant and the analyte.
5 Reagents
Only reagents of recognized analytical grade shall be used.
5.1 Water, with a specific conductivity not higher than 0,2 mS/m at 25 °C, free from the elements shall
be used.
5.2 Nitric acid concentrated, 70 % w/v, p.a.
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
prEN 18252:2025 (E)
5.3 Nitric acid solution
It shall dilute 1:1 concentrated nitric acid (5.2) in water (5.1).
5.4 Silver nitrate standard solution, c = 0,1 mol/l solution.
The silver nitrate solution of 0,1 mol/l in water (5.1) shall be prepared. Many silver nitrate solutions
ready-to-use are commercially available with the certified concentration.
If an in-house solution is prepared, it shall be standardized following the instructions in Annex A.
5.5 Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, acidified with nitric acid.
It is recommended to use an acidified protector colloid medium for the potentiometric titration.
2 g of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) shall be mixed with 400 ml of hot water (approximately 90 °C) in a 1 000 ml
one-mark volumetric glass flask (6.3) and let it cool to room temperature. Nitric acid (5.3) shall be added
for an amount of 10ml, then filled up with water to 1 000 ml.
5.6 Sodium chloride, p.a., for the standardization of silver nitrate solution (5.4)
For the preparation of sodium chloride solution, the instructions in Annex A shall be followed.
Many solutions ready-to-use are commercially available with concentration c = 0,01 mol/l.
6 Apparatus and equipment
This method describes manual titrations. Automatic titrators may be used. Ordinary laboratory
equipment and the following shall be used.
6.1 Electromagnetic stirrer and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated magnetic bars.
6.2 Glass burettes, class A or AS [4], with a reading accuracy of 0,02 ml, or automatic pipettes with a
reading accuracy of 0,002 ml.
6.3 One-mark volumetric glass flasks, Class A [5], capacity 150 ml, 500 ml and 1 000 ml.
6.4 Glass beaker [6], capacity 300 ml.
6.5 Glass conical (Erlenmeyer) flask, capacity 250 ml.
6.6 Potentiometer, with a reading accuracy of 0,1 mV, equipped with an electrode suitable for the
measurement of chloride (e.g. a silver electrode or ion selective electrode for chloride) and a reference
electrode (e.g. a mercury(I) sulphate electrode). Alternatively, use a suitable combination electrode.
6.7 HPE bottles or containers, sufficiently large (500 ml to 2 000 ml) with screw cap to accommodate
the volume of the sample, extractant and at least 10 % air volume.
6.8 Analytical balance with an accuracy of 0,001 g.
6.9 Technical balance with an accuracy of 0,01 g.
6.10 Qualitative filter paper, cellulose-based ashless type.
NOTE Centrifugation is an acceptable alternative: a centrifuge with a speed of at least 3 000 rpm.
6.11 Orbital shaker, capable of holding the plastic bottles or containers (6.7) and maintaining the
sample in suspension without damaging the structure of the sample.
oSIST prEN 18252:2025
prEN 18252:2025 (E)
6.12 Pipettes, class AS with an accuracy of 0,1 ml.
6.13 Graduated glass cylinder, class A, with capacity 50 ml, 100 ml and 250 ml.
6.14 pH testing device, e.g. pH meter, pH indicator paper, or pH rapid test.
7 Sampling
Sampling is not part of the method specified in this document. EN 12579:2024 shall be followed dealing
with soil improvers and growing media. It is important that the laboratory receives a sample that is
representative of the product under consideration. The sample should not have been damaged or
changed during transport or storage.
8 Procedure
8.1 General
Tests conducted according to this document shall be carried out by suitably trained staff. Persons using
this document should be familiar with usual laboratory practice. This document does not purport to
address all of the safety issues, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish
appropriate health and safety practices and to ensure compliance with any national regulatory
conditions.
8.2 Temperature for measurements
To reduce the effects of thermal and electric hysteresis, the temperatures of the electrodes, the water
used for washing, the standard solutions and the test solution shall be as close to each other as possible.
The temperatures of the standard solutions and the test solution shall not differ by more than 1 °C. The
measurement temperature should be 23 °C ± 3 °C whenever possible.
8.3 Extraction of
...



