EN 15962:2011
(Main)Fertilizers - Determination of the complexed micro-nutrient content and of the complexed fraction of micro-nutrients
Fertilizers - Determination of the complexed micro-nutrient content and of the complexed fraction of micro-nutrients
This European Standard specifies a general method for the determination of the micronutrients complexed by complexing agents in fertilizers. The method allows the determination of the total concentration of each complexed micronutrient in complexes after subtraction of the chelated micro-nutrients content, but it does not identify the individual complexing agents.
This procedure concerns EC-fertilizers which contain complexed micro-nutrients covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [1]. The method is applicable to a mass fraction of the metal complexed of at least 0,07 %, 0,006 % and 0,035 % of Fe, Mn and Zn respectively (see [2]). A lower limit of quantification has not been established for Cu and Co.
Düngemittel - Bestimmung des Gehalts an komplexgebundenen Spurennährstoffionen und der komplexgebundenen Fraktion von Spurennährstoffen
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein allgemeines Verfahren zur Bestimmung der durch Komplexbildner komplex-gebundenen Spurennährstoffe in Düngemitteln fest. Das Verfahren ermöglicht die Bestimmung der Gesamt-konzentration jedes komplexgebundenen Spurennährstoffs nach Subtraktion des Gehalts an chelatisierten Spurennährstoffen, identifiziert jedoch nicht die einzelnen Komplex¬bildner.
Das vorliegende Verfahren gilt für EG Düngemittel, die komplexgebundene Spurennährstoffe enthalten, entsprechend der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 2003/2003 [1]. Das Verfahren gilt für einen Massenanteil an komplexgebundenem Metall von mindestens 0,07 %, 0,006 % bzw. 0,035 % Fe, Mn bzw. Zn (siehe [2]). Eine niedrigere Bestimmungsgrenze ist für Cu und Co nicht festgestellt worden.
Engrais - Dosage de la teneur en oligo-élément complexé et de la fraction complexée des oligo-éléments
La présente norme européenne décrit une méthode générale de dosage, dans des engrais, d’oligo-éléments complexés par des agents complexants. La méthode permet de doser la concentration totale en chaque oligo-élément complexé dans des complexes, après avoir soustrait la teneur en oligo-éléments chélatés, mais ne permet pas d’identifier les différents agents complexants.
Ce mode opératoire concerne les engrais CE qui contiennent des oligo-éléments complexés couverts par le règlement (CE) N°2003/2003. La méthode est applicable à une fraction massique du métal complexé d’au moins 0,07 %, 0,006 % et 0,035 % de Fe, Mn et Zn respectivement (voir [2]). Une limite de quantification plus basse n’a pas été établie pour Cu et Co.
Gnojila - Določevanje kompleksiranih mikrohranil in kompleksiranih frakcij mikrohranil
Ta evropski standard opredeljuje splošno metodo za določevanje mikrohranil, kompleksiranih s kompleksanti, v gnojilih. Metoda omogoča določevanje skupne koncentracije vsakega kompleksiranega mikrohranila v kompleksih po odvzetju vsebnosti kelatnih mikrohranil, vendar ne prepozna posameznih kompleksantov. Ta postopek zadeva gnojila ES, ki vsebujejo kompleksirana mikrohranila, ki jih zajema Uredba (ES) št. 2003/2003. Metoda se uporablja za masni delež kovine, kompleksirane z najmanj 0,07 %, 0,006 % in 0,035 % Fe, Mn in Zn v tem zaporedju (glej [2]). Nižja meja količinskega določanja ni bila vzpostavljena za Cu in Co.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 18-Jan-2011
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 260 - Fertilizers and liming materials
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 260/WG 5 - Determination of chelating agents
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 27-Apr-2022
- Completion Date
- 21-Jan-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
CEN/TS 17791:2022 - Inorganic fertilizers - Determination of chelating and complexing agents - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
EN 15962:2011 (CEN) specifies a general analytical method for determining the amount of micronutrients that are complexed by complexing agents in fertilizers. The method quantifies the total concentration of each complexed micro‑nutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co) remaining in solution after precipitation of inorganic forms at pH 9, and calculates the complexed fraction relative to the water‑soluble content. It applies to EC‑fertilizers covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 and includes procedural, precision and reporting requirements. The method does not identify individual complexing agents (e.g., lignosulfonates, EDTA).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: precipitate inorganic metal forms at pH 9 so complexed forms remain in solution; separate by filtration/centrifugation and determine by spectrometry.
- Analytical techniques: atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP‑ES).
- Sample preparation: extract fertilizer samples in water (sample size and extract volume depend on declared metal content); follow EN 1482 sampling/preparation guidance.
- Precipitation step: raise pH to 9 rapidly, control pH for 18–24 h, then readjust, dilute and filter (0.45 µm).
- Calculations: convert measured filtrate concentrations to mass fraction of complexed element and compute complexed fraction (%) vs water‑soluble content.
- Applicability limits: method applicable for minimum mass fractions of complexed Fe, Mn and Zn (≈ 0.07 %, 0.006 % and 0.035 %, respectively); no lower quantification limit established for Cu and Co.
- Interferences: chelating agents and other compounds that form soluble complexes at pH 9 can affect results - chelated fraction should be identified and subtracted using appropriate methods.
- Quality and precision: includes inter‑laboratory test data with repeatability and reproducibility limits for tested matrices; specifies use of clean glassware and grade‑1 water (EN ISO 3696).
Practical applications
- Compliance testing for manufacturers and importers of EC‑fertilizers containing complexed micronutrients.
- Routine laboratory analysis to report complexed micro‑nutrient content and complexed fraction on product declarations.
- Regulatory and conformity assessment where accurate partitioning of micronutrients (complexed vs soluble) affects labeling, agronomic value and regulatory compliance.
- Product development and quality control for fertilizer formulators using complexing agents (e.g., lignosulfonates).
Who should use this standard
- Analytical and testing laboratories, fertilizer manufacturers, conformity assessment bodies, regulatory authorities, and R&D teams focused on micronutrient formulations.
Related standards and references
- EN 1482-2 - Sampling and sample preparation for fertilizers
- EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 - Fertilizer product regulation in the EU
Keywords: EN 15962:2011, fertilizers, complexed micro‑nutrient content, complexed fraction, CEN, EC‑fertilizers, Fe Mn Zn Cu Co, AAS, ICP‑ES, precipitation pH 9.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15962:2011 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Fertilizers - Determination of the complexed micro-nutrient content and of the complexed fraction of micro-nutrients". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a general method for the determination of the micronutrients complexed by complexing agents in fertilizers. The method allows the determination of the total concentration of each complexed micronutrient in complexes after subtraction of the chelated micro-nutrients content, but it does not identify the individual complexing agents. This procedure concerns EC-fertilizers which contain complexed micro-nutrients covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [1]. The method is applicable to a mass fraction of the metal complexed of at least 0,07 %, 0,006 % and 0,035 % of Fe, Mn and Zn respectively (see [2]). A lower limit of quantification has not been established for Cu and Co.
This European Standard specifies a general method for the determination of the micronutrients complexed by complexing agents in fertilizers. The method allows the determination of the total concentration of each complexed micronutrient in complexes after subtraction of the chelated micro-nutrients content, but it does not identify the individual complexing agents. This procedure concerns EC-fertilizers which contain complexed micro-nutrients covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [1]. The method is applicable to a mass fraction of the metal complexed of at least 0,07 %, 0,006 % and 0,035 % of Fe, Mn and Zn respectively (see [2]). A lower limit of quantification has not been established for Cu and Co.
EN 15962:2011 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 65.080 - Fertilizers; 65.120 - Animal feeding stuffs. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 15962:2011 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 3696:1995, EN 1482-2:2024, CEN/TS 17791:2022, CEN/TS 17764:2022, CEN/TS 17783:2022. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 15962:2011 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2003/2003, 2019/1009; Standardization Mandates: M/335. 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.
EN 15962:2011 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)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.PLNURKUDQLODüngemittel - Bestimmung des Gehalts an komplexgebundenen Mikronährstoffionen und der komplexgebundenen Fraktion von MikronährstoffenEngrais - Détermination des micro-nutriments ironique quels sont complexe manié et de fraction complexe manié des micro-nutrimentsFertilizers - Determination of the complexed micro-nutrient content and of the complexed fraction of micro-nutrients65.080GnojilaFertilizersICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15962:2011SIST EN 15962:2011en,fr,de01-oktober-2011SIST EN 15962:2011SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15962
January 2011 ICS 65.080 English Version
Fertilizers - Determination of the complexed micro-nutrient content and of the complexed fraction of micro-nutrients
Engrais - Dosage de la teneur en oligo-élément complexé et de la fraction complexée des oligo-éléments
Düngemittel - Bestimmung des Gehalts an komplexgebundenen Spurennährstoffionen und der komplexgebundenen Fraktion von Spurennährstoffen This European Standard was approved by CEN on 3 December 2010.
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, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
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B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 15962:2011: ESIST EN 15962:2011
Results of the inter-laboratory test . 10A.1Test samples . 10A.2Inter-laboratory test procedure . 10A.3Results and statistical interpretation. 10Bibliography . 14 SIST EN 15962:2011
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