Fertilizers and liming materials - Classification

This European Standard establishes a classification system for fertilizers and liming materials. The classification scheme includes an explanation of the meaning of each heading and clearly assigns each fertilizer or liming material to an appropriate group whilst recognizing that a few fertilizers or liming materials may be classified differently in some countries. The limits for nutrients contents which determine each class may be subject to national legislation.

Düngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Einteilung

1 Anwendungsbereich
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Einteilungsschema für Düngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-Boden-
verbesserungsmittel fest.

Engrais et amendements minéraux basiques - Classification

Domaine d'application
Cette Norme européenne établit un système de classification pour les engrais et amendements minéraux basiques.

Trdna gnojila in sredstva za apnjenje - Razvrščanje

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
20-Mar-2001
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 260/WG 1 - Sampling
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
08-Jul-2022
Completion Date
14-Apr-2025

Overview

EN 13535:2001 (CEN) establishes a harmonized European classification scheme for fertilizers and liming materials. The standard explains the meaning of each classification heading and assigns fertilizers or liming materials to appropriate groups while recognizing that a small number of products may be classified differently in some countries. The standard explicitly notes that the nutrient-content limits determining classes can be subject to national legislation and that nutrient terms are used (not chemical symbols) to avoid ambiguity between elemental and oxide forms.

Key Topics

  • Scope and purpose: A consistent system to classify products used for plant nutrition and soil pH adjustment across CEN member states.
  • Main categories:
    • Inorganic fertilizers (straight and compound N, P, K; Ca, Mg, Na, S; micro-nutrients)
    • Inorganic liming materials (carbonates, oxides, hydroxides, silicates, industrial by-products)
    • Organic fertilizers (organic nitrogenous, NP, NK, NPK and synthetic organic nitrogen where applicable)
    • Fertilizers of mixed origin (organo-mineral and organic-based fertilizers)
  • Classification principles: Descriptive headings clarify product function (nutrition vs. liming) and composition; descriptions are explanatory rather than prescriptive definitions.
  • Normative references: EN 12944 (Vocabulary) is referenced as the source of terms and definitions used by EN 13535:2001.

Applications

EN 13535:2001 offers practical value across the fertilizer value chain and regulatory community:

  • Manufacturers and formulators: Use the classification to label products consistently, prepare technical datasheets, and align product families with European nomenclature.
  • Regulators and policymakers: Adopt a common taxonomy that supports national implementation, while accounting for country-specific nutrient limits and historical differences.
  • Testing laboratories and quality control: Map analytical results to the correct product class for reporting and compliance checks.
  • Procurement and supply chain: Improve specification clarity when ordering fertilizers, liming materials or soil improvers by referencing the standard classes.

Related Standards

  • EN 12944 (all parts) - Fertilizers and liming materials: Vocabulary. This is the normative reference for terms and definitions used by EN 13535:2001.
  • CEN/CENELEC internal regulations - Adoption and national implementation rules that govern how EN 13535:2001 becomes a national standard among CEN members.

EN 13535:2001 supports consistency in product classification across Europe while leaving flexibility for national nutrient-limit legislation. It is a practical tool for manufacturers, regulators, laboratories and buyers who require a clear, harmonized taxonomy for fertilizers and liming materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

EN 13535:2001 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Fertilizers and liming materials - Classification". This standard covers: This European Standard establishes a classification system for fertilizers and liming materials. The classification scheme includes an explanation of the meaning of each heading and clearly assigns each fertilizer or liming material to an appropriate group whilst recognizing that a few fertilizers or liming materials may be classified differently in some countries. The limits for nutrients contents which determine each class may be subject to national legislation.

This European Standard establishes a classification system for fertilizers and liming materials. The classification scheme includes an explanation of the meaning of each heading and clearly assigns each fertilizer or liming material to an appropriate group whilst recognizing that a few fertilizers or liming materials may be classified differently in some countries. The limits for nutrients contents which determine each class may be subject to national legislation.

EN 13535:2001 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.

EN 13535:2001 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.Düngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-Bodenverbesserungsmittel - EinteilungEngrais et amendements minéraux basiques - ClassificationFertilizers and liming materials - Classification65.080GnojilaFertilizersICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13535:2001SIST EN 13535:2002en01-november-2002SIST EN 13535:2002SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13535March 2001ICS 65.080English versionFertilizers and liming materials - ClassificationEngrais et amendements calciques et/ou magnésiens -ClassificationDüngemittel und Calcium-/Magnesium-Bodenverbesserungsmittel - EinteilungThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 January 2001.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the 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 translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2001 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13535:2001 ESIST EN 13535:2002

Page 2EN 13535:2001ForewordThis European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN /TC 260, "Fertilizers and limingmaterials", the secretariat of which is held by DIN.This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text orby endorsement, at the latest by September 2001, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at thelatest by September 2001.According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the followingcountries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,Switzerland and the United Kingdom.SIST EN 13535:2002

Page 3EN 13535:2001IntroductionThe classification scheme includes an explanation of the meaning of each heading and clearly assigns eachfertilizer or liming material to an appropriate group whilst recognizing that a few fertilizers or liming materials maybe classified differently in some countries.The limits for nutrient contents which determine each class can be subject to national legislation.Owing to historical and legislative differences between countries, this European Standard uses, in the descriptions,terms only and not chemical symbols to denote nutrients. This avoids ambiguity between the elemental or oxideforms and leaves each country free to declare nutrient contents according to national requirements.The descriptions given in clause 4 are not definitions but are given to explain the definitions to be found in EN12944. These descriptions may not necessarily correspond with those used in national legislation.1 ScopeThis European Standard establishes a classification scheme for fertilizers and liming materials.2 Normative referencesThis European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. Thesenormative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. Fordated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this EuropeanStandard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of thepublication referred to applies (including amendments).EN 12944 (all parts), Fertilizers and liming materials - Vocabulary.3 Terms and definitionsFor the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN 12944 apply.4 ClassificationNOTEThe classification scheme is shown in figure 1.4.1 Inorganic fertilizers and liming materials4.1.1 Inorganic fertilizers : Fertilizers added to the soil especially for the nutrition of plants and in which thedeclared nutrients are in the form of inorganic salts obtained by extraction and/or by physical and/or chemicalindustrial processes.NOTECalcium cyanamide, urea and its condensation and association products and bone superphosphate may, byconvention, be classed as inorganic fertilizers.4.1.1.1 N, P, K fertilizers4.1.1.1.1 Straight N, P, K fertilizers4.1.1.1.1.1Straight nitrogenous fertilizers (N) : Fertilizers which have a declarable nitrogen content andwhich may contain other elements, but which do not have declarable phosphorus and/or potassium contents.SIST EN 13535:2002

Page 4EN 13535:20014.1.1.1.1.2Straight phosphatic fertilizers (P) : Fertilizers which have a declarable phosphorus content andwhich may contain other elements, but which do not have declarable nitrogen and/or potassium contents.4.1.1.1.1.3Straight potassic fertilizers (K) : Fertilizers which have a declarable potassium content andwhich may contain other elements, but which do not have declarable nitrogen and/or phosphorus contents.4.1.1.1.2 Compound N, P, K fertilizers4.1.1.1.2.1NP compound fertilizers : Fertilizers which have declarable nitrogen and phosphorus contentsand which may contain other elements, but which do not have a declarable potassium content.4.1.1.1.2.2NK compound fertilizers : Fertilizers which have declarable nitrogen and potassium contents andwhich may contain other elements, but which do not have a declarable phosphorus content.4.1.1.1.2.3PK compound fertilizers : Fertilizers which have declarable phosphorus and potassium contentsand which may contain other elements, but which do not have a declarable nitrogen content.4.1.1.1.2.4NPK compound fertilizers : Fertilizers which have declarable nitrogen, phosphorus andpotassium contents and which may contain other elements.4.1.1.2 Ca, Mg, Na, S fertilizers: Fertilizers which contain one or more of the elements calcium, magnesium,sodium and sulfur and which do not have declarable nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium contents and are,therefore, not classified as straight or compound N, P, K fertilizers.NOTEThese products differ fro
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