prEN 16087-2
(Main)Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter - Part 2: Self heating test for compost
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter - Part 2: Self heating test for compost
This document specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological activity using a self-heating test. This method is only applicable to composted material.
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung der aeroben biologischen Abbaurate organischer Substanz - Teil 2: Selbsterhitzungstest für Kompost
Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der aeroben biologischen Aktivität mit einem Selbsterhitzungstest fest. Dieses Verfahren ist nur auf kompostiertes Material anwendbar.
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de la cinétique de dégradation biologique aérobie de la matière organique - Partie 2 : Test d’auto-échauffement pour compost
Le présent document spécifie une méthode permettant de déterminer l’activité biologique aérobie au moyen d’un test d’auto-échauffement. Cette méthode n’est applicable qu’aux matériaux compostés.
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določanje aerobne biološke razgradljivosti organskih snovi - 2.del: Preskus samodejnega segrevanja komposta
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 13-Apr-2025
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 223 - Soil improvers and growing media
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 223/WG 4 - Analytical methods
- Current Stage
- 4060 - Closure of enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 01-Jan-2026
- Due Date
- 17-Feb-2024
- Completion Date
- 01-Jan-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 18-Jan-2023
Overview
prEN 16087-2:2025 is a forthcoming European standard developed by CEN/TC 223 that specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter in compost through a self-heating test. This test method focusses on measuring the biological activity of composted materials by monitoring temperature changes resulting from the aerobic microbial processes. Scheduled to supersede EN 16087-2:2011, this updated standard introduces refinements, including a more precise description of the "fist test" to optimize moisture content prior to testing.
This standard supports quality assurance in soil improvers and growing media, providing a reliable and validated approach to assess compost maturity and activity level, which is essential for compliance with environmental and agricultural regulations such as the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU 2019/1009).
Key Topics
Scope and Applicability:
The method applies exclusively to composted material and evaluates aerobic biological activity by measuring self-heating in a controlled environment.Test Principle:
The aerobic degradation results in exothermic microbial activity detectable as a temperature increase measured in a Dewar vessel. The maximum temperature reached (T_max) serves as the indicator of biological activity.Sample Preparation and Moisture Adjustment:
Prior to the test, compost samples are sieved and moisture content adjusted. The “fist test” is a critical step to ensure optimal moisture (30%-65% by mass) by feel - too wet or too dry samples are corrected by drying or moistening accordingly.Procedure Details:
Samples (approx. 3 liters) are loosely packed in a Dewar vessel at 20°C ± 2°C. Temperature sensors record the self-heating over up to 10 days. Test ends after the peak temperature is reached and begins to decline.Expression of Results:
Results include the maximum temperature reached (T_max) and the corresponding decomposition degree (Rottegrad) categorized into five temperature ranges from >60°C (very active) to ≤30°C (inactive).Validation and Performance:
The method has been validated according to ISO 5725-2 with reproducibility and repeatability confirmed through an interlaboratory study involving multiple European laboratories and diverse compost types such as biowaste compost, green compost, and composted bark.
Applications
Compost Quality Assessment:
This standardized test helps compost producers and soil improver suppliers verify the biological activity and maturity of their products, ensuring they meet quality and safety benchmarks.Regulatory Compliance:
prEN 16087-2:2025 aligns with European regulations on fertilizing products, facilitating market access by proving compost suitability for agricultural use.Research and Development:
Laboratories can employ the test in the development of novel composting processes and materials, optimizing conditions that enhance biological degradation rates.Environmental Monitoring:
The method aids in monitoring degradation status in organic amendments, contributing to sustainable soil management and reducing environmental impacts of waste residues.
Related Standards
EN 12579:2024 - Soil improvers and growing media - Sampling
Specifies procedures for obtaining representative samples of soil improvers and growing media, which is critical before applying the self-heating test.CEN/TS 17732:2022 - Soil improvers and growing media - Terminology
Provides a harmonized terminology framework used throughout prEN 16087-2 for clarity and consistency.ISO 5725-2 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results - Part 2: Basic method for repeatability and reproducibility
The self-heating test method's precision and reproducibility were validated against this international standard.EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009
The European regulation governing market placement of fertilising products, which this method supports by ensuring compost quality.
Keywords: soil improvers, growing media, compost, aerobic biological degradation, self-heating test, aerobic activity, organic matter degradation, compost maturity, soil amendment standards, CEN standards, EU fertilising regulation, compost testing, moisture optimization, Rottegrad, standardized compost test, Dewar vessel temperature measurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
prEN 16087-2 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter - Part 2: Self heating test for compost". This standard covers: This document specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological activity using a self-heating test. This method is only applicable to composted material.
This document specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological activity using a self-heating test. This method is only applicable to composted material.
prEN 16087-2 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.
prEN 16087-2 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 16087-2:2011. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN 16087-2 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2019/1009; Standardization Mandates: M/564, M/564 AMD 1, M/564 AMD 2, M/XXX. 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.
prEN 16087-2 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
01-december-2025
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določanje aerobne biološke razgradljivosti
organskih snovi - 2.del: Preskus samodejnega segrevanja komposta
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological degradation
rate of organic matter - Part 2: Self heating test for compost
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung der aeroben biologischen
Abbaurate organischer Substanz - Teil 2: Selbsterhitzungstest für Kompost
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de la cinétique de
dégradation biologique aérobie de la matière organique - Partie 2 : Test d’auto-
échauffement pour compost
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 16087-2
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 65.080 Will supersede EN 16087-2:2011
English Version
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the
aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter - Part
2: Self heating test for compost
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate -
Détermination de la cinétique de dégradation Bestimmung der aeroben biologischen Abbaurate
biologique aérobie de la matière organique - Partie 2 : organischer Substanz - Teil 2: Selbsterhitzungstest für
Test d'auto-échauffement pour compost Kompost
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 16087-2:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
5 Apparatus . 4
6 Sampling . 4
7 Procedure . 4
7.1 General. 4
7.2 Sample preparation . 5
7.2.1 General. 5
7.2.2 Fist test . 5
7.3 Determination of self-heating . 5
8 Expression of results . 6
9 Test report . 6
10 Validation of the method . 7
10.1 Validation in accordance with ISO 5725-2. 7
10.2 Performance characteristics. 7
Annex A (informative) Performance characteristics of the method . 8
Bibliography . 10
European foreword
This document (prEN 16087-2:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 223 “Soil
improvers and growing media”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This document is currently submitted to CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 16087-2:2011.
EN 16087-2:2011:
— A more precise description of the fist test was added.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request given to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
1 Scope
This document specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological activity using a self-heating test.
This method is only applicable to composted material.
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
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 17732:2022 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/
4 Principle
Measurement of self-heating in a Dewar vessel and measurement of the maximum temperature, where
the temperature is an indicator of the state of aerobic biological activity.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Dewar vessel, with a volume of 1,5 l and an internal diameter of 100 mm ± 3 mm.
5.2 Temperature measurement device, capable of recording a maximum temperature with an
accuracy of ± 2 °C.
5.3 Sieve, square aperture with a 10 mm mesh size.
5.4 Temperature controlled room or climate cabinet, with a temperature of 20 °C ± 2 °C.
6 Sampling
Sampling is not part
...
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