Abstract

This document specifies a method for the determination of nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media. The Kjeldahl method determines ammonium-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N and organic N content of soil improvers and growing media. Nitrogen in N-N-linkages, N-O-linkages and some heterocyclics (especially pyridine) is only partially determined [6], [7], [8].
NOTE   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 A, being composted bark (20 mm to 40 mm, biowaste compost (Rottegrad 3), green compost (Rottegrad 5, 0 mm to 15 mm), solid digestate, liquid digestate, soil improver (pellets, sieved 4 mm, growing media blend 1 (white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements)), growing media blend 2 (white peat, black peat, expanded perlite, lime, organic fertilizer) and growing media blend 3 (white peat, black peat, clay, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements))).

Status
Not Published
Public Enquiry End Date
02-Jan-2026
Technical Committee
KAT - Soil quality
Current Stage
5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
Start Date
09-Oct-2026
Due Date
27-Nov-2026

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oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025

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kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 is the Slovenian version of the draft European Standard prEN 13654-1, published through SIST. It specifies a modified Kjeldahl method for determining nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media, for laboratories that need a standardized chemical test for these materials.

What does kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 specify?

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 specifies how to determine nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media using a modified Kjeldahl digestion method. The document is structured so a laboratory can follow the full workflow from sample handling to reporting and validation.

The method covers ammonium-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N and organic N in these products. It also notes that some nitrogen in N-N-linkages, N-O-linkages and some heterocyclic compounds is only partly determined, which matters when comparing results with other nitrogen methods.

AnnexWhat it covers
Annex AInformative performance characteristics of the method, based on an interlaboratory study

The main body is organized into scope, normative references, terms and definitions, principle, reagents, apparatus, sampling, test sample, procedure, calculation, expression of results, test report, and validation.

What are the key requirements of kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026?

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 is built around sulfuric acid digestion with potassium sulfate and copper sulfate catalyst, followed by measurement of ammonium nitrogen in the digest. In practice, the method turns the sample into a digest that can be read by a suitable nitrogen finish, so laboratories can compare results consistently.

Sample handling and preparation

Clause 7 says sampling is outside the method and points to EN 12579:2024. Clause 8 says the laboratory must work with a representative sample and choose either a dried ground sample or the sample as received, then follow the matching calculation route. If a sample is suspected to contain more than 500 mg/l NH4-N on a fresh basis, it should be analysed fresh as soon as possible to reduce nitrogen losses.

Digestion procedure

Clause 9 describes separate procedures for dried and fresh samples. The sample is mixed with salicylic/sulfuric acid, left to stand, then treated with sodium thiosulfate and the catalyst mixture before cautious heating and gentle boiling. For practice, the message is clear: control heating, avoid bumping, and keep liquid in the flask so the nitrogen is not lost during digestion.

Moisture, bulk density and result basis

Clauses 9.3, 9.6, 9.9 and 10 link the nitrogen result to moisture content and laboratory bulk density. The document requires moisture content from prEN 13040-1:2025 and, for fresh material, laboratory compacted bulk density from the same part. This matters because the same sample may need to be reported on a dry matter basis or on an as received volume basis, depending on how the product is used or specified.

Blank, verification and reporting

Clause 9.7 requires a reagent blank run in parallel, using the same reagents without the test portion. Clause 9.8 requires a verification substance with known nitrogen content, and the measured value should exceed 95 % of the calculated value. Clause 12 then requires a test report that identifies the sample, states the methods used, says whether the sample was ground or unground, and gives the result together with moisture content, laboratory bulk density and any relevant deviations.

What terms does kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 define?

  • Modified Kjeldahl method - The sulfuric acid digestion approach used in this document to determine nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media.
  • Ammonium-N - The nitrogen fraction measured as ammonium in the digest.
  • Dry matter basis - A way of expressing the result after correction for moisture, so products with different water contents can be compared.
  • As received basis - A result reported on the sample in the condition it arrived at the laboratory.
  • Reagent blank - A parallel test without sample that shows the contribution of reagents and glassware.
  • Verification substance - A material with known nitrogen content used to check that the method is performing properly.
  • Laboratory compacted bulk density - The density value used to convert a fresh sample result to milligrams per litre.

Who uses kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026?

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 is used by testing laboratories, manufacturers of soil improvers and growing media, and quality control staff who need a standard way to measure nitrogen. It is also relevant for buyers, technical evaluators and compliance teams that compare product lots or check whether a product meets a declared nitrogen content. The method is especially useful when results must be reported for dried material, fresh material, or in volume-based units.

What changed in kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 from the previous edition?

kSIST FprEN FprEN 13654-1:2026 will supersede EN 13654-1:2001. The European foreword states two technical changes: the normative references have been updated, and the procedure is described in more detail.

Which standards are used with kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026?

  • CEN/TS 17732:2022 - provides the terms and definitions used in the document.
  • EN 12579:2024 - covers sampling of soil improvers and growing media.
  • prEN 13040-1:2025 - gives sample preparation, moisture content determination and laboratory bulk density.
  • prEN 13651:2025 - is used to check NH4-N on a fresh basis when high ammonium is suspected.
  • prEN 13652:2025 - is also used for that NH4-N check on fresh material.
  • ISO 5725-2 - provides the validation framework used for repeatability and reproducibility.

What does the kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 document contain?

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 contains the full laboratory method, including the reagent list, apparatus, sampling link, digestion procedures for dried and fresh samples, blank and verification steps, and calculation routes for dry matter and volume basis results. It also includes the reporting requirements needed for a test report that can be compared between laboratories.

Annex A gives the method performance data from an interlaboratory study. Tables A.1 and A.2 identify the materials tested and summarize the repeatability and reproducibility results used to support the method.

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Effective Date
01-Dec-2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 1: Modified Kjeldahl method". This standard covers: This document specifies a method for the determination of nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media. The Kjeldahl method determines ammonium-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N and organic N content of soil improvers and growing media. Nitrogen in N-N-linkages, N-O-linkages and some heterocyclics (especially pyridine) is only partially determined [6], [7], [8]. NOTE 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 A, being composted bark (20 mm to 40 mm, biowaste compost (Rottegrad 3), green compost (Rottegrad 5, 0 mm to 15 mm), solid digestate, liquid digestate, soil improver (pellets, sieved 4 mm, growing media blend 1 (white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements)), growing media blend 2 (white peat, black peat, expanded perlite, lime, organic fertilizer) and growing media blend 3 (white peat, black peat, clay, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements))).

This document specifies a method for the determination of nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media. The Kjeldahl method determines ammonium-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N and organic N content of soil improvers and growing media. Nitrogen in N-N-linkages, N-O-linkages and some heterocyclics (especially pyridine) is only partially determined [6], [7], [8]. NOTE 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 A, being composted bark (20 mm to 40 mm, biowaste compost (Rottegrad 3), green compost (Rottegrad 5, 0 mm to 15 mm), solid digestate, liquid digestate, soil improver (pellets, sieved 4 mm, growing media blend 1 (white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements)), growing media blend 2 (white peat, black peat, expanded perlite, lime, organic fertilizer) and growing media blend 3 (white peat, black peat, clay, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements))).

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 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.

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 13654-1:2002. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 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.

kSIST FprEN 13654-1:2026 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 13654-1:2025
01-december-2025
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določanje dušika - 1. del: Spremenjena
Kjeldahlova metoda
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 1: Modified Kjeldahl
method
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung von Stickstoff - Teil 1:
Modifiziertes Verfahren nach Kjeldahl
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de l'azote - Partie 1:
Méthode de Kjeldahl modifiée
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13654-1
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025
oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13654-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 65.080 Will supersede EN 13654-1:2001
English Version
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of
nitrogen - Part 1: Modified Kjeldahl method
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate -
Détermination de l'azote - Partie 1: Méthode de Bestimmung von Stickstoff - Teil 1: Modifiziertes
Kjeldahl modifiée Verfahren nach Kjeldahl
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 13654-1:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025
prEN 13654-1:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
5 Reagents . 4
6 Apparatus . 4
7 Sampling . 5
8 Test sample . 5
9 Procedure . 5
9.1 Safety . 5
10 Calculation . 7
10.1 General. 7
10.2 Calculation on a dry matter basis . 7
10.3 Calculation on a volume basis . 7
11 Expression of results . 7
12 Test Report . 8
13 Validation of the method . 8
13.1 Validation in accordance with ISO 5725-2. 8
13.2 Performance characteristics. 8
Annex A (informative) Performance characteristics of the method . 9
Bibliography . 11

oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025
prEN 13654-1:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13654-1:2025) 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 the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13654-1:2001.
prEN 13654-1:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
EN 13654-1:2001:
— Normative references have been adapted;
— The procedure has been described in more detail.
The Annex A is informative.
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 13654-1:2025
prEN 13654-1:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media.
The Kjeldahl method determines ammonium-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N and organic N content of soil
improvers and growing media. Nitrogen in N-N-linkages, N-O-linkages and some heterocyclics (especially
pyridine) is only partially determined [6], [7], [8].
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 terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 17732:2022 apply.
4 Principle
The nitrogen content of the sample is determined using a method based on a sulfuric acid/potassium
sulfate digestion. Copper sulfate is used as the catalyst.
5 Reagents
All reagents shall be of recognized analytical grade. Use water with a specific conductivity not higher than
0,2 mS/m at 25 °C, free from the elements to be determined.
5.1 Salicylic acid/sulfuric acid, dissolve 25 g of salicylic acid (HOC H COOH) in 1 000 ml of
6 4
concentrated sulfuric acid (⍴ = 1,84 g/ml).
5.2 Potassium sulfate catalyst mixture, grind and thoroughly mix 200 g of potassium sulfate, 6 g of
copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate (This mixture may be available commercially).
5.3 Sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate, crush the crystals to form a powder that passes through a sieve
with an aperture of 0,25 mm.
5.4 Verification substances, pure substances of known nitrogen content, for example acetanilide
(C H NO), L-aspartic acid (C H NO ), or amino acids of known composition. The total content of nitrogen
8 9 4 7 4
of the calibration substance should be as similar to the sample nitrogen content as possible.
6 Apparatus
Usual laboratory apparatus, and in particular the following:
6.1 Analytical balance, capable of weighing accurately to 1,0 mg.
6.2 Kjeldahl digestion flasks or tubes, of nominal value 50 ml, suitable for the digestion system (6.3).
oSIST prEN 13654-1:2025
prEN 13654-1:2025 (E)
NOTE Larger flasks (300 ml to 500 ml) might be necessary for bulky materials or where a larger sample mass
is used.
6.3 Digestion or mineralisation system with variable heating controls.
6.4 Sieve, 5 mm square aperture size.
6.5 Stand, capable of holding the digestion flasks or tubes.
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 Test sample
Either prepare the test sample in accordance with prEN 13040-1:2025, Clause 10 or use the sample as
received. Choose the respective calculation procedure (Clause 10).
Losses of nitrogen can occur with samples of high ammonium-N content in alkaline situations and
particularly when these samples are dried. If the sample contains (or is suspected to contain) > 500 mg/l
NH -N fresh basis, as determined by prEN 13651:2025 [1] or prEN 13652:2025 [2], analyse the fresh
material as soon as possible.
9 Procedure
9.1 Safety
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS — Care should be taken when handling samples that may contain sharps or are
of a dusty nature.
WARNING — Digestions with sulfuric acid are potentially hazardous and laboratory coats, gloves and
safety spectacles or goggles shall be used.
The digestion shall be carried out in a well-ventilated fume cupboard with the
...