Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors - Determination of the phosphonates content by ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD)

This document specifies a method for the extraction and determination of phosphonates (P-PO3) in fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors using ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD).
This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where the blend is a mix of at least two of the following components, fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where the following category, fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors, is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form, by dry mass.
If fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply.
NOTE   Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

Düngemittel, Kalkdünger und Hemmstoffe - Bestimmung des Phosphonatgehaltes mittels Ionenchromatographie und Leitfähigkeitsdetektion (IC-CD)

Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren zur Extraktion und Bestimmung von Phosphonaten (P-PO3) in Düngemitteln, Kalkdüngern und Hemmstoffen mit Ionenchromatographie und Leitfähigkeitsnachweis (IC-CD) fest.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar auf Düngeproduktmischungen, bei denen die Mischung aus mindestens zwei der folgenden Komponenten besteht: Düngemittel, Kalkdünger, Bodenverbesserungsmittel, Kultursubstrate, Hemmstoffe und Pflanzen-Biostimulanzien, und wenn die Kategorie „Düngemittel, Kalkdünger und Hemmstoffe“ den höchsten Prozentsatz in der Mischung bezüglich Masse oder Volumen, oder im Falle von flüssigen Formen bezüglich Trockenmasse ausmacht.
Wenn Düngemittel, Kalkdünger und Hemmstoffe nicht den höchsten Prozentsatz in der Mischung ausmachen, gilt die Europäische Norm für den höchsten Prozentsatz der Mischung. Im Falle, dass die Düngeproduktmischung aus Komponenten gleicher Menge besteht, entscheidet der Anwender, welche Norm angewendet wird.
ANMERKUNG   Variationen in analytischen Verfahren für Düngeproduktmischungen können zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen führen, da einige Komponenten oder Matrixwechselwirkungen das Ergebnis beeinflussen können. Validierungen haben gezeigt, dass die entwickelten Standardverfahren robust und zuverlässig über unterschiedliche Produktzusammensetzungen hinweg sind. Jedoch sind mögliche Interferenzen und unerwartete Ergebnisse bei der Analyse von Düngeproduktmischungen möglich.

Engrais, amendements minéraux basiques et inhibiteurs - Détermination de la teneur en phosphonates par chromatographie ionique et détection conductimétrique (IC-CD))

Le présent document spécifie une méthode d’extraction et de dosage des phosphonates (P-PO3) dans les engrais, les amendements minéraux basiques et les inhibiteurs par chromatographie ionique et détection conductimétrique (IC-CD).
Le présent document est applicable aux mélanges de fertilisants constitués d’au moins deux des composants suivants: engrais, amendements minéraux basiques, amendements du sol, supports de culture, inhibiteurs et biostimulants des végétaux et dans lesquels la catégorie « engrais, amendements minéraux basiques et inhibiteurs » représente le pourcentage le plus élevé du mélange en masse ou en volume, ou dans le cas d’un liquide, en masse sèche.
Si les engrais, les amendements minéraux basiques et les inhibiteurs ne représentent pas le pourcentage le plus élevé du mélange, la Norme européenne relative au composant représentant le pourcentage le plus élevé du mélange s’applique. Dans le cas où le mélange de fertilisants est constitué de composants en quantités égales, l’utilisateur décide quelle norme appliquer.
NOTE   Les variations dans les méthodes d’analyse des mélanges de fertilisants peuvent conduire à des résultats différents, car certaines interactions de composants ou de la matrice peuvent affecter le résultat. Les procédures de validation ont montré que les méthodes normalisées développées sont robustes et fiables pour diverses compositions de produits, mais des interférences éventuelles et des résultats inattendus lors de l’analyse des mélanges de fertilisants sont possibles.

Gnojila, sredstva za apnjenje in inhibitorji - Določanje fosfonatov z ionsko kromatografijo in detekcijo na osnovi prevodnosti (IC-CD)

General Information

Status
Not Published
Public Enquiry End Date
01-May-2026
Technical Committee
KAT - Soil quality
Current Stage
4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
Start Date
24-Feb-2026
Due Date
14-Jul-2026

Overview

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 is a European draft standard developed by CEN that outlines a method to determine the phosphonates content in fertilizers, liming materials, and inhibitors using ion chromatography with conductivity detection (IC-CD). This standard is critical for ensuring compliance with EU regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, which restricts the intentional addition of phosphonates in fertilizing products and imposes strict limits on their unintentional presence.

The method described applies to various fertilizing products, including blends consisting primarily of fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors. Accurate determination of phosphonate levels is essential for manufacturers, laboratories, and regulatory bodies to verify product composition and to demonstrate adherence to legal requirements.

Key Topics

  • Phosphonates Content Determination:

    • Defines procedures for the extraction and measurement of phosphonates (specifically P-PO₃) in solid and liquid products.
    • Applicable to complex blends where fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are the main constituents.
  • Ion Chromatography and Conductivity Detection (IC-CD):

    • Employs ion chromatography for selective separation of phosphonates from other anions.
    • Uses conductivity detection for accurate quantification.
  • Sample Preparation and Calibration:

    • Details correct sample weighing, extraction methods, and preparation of calibration and control solutions for reliable analysis.
    • Advises on optimal dilution, filtration, and blank sample controls.
  • Repeatability and Reproducibility:

    • Includes guidance on inter-laboratory validation, with performance limits for repeatability and reproducibility to ensure consistent results.
  • Reporting and Quality Control:

    • Lists essential information to be included in test reports for traceability and regulatory compliance.
    • Recommends use of internal reference materials or recovery studies for method validation.

Applications

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 provides significant practical value in several areas:

  • Regulatory Compliance:

    • Essential for demonstrating conformance to Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 for fertilizers placed on the EU market.
    • Supports clear, defensible quality assurance in production laboratories and quality control facilities.
  • Product Development:

    • Assists in monitoring and minimizing unintentional phosphonates during formulation and blending of fertilizers, liming materials, and inhibitors.
  • Market Access:

    • Facilitates export and movement of fertilizing products within the EU by providing a harmonized method for phosphonates determination.
  • Environmental Safety:

    • Enables control of phosphonates-substances of regulatory concern due to their potential environmental impacts-in agricultural inputs.
  • Blended Fertilizing Products:

    • Addresses analysis in blends that may contain multiple components, ensuring robust results even in complex matrices.

Related Standards

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 both builds upon and aligns with important existing standards:

  • EN 17246: Fertilizers - Determination of perchlorate in mineral fertilizers by ion chromatography and conductivity detection.
  • EN 17705: Plant biostimulants - Determination of phosphonates.
  • EN 1482 Series: Sampling and sample preparation methods for fertilizers and liming materials.
  • prEN 12944 Series: Vocabulary for fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, and related products.
  • Regulation (EU) 2019/1009: Key EU legal framework for fertilizing products.

By adhering to oSIST prEN 18319:2026, laboratories and manufacturers benefit from a standardized, reliable, and EU-recognized method for phosphonates analysis, supporting both product quality and regulatory obligations.

Keywords: phosphonates determination, fertilizers analysis, ion chromatography, conductivity detection, EU fertilizing product regulation, quality control, laboratory methods, liming materials, inhibitors, standardization, CEN, oSIST prEN 18319:2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors - Determination of the phosphonates content by ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD)". This standard covers: This document specifies a method for the extraction and determination of phosphonates (P-PO3) in fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors using ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD). This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where the blend is a mix of at least two of the following components, fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where the following category, fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors, is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form, by dry mass. If fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. NOTE Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

This document specifies a method for the extraction and determination of phosphonates (P-PO3) in fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors using ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD). This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where the blend is a mix of at least two of the following components, fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where the following category, fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors, is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form, by dry mass. If fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. NOTE Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 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.

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2019/1009; Standardization Mandates: M/564, M/564 AMD 1, M/564 AMD 2. 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.

oSIST prEN 18319:2026 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
01-april-2026
Gnojila, sredstva za apnjenje in inhibitorji - Določanje fosfonatov z ionsko
kromatografijo in detekcijo na osnovi prevodnosti (IC-CD)
Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors - Determination of the phosphonates content
by ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD)
Düngemittel, Kalkdünger und Hemmstoffe - Bestimmung des Phosphonatgehaltes
mittels Ionenchromatographie und Leitfähigkeitsdetektion (IC-CD)
Engrais, amendements minéraux basiques et inhibiteurs - Détermination de la teneur en
phosphonates par chromatographie ionique et détection conductimétrique (IC-CD))
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18319
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
February 2026
ICS 65.080
English Version
Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors - Determination
of the phosphonates content by ion chromatography and
conductivity detection (IC-CD)
Engrais, amendements minéraux basiques et Düngemittel, Kalkdünger und Hemmstoffe -
inhibiteurs - Détermination de la teneur en Bestimmung des Phosphonatgehaltes mittels
phosphonates par chromatographie ionique et Ionenchromatographie und Leitfähigkeitsdetektion
détection conductimétrique (IC-CD) (IC-CD)
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 260.
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
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 18319:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Principle . 5
5 Reagents . 6
6 Apparatus . 6
7 Sampling and sample preparation . 7
8 Procedure . 7
8.1 Preparation of test solution - Water extraction . 7
8.2 Preparation of the calibration solutions . 7
8.3 Measurement . 8
8.3.1 Instrument conditions . 8
8.3.2 IC-CD measurement . 9
9 Calculation and expression of the results . 9
9.1 Integration of peaks . 9
9.2 Concentration of phosphonates in test sample solutions . 9
10 Precision . 10
10.1 Inter-laboratory study . 10
10.2 Repeatability . 10
10.3 Reproducibility . 10
11 Test report . 11
Annex A (informative) Separation of phosphonates from other interfering ions in a mixture
of standards . 12
Annex B (informative) Results of the inter-laboratory study . 13
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship of this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 making available on the market of EU
fertilising products aimed to be covered . 15
Bibliography . 16

European foreword
This document (prEN 18319:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 260 “Fertilizers
and liming materials”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to 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.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
Introduction
This document describes a procedure for the extraction and measurement for the determination of
phosphonate (phosphite) in fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors. It is based on a water extraction
of phosphonate (phosphite) followed by ion chromatography with conductivity detection (IC-CD).
The ion chromatography with conductivity detection (IC-CD) method can be used in well-equipped
analytical laboratories for the determination of different ions. In the field of fertilizing products, the
method is used and standardized for the determination of perchlorates in mineral fertilizers [1] and for
the determination of phosphonates in plant biostimulants [2]. The IC-CD method can determine ions
simultaneously.
According to Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [3], phosphonates must not be intentionally added to any EU
fertilising product. Unintentional presence of phosphonates must not exceed 0,5 % (mass fraction). The
method described in this document was adapted to achieve this requirement and simultaneously to
reduce interferences from other co-extracted anions as much as possible.
The definition of phosphonates is not clearly stated in Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [3] and to avoid any
misunderstanding, the results are expressed as a content of phosphorus (P) bound in the form of free
water-soluble phosphonates (P-PO ).
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the extraction and determination of phosphonates (P-PO ) in
fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors using ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD).
This document is applicable to fertilizing product blends, where the blend is a mix of at least two of the
following components, fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant
biostimulants, and where the following category, fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors, is the highest
% in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form, by dry mass.
If fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for
the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal
quantity, the user decides which standard to apply.
NOTE Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some
components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed
standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and
unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
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.
EN 1482-2:2024, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors - Sampling and sample preparation - Part 2:
General sample preparation provisions
prEN 12944-1:2026, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
prEN 12944-2:2026, Fertilizers, liming materials and inibitors — Vocabulary — Part 2: Terms relating to
fertilizers
EN 12944-3:2025, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Vocabulary — Part 3: Terms relating to
liming materials
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in prEN 12944-1:2026,
prEN 12944-2:2026, and EN 12944-3:2025 and the following 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
3.1
phosphonate
salt derived from phosphonic acid (H PO )
3 3
4 Principle
A representative test portion of the sample is extracted with water. Phosphonate in the extract is
selectively separated from other compounds using ion chromatography (IC) and determined by a
conductivity detection (CD). External calibration is used for quantification of the amount of the
phosphonate.
WARNING 1 — 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.
WARNING 2 — It is absolutely essential that tests conducted according to this document are carried out
by suitably trained staff.
5 Reagents
All reagents shall be of recognized analytical grade. The concentration of phosphonate in the reagents
and water used shall be low enough not to affect the results of the determination.
5.1 Water with a specific conductivity not higher than 0,2 mS/m at 25 °C.
5.2 Phosphonate standard stock solution, mass concentration ρ = 1 000 mg/l is prepared by
(P-PO3)
dissolving sodium phosphite dibasic pentahydrate salt (M = 216,04 g/mol, purity ≥ 98 %). For
preparation the phosphonate standard stock solution 0,697 g ± 0,001 g is weighed, transferred to 100 ml
volumetric flask, fill with water (5.1) to final volume and mix thoroughly.
5.3 Phosphonate working standard solution, ρ = 100 mg/l is prepared from a standard stock
(P-PO3)
solution (5.2) by appropriate dilution with water (5.1). Pipette 10 ml of stock solution (5.2) to a 100 ml
volumetric flask, fill with water (5.1) to final volume and mix thoroughly.
5.4 Mobile phase, KOH cartridge for ion chromatography (commercially supplied). Concentration of
the KOH mobile phase is electrolytically generated in externally supplied water (5.1).
Different mobile phase may be used according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the column.
5.5 Chloride standard, ρ = 1 000 mg/l.
(Cl−)
5.6 Nitrate standard, ρ = 1 000 mg/l.
(NO3−)
5.7 Solution for checking chromatographic separation, ρ = 10 mg/l, ρ = 50 mg/l and
(P-PO3) (Cl−)
ρ = 50 mg/l is prepared by pipetting 1 ml of phosphonate standard stock solution (5.2), 5 ml of
(NO3−)
chloride standard (5.5), 5 ml of nitrate standard (5.6) to 100ml volumetric flask and fill to final volume
with water (5.1).
5.8 Sulfuric acid, ρ = 1,84 g/ml.
20(H2SO4)
5.9 Sulfuric acid solution, c = 0,56 mol/L, prepared by adding 30 ml of sulfuric acid (5.8) to 800 ml of
water in 1 000 ml volumetric flask. Addition is performed slowly with occasional swirling. Volumetric
flask is filled to the mark with water (5.1).
6 Apparatus
6.1 Common laboratory glassware and plastic.
6.2 Analytical balance, capable of weighing to the nearest ≤ 1 mg.
6.3 Shaker, rotary or horizontal shaker. Shaking shall prevent any settling of the sample during
extraction.
6.4 Extraction vessels, capacity 200 ml to 500 ml.
−1
6.5 Centrifuge (optional), for minimum 4 000 min (approx. 2 000 g).
6.6 Single use syringe filters (0,22 µm) or vials with filters, for filtering of test solutions prior to
analysis.
6.7 Ion chromatograph, with conductivity detection (IC-CD).
For higher signal/noise a supressed conductivity detector is preferred.
6.8 Chromatographic column for anion exchange, suitable for the selective separation of
phosphonates from other anions present in the sample.
It is recommended to use a guard column to prolong the lifetime of the analytical column.
Other columns recommended by a manufacturer may also be used, providing the results are comparable.
7 Sampling and sample preparation
Sampling is not part of the method specified in this document. Recommended sampling methods are
given in EN 1482-1 [4] and EN 1482-3 [5].
It is important that the laboratory receives a sample that is representative of both the product under
consideration and the given analysis. The sample should not have been damaged or changed during
transpor
...

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