oSIST prEN 17728:2026
(Main)Organic soil improvers - Methods for the determination of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content and organic nitrogen content
Organic soil improvers - Methods for the determination of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content and organic nitrogen content
This document refers to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in organic soil improvers, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document include:
— pH;
— electrical conductivity;
— organic carbon content;
— organic nitrogen content.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE An organic soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
Organische Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung spezifischer Parameter
Dieses Dokument bezieht sich auf zur Bestimmung spezifischer Parameter in organischen Bodenverbesserungsmitteln anzuwendende Verfahren, beinhaltet aber nicht die Verfahren selbst. Die spezifischen Parameter in diesem Dokument sind:
pH-Wert;
elektrische Leitfähigkeit;
Gehalt an organischem Kohlenstoff;
Gehalt an organischem Stickstoff.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar auf Düngeproduktmischungen, bei denen eine Mischung aus mindestens zwei Düngeprodukten der folgenden Kategorien besteht: Düngemittel, Kalkdünger, Bodenverbesserungsmittel, Kultursubstrate, Hemmstoffe und Pflanzen-Biostimulanzien, und wenn die Kategorien „Bodenverbesserungsmittel“ und/oder „Kultursubstrate“ den höchsten Prozentsatz in der Mischung bezüglich Masse oder Volumen, oder im Falle von flüssigen Formen bezüglich Trockenmasse ausmachen. Wenn die Bodenverbesserungsmittel und/oder Kultursubstrate nicht den höchsten Prozentsatz in der Mischung ausmachen, gilt die Europäische Norm für die Komponente mit dem höchsten Prozentsatz der Mischung. Im Falle, dass die Düngeproduktmischung aus Komponenten gleicher Menge besteht, entscheiden die Anwender, welche Norm angewendet wird.
ANMERKUNG Ein organisches Bodenverbesserungsmittel besteht aus einem einzigen schüttfähigen (Volumen aufbauenden) Bestandteil oder aus einem Gemisch schüttfähiger (Volumen aufbauender) Bestandteile (z. B. Torf, Holzfasern, Kokosfasern, Kompost, Blähperlit).
Amendements organiques - Vue d'ensemble des méthodes pour la détermination du pH, de la conductivité électrique, de la teneur en carbone organique et de la teneur en azote organique
Le présent document se réfère aux méthodes à utiliser pour la détermination de paramètres spécifiques dans les amendements du sol organiques, mais ne contient pas les méthodes elles-mêmes. Les paramètres spécifiques du présent document comprennent :
— le pH ;
— la conductivité électrique ;
— la teneur en carbone organique ;
— la teneur en azote organique.
Le présent document est applicable aux mélanges de fertilisants constitués d’au moins deux fertilisants appartenant aux catégories suivantes : engrais, amendements minéraux basiques, amendements du sol, supports de culture, inhibiteurs et biostimulants des végétaux et, dans lesquels les amendements du sol et/ou les supports de culture sont les composants qui représentent le pourcentage le plus élevé du mélange en masse ou en volume, ou dans le cas d’un liquide, en masse sèche. Si les amendements du sol et/ou les supports de culture ne sont pas les composants qui représentent le pourcentage le plus élevé du mélange, la Norme européenne applicable au composant ayant le pourcentage le plus élevé dans le 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 Un amendement du sol organique se compose d’un seul composant volumineux (augmentant le volume) ou d’un mélange de composants volumineux (augmentant le volume) (par exemple, la tourbe, les fibres de bois, la fibre de coco, le compost, la perlite expansée).
Organski izboljševalci tal - Metode za določanje pH, električne prevodnosti, organskega ogljika in organskega dušika
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 19-Apr-2026
- Technical Committee
- KAT - Soil quality
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 11-Feb-2026
- Due Date
- 01-Jul-2026
- Mandate
- M/XXX - M/XXX
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2026
Overview
oSIST prEN 17728:2026:2026 is a draft European Standard developed by CEN/TC 223, focusing on organic soil improvers and their blends within the broad category of fertilizing products. The document specifies which standardized methods should be used for the determination of critical parameters in organic soil improvers, including pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, and organic nitrogen content. While oSIST prEN 17728:2026 does not establish procedural methods itself, it points users to the appropriate referenced standards for these tests, supporting compliance and consistency in the assessment and quality control of soil improvers across Europe.
This standard is particularly significant for manufacturers, importers, and laboratories engaged with fertilizers, growing media, liming materials, and biostimulants that contain a substantial proportion of organic soil improvers.
Key Topics
Parameter Determination:
- pH
- Electrical conductivity
- Organic carbon content
- Organic nitrogen content
Scope and Applicability:
- Covers blends of fertilizing products where organic soil improvers and/or growing media are the dominant component by mass or volume.
- Provides rules for cases where product blends contain equal quantities of multiple components.
- Applies to both solid and liquid forms (in the latter, by dry mass).
Guidance on Standard Selection:
- If organic soil improvers or growing media are not the predominant component, the relevant standard for the dominant material should be applied.
- For blends in equal proportion, the user selects the standard deemed most applicable.
Product Examples:
- Single-component or mixed organic soil improvers, such as peat, compost, wood fibres, coconut coir, or expanded perlite.
Applications
The standard is essential for:
- Manufacturers and Blenders of organic soil improvers and growing media who need reliable, recognized protocols for characterizing their products and demonstrating conformity with EU requirements.
- Quality Control Laboratories charged with verifying key compositional parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter content in soil improvers and related blends.
- Regulatory Compliance with EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, supporting access to the European Single Market.
- Product Development in the field of sustainable agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping, ensuring that new blends and formulations meet standardized quality benchmarks.
- Market Surveillance Authorities, providing a clear reference for assessing products under the classification of organic soil improvers.
Practical Value:
- Ensures uniformity and reliability in product labeling and technical data sheets.
- Facilitates trade in the European Union by harmonizing quality assessment for soil improvers.
- Supports environmental objectives by underpinning the responsible use and monitoring of organic materials in agriculture and horticulture.
Related Standards
Use oSIST prEN 17728:2026 in conjunction with the following referenced standards to ensure complete and compliant testing:
- EN 12579:2024 – Sampling procedures for soil improvers and growing media
- prEN 13037:2025 – Methods for pH determination
- prEN 13038:2025 – Electrical conductivity measurement methods
- prEN 13040-1:2025 – Guidelines for sample preparation
- prEN 18253:2025 – Determination of total organic carbon
- prEN 18255:2025 – Determination of organic nitrogen
- prEN 17732:2025 – Terminology for soil improvers and growing media
By adhering to oSIST prEN 17728:2026:2026 and its referenced documents, stakeholders can navigate the regulatory landscape, achieve regulatory compliance, and guarantee consistent high quality in the production and use of organic soil improvers throughout Europe.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Control Union Certifications
Global certification for agriculture and sustainability.
ECOCERT
Organic and sustainability certification.
Rainforest Alliance Certification
Sustainable agriculture and forestry certification.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
oSIST prEN 17728:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Organic soil improvers - Methods for the determination of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content and organic nitrogen content". This standard covers: This document refers to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in organic soil improvers, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document include: — pH; — electrical conductivity; — organic carbon content; — organic nitrogen content. This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply. NOTE An organic soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
This document refers to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in organic soil improvers, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document include: — pH; — electrical conductivity; — organic carbon content; — organic nitrogen content. This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilising products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilising products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply. NOTE An organic soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
oSIST prEN 17728:2026 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 17728:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST-TS CEN/TS 17728:2022. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
oSIST prEN 17728:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2003/2003, 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.
oSIST prEN 17728:2026 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
Organski izboljševalci tal - Metode za določanje pH, električne prevodnosti,
organskega ogljika in organskega dušika
Organic soil improvers - Methods for the determination of pH, electrical conductivity,
organic carbon content and organic nitrogen content
Organische Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung spezifischer Parameter
Amendements organiques - Vue d'ensemble des méthodes pour la détermination du pH,
de la conductivité électrique, de la teneur en carbone organique et de la teneur en azote
organique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17728
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
January 2026
ICS 65.080 Will supersede CEN/TS 17728:2022
English Version
Organic soil improvers - Methods for the determination of
pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content and
organic nitrogen content
Amendements du sol organiques - Méthodes pour la Organische Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Methoden zur
détermination du pH, de la conductivité électrique, de Bestimmung von pH-Wert, elektrischer Leitfähigkeit,
la teneur en carbone organique et de la teneur en azote organischem Kohlenstoffgehalt und organischem
organique Stickstoffgehalt
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
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 17728:2026 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 Sampling and sample preparation . 6
4.1 Sampling . 6
4.2 Sample preparation . 6
5 Determination . 6
5.1 Determination of pH . 6
5.2 Determination of electrical conductivity . 6
5.3 Determination of the organic carbon content . 6
5.4 Determination of the organic nitrogen content . 6
Bibliography . 8
European foreword
This document (prEN 17728:2026) 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 CEN/TS 17728:2022.
CEN/TS 17728:2022:
— The title has been revised;
— The quantity requirements have been removed from the Introduction;
— An applicability statement has been included in the Scope;
— Clause 2, Normative references, has been updated;
— Clause 5.3, Determination of the organic carbon content, and Clause 5.4, Determination of the organic
nitrogen content, have been added;
— Annex ZA has been added.
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.
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...