oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025
(Main)Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter - Part 2: Self heating test for compost
- Abstract
This document specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter using a self-heating test. This method is only applicable to composted materials.
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, biowaste compost and green compost).
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 19-Dec-2025
- Technical Committee
- KAT - Soil quality
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 17-Oct-2025
- Due Date
- 06-Mar-2026
- Completion Date
- 19-Dec-2025
- Mandate
- M/XXX - M/XXX
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 is a draft European standard from CEN, distributed by SIST, for soil improvers and growing media. It specifies a self-heating test for composted materials to determine the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter, and it tells laboratories how to prepare the sample, measure the maximum temperature, and report the result.
What does oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 specify?
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 specifies a method for determining aerobic biological activity by means of a self-heating test. The method applies only to composted material, so it is aimed at compost products rather than all soil improvers or growing media.
The document is arranged in clauses 1 to 10, followed by informative Annex A and a bibliography. Clause 1 gives the scope, clauses 4 to 9 cover principle, apparatus, sampling, procedure, results and reporting, and clause 10 covers validation.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | Performance characteristics of the method, based on an interlaboratory study and the compost materials used in that study |
What are the key requirements of oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025?
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 measures the temperature rise of compost in a Dewar vessel. In practice, the maximum temperature is used as an indicator of how biologically active the compost still is.
Measurement set-up and conditions
Clause 5 specifies the key equipment: a 1.5 l Dewar vessel, a temperature device with an accuracy of ± 2 °C, a 10 mm sieve, and a room or climate cabinet held at 20 °C ± 2 °C. This matters because the test result depends on a controlled thermal environment and a consistent container size.
Sampling and sample condition
Clause 6 says sampling is not part of the method and points users to EN 12579:2024. The laboratory needs a representative sample that has not been damaged or changed during transport or storage, otherwise the temperature result may not reflect the product as delivered.
Sample preparation
Clause 7 requires testing as soon as possible after sampling, with storage at 3 °C ± 2 °C for no more than five days if needed. The sample should start the test at 20 °C ± 2 °C, freezing should be avoided, and the material is sieved to 10 mm or less before testing.
The method is not appropriate if more than 30 % of the material remains on the sieve. Moisture must also be adjusted to support microbial activity, and clause 7.2.2 uses the fist test to judge whether the compost is too wet, too dry, or in an acceptable moisture range.
Self-heating test and duration
Clause 7.3 describes filling the Dewar vessel loosely to the rim, placing the temperature sensor in the centre, and leaving the vessel uncovered. The room stays at 20 °C ± 2 °C for the test, which ends when the temperature peak has been reached and the temperature begins to fall, or after ten days at the latest.
If no continuous recorder or digital device is available, the measurement must be done in duplicate with at least 8 hours between readings and at least two measurements within 24 hours. That gives a usable temperature profile even with simpler equipment.
Result and report
Clause 8 expresses the result as the maximum temperature, T, in °C, together with a Rottegrad class from I to V. Clause 9 requires the report to identify the standard used, identify the sample, state the maximum temperature to one decimal place, and record any relevant deviations or optional work cycles.
Clause 10 says the method was validated in accordance with ISO 5725-2, and Annex A gives the performance characteristics from the interlaboratory study.
What terms does oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 define?
- Aerobic biological activity - The biological breakdown process measured here, where oxygen is available.
- Dewar vessel - An insulated vessel used to let the compost heat itself while the temperature is measured.
- Fist test - A hand check used to judge whether compost moisture is suitable for the test.
- Rottegrad - The temperature-based decomposition class reported with the result; the note says it is equivalent to degree of decomposition.
- Repeatability - The closeness of results obtained under the same conditions, used in Annex A performance data.
- Reproducibility - The closeness of results obtained between different laboratories, also reported in Annex A.
Who uses oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025?
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 is used by laboratories that test composted materials, by manufacturers and suppliers of compost, and by quality control teams working with soil improvers and growing media. It is also relevant for buyers or technical assessors who need a common way to compare compost maturity or biological activity. The Annex A study was organized in support of European fertilising product standardization work, so the method also has a role in regulatory and conformity-related testing.
What changed in oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 from the previous edition?
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 will supersede EN 16087-2:2011. The European foreword states that the main technical change is a more precise description of the fist test.
Which standards are used with oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025?
- CEN/TS 17732:2022 - Provides the terminology used in the terms and definitions clause.
- EN 12579:2024 - Provides the sampling method for soil improvers and growing media.
- ISO 5725-2 - Provides the statistical basis used for validation, repeatability and reproducibility.
What does the oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 document contain?
The document contains a principle clause, equipment requirements, sampling guidance, a step-by-step self-heating procedure, result expression, reporting requirements, and validation information. Figure 1 shows the measurement set-up with the open Dewar vessel and temperature sensor. Table 1 links maximum temperature ranges to Rottegrad classes, and Annex A gives the interlaboratory performance characteristics for the compost materials studied.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). 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 degradation rate of organic matter using a self-heating test. This method is only applicable to composted materials. 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, biowaste compost and green compost).
This document specifies a method to determine the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter using a self-heating test. This method is only applicable to composted materials. 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, biowaste compost and green compost).
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 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 16087-2:2025 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 16087-2:2012. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 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.
oSIST prEN 16087-2:2025 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
prEN 16087-2
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.
prEN 16087-2:2025 (E)
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
prEN 16087-2:2025
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.
prEN 16087-2:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
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.
prEN 16087-2:2025 (E)
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
...