KAT - Soil quality

This document specifies a method to determine the visible macroscopic impurities > 2 mm and stones > 5 mm in compost and digestate. Macroscopic impurities are contaminants that are not naturally occurring in soil such as pieces of glass, metal, plastic. This method is not able to make a distinction between compostable and non-compostable plastics.
Fragments of wood or bark are acceptable constituents of the sample and not classified as macroscopic impurities.

This document specifies a method for sampling and handling earthworms from field soils as a prerequisite for using these animals as bioindicators (e.g. to assess the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms).
This document is applicable to all terrestrial biotopes in which earthworms occur. This document does not apply to semi-terrestrial soils (i.e. soils that are partly aquatic, such as bogs, beaches, marshes, stream margins) and it can be difficult to use under extreme climatic or geographical conditions (e.g. in high mountains). Methods for other soil organism groups, such as micro-arthropods and enchytraeids (mesofauna), are covered in other parts of the ISO 23611 series.

This document provides requirements and recommendations for the design of field studies with soil invertebrates (e.g. for the monitoring of the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). It applies to all terrestrial biotopes inhabited by soil invertebrates, although this information can vary according to the national requirements or the climatic and regional conditions of the site to be sampled.
NOTE            While this document aims to be applicable globally, the existing information refers mostly to temperate regions. However, the (few) studies from other (tropical and boreal) regions, as well as theoretical considerations, allow the conclusion that the principles laid down in this document are generally valid.[1]],[[11]],[[12]],[[13]

This document specifies the procedure for screening soils for selected elements using handheld or portable equipment for energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (ED-XRF). It covers the application of this screening method to obtain qualitative or semi-quantitative data to assist decisions on a sampling strategy for detailed assessment of soil quality employing laboratory analytical chemical methods.
NOTE 1        Screening methods generally provide qualitative or semi-quantitative concentration values that are indicative of concentration values, although occasionally they can give quantitative results under specific or limited conditions.
NOTE 2        The greater the effort applied to the pretreatment of soil samples, the better the analytical results that can be expected (see e.g. Reference [19]).
This document does not explicitly specify elements for which it is applicable, since the applicability depends on the performance of the apparatus and the objective of the screening. The elements which can be determined are limited by the performance of the instrument used, the concentrations of particular elements present in the soil, and the requirements of the investigation in terms of the minimum concentrations of concern (e.g. guideline value).
NOTE 3        The XRF measurements of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, V and Zn were validated as described in Annex A.
NOTE 4        Annex B provides examples of when screening with a handheld ED-XRF spectrometer and a portable ED-XRF spectrometer can be useful.
This document does not provide guidance on how to use the equipment to provide quantitative data for use in detailed site assessments. This document does not cover how the results of multiple determinations are synthesized to address the objectives of an ED-XRF determination.

This document specifies the general requirements on procedures for the preservation, handling and storage of samples of sewage and waterworks sludge, suspended matter, marine sediments and freshwater sediments for either chemical, physical, radiochemical, hydrobiological or microbiological examination, or all, in the laboratory.
The procedures in this document are not applicable to dried samples of sludge, sediment and suspended matter.
NOTE            The storage conditions given do not necessarily apply for derived samples, e.g. sediment eluates or extracts.
This document is not applicable to samples intended for biotesting with ecotoxicological or biological assays (which is specified in ISO 5667-16[5]) nor intended for microplastics (which is specified in ISO 5667-27[7]).

This document specifies both a procedure for preliminary examination of a single sample as received for testing, and a procedure for preparing a test sample by blending and reduction of a series of samples representative of a consignment or a bulk delivery of fluid fertilizer.
NOTE            This document complements the corresponding standard for solid fertilizers (ISO 14820-2).

This document specifies the procedure for a quantitative determination of major and trace element concentrations in homogeneous solid waste, soil, soil-like material and sludge by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry or wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry using a calibration with matrix-matched standards.
This document is applicable for the following elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, I, Cs, Ba, Ta, W, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U. Concentration levels between a mass fraction of approximately 0,000 1 % and 100 % can be determined depending on the element and the instrument used.
An optional XRF screening method for solid and liquid material as waste, sludge and soil is added in Annex A which provides a total element characterization at a semi-quantitative level, where the calibration is based on matrix-independent calibration curves, previously set up by the manufacturer.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the dimensions and of the bulk density of pre-shaped growing media.
In this document, "pre-shaped growing media":
-   includes solid, regular shaped, stable growing media sold, or which are ready for use, as a growing medium, where the dimensions and any corners are stable;
-   excludes plugs;
NOTE   For the determination of the dimensions and the bulk density of plugs, EN 18250:-  applies [1].
-   excludes solid growing media that has to be hydrated for it to form, varies in dimension with varying water content - for example, coir or peat slabs or growing bags.

This document provides information on the processes and technologies for inorganic substance and nutrient recovery from sludge.
This document is applicable to sludge and products from urban wastewater collection systems, night soil, wastewater treatment plants for urban and similar industrial waters. It includes all sludge that can have either similar environmental or health impacts, or both.
Hazardous sludge from industry and dredged sludge are excluded from this document.

This document defines terms relating to liming materials.
An index of all terms defined in this part of the EN 12944 series is given in Annex A in English, French and German.

This document specifies the crucial steps of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method to measure the abundance of selected microbial gene sequences from soil DNA extract. The number of microbial gene sequences quantified by qPCR provides an estimation of the abundance of selected microbial groups in soil.

This document specifies the determination of Cr(VI) in solid waste material and soil by alkaline digestion and ion chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. This method can be used to determine Cr(VI)-mass fractions in solids higher than 0,1 mg/kg.
NOTE       In case of reducing or oxidising waste matrix no valid Cr(VI) content can be reported.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the following elements in aqua regia, nitric acid or mixture of hydrochloric (HCl), nitric (HNO3) and tetrafluoroboric (HBF4)/hydrofluoric (HF) acid digests of soil, treated biowaste, waste, sludge and sediment:
aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), cerium (Ce), caesium (Cs), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), gold (Au), hafnium (Hf), holmium (Ho), indium (In), iridium (Ir), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), lutetium (Lu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), neodymium (Nd), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), phosphorus (P), platinum (Pt), potassium (K), praseodymium (Pr), rhenium (Re), rhodium (Rh), rubidium (Rb), ruthenium (Ru), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se), silicon (Si), silver (Ag), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), sulfur (S), tellurium (Te), terbium (Tb), thallium (Tl), thorium (Th), thulium (Tm), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), uranium (U), vanadium (V), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), and zirconium (Zr).
NOTE 1        Details on validation are given in Annex A.
This method is also applicable for the determination of major, minor and trace elements in aqua regia and nitric acid digests and in eluates of construction products (EN 17200[7]).
NOTE 2        Construction products include e.g. mineral-based products, bituminous products, metals, wood-based products, plastics and rubbers, sealants and adhesives, paints and coatings.

This document specifies an instrumental method for the routine determination of the specific electrical conductivity in an aqueous extract of soil, sludge, biowaste or waste. The determination is carried out to obtain an indication of the content of water-soluble electrolytes in a sample.
This document is applicable to all types of air-dried samples of soil, sludge, biowaste and waste.

This document specifies methods for the calculation of the dry matter fraction of sludge, sludge products, treated biowaste, soil and waste for which the results of performed analysis are calculated to the dry matter basis. Depending on the nature and origin of the sample, the calculation is based on a determination of the dry residue (method A) or a determination of the water content (methods A and B). It applies to samples containing more than 1 % (mass fraction) of dry residue or more than 1 % (mass fraction) of water.
Method A applies to sludge, sludge products, treated biowaste, soil and solid waste. Method B applies to liquid waste and to samples which are suspected or known to contain volatiles except for water.

This document establishes requirements and recommendations for the operation of the anaerobic digestion of sludge in order to support safe and sufficient operation of anaerobic digestion facilities to produce to produce sufficient biogas and control by-products qualities.
In particular, conditions to optimize mixing within the reactor and appropriate control systems management for safe and reliable operation are described in this document. Performance of the processes in terms of biogas and digestate production are presented depending on type of technologies available on the market. Blending sludge with waste (co-substrate) and mixing the sludge with organic wastes to increase digester loading are also considered.
This document is applicable to decision-makers and operators in charge of an anaerobic digestion system.

This document describes and specifies the requirements of products of natural origin and products from industrial processes of basic and fine quality to be used as liming materials in agriculture for raising the pH of soil (and water).

This document specifies a method for the determination of nutrient polymers nitrogen in presence of the other forms of nitrogen in inorganic fertilizers.
The method is applicable to all fertilizers which do not contain interfering organic compounds.
NOTE   Nutrient polymers are methylen-urea (MU), in liquid and in solid form.

This document defines terms used in the field of soil quality.

This document specifies methods for quantitative determination of seven selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180) in soil, sludge, sediment, treated biowaste, and waste using GC-MS and GC-ECD (see Table 2).
The limit of detection depends on the determinants, the equipment used, the quality of chemicals used for the extraction of the sample and the clean-up of the extract.
Under the conditions specified in this document, lower limit of application from 1 μg/kg (expressed as dry matter) for soils, sludge and biowaste to 10 μg/kg (expressed as dry matter) for solid waste can be achieved. For some specific samples the limit of 10 μg/kg cannot be reached.
Sludge, waste and treated biowaste may differ in properties, as well as in the expected contamination levels of PCB and presence of interfering substances. These differences make it impossible to describe one general procedure. This document contains decision tables based on the properties of the sample and the extraction and clean-up procedure to be used.
NOTE            The analysis of PCB in insulating liquids, petroleum products, used oils and aqueous samples is referred to in EN 61619, EN 12766-1 and ISO 6468 respectively.
The method can be applied to the analysis of other PCB congeners not specified in the scope, provided suitability is proven by proper in-house validation experiments.

This document provides requirements and guidance on key aspects of remediation techniques. It describes the principles, main characteristics, advantages and limitations to be considered in the selection within an option appraisal of individual or combinations of in situ and on-site remediation techniques, including:
—     the type of contaminants to be dealt with;
—     current and/or intended site use;
—     local legal, policy, socio-economic and environmental contexts.
This document is applicable to the remediation of contaminated sites, i.e. where soil, or soil gas, ambient air or groundwater are contaminated. It identifies which phase/matrix can be targeted by a technique, e.g. fluid (groundwater, gas, non-aqueous phase liquid) or solid, and which contaminant it can applied to. This document also provides information on hazards that can be associated with the implementation of remediation.
This document does not provide:
—     an exhaustive list of remediation techniques;
—     guidance on sites contaminated with radioactive substances, pathogenic or infectious agents, or “pyrotechnic devices” (e.g. unexploded ordnances);
—     guidance on ex situ techniques that are set up off-site;
—     a framework that covers all individual situations, or prescribes which technique(s) to use in a specific context.

This document is applicable to the sampling of the following solid inorganic fertilizers and liming materials supplied or ready for supply, and stored in static heaps:
-   Single nutrient fertilizers,
-   Uniform complex fertilizers,
-   Milled, granulated or dredged liming materials,
-   Any other materials deemed suitable for sampling by the method described in this part of the standard,
for the purpose of testing for compliance with legal requirements and other descriptions and declarations.
NOTE 1   The term “fertilizer” is used throughout the body of this document and includes liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   Manufacturers, importers and sellers might choose to use this method to obtain samples of other products or blends as well as long as both parties to a transaction agree. The build-up of a static heap often leads to granulometric segregation, which makes the collection of a truly representative sample unlikely.
NOTE 3   It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and sellers, however, to ensure they supply a product that complies with its label declaration at the moment of delivery and fulfils the expectations of the end user at the moment of application.

This document specifies methods for the reduction and preparation of samples of fertilizers, liming materials, inhibitors and blends and sets out the requirements for sample preparation reports. It also specifies methods for the preparation of test samples and test portions from laboratory samples of fertilizer for subsequent chemical or physical analysis. It does not cover the preparation of samples for certain physical tests which require test portions of more than 2 kg.
NOTE 1   The term “fertilizer” is used throughout the body of this document and is understood to include liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE 2   In relation to the procedures set out in this part of the standard any special procedures specific to a particular test method will be set out in that method standard.

This document specifies a method for sampling, extracting and preserving macro-invertebrates from soils, including the litter zone.
The sampling and extraction methods in this document are applicable to almost all types of soil, with the exception of soils in extreme climatic conditions (hard, frozen or flooded soils) and matrices other than soil, e.g. tree trunks, plants or lichens.

This document specifies sampling plans and methods of representative sampling of inorganic fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors for physical and chemical analysis, from packages and containers up to and including 1 000 kg, in liquid and solid form. This document covers sampling of products in bulk only while in motion.
NOTE 1   The sampling of bulk heaps of specified types of fertilizers is covered in prEN 1482 3. Sampling for detection of microbial presence is covered by prEN 1482 4.
NOTE 2   The term product is used throughout the body of this document and is understood to include inorganic fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors unless otherwise indicated.
It is applicable to the sampling of batches of fertilizer, liming material and inhibitors supplied or ready for supply to third parties, as such, or in smaller batches, each of which would be subject to local, national or regional legislation.
This document does not cover complete, statistical sampling plans.
This document is also applicable to the blends of products where inorganic fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are the main part of the blend in quantity. If fertilizers, liming materials, or inhibitors are not the main part of the blend, the European Standard for the main part of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of parts in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Special care is needed to ensure that the blend is/stays homogeneous and well mixed when sampled.
NOTE 3   It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers and sellers, however, to ensure they supply a product that complies with its label declaration at the moment of delivery and fulfils the expectations of the end user at the moment of application.

This document specifies the general rules to determine the concentration of microorganisms present in plant biostimulants expressed as the number of active units per volume or weight, or in any other manner that is relevant to the microorganism, e.g. colony forming units per gram (cfu/g).
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a horizontal method for the detection of enteropathogenic Vibrio species (spp.), which causes human illness in or via the intestinal tract. The species detectable by the methods specified include Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus.
It is applicable to the microbial plant biostimulants.
NOTE 1   The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified that V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae and V. vulnificus are the major contaminants of Vibrio spp. [2].
NOTE 2   For confirmation, it is possible to use PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests; in this case a validation is carried out by the laboratory for the procedure and data generated.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for determination of the content of mercury (Hg) in plant biostimulants using (cold) vapour generation apparatus coupled to an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a method using a direct amalgamation technique. It is applicable to aqua regia digests prepared according to EN 17701-1:2024.
NOTE   It is also possible to use other suitable methods for the determination of mercury described in Annex A if users prove that the method gives the same results as the methods described in this document.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Inhibitors, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for the extraction and determination of phosphonates (P-PO3) in plant biostimulants using ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD).
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Inhibitors, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms that are able to grow and form colonies in a solid medium after anaerobic incubation at 30 °C.
The method applies to microbial plant biostimulants, except those composed of aerobic bacteria.
This method does not apply to the microbiological monitoring of the environment in which microbial plant biostimulants are manufactured.
No information about potential human pathogens can be inferred from anaerobic plate counts.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document was developed to provide the methodology for the enumeration and determination of Azotobacter spp. [2] [3] in microbial plant biostimulants in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council [1].
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for verifying that hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is not present in plant biostimulants.
This document is applicable to all types of plant biostimulants (solid and liquid) used in agriculture.
The method specified is suitable to quantify the chromium(VI) content in plant biostimulants down to 2 mg/kg.
The results obtained from this method are strictly dependent on the extraction conditions. Results obtained by using other extraction procedures (extraction solution, pH, extraction time, etc.) are not comparable with the results produced by the procedure specified in this document.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Inhibitors, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies general rules for the aerobic preparation of the initial suspension and of dilutions for microbiological examinations of microbial plant biostimulants.
This horizontal method might not be applicable in very detail for certain products. In this case, different methods which are specific to these products can be used if necessary, for justified technical reasons.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulant and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration of yeasts and moulds present in plant biostimulants intended for use in agriculture, by means of the colony count technique after aerobic incubation at 25 °C ± 2,5 °C.
This document allows the enumeration of yeasts and moulds, in technical and formulated plant biostimulants, both in liquid and solid states. The method is applicable to microbial plant biostimulants except those composed of fungi or yeasts.
If necessary, yeasts and moulds enumerated can be identified using suitable identification tests.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document provides the methodology for the enumeration and determination of Rhizobiaceae (Rhizobium spp., Mesorhizobium spp., Ensifer spp., Bradyrhizobium spp.).
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies methods for the reduction and preparation of samples of non-microbial plant biostimulants and sets out the requirements for sample preparation reports. It specifies methods for the preparation of test samples and test portions from laboratory samples of plant biostimulants for subsequent chemical, biological or physical analysis.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products: Fertilizers/Liming Materials/Soil Improvers/Growing Media/Inhibitors/Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.
This document does not include methods for the reduction and preparation of samples of microbial plant biostimulants and samples intended for determination of microbial pathogens, which will be covered by a different European Standard.

This document specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration and genus/species determination [2], [3], [4] of mycorrhizal fungi in microbial plant biostimulants.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document gives guidance on a consistent approach to justify the claims associated with the use of plant biostimulants.
This document is aimed primarily at manufacturers, laboratories, researchers, technical centres, and companies that intend to place plant biostimulants on the market, as well as notifying authorities, notified bodies, and market surveillance authorities.
To be in compliance with this standard, it is important to also follow the recommendations and quality criteria described in the standard EN 17700-1:2024 on general principles to demonstrate plant biostimulant claims.

This document specifies a method for the determination of total contents of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in aqua regia plant biostimulant digests using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Inhibitors, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.
This method is applicable to aqua regia digests prepared according to EN 17701-1:2024. The method can be used for the determination of other elements, provided the user has verified the applicability.
NOTE   Alternatively, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used for the determination of the elements in the aqua regia digests if the user proves that the method gives the same results.

This document gives guidance on a consistent approach to justify the claims associated with the use of plant biostimulants.
This document is aimed primarily at manufacturers, laboratories, researchers, technical centres and companies that intend to place plant biostimulants on the market, as well as notifying authorities, notified bodies, and market surveillance authorities.
To be in compliance with this standard, it is important to also follow the recommendations and quality criteria described in the standard EN 17700-1:2024 on general principles to demonstrate plant biostimulant claims.

This document specifies a potentiometric method for the determination of chloride (Cl-) content in the presence or in the absence of organic material. This method is applicable to plant biostimulants.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Inhibitors, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for the detection of Salmonella spp. in biostimulants.
This document is applicable to all microbial biostimulants in agriculture.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document gives guidance on a consistent approach to justify the claims associated with the use of plant biostimulants.
This document is aimed primarily at manufacturers, laboratories, researchers, technical centres, and companies that intend to place plant biostimulants on the market, as well as notifying authorities, notified bodies, and market surveillance authorities.
To be in compliance with this standard, it is important to also follow the recommendations and quality criteria described in the standard EN 17700-1:2024 on general principles to demonstrate plant biostimulant claims.

This document specifies a method to verify that the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is absent from microbial plant biostimulants. The method is based on the enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci in a sample by counting of colonies obtained on a solid medium (Baird-Parker medium) after aerobic incubation at 36 °C ± 2 °C.
This document is applicable to all formulations of microbial plant biostimulants in liquid or solid form. This document is not applicable to other fertilizing products.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in microbial plant biostimulants.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for the enumeration of enterococci in microbial and non-microbial plant biostimulants. This document specifies a colony-count technique on a selective medium (Slanetz-Bartley agar) with confirmation on Bile Esculin Azide agar.
This document is applicable to all formulations of microbial and non-microbial plant biostimulants in liquid or solid form. This document is not applicable to other fertilizing products.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies the general principles for justifying the product claims for plant biostimulants. It is applicable to all claims and all types of application of plant biostimulants.
General principles define all general parameters, requirements and quality criteria to be applied in order to assess trials conducted to validate the claim(s) associated with the use of a plant biostimulant.
This document is aimed primarily at manufacturers, laboratories, researchers, technical centres and companies that intend to place plant biostimulants on the market, as well as notifying authorities, notified bodies, and market surveillance authorities.

This document provides the methodology for the enumeration and determination of Azospirillum spp. in microbial plant biostimulants.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Plant Biostimulants and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.

This document specifies a method for extraction, separation, and determination of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in plant biostimulants using anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or ion chromatography (IC) coupled to ICP-MS.
This document is applicable to the blends of fertilizing products where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following component EU fertilising products categories: Fertilizers, Liming Materials, Soil Improvers, Growing Media, Inhibitors, Plant Biostimulants, and where the following category Plant Biostimulants is the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If Plant Biostimulants is not the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard for the highest percentage of the blend applies. In case a blend of fertilizing products is composed of components in equal quantity or in case the component EU fertilising products used for the blend have identical formulations , the user decides which standard to apply.