This document specifies a method for the determination of elements in soil improvers or growing media extracts using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
NOTE 1 Alternatively, other suitable analytical techniques, e.g. inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), are suitable for the measurement if the user proves that the method gives the same results.
This method is applicable to aqua regia extracts prepared according to EN 13650.
NOTE 2 The method is suitable for the determination of other elements, provided the user has verified the applicability.
NOTE 3 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 biowaste compost (dry HM spiked, Rottegrad 3, milled, sieved at 0,5 mm, dried and spiked), green compost (dry HM spiked, Rottegrad 5, milled, sieved at 0,5 mm, dried and spiked), liquid digestate (HM spiked, sieved 0 mm to 12 mm, spiked), expanded clay (dry HM spiked, milled, sieved at 0,5 mm, dried and spiked), mineral wool (fresh), soil improver (dry HM spiked, milled, sieved at 0,5 mm, dried and spiked) and growing media blend 1 dry HM spiked, white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements), milled, sieved at 0,5 mm, dried and spiked)).
NOTE: If the word "harmonized" (marked in green) is not found in the field with the name of the directive, it means that the European standard is not cited in the OJEU.
PROJECT
naSRPS EN 18259:2025
45.99
Dispatch of FV draft to CCMC
Jul 28, 2026