Introduction

The establishment of European Standards for methods of sampling and analysis is of utmost importance to guarantee a uniform application and control of the European legislation in all Member States. Standardized methods of sampling and analysis are essential elements in guaranteeing a high level of quality and safety of EC fertilizers for the benefit of purchasers. In order to avoid any improper use of the term “EC fertilizer” Member States are required to check the nutrient content of such fertilizers. To achieve this, representative sampling is essential for reliable analytical results.

Competent authorities have limited resources for conformity assessment and these are most efficiently deployed at the downstream end of the supply chain. The purpose of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [1] is to ensure that the fertilizer meets European requirements and complies with the declaration of the required characteristics applied to it when delivered to a purchaser. EN 1482‑1:2007 might not fully satisfy the needs of Member States when a large quantity of fertilizer is stored in a static heap that cannot be realistically put into motion. An evaluation was requested to be carried out by CEN to see what, if any, static heaps of fertilizer could be representatively sampled at affordable costs see (see [3]).

The fundamental principle of representative sampling is that every particle has an equal chance of being sampled. This principle cannot easily be complied with in the case of bulk static heaps of solid fertilizers as a large proportion of the material cannot practically be reached by any sampling device. Wherever possible, this fertilizer should be sampled during transfer, during the building up of the heap, during dispatch or where it can practically be moved solely for sampling purposes. However, in some cases, sampling in the way described is not practicable. The European Commission asked CEN/TC 260/WG 1 to draft a European Standard in response to mandate M/454, which requires the development of a method of sampling static heaps that could not be sampled according to EN 1482‑1:2007. This states that the sampling of static heaps should only be carried out when the product is in motion.

In response to the mandate, sampling methods to sample static heaps have been developed and standardized as specified in this document.

BS EN 1482-3:2016

Fertilizers and liming materials. Sampling and sample preparation - Sampling of static heaps

Published:

31 Aug 2016

Withdrawn:

24 Dec 2024