BS EN ISO 22475-1:2021

What is ISO 22475‑1 about?  

ISO 22475‑1 is the first part of the multi-series of documents that are applicable to geotechnical investigation and testing on sampling methods and groundwater measurements. 

ISO 22475‑1 deal with principles of sampling of soil, rock and groundwater as part of the programme of geotechnical investigation and testing. 

ISO 22475-1 fulfils the requirements for sampling of soil, rock and groundwater, and groundwater measurements as part of the program of geotechnical investigation and testing according to EN 1997-1 and EN 1997-2. 

The sampling methods, presented in ISO 22475-1 may not be suitable for all types of soil e.g. peat with a strong fibrous structure, while some methods are suitable for both soil and rock. 

Note: Soil sampling for the purposes of agricultural and environmental soil investigation is not covered. Guidance on soil sampling for these purposes including contaminated or potentially contaminated sites is provided in the ISO 18400 series. ISO 18400-204 provides in addition guidance on sampling and measurement of soil (ground) gas. 

Who is ISO 22475‑1  for? 

ISO 22475‑1 on sampling methods for geotechnical investigation and testing is relevant to: 

• Hydrogeologists  
• Civil engineers     
• Geotechnical engineers 
• Technical consultants  
• Contractors 

Why should you use ISO 22475‑1?  

Geotechnical testing is carried out by geotechnical engineers, geotechnical technicians, or engineering geologists to determine the features of a worksite, such as the physical attributes.  

The aim of such ground investigations are: 

• To recover soil, rock and water samples of a quality appropriate to assess the general suitability of a site for geotechnical engineering purposes and to determine the required ground characteristics in the laboratory 
• To obtain information on the sequence, thickness and orientation of strata and discontinuities 
• To establish the type, composition and condition of strata 
• To obtain information on groundwater conditions and recover water samples for assessment of the interaction of groundwater, soil, rock and construction material 

The techniques and methods employed for sampling shall be undertaken as per the purpose of the investigations in relation to the expected geological and hydrogeological conditions. 

ISO 22475-1 covers not only sampling methods but also equipment, procedures, preservation, storage and transport of samples, keeping safety and traceability in mind. 

The principles of sampling methods for soil, rock and groundwater when governed by ISO 22475-1, will enable you to make better decisions about the project's safety, cost-effectiveness, design, and implementation and mitigate risks.  

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN ISO 22475‑1:2021 supersedes BS EN ISO 22475‑1:2006, which is withdrawn. BS EN ISO 22475‑1:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN ISO 22475‑1:2006. These include: 

• Clauses on groundwater measurement will be part of ISO 18674-4 
• New sampling categories for soils have been added 
• Editorial updates have been made