1 Scope
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 formulations1, the user decides which standard to apply.