EN 16455:2014
(Main)Conservation of cultural heritage - Extraction and determination of soluble salts in natural stone and related materials used in and from cultural heritage
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard provides a methodology for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of anions and cations obtained by dissolution of soluble salts present in either natural stone or other porous inorganic materials constituting cultural heritage and in materials and products used for their restoration. The methodology requires samples to have been taken from the cultural property.
The main ions considered in this standard are:
Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, SO42 -, Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 09-Sep-2014
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Mar-2015
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 346 - Conservation of cultural property
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 07-May-2026
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 16455:2014 (CEN) defines a standardized methodology for the extraction and determination of soluble salts from natural stone and related porous inorganic materials used in cultural heritage and in products applied for their restoration. The standard covers both qualitative and quantitative analysis of anions and cations obtained by dissolution of salts present in samples taken from the cultural property. Typical target ions include:
- Anions: Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, SO4 2-
- Cations: Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+
The procedure combines sample preparation, conductivity screening and ion-specific analysis (ion chromatography or equivalent), and specifies how to express results (percentage of dry mass and meq/g).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Sampling requirement: Samples must be taken from the cultural property following EN 16085 general sampling rules; sampling location, number and environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity) must be recorded.
- Sample preparation: Powder sub-sample ground to <0.106 mm (140 mesh) and dried at (50 ± 5) °C for (24 ± 1) h or until constant mass.
- Extraction protocol: (100 ± 5) mg of dry powder is dissolved in 100.0 mL ultrapure water (specified specific conductivity) and shaken ~24 h at 25 ± 5 °C (note: up to 72 h may be required for some salts).
- Conductivity screening: Measure specific conductivity of the extract to estimate total dissolved salts prior to detailed ion analysis.
- Ion measurement: Filter extract (0.45 µm) and determine individual ion concentrations (mg/L) using ion chromatography or other validated techniques; report limits of detection and measurement accuracy.
- Result expression: Convert measured concentrations to percentage of dry mass and to meq/g using the formulas provided in the standard.
- Known limitations: Results can be less reliable for some mortars and gypsum-rich stones due to partial dissolution of matrix components affecting conductivity.
Applications and users
EN 16455:2014 is intended for professionals involved in heritage conservation and materials analysis:
- Conservation scientists and analytical laboratories performing salt diagnostics
- Conservation-restoration practitioners assessing salt-related decay risk
- Heritage managers and architects planning conservation strategies
- Contractors and manufacturers testing restoration materials for soluble-salt content
Practical uses include risk assessment of salt weathering, diagnosis of salt sources (environmental, rising damp, materials), evaluation of cleaning or desalination interventions, and quality control of compatible restoration products.
Related standards
- EN 16085:2012 - Methodology for sampling from materials of cultural property
- EN 15898:2011 - Main general terms and definitions (conservation)
- ISO 3310-1 / ISO 3310-2 - Test sieve technical requirements
Keywords: EN 16455:2014, soluble salts analysis, conservation of cultural heritage, natural stone, ion chromatography, conductivity measurement, salt extraction, restoration materials.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 13-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 13-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
CEN/TS 16931-3-4:2020 - Electronic invoicing - Part 3-4: Syntax binding for UN/EDIFACT INVOIC D16B - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 16455:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Conservation of cultural heritage - Extraction and determination of soluble salts in natural stone and related materials used in and from cultural heritage". This standard covers: This European Standard provides a methodology for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of anions and cations obtained by dissolution of soluble salts present in either natural stone or other porous inorganic materials constituting cultural heritage and in materials and products used for their restoration. The methodology requires samples to have been taken from the cultural property. The main ions considered in this standard are: Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, SO42 -, Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+
This European Standard provides a methodology for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of anions and cations obtained by dissolution of soluble salts present in either natural stone or other porous inorganic materials constituting cultural heritage and in materials and products used for their restoration. The methodology requires samples to have been taken from the cultural property. The main ions considered in this standard are: Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, SO42 -, Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+
EN 16455:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 97.195 - Items of art and handicrafts. Cultural property and heritage. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 16455:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 3310-2:2013, ISO 3310-1:2000, EN 15316-4-5:2007, EN 15898:2011, CEN ISO/TR 18486:2017, EN 16085:2012, EN 17488:2021, CEN/TS 16931-3-4:2020, EN 17891:2023, EN 16515:2015. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 16455:2014 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes - Bestimmung von löslichen Salzen in Naturstein und artverwandten Materialien des kulturellen ErbesConservation du patrimoine culturel - Détermination de la teneur en sels solubles de la pierre naturelle et des matériaux associés utilisés dans le patrimoine culturelConservation of cultural heritage - Determination of soluble salts in natural stone and related materials used in cultural heritage97.195Umetniški in obrtniški izdelkiItems of art and handicraftsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16455:2014SIST EN 16455:2014en,fr,de01-november-2014SIST EN 16455:2014SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16455
September 2014 ICS 97.195 English Version
Conservation of cultural heritage - Extraction and determination of soluble salts in natural stone and related materials used in and from cultural heritage
Conservation du patrimoine culturel - Extraction et détermination des sels solubles dans la pierre naturelle et les matériaux associés utilisés dans le patrimoine culturel
Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes - Auflösung und Bestimmung von löslichen Salzen in Naturstein und artverwandten Materialien des kulturellen Erbes This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 July 2014.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
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Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 16455:2014 ESIST EN 16455:2014
(S „ cm−1) .7 7.2 Individual ions .7 8 Test report .8 Bibliography .9
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