FprEN 15960

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a method applicable to inorganic fertilizers for the extraction with diluted mineral acid of total calcium, total magnesium and total sodium and for the extraction of total sulfur present in the form of sulfates, so that the same extract can be used for the determination of each nutrient required.; NOTE In case of inorganic fertilizers, the term "total" refers to secondary nutrients extractable in diluted mineral acid.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 13-Jan-2027
• ICS: 65.080 - Fertilizers
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 260 - Fertilizers and liming materials
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 260/WG 7 - Chemical analysis
• Current Stage: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Start Date: 16-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 01-Jan-2027
• Completion Date: 16-Jul-2026
• Directive: Harmonized Standard2019/1009 - Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 laying down rules on the making available on the market of EU fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 (Text with EEA relevance)
• Mandate: M/564 - Fertilising products in support of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009
• Mandate: M/564 Amd 1 - amending Implementing Decision C(2020) 612 as regards certain harmonised standards and standardisation deliverables, deadlines for their adoption and the duration of the validity of the standardisation request
• Mandate: M/564 Amd 2 - Commission Implementing decision amending Implementing Decision C(2020)612 as regards harmonised standards, the deadlines for the adoption of those standards and the duration of the validity of the standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation as regards the EU fertilising products in support of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 15960:2026 - Inorganic fertilizers - Extraction of total calcium, total magnesium, total sodium and total sulfur in the forms of sulfates

• Revises: EN 15960:2011 - Fertilizers - Extraction of total calcium, total magnesium, total sodium and total sulfur in the forms of sulfates
• Effective Date: 02-Apr-2025

Overview

FprEN 15960 is a European standard developed by CEN that outlines a reliable method for the extraction of total calcium, total magnesium, total sodium, and total sulfur (in the form of sulfates) from inorganic fertilizers. This standardized procedure uses diluted mineral acid extraction, enabling the simultaneous determination of these key nutrients from a single fertilizer sample extract. The standard is essential for laboratories and fertilizer manufacturers aiming for consistent, accurate, and comparable nutrient analyses across the EU fertilizer industry.

Key Topics

• Scope: Applies to inorganic fertilizers with calcium, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur in sulfate form.
• Extraction Method: Utilizes diluted hydrochloric acid to efficiently extract all target nutrients in one step.
• Laboratory Requirements: Stipulates recognized analytical-grade reagents, specific apparatus (such as electric hot plates and filtration materials), and sample preparation steps to ensure homogeneity and accuracy.
• Reporting: Specifies required content for test reports, ensuring traceability and result transparency.
• Sample Preparation: Focuses on minimizing contamination and ensuring samples are representative of the batch.

Applications

The method set out in FprEN 15960 is widely used for:

• Quality Control: Fertilizer producers use this standard to verify the nutrient content of inorganic fertilizers, ensuring products meet regulatory requirements and label claims.
• Regulatory Compliance: Laboratories employ the method for official controls and conformity assessments within the European Single Market, facilitating compliance with EU fertilizer legislation.
• Research and Development: R&D teams in agriculture and agrochemical sectors utilize the extraction technique to develop new fertilizer formulations and improve existing products.
• Harmonized Testing: By providing a uniform extraction protocol, FprEN 15960 supports harmonized testing procedures across different laboratories and jurisdictions, promoting consistent quality measurement.

Key Benefits

• Saves Time and Resources: Single-step extraction enables efficient assessment of multiple nutrients.
• Enhances Accuracy: Standardized apparatus and reagents minimize the risk of errors and variability.
• Ensures Transparency: Comprehensive test reporting fosters accountability and reliability in analytical results.
• Supports Market Access: Adhering to this CEN standard facilitates trade and product movement across European borders by meeting recognized quality benchmarks.

Related Standards

To ensure compatibility and uphold quality across the fertilizer sector, users of FprEN 15960 should also be aware of related standards:

• EN 1482-1: Fertilizers, liming materials, and inhibitors – Sampling and sample preparation – Part 1: General sampling provisions
• EN 1482-2: Fertilizers, liming materials, and inhibitors – Sampling and sample preparation – Part 2: General sample preparation provisions
• EN 12944-1: Fertilizers and liming materials – Vocabulary – Part 1: General terms
• EN 12944-2: Fertilizers and liming materials – Vocabulary – Part 2: Terms relating to fertilizers

Conclusion

Implementing FprEN 15960 enables consistent extraction and determination of key nutrients in inorganic fertilizers, supporting quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and reliable product analysis across the European fertilizer industry. This European standard not only streamlines laboratory testing processes but also helps manufacturers and laboratories meet strict EU fertilizer regulations through harmonized and validated methodologies.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2026
Anorganska gnojila - Ekstrakcija celotnega kalcija, magnezija, natrija in celotnega
žvepla v obliki sulfata
Inorganic fertilizers - Extraction of total calcium, total magnesium, total sodium and total
sulfur in the forms of sulfates
Anorganische Düngemittel - Extraktion von Gesamtcalcium, Gesamtmagnesium und
Gesamtnatrium sowie von Gesamtschwefel in Form von Sulfat
Engrais inorganiques - Extraction du calcium total, du magnésium total, du sodium total
et du soufre total présent sous forme de sulfate
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 15960
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 15960
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2025
ICS 65.080 Will supersede EN 15960:2011
English Version
Inorganic fertilizers - Extraction of total calcium, total
magnesium, total sodium and total sulfur in the forms of
sulfates
Engrais inorganiques - Extraction du calcium total, du Anorganische Düngemittel - Extraktion von
magnésium total, du sodium total et du soufre total Gesamtcalcium, Gesamtmagnesium und
présent sous forme de sulfate Gesamtnatrium sowie von Gesamtschwefel in Form
von Sulfat
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 260.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 15960:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 15960:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
5 Sampling and sample preparation . 4
6 Reagents . 4
7 Apparatus . 5
8 Procedure . 5
8.1 Test portion . 5
8.2 Extraction . 5
9 Test report . 5
Bibliography . 6

--
...