FprEN 17729
(Main)Soil improvers - Methods for the determination of dry matter content, quantity, total copper and zinc content, water soluble chloride content, organic and total nitrogen content, total P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) and K2O (potassium oxide) content
- Abstract
This document specifies references to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in soil improvers, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document are:
— dry matter content;
— quantity;
— total copper and zinc content;
— water soluble chloride content;
— organic and total nitrogen content;
— total P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) and K2O (potassium oxide) content.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilizing products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilizing products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply.
NOTE A soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Jan-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 223 - Soil improvers and growing media
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 223/WG 6 - Harmonization
- Current Stage
- 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
- Start Date
- 19-Aug-2026
- Due Date
- 26-Aug-2026
- Completion Date
- 19-Aug-2026
- Mandate
- M/XXX - M/XXX
FprEN 17729 is a CEN draft European Standard for soil improvers. It specifies which referenced methods are used to determine dry matter content, quantity, copper and zinc content, chloride content, nitrogen content, and P2O5 and K2O content in solid soil improvers and in certain fertilising product blends. It is intended for producers, laboratories, and conformity assessors who need a common basis for sampling, testing, and regulatory checks.
What does FprEN 17729 specify?
FprEN 17729 specifies references to methods for determining selected parameters in soil improvers, but it does not contain the test methods themselves. Its role is to point the user to the correct sampling, preparation, and analysis standards so results are generated in a comparable way.
The document applies to solid soil improvers and to fertilising product blends only when soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage by mass or volume, or by dry mass for liquid products. If another component is dominant, the standard for that component applies. If the blend components are mixed in equal quantities, the user chooses which standard to apply.
The document is organized into:
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Sampling and sample preparation
- Determination
- Annex ZA and bibliography
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| ZA | Relationship between this European Standard and the essential requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 |
What are the key requirements of FprEN 17729?
FprEN 17729 mainly sets out which external standards to use for each stage of control, from sampling through to the individual determinations. In practice, that means a laboratory or quality team must follow the cited procedures exactly if it wants results that fit this standard.
Sampling and sample preparation
Clause 4.1 requires sampling for quality and quantity control to follow EN 12579:2024. Clause 4.2 requires sample preparation for chemical and physical tests to follow prEN 13040-1:2025, Clauses 6 to 10. This matters because poor sampling or preparation can distort every later result.
Dry matter and nitrogen
Clause 5.1 sends dry matter content to prEN 13040-1:2025, Clause 11. Clause 5.2 gives two nitrogen routes - the modified Kjeldahl method in prEN 13654-1:2025, Clause 9, and the Dumas method in prEN 13654-2:2025, Clause 9. In practice, the lab can choose the route that fits its equipment and reporting needs, but the chosen route must be the one specified.
P2O5, K2O, copper, zinc, and chloride
Clause 5.3 assigns aqua regia soluble P2O5 and K2O content to prEN 18259:2025, Clause 9. Clause 5.4 assigns copper and zinc content to the same referenced clause. Clause 5.6 assigns chloride content to prEN 18252:2025, Clause 8. This keeps the chemical determinations tied to fixed, named methods instead of ad hoc laboratory practice.
Quantity
Clause 5.5 splits quantity determination by particle size. Materials with particle size up to 60 mm use EN 12580:2022, Clause 8, while materials with particle size greater than 60 mm use EN 15238:2022, Clauses 8 to 10. This distinction matters because coarse products need a different measuring approach than finer materials.
Regulatory link
Annex ZA links the document to Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 for EU fertilising products. For the clauses covered there, the standard is intended as one voluntary means of showing conformity within its scope. For users, that means the document is not only a test-method index but also part of the conformity route for relevant EU products.
What terms does FprEN 17729 define?
FprEN 17729 takes its terms and definitions from prEN 17732:2025, Soil improvers and growing media - Terminology. Key terms used in the document include:
- Soil improver - a single bulky component or a mix of bulky components, such as peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, or expanded perlite.
- Growing media - a related product category used in blends and covered by the same terminology base as soil improvers.
- Fertilising product blend - a mix of two or more fertilising products from the listed categories.
- Dry matter content - the portion of the product remaining after water is removed, used to compare materials on a consistent basis.
- Quantity - the amount of product determined by the referenced quantity methods, by mass or volume depending on the material.
- Modified Kjeldahl method - one of the two nitrogen determination routes named by the standard.
- Dumas method - the alternative nitrogen determination route named by the standard.
- PFC 3 - the product function category for soil improvers under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009.
Who uses FprEN 17729?
FprEN 17729 is used by manufacturers of soil improvers and fertilising product blends, testing laboratories, quality managers, and conformity assessment bodies. It is also relevant to buyers and regulators who need a shared basis for checking dry matter, quantity, nutrient content, and contaminant-related parameters in the EU fertilising products framework.
What changed in FprEN 17729 from the previous edition?
FprEN 17729 supersedes CEN/TS 17729:2022. The draft states these significant changes:
- The title has been revised.
- Quantity requirements have been added to the Introduction.
- An applicability statement has been added to the Scope.
- Clause 2, Normative references, has been updated.
- Annex ZA has been added.
Which standards are used with FprEN 17729?
| Reference | What it contributes |
|---|---|
| prEN 17732:2025 | Terminology for soil improvers and growing media |
| EN 12579:2024 | Sampling for quality and quantity control |
| EN 12580:2022 | Determination of quantity for materials with particle size up to 60 mm |
| prEN 13040-1:2025 | Sample preparation and dry matter content method basis |
| prEN 13654-1:2025 | Nitrogen by modified Kjeldahl method |
| prEN 13654-2:2025 | Nitrogen by Dumas method |
| EN 15238:2022 | Quantity determination for materials with particle size greater than 60 mm |
| prEN 18252:2025 | Chloride content determination |
| prEN 18259:2025 | Aqua regia soluble elements, used here for P2O5, K2O, copper, and zinc |
What does the FprEN 17729 document contain?
FprEN 17729 contains the framework for sampling, sample preparation, and parameter-specific determinations, but the detailed laboratory procedures are in the referenced standards. Its main technical content is the mapping from each required parameter to the correct external method and clause.
The document also contains Annex ZA, which gives the relationship between the European Standard and Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. Table ZA.1 shows which clauses support the essential requirements for soil improvers in that regulation.
Its bibliography cites the EU fertilising products Regulation and prEN 13650:2025 for aqua regia digestion. That helps readers trace the wider method family used around these determinations.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 20-Nov-2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
FprEN 17729 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Soil improvers - Methods for the determination of dry matter content, quantity, total copper and zinc content, water soluble chloride content, organic and total nitrogen content, total P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) and K2O (potassium oxide) content". This standard covers: This document specifies references to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in soil improvers, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document are: — dry matter content; — quantity; — total copper and zinc content; — water soluble chloride content; — organic and total nitrogen content; — total P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) and K2O (potassium oxide) content. This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilizing products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilizing products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply. NOTE A soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
This document specifies references to methods to be used for the determination of specific parameters in soil improvers, but does not contain the methods themselves. The specific parameters in this document are: — dry matter content; — quantity; — total copper and zinc content; — water soluble chloride content; — organic and total nitrogen content; — total P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) and K2O (potassium oxide) content. This document is applicable to the fertilizing product blends where a blend is a mix of two or more fertilizing products belonging to the categories of fertilizers, liming material, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors and plant biostimulants, and where soil improvers and/or growing media are the components with the highest percentage in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of products in liquid form by dry mass. If the soil improvers and/or growing media are not the components with the highest percentage in the blend, the European Standard relevant to the component with the highest percentage in the blend applies. In case a blend is composed of fertilizing products mixed in equal quantities, the user of the standard decides which standard to apply. NOTE A soil improver consists of a single bulky (volume-building) component or a mix of bulky (volume-building) components (for example peat, wood fibres, coconut coir, compost, expanded perlite).
FprEN 17729 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 65.080 - Fertilizers. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
FprEN 17729 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to CEN/TS 17729:2022. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
FprEN 17729 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2003/2003, 2019/1009; Standardization Mandates: M/564, M/564 AMD 1, M/564 AMD 2, M/XXX. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
FprEN 17729 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)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2026
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Metode za določanje suhe snovi, količine,
bakra, cinka, klorida, dušika, P2O5 in K2O
Soil improvers - Methods for the determination of the dry matter, quantity, copper, zinc,
chloride, nitrogen, P2O5 and K2O content
Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung spezifischer Parameter
Amendements du sol - Vue d'ensemble des méthodes pour la détermination de la
matière sèche, de la quantité, du cuivre, du zinc, des chlorures, de l'azote, et de la
teneure en P2O5 et K2O
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17729
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 17729
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2025
ICS Will supersede CEN/TS 17729:2022
English Version
Soil improvers - Methods for the determination of the dry
matter, quantity, copper, zinc, chloride, nitrogen, P2O5 and
K2O content
Amendements du sol - Vue d'ensemble des méthodes Bodenverbesserungsmittel - Bestimmung spezifischer
pour la détermination de la matière sèche, de la Parameter
quantité, du cuivre, du zinc, des chlorures, de l'azote, et
de la teneure en P2O5 et K2O
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 223.
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 17729:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
prEN 17729:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Sampling and sample preparation . 6
4.1 Sampling . 6
4.2 Sample preparation for chemical and physical tests . 6
5 Determination . 6
5.1 Determination of the dry matter content . 6
5.2 Determination of the nitrogen content . 6
5.2.1 Modified Kjeldahl method . 6
5.2.2 Dumas method . 6
5.3 Determination of the aqua regia soluble P O and K O content . 6
2 5 2
5.4 Determination of the copper and zinc content . 6
5.5 Determination of quantity . 7
5.5.1 Determination of quantity for materials up a particle size up to 60 mm . 7
5.5.2 Determination of quantity (indicated by volume or mass) for materials up a particle
size greater than 60 mm . 7
5.6 Determination of the chloride content . 7
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship of this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 making available on the market of EU
fertilising products aimed to be covered . 8
Bibliography . 9
prEN 17729:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 17729:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 223 “Soil
improvers and growing media”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN enquiry.
This document will supersede CEN/TS 17729:2022.
This document includes the following significant technical changes with respect to CEN/TS 17729:2022:
— The title has been revised;
— The quantity requirements have been added to the Introduction;
— An applicability statement has been included in the Scope;
— Clause 2, Normative references, has been updated;
— Annex ZA has been added.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
prEN 17729:2025 (E)
Introduction
Different product functions warrant different product safety, quality and quantity requirements adapted
to their different intended uses. EU fertilizing products have therefore been divided into different product
function categories (PFCs), which are subject to specific safety, quality and quantity requirements, as
specified in the Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [1].
Soil improvers have been classified as PFC 3. The specific safety, quality and quantity requirements in
relation to specific parameters are specified in this document, as well as normative references of the test
methods to be used to assess the compliance with the related requirement.
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