EN 15863:2015

• Abstract:

  This European Standard is applicable for determining the leaching behaviour of monolithic wastes under dynamic conditions. The test is performed under fixed experimental conditions in this document. This test is aimed at determining the release as a function of time of inorganic constituents from a monolithic waste, when it is put into contact with an aqueous solution (leachant).; This dynamic monolithic leaching test (DMLT) is a parameter specific test as specified in EN 12920 and is therefore not aimed at simulating real situations. The application of this test method alone is not sufficient for the determination of the detailed leaching behaviour of a monolithic waste under specified conditions.; In the framework of EN 12920 and in combination with additional chemical information, the test results are used to identify the leaching mechanisms and their relative importance. The intrinsic properties can be used to predict the release of constituents at a given time frame, in order to assess the leaching behaviour of monolithic waste materials, placed in different situations or scenarios (including disposal and recycling scenarios).; The test method applies to regularly shaped test portions of monolithic wastes with minimum dimensions of 40 mm in all directions that are assumed to maintain their integrity over a time frame relevant for the considered scenario. The test method applies to test portions for which the geometric surface area can be determined with the help of simple geometric equations. The test method applies to low permeable monolithic materials.; Within the reproducibility ranges, the leaching results obtained with EN 15863 are expected to be equivalent to those obtained with CEN/TS 16637-2 (DMLT for construction products), because the main testing conditions are equalized in both standards. As shown in the results obtained with EN 15863 (see Annex E), they are also demonstrated to be comparable with EPA method 1315 (SW846). These observations imply that a monolithic waste tested with this European Standard, does not need to be tested a second time, when the material proves suitable for beneficial use in construction and provided it has not undergone a treatment or other changes modifying its leaching behaviour.; NOTE 1 If, in order to comply with the requirements of regular shape, the test portion is prepared by cutting or coring, then new surfaces are exposed which can lead to change(s) in leaching properties. On the other hand if the test portion is prepared by moulding, the surface will be dependent to the type of mould and the conditions of storage. If the intention is to evaluate the behaviour of the material core, the specimen needs to be stored without any contact with air to avoid carbonation.; NOTE 2 For monolithic waste materials with a saturated hydraulic conductivity higher than 10−8 m/s water is likely to percolate through the monolith rather than flow around. In such cases relating the release to the geometric surface can lead to misinterpretation. A percolation test is more appropriate then (e.g. CEN/TS 14405).; This procedure may not be applicable to materials reacting with the leachant, leading for example to excessive gas emission or an excessive heat release.; This document has been developed to determine the release of mainly inorganic constituents from wastes. It does not take into account the particular characteristics of organic constituents, nor the consequences of microbiological processes in organic degradable wastes.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2015
• ICS: 13.030.10 - Solid wastes
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 444 - Environmental characterization
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 444/WG 1 - Leaching tests
• Current Stage: 9020 - Submission to 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 15-Jul-2026
• Completion Date: 15-Jul-2026
• Directive: Not Harmonized99/31/EC - Landfill of waste
• Mandate: M/326 - Standardization mandate to CEN for the development of standardized methods for the characterization of waste
• Ref Project: SIST EN 15863:2015 - Characterisation of waste - Leaching behaviour test for basic characterisation - Dynamic monolithic leaching test with periodic leachant renewal, under fixed conditions

• Replaces: CEN/TS 15863:2012 - Characterisation of waste - Leaching behaviour test for basic characterisation - Dynamic monolithic leaching test with periodic leachant renewal, under fixed test conditions
• Effective Date: 08-Apr-2015
• Refers: EN 15002:2015 - Characterization of waste - Preparation of test portions from the laboratory sample
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 11465:2025 - Sludge and solid environmental matrices - Determination of dry residue or water content and calculation of the dry matter fraction on a mass basis (ISO 11465:2025)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: CEN/TR 16192:2020 - Waste - Guidance on analysis of eluates
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 5667-3:2024 - Water quality - Sampling - Part 3: Preservation and handling of water samples (ISO 5667-3:2024)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 3696:1995 - Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods (ISO 3696:1987)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 16457:2014 - Characterization of waste - Framework for the preparation and application of a testing programme - Objectives, planning and report
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: CEN/TS 16675:2014 - Characterisation of waste - Test methods for the determination of the monolithic status of waste
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: CEN/TS 16675:2018 - Waste - Test methods for the determination of the monolithic status of waste to be landfilled
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 15863:2015 (CEN) specifies a Dynamic Monolithic Leaching Test (DMLT) with periodic leachant renewal for the basic characterization of monolithic waste. The method determines the time-dependent release of mainly inorganic constituents from regularly shaped, low-permeability monoliths when contacted with an aqueous leachant under fixed laboratory conditions (leachant type, temperature, L/S ratio and test duration). EN 15863 is a parameter-specific test (see EN 12920) intended to identify leaching mechanisms rather than to simulate real field situations.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applicable to monolithic wastes that retain integrity over the scenario time frame and have minimum specimen dimensions of 40 mm in all directions. Geometric surface area must be determinable by simple geometry.
• Test principle: Periodic renewal of leachant; eluates collected in separate fractions to calculate release as a function of time.
• Fixed test conditions: Type of leachant, temperature, liquid-to-surface area (L/A or L/S) ratio and test duration are predefined in the standard.
• Target analytes: Mainly inorganic constituents; organic constituents and microbiological effects are not addressed.
• Material limitations:
  • Not suitable for high-permeability monoliths (saturated hydraulic conductivity > 10−8 m/s) where percolation dominates - in such cases a percolation test (e.g. CEN/TS 14405) is more appropriate.
  • Not applicable when the material reacts violently with leachant (excessive gas or heat).
• Specimen preparation caveats:
  • Cutting/coring exposes new surfaces that can alter leaching behavior.
  • Moulded specimens’ surface properties depend on mould and storage; avoid air exposure if aiming to assess the uncarbonated core.
• Data use: Test results support identification of leaching mechanisms (diffusion, dissolution, surface wash-off, depletion) and feeding models for long-term release prediction.

Practical applications

• Basic characterization of monolithic wastes for disposal or reuse assessments.
• Predictive inputs for long-term release models and scenario assessments (landfill, recycling, beneficial use in construction).
• Regulatory and compliance support when combined with other tests (EN 12920 framework).
• Beneficial-use screening: Materials tested per EN 15863 are generally comparable with tests for construction products (CEN/TS 16637-2) and EPA Method 1315 (SW‑846), reducing duplicate testing when leaching behavior is unchanged.

Who should use this standard

• Environmental laboratories and analysts performing leaching tests
• Waste characterization specialists and consultants
• Landfill operators and waste managers
• Construction material assessors considering beneficial reuse
• Regulators and researchers studying leaching mechanisms

Related standards

• EN 12920 - Framework for leaching tests and interpretation
• CEN/TS 16637-2 - DMLT for construction products (comparable conditions)
• EPA Method 1315 (SW‑846) - Similar DMLT used in the USA
• CEN/TS 14405 - Percolation test for high-permeability monoliths

Keywords: EN 15863:2015, dynamic monolithic leaching test, DMLT, leaching behaviour, monolithic waste, leachant renewal, basic characterization, EN 12920, EPA 1315.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Charakterisierung von Abfällen - Untersuchung des Auslaugungsverhaltens für die grundlegende Charakterisierung - Dynamisches Auslaugungsverfahren für monolithische Abfälle mit periodischer Erneuerung des Auslaugungsmittels unter festgelegten PrüfbedingungenCaractérisation des déchets - Essais de comportement à la lixiviation pour la caractérisation de base - Essai de lixiviation dynamique des monolithes avec renouvellement périodique du lixiviant, dans des conditions d'essai fixesCharacterisation of waste - Leaching behaviour test for basic characterisation - Dynamic monolithic leaching test with periodic leachant renewal, under fixed conditions13.030.10Trdni odpadkiSolid wastesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15863:2015SIST EN 15863:2015en,fr,de01-junij-2015SIST EN 15863:2015SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST-TS CEN/TS 15863:20131DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15863
April 2015 ICS 13.030.10 Supersedes CEN/TS 15863:2012English Version
Characterization of waste - Leaching behaviour test for basic characterization - Dynamic monolithic leaching test with periodic leachant renewal, under fixed conditions
Caractérisation des déchets - Essais de comportement à la lixiviation pour la caractérisation de base - Essai de lixiviation dynamique des monolithes avec renouvellement périodique du lixiviant, dans des conditions d'essai fixes
Charakterisierung von Abfällen - Untersuchung des Elutionsverhaltens für die grundlegende Charakterisierung -Dynamisches Elutionsverfahren für monolithische Abfälle mit periodischer Erneuerung des Elutionsmittels unter festgelegten Prüfbedingungen This European Standard was approved by CEN on 7 February 2015.
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
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2015 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 15863:2015 ESIST EN 15863:2015

Identification of release mechanisms and use of test results . 20 A.1 Introduction . 20 A.2 Examples of factors influencing the leaching of monolithic waste . 20 A.3 Long term release prediction . 22 Annex B (informative)
Assessment of release mechanisms (if required) . 23 B.1 Overview of release mechanisms . 23 B.2 Procedure of identification of release mechanisms . 24 B.3 Concentrations close to the limit of quantification . 25 B.3.1 Overall low concentrations . 25 B.3.2 Surface wash-off followed by low concentrations . 26 B.4 Diffusion controlled release of a substance . 26 SIST EN 15863:2015

Examples of data about the L/A ratio . 51 Annex D (informative)
Process map for EN 15863 . 52 Annex E (informative)
Repeatability and reproducibility data . 54 E.1 Material used in the interlaboratory comparison study . 54 E.2 Interlaboratory comparison results . 54 Bibliography . 61
— the status of the document has been changed from a CEN/TS into a European Standard;
— performance data has been added (see Annex E). According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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 the United Kingdom. SIST EN 15863:2015

1) Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste. 2) Council Decision 2003/33/EC of 19 December 2002. SIST EN 15863:2015

EN 16192,
EN ISO 3696, tater for analytical labor EN ISO 5667-3, -mc 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. 3.1 eluate solution obtained by a leaching test 3.2 laboratory sample sample or sub-sample(s) sent to or received by the laboratory [SOURCE: IUPAC:1990] Note 1 to entry: When the laboratory sample is further prepared (reduced) by subdividing, cutting, sawing, coring, or by combinations of these operations, the result is the test sample. When no preparation of the laboratory sample is required, the laboratory sample is the test sample. A test portion is removed from the test sample for the performance of the test or for analysis. The laboratory sample is the final sample from the point of view of sampling but it is the initial sample from the point of view of the laboratory. Note 2 to entry: Several laboratory samples may be prepared and sent to different laboratories or to the same laboratory for different purposes. When it is sent to the same laboratory, the set is generally considered as a single laboratory sample and is documented as a single sample. 3.3 leachant liquid that is brought into contact with the test portion in the leaching procedure Note 1 to entry: For the purpose of this document the leachant is water as specified in 5.1. 3.4 leaching behaviour of a waste release and change with time in release from the waste upon contact with a leachant under the conditions specified in the scenario, especially within the specified time frame [SOURCE: EN 12920:2006+A1:2008] 3.5 leachant renewal selection of time intervals after which the leachant is renewed SIST EN 15863:2015

Rinsing is compulsory. 6.2.6 Glass or plastic bottles, e.g. high density polyethylene (HDPE)/polypropylene (PP)/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/polyethyleneterephtalate (PET) Use bottles with an appropriate volume, and with screw cap, for eluate collection and preservation of eluate samples (rinsed in accordance with EN ISO 5667-3). NOTE For inorganic constituents HDPE/PP bottles are preferred, except for samples analysed for mercury. 6.2.7 Conductivity meter, with an accuracy of at least 0,1 mS/m. 6.2.8 pH meter, with an accuracy of at least 0,05 pH units. SIST EN 15863:2015

If, in order to comply with the requirement of regular shape, the test portion is prepared by cutting or coring, new surfaces are exposed, which can lead to change(s) in leaching properties, compared with aged surfaces. Store the test portion in accordance with EN 15002 to minimize changes due to the exposure to atmosphere (drying, carbonation, etc.). 7.3 Determination of the geometric surface area Shortly before the start of the leaching test remove dust and loose particles from the test portion by blowing gently using compressed air (quality sufficient to avoid oil contamination). Determine the geometric shape of the test portion by measuring the length, width, height and/or diameter of the test portion, with an uncertainty of ± 1 mm. Calculate the whole geometric surface area A (in cm2) based on normal calculation rules for the defined geometric shape. SIST EN 15863:2015

Place the test portion in the leaching vessel (6.2.1) using the support, in order to prevent the test portion from touching the inner side of the leaching vessel. If the test portion consists of more than one specimen or test piece, the support shall be used in such a way that there is at least 2 cm space between the specimens or test pieces. Fill the vessel with the calculated volume of leachant (V1) (5.1), such that the top of the test portion is at least 2 cm submerged. Close the leaching vessel. Note the time t0. For specific scenarios in practice, it can be useful to apply another leachant (for instance ground water, sea water, CO2 saturated water, etc.), and different temperature. This would constitute a deviation from the document, and shall be reported. Allow the leaching process of this first step until 6 h ± 15 min after the addition of the leachant. At the end of the first step remove the eluate from the leaching vessel, without removing small parts of waste material that may have fallen off the test portion. Note the time t1. Immediately continue with step 2 (8.3). Immediately measure pH and conductivity. Filter the eluate fraction off-line over a 0,45 µm membrane filter (6.2.10) and further prepare the eluate for analysis (see 8.5). 8.3 Steps 2 – 8 of the leaching procedure Fill the leaching vessel again with the calculated volume of leachant (V1), such that the top of the test portion is at least 2 cm submerged, and that the distance between the test portion and the wall of the vessel is at least 2 cm. Close the leaching vessel. Allow the leaching process of each step until the time mentioned in Table 1. NOTE 1 The liquid renewal frequency is designed and carried out such that the concentration in solution does not affect the release rate from the specimen significantly. SIST EN 15863:2015

NOTE 2 The liquid renewal frequency is designed and carried out such that the concentration in solution does not affect the release rate from the test portion significantly, because the concentration in the solution is far below the saturation concentration. NOTE 3 If the full duration of the test is not required (e.g. for factory production control) a test consisting of less than 8 steps can be performed as ‘indirect test’ as explained in the Introduction. 8.4 Weight loss of the monolithic waste during the test If the specimen(s) fall(s) apart during the test, stop the test and record the failure to withstand the contact with water for prolonged time. If it is required to check the weight loss of the specimen (for instance in order to assess the monolithic character of the waste), after step 8 of the leaching procedure, remove the test portion from the leaching vessel. Gather all solid parts and particles that have fallen off the test portion during the whole duration of the test. Dry these solid parts and particles at (40 ± 2) °C according to EN 14346 and weigh the dried material (md). NOTE If the weight loss exceeds a certain value (to be specified in regulation or otherwise), the monolithic waste does not have enough integrity to determine the leaching behaviour of the material in monolithic form, in accordance with the procedure, described in this document. 8.5 Further preparation of the eluates for analysis Measure the pH (6.2.8) and the conductivity (6.2.7) in accordance with EN 16192 (and optionally redox potential Eh in mV) of each eluate fraction, just after collection. If the conductivity of an eluate fraction exceeds 7 500 mS/m, measure the volume (or density) of the eluate and dilute the eluate until the conductivity is below 7 500 mS/m. Ensure that the dilution factor is no more than 10. SIST EN 15863:2015

Calculate the measured release of each constituent per step: 110iicVrA××= (3) where ri is the measured release of a constituent in Step i, in mg„m−2; ci is the measured concentration of that constituent in the eluate of Step i, in mg„l−1; V1 is the volume of the leachant, in ml; A is the geometric surface area of the test portion, in cm2.
For analysis results below the limit of quantification for the components concerned both t
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