FprEN 17816
(Main)Liming materials - Determination of physical and chemical properties and specific contaminants
General Information
- Abstract
This document is applicable to liming materials, which contain oxides, hydroxides, carbonates or silicates of the nutrients calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) and the function of which is to correct soil acidity.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category liming materials is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If liming materials is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
In case of chromium VI determination, in a fertilizing product blend containing organic matter, the European Standard for liming materials and inorganic fertilizers is not applicable.
This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following physical and chemical properties and specific contaminants in liming materials:
— determination of the cadmium content;
— determination of the chromium VI content;
— determination of the mercury content;
— determination of the nickel content;
— determination of the lead content;
— determination of the arsenic content;
— determination of the total chromium content;
— determination of neutralizing value;
— determination of the reactivity;
— determination of the grain size/granulometry;
— determination of the total CaO content;
— determination of the total MgO content;
— determination of the dry matter content;
— determination of the copper and zinc content;
— determination of the phosphonates content.
— determination of the chloride content;
— determination of quantity (indicated by mass or volume).
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 24-Feb-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 260 - Fertilizers and liming materials
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 260/WG 3 - Liming materials
Overview
FprEN 17816 is a CEN draft European Standard for liming materials and certain fertilizing product blends. It specifies references to the test methods used to determine key physical and chemical properties and specific contaminants in materials designed to correct soil acidity.
This standard is important for manufacturers, laboratories, regulators, and market surveillance bodies working with liming materials, including products based on calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, or silicates. It supports compliance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 and is intended to provide a voluntary route to demonstrate conformity for EU fertilizing products.
FprEN 17816 is expected to supersede EN 17816:2023 and reflects updated scope, revised references, and additional parameters such as dry matter content, chloride content, copper and zinc content, phosphonates content, and quantity.
Key Topics
The standard covers a broad set of determinations relevant to product quality, safety, and performance:
Specific contaminants
- Cadmium
- Chromium VI
- Mercury
- Nickel
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Total chromium
Physical and chemical properties
- Neutralizing value
- Reactivity
- Grain size / granulometry
- Total CaO content
- Total MgO content
- Dry matter content
- Quantity by mass or volume
Additional parameters
- Copper and zinc content
- Phosphonates content
- Chloride content
The scope also addresses fertilizing product blends where liming materials are the highest component by mass, volume, or dry mass for liquids. If another component is present at a higher percentage, the corresponding standard for that component applies. The document also notes that chromium VI determination in blends containing organic matter is not covered by the liming materials standard.
Applications
FprEN 17816 is valuable for:
- Quality control of liming materials
- Laboratory testing and compliance verification
- Product release and market access in the EU
- Assessment of contaminants in agricultural inputs
- Supporting technical documentation for fertilizing product blends
In practical terms, the standard helps ensure that liming materials meet essential performance and safety expectations. This is especially important for products used in soil pH correction, where consistent neutralizing behavior and low contaminant levels are critical.
The document also supports work under the EU fertilizing products framework, helping stakeholders align test results with regulatory requirements and internationally recognized analytical methods.
Related Standards
FprEN 17816 references several important standards for sampling, preparation, and analysis, including:
- EN 1482-2 - Sampling and sample preparation
- EN 12945 - Neutralizing value
- EN 12946 - Calcium and magnesium content
- EN 12948 - Size distribution by sieving
- EN 13971 and EN 16357 - Reactivity
- EN 16318 - Chromium VI
- EN 16319 - Cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc
- EN 16320 - Mercury
- EN 17758 - Chloride content
- EN 17817 - Quantity determination
- EN 18319 - Phosphonates content
For organizations involved in fertilizers and liming materials testing, this standard provides a structured reference for analytical compliance, product consistency, and regulatory assurance.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Oct-2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
FprEN 17816 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Liming materials - Determination of physical and chemical properties and specific contaminants". This standard covers: This document is applicable to liming materials, which contain oxides, hydroxides, carbonates or silicates of the nutrients calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) and the function of which is to correct soil acidity. This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category liming materials is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If liming materials is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible. In case of chromium VI determination, in a fertilizing product blend containing organic matter, the European Standard for liming materials and inorganic fertilizers is not applicable. This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following physical and chemical properties and specific contaminants in liming materials: — determination of the cadmium content; — determination of the chromium VI content; — determination of the mercury content; — determination of the nickel content; — determination of the lead content; — determination of the arsenic content; — determination of the total chromium content; — determination of neutralizing value; — determination of the reactivity; — determination of the grain size/granulometry; — determination of the total CaO content; — determination of the total MgO content; — determination of the dry matter content; — determination of the copper and zinc content; — determination of the phosphonates content. — determination of the chloride content; — determination of quantity (indicated by mass or volume).
This document is applicable to liming materials, which contain oxides, hydroxides, carbonates or silicates of the nutrients calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) and the function of which is to correct soil acidity. This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the following components fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and where the following category liming materials is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If liming materials is not the highest % in the blend, the European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible. In case of chromium VI determination, in a fertilizing product blend containing organic matter, the European Standard for liming materials and inorganic fertilizers is not applicable. This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following physical and chemical properties and specific contaminants in liming materials: — determination of the cadmium content; — determination of the chromium VI content; — determination of the mercury content; — determination of the nickel content; — determination of the lead content; — determination of the arsenic content; — determination of the total chromium content; — determination of neutralizing value; — determination of the reactivity; — determination of the grain size/granulometry; — determination of the total CaO content; — determination of the total MgO content; — determination of the dry matter content; — determination of the copper and zinc content; — determination of the phosphonates content. — determination of the chloride content; — determination of quantity (indicated by mass or volume).
FprEN 17816 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 17816 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 17816:2023. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
FprEN 17816 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2019/1009; Standardization Mandates: M/564, M/564 Amd 1, M/564 Amd 2. 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 17816 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-april-2026
Sredstva za apnjenje - Določanje fizikalnih in kemijskih lastnosti ter specifičnih
onesnaževal
Liming materials - Determination of physical and chemical properties and specific
contaminants
Kalkdünger - Bestimmung physikalischer und chemischer Eigenschaften und
spezifischer Kontaminanten
Amendements minéraux basiques - Détermination des propriétés physiques et
chimiques et des contaminants spécifiques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17816
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 17816
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2026
ICS 65.080 Will supersede EN 17816:2023
English Version
Liming materials - Determination of physical and chemical
properties and specific contaminants
Amendements minéraux basiques - Détermination des Kalkdünger - Bestimmung physikalischer und
propriétés physiques et chimiques et des contaminants chemischer Eigenschaften und spezifischer
spécifiques Kontaminanten
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
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 17816:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
prEN 17816:2026 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Sampling and sample preparation . 7
4.1 Sampling . 7
4.2 Sample preparation . 7
5 Requirements . 7
5.1 General. 7
5.2 Determination of physical and chemical properties . 7
5.2.1 Neutralizing value. 7
5.2.2 Reactivity . 7
5.2.3 Grain size/granulometry . 8
5.2.4 Total calcium oxide (CaO) content . 8
5.2.5 Total magnesium oxide (MgO) content . 8
5.2.6 Dry matter content . 8
5.2.7 Quantity . 8
5.3 Determination of specific contaminants . 8
5.3.1 Cadmium content . 8
5.3.2 Hexavalent chromium content . 8
5.3.3 Mercury content . 8
5.3.4 Nickel content . 8
5.3.5 Lead content . 8
5.3.6 Arsenic content . 8
5.3.7 Total chromium content . 8
5.3.8 Phosphonates content . 8
5.3.9 Copper and zinc content . 9
5.3.10 Chloride content . 9
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship of this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 making available on the market of EU
fertilizing products aimed to be covered . 10
Bibliography . 12
prEN 17816:2026 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 17816:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 260 “Fertilizers
and liming materials” the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 17816:2023.
prEN 17816:2026 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 17816:2023:
— Scope (Clause 1) updated;
— Normative references (Clause 2) updated;
— Sampling and sample preparation (Clause 4) updated;
— parameters added to Clause 5: quantity, copper and zinc content, phosphonates content, dry matter
content, chloride content.
— Annex ZA updated.
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 17816:2026 (E)
Introduction
Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [6] lays down the rules on the making available on the market of EU
fertilizing products and the specific safety, quality and labelling requirements for the defined product
function categories (PFCs). Liming materials have been classified as PFC 2.
In this document the normative references of the test methods to be used for liming materials (PFC 2) are
defined in order to measure the compliance with the related requirement in Regulation
(EU) 2019/1009 [6].
Supplementary denominations and specifications widely used in Europe are given in EN 14069 [5].
prEN 17816:2026 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable to liming materials, which contain oxides, hydroxides, carbonates or silicates
of the nutrients calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) and the function of which is to correct soil acidity.
This document is applicable to the fertilizing products blends where a blend is a mix of at least two of the
following components fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant
biostimulants and where the following category liming materials is the highest % in the blend by mass or
volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If liming materials is not the highest % in the blend, the
European Standard for the highest % of the blend applies. In case a fertilizing product blend is composed
of components in equal quantity, the user decides which standard to apply. Variations in analytical
methods for fertilizing product blends can lead to differing results as some components or matrix
interactions can affect the outcome. Validation procedures have shown that developed standard methods
are robust and reliable across diverse product compositions, but possible interferences and unexpected
results when analysing fertilizing product blends are possible.
In case of chromium VI determination, in a fertilizing product blend containing organic matter, the
European Standard for liming materials and inorganic fertilizers is not applicable.
This document specifies references to the methods for the determination of the following physical and
chemical properties and specific contaminants in liming materials:
— determination of the cadmium content;
— determination of the chromium VI content;
— determination of the mercury content;
— determination of the nickel content;
— determination of the lead content;
— determination of the arsenic content;
— determination of the total chromium content;
— determination of neutralizing value;
— determination of the reactivity;
— determination of the grain size/granulometry;
— determination of the total CaO content;
— determination of the total MgO content;
— determination of the dry matter content;
— determination of the copper and zinc content;
— determination of the phosphonates content.
— det
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