oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025

Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media. The dry combustion method was developed originally as a manual method by Dumas. Its application is improved greatly due to the use of modern automated equipment and is applicable to all forms of nitrogen.
NOTE   The requirements of the standard may differ from the national legal requirements for the declaration of the products concerned.

Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung von Stickstoff - Teil 2: Verfahren nach Dumas

Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Stickstoff in Bodenverbesserungsmitteln und Kultursubstraten fest. Das Trockenverbrennungsverfahren wurde ursprünglich von Dumas[4] als manuelles Verfahren entwickelt. Die Anwendung dieses Verfahrens hat sich durch die Benutzung moderner automatischer Geräte wesentlich verbessert und ist für alle Formen von Stickstoff anwendbar.

Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de l'azote - Partie 2: Méthode de Dumas

Le présent document spécifie une méthode de détermination de l’azote présent dans les amendements du sol et les supports de culture. La méthode de combustion sèche a tout d’abord été élaborée comme une méthode manuelle par Dumas [4]. Son application a été considérablement améliorée grâce à l’utilisation d’un équipement automatisé moderne. Elle est applicable à toutes les formes d’azote.

Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določanje dušika - 2. del: Dumasova metoda

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 02-Jan-2026
• ICS: 65.080 - Fertilizers
• Technical Committee: KAT - Soil quality
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 30-Oct-2025
• Due Date: 19-Mar-2026
• Completion Date: 12-Feb-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
• Mandate: M/xxx - Commission implementing decision on a standardisation request in support of Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 laying down ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Regulation (EC) No 641/2009 with regard to ecodesign requirements for glandless standalone circulators and glandless circulators integrated in products and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 640/2009
• Ref Project: prEN 13654-2 - Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 13654-2:2002 - Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2025

Overview

oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025 – Soil improvers and growing media – Determination of nitrogen – Part 2: Dumas method is a European draft standard developed by SIST and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). It describes a precise procedure for determining nitrogen content in soil improvers and growing media using the Dumas dry combustion method. Initially a manual technique, the Dumas method is now widely used due to advancements in automation and instrumentation, providing accurate nitrogen analysis for diverse forms of nitrogen. This standard is essential in the quality assessment and classification of soil improvers and substrates, supporting European regulatory compliance and harmonized agricultural practices.

Key Topics

• Determination of Nitrogen: Specifies procedures for quantifying nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media using dry combustion at a minimum of 900°C.
• Dumas Method: Utilizes high-temperature combustion and oxygen to oxidize and volatilize mineral and organic nitrogen, quantified through automated systems.
• Applicability: Suitable for all forms of nitrogen in both solid and liquid samples, ensuring versatility across a wide range of products.
• Calibration and Quality Control: Emphasizes precise calibration with certified reference substances for result accuracy and encourages method validation per ISO 5725-2.
• Reporting Requirements: Details necessary documentation, including sample identification, analytical methods used, test conditions, and result expression on a dry matter basis.
• Safety Considerations: Highlights safe laboratory practices, particularly when handling potentially hazardous samples.

Applications

The standard is vital for laboratories, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies involved in:

• Product Quality Control: Ensuring fertilizer, compost, peat, and other growing media meet declared nitrogen specifications.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supporting conformity with the European Fertilising Products Regulation (EU 2019/1009), which governs nutrient declaration and environmental impact.
• Agriculture and Horticulture: Underpinning soil fertility assessment, fertilizer formulation, and sustainable crop production.
• Research and Development: Aiding studies on soil health, organic amendments, and nutrient cycling by providing consistent nitrogen determination methodology.
• Trade and Certification: Allowing reliable product comparison and certification across international markets through harmonized test procedures.

Related Standards

Organizations implementing oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025 may also refer to these complementary standards for comprehensive analysis and proper sample handling:

• CEN/TS 17732:2022 – Soil improvers and growing media – Terminology
• EN 12579:2024 – Soil improvers and growing media – Sampling
• prEN 13040-1:2025 – Soil improvers and growing media – Sample preparation for chemical and physical tests
• ISO 5725-2 – Accuracy of measurement methods and results – Repeatability and reproducibility
• prEN 13651:2025 – Extraction of calcium chloride/DTPA soluble nutrients
• prEN 13652:2025 – Extraction of water soluble nutrients

Practical Value

Implementing oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025 facilitates:

• Consistent and accurate nitrogen measurements across various soil amendments and media
• Streamlined laboratory workflow with modern automated Dumas analyzers
• Enhanced product transparency and environmental stewardship for manufacturers
• Improved agricultural productivity by enabling precise nutrient management
• Facilitation of international trade through harmonized methodological standards

By adhering to this European standard, stakeholders ensure robust determination of nitrogen content in soil improvers and growing media, supporting high-quality agriculture and compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 13654-2:2002
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določanje dušika - 2. del: Dumasova metoda
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung von Stickstoff - Teil 2:
Verfahren nach Dumas
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de l'azote - Partie 2:
Méthode de Dumas
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13654-2
ICS:
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 65.080 Will supersede EN 13654-2:2001
English Version
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of
nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate -
Détermination de l'azote - Partie 2: Méthode de Dumas Bestimmung von Stickstoff - Teil 2: Verfahren nach
Dumas
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 13654-2:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
5 Reagents . 4
6 Apparatus . 4
7 Sampling . 5
8 Test sample . 5
9 Procedure . 5
9.1 Safety . 5
9.2 Calibration of the apparatus . 5
9.3 Determination of the nitrogen content . 5
9.4 Residual moisture . 5
10 Calculation . 5
11 Expression of results . 6
12 Test Report . 6
13 Validation of the method . 6
13.1 Validation in accordance with ISO 5725-2. 6
13.2 Performance characteristics. 7
Annex A (informative) Performance characteristics of the method . 8
Bibliography . 10

European foreword
This document (prEN 13654-2:2025) 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 EN 13654-2:2001.
EN 13654-2:2001:
— Adaptation of scope and applicability with respect to the EU – Fertilizer Product Regulation [5].
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.
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media.
The dry combustion method was developed originally as a manual method by Dumas [4]. Its application
is improved greatly due to the use of modern automated equipment and is applicable to all forms of
nitrogen.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
CEN/TS 17732:2022, Soil improvers and growing media - Terminology
EN 12579:2024, Soil improvers and growing media - Sampling
prEN 13040-1:2025, Soil improvers and growing media — Sample preparation — Part 1: Sample
preparation for chemical and physical tests, determination of dry matter content, moisture content and
laboratory bulk density
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 17732:2022 apply.
4 Principle
The nitrogen content of the sample is determined by heating to a temperature of at least 900 °C in the
presence of oxygen gas. Mineral and organic nitrogen compounds are oxidized and/or volatilized and
determined as described by the manufacturer.
5 Reagents
Use only reagents of recognized analytical grade.
5.1 For reduction, oxidation, removal and/or fixing of combustion gases that interfere with the
analysis, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5.2 Calibration substances, pure substances of known nitrogen content, for example acetani
...