kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026
(Main)Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method
- Abstract
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.
NOTE This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (as included in Annex A, being composted bark (20 mm to 40 mm, biowaste compost (Rottegrad 3), green compost (Rottegrad 5, 0 mm to 15 mm), solid digestate, liquid digestate, soil improver (pellets, sieved 4 mm, growing media blend 1 (white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements)), growing media blend 2 (white peat, black peat, expanded perlite, lime, organic fertilizer) and growing media blend 3 (white peat, black peat, clay, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements))).
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 02-Jan-2026
- Technical Committee
- KAT - Soil quality
- Current Stage
- 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 13-Oct-2026
- Due Date
- 01-Dec-2026
- Mandate
- M/XXX - M/XXX
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 is the Slovenian draft version of the European standard for determining nitrogen in soil improvers and growing media. It specifies the Dumas combustion method, which measures nitrogen after high-temperature combustion in oxygen and is intended for laboratory use on these materials. The document covers sample preparation, calibration, calculation, reporting, and validation so results can be compared across laboratories.
What does kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 specify?
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 specifies one method for nitrogen determination in soil improvers and growing media. The method is based on dry combustion and is described as suitable for all forms of nitrogen, with modern automated equipment improving the original manual Dumas approach.
The document is organized into clauses 1 to 13:
- scope, normative references, and terms
- the principle of the method
- reagents and apparatus
- sampling and test sample preparation
- procedure, calculation, expression of results, and test report
- method validation
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A (informative) | Performance characteristics of the method, based on an interlaboratory study on different soil improvers and growing media. |
What are the key requirements of kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026?
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 is a laboratory method standard. The main practical requirements are about getting a representative sample, using suitable combustion equipment, calibrating correctly, and reporting the result on a dry matter basis.
Sample handling and preparation
Clause 7 points to EN 12579:2024 for sampling, and it stresses that the laboratory should receive a representative sample that has not been damaged or changed during transport or storage. Clause 8 requires test sample preparation according to prEN 13040-1:2025.
For liquid samples, drying is not necessary. For samples with high ammonium-N content in alkaline conditions, drying can cause nitrogen losses, so the document directs users to special preparation when the sample as received contains or is suspected to contain more than 500 mg/l NH4-N.
Principle and apparatus
Clause 4 states that the sample is heated to at least 900 °C in oxygen gas. Mineral and organic nitrogen compounds are oxidized and/or volatilized, and the instrument measures the nitrogen as described by the manufacturer.
Clause 6 requires an analytical balance capable of weighing to 1.0 mg, a Dumas apparatus with a detector for nitrogen gas, and suitable containers. In practice, this means the result depends on both the instrument setup and the sample amount chosen for the expected nitrogen level.
Reagents and calibration
Clause 5 requires reagents of recognized analytical grade. For calibration, the standard calls for pure substances with known nitrogen content, such as acetanilide, L-aspartic acid, amino acids of known composition, or other certified substances.
The calibration substance should have a nitrogen content similar to that of the sample. That helps keep the calibration relevant to the products being tested.
Procedure, moisture correction, and calculation
Clause 9 says the apparatus is calibrated according to the manufacturer’s manual, and the analysis is then carried out according to the same manual. Clause 9.4 adds a residual moisture determination so the result can be corrected to dry matter.
Clause 10 gives the calculation on a dry matter basis using the primary nitrogen result, the sample mass, and a correction factor derived from residual dry matter. Clause 11 says results are reported on a mass/mass basis as whole figures or as a percentage with one decimal place.
Test report and validation
Clause 12 lists the report items needed for traceability: document reference, sample identification, methods used, whether the sample was ground or unground, nitrogen results, moisture content, and any departures or optional details affecting the result.
Clause 13 says the method was validated in accordance with ISO 5725-2. Annex A gives the performance characteristics from the interlaboratory study, including repeatability and reproducibility data for nine material types.
What terms does kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 define?
- Dumas method - A dry combustion method that measures nitrogen after the sample is burned in oxygen at high temperature.
- Dumas apparatus - The instrument used to combust the sample and measure the nitrogen gas formed.
- Calibration substance - A pure material with known nitrogen content used to set or check the calibration.
- Residual dry matter (DM) - The dry matter remaining in the 70 °C dried sample, used as a correction factor.
- Test sample - The prepared sample actually used for the nitrogen determination.
- Ammonium-N (NH4-N) - The ammonium form of nitrogen that can be lost during drying in alkaline samples.
Who uses kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026?
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 is used by laboratories testing soil improvers and growing media, especially where nitrogen content must be measured in a repeatable way. It is also relevant to quality control staff, producers of composts and growing media blends, and product assessors who need comparable nitrogen results for documentation or market assessment.
What changed in kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 from the previous edition?
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 replaces SIST EN 13654-2:2002. The European foreword says the draft updates the scope and applicability with respect to the EU Fertiliser Product Regulation.
Which standards are used with kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026?
- CEN/TS 17732:2022 - provides the terminology used for terms and definitions.
- EN 12579:2024 - gives the sampling rules for soil improvers and growing media.
- prEN 13040-1:2025 - covers sample preparation and the moisture and dry matter determinations used in this method.
- ISO 5725-2 - provides the statistical basis for validation, repeatability, and reproducibility.
- prEN 13651:2025 and prEN 13652:2025 - are referenced for checking soluble nitrogen forms when high NH4-N is suspected.
What does the kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 document contain?
The document contains a combustion-based test method, the required apparatus, reagent guidance, sampling and sample preparation steps, and the calculation route to dry matter basis. It also includes the reporting items needed in the test report and an informative annex with interlaboratory performance data.
Annex A is especially useful for method users who need to understand how the procedure performed on composted bark, composts, digestates, pellets, and growing media blends. The annex tables summarize the tested materials and the statistical results used to describe precision.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 2: Dumas method". This standard covers: 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. NOTE This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (as included in Annex A, being composted bark (20 mm to 40 mm, biowaste compost (Rottegrad 3), green compost (Rottegrad 5, 0 mm to 15 mm), solid digestate, liquid digestate, soil improver (pellets, sieved 4 mm, growing media blend 1 (white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements)), growing media blend 2 (white peat, black peat, expanded perlite, lime, organic fertilizer) and growing media blend 3 (white peat, black peat, clay, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements))).
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. NOTE This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study with specific products that were present on the market during the study (as included in Annex A, being composted bark (20 mm to 40 mm, biowaste compost (Rottegrad 3), green compost (Rottegrad 5, 0 mm to 15 mm), solid digestate, liquid digestate, soil improver (pellets, sieved 4 mm, growing media blend 1 (white peat, green compost, wood fibre, lime, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements)), growing media blend 2 (white peat, black peat, expanded perlite, lime, organic fertilizer) and growing media blend 3 (white peat, black peat, clay, inorganic fertilizer (NPK + micro elements))).
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 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.
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 13654-2:2002. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 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.
kSIST FprEN 13654-2:2026 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
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025
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
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13654-2
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.
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025
prEN 13654-2:2025 (E)
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
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025
prEN 13654-2:2025 (E)
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.
prEN 13654-2:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
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.
oSIST prEN 13654-2:2025
prEN 13654-2:2025 (E)
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
...