DIN EN 12579:2014-02

Soil improvers and growing media are very difficult to sample because of the variety of materials used and the inhomogeneous materials involved. When packed they are also by their nature and the packaging and palletisation process subject to pressure which results in various degrees of compression which need to be counteracted prior to sampling. The task is further complicated by the variety of sampling equipment that can be used, the quantity to be represented by the sample and the degree of precision required bearing in mind the cost of testing. A suitably competent person should undertake this sampling. This European Standard specifies methods for sampling soil improvers and growing media (excluding liming materials) for subsequent determination of quality and quantity. It outlines the principles to be taken into consideration when taking the sample and ensuring an adequate quantity is available for testing. This standard only applies to material in solid form, including pre-shaped media and is intended to be used by manufacturers, buyers and enforcement agencies in verifying claims made for these products. The specified method should not considered binding for the purpose of manufacturing control. The requirements of this standard may differ from the national legal requirements for the declaration of the product concerned. This document supersedes DIN EN 12579:2000-01. With respect to DIN 12579:2000-01, more detail in the preparation of the product prior to sampling has been provided in order to ensure more consistent use of the standard's procedure. A flowchart has been added to assist in the use of the standard and the provisions in EN 15238 (product with particle size greater than 60 mm) and EN 15761 (product in block form) have been taken into account. The committee responsible for this standard is NA 057-03-01 AA "Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate" ("Soil improvers and growing media") at DIN.