prEN 17757
(Main)Inorganic fertilizers - Determination of specific nutrients
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies references to methods for the determination of the content of the following specific nutrients in inorganic fertilizers:
— the total nitrogen content;
— the ammoniacal nitrogen content;
— the nitric nitrogen content;
— the urea nitrogen content;
— the content of nitrogen from isobutylidenediurea (IBDU) and crotonylidenediurea (CDU);
— the cyanamide nitrogen content;
— the methylene-urea nitrogen content (and urea formaldehyde, if applicable);
— the total phosphorus content;
— the water-soluble phosphorus content;
— the neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus content;
— the formic acid soluble phosphorus content;
— the total potassium content;
— the water-soluble potassium content;
— the total magnesium content;
— the water-soluble magnesium content;
— the total calcium content;
— the water-soluble calcium content;
— the total sulfur content;
— the water-soluble sulfur content;
— the total sodium content;
— the water-soluble sodium content.
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: inorganic fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizer 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.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 24-Feb-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 260 - Fertilizers and liming materials
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 260/WG 7 - Chemical analysis
- Current Stage
- 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
- Start Date
- 28-Aug-2026
- Due Date
- 31-Aug-2027
- Completion Date
- 28-Aug-2026
Overview
prEN 17757: Inorganic fertilizers - Determination of specific nutrients is a European draft standard developed by CEN/TC 260. This document defines the reference methods used to determine the content of key nutrients in inorganic fertilizers, supporting compliance with EU regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. The standard covers a comprehensive range of nutrient forms, including various types of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, and sodium.
The adoption and implementation of prEN 17757 is critical for manufacturers, laboratories, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders involved in the production, blending, and quality assessment of inorganic fertilizers. The standard ensures reliable, harmonized analytical methods across diverse products and facilitates trade and regulatory compliance in the European market.
Key Topics
Nutrient Determinations Covered
- Nitrogen:
- Total nitrogen
- Ammoniacal nitrogen
- Nitric nitrogen
- Urea nitrogen
- Nitrogen from IBDU (isobutylidenediurea) / CDU (crotonylidenediurea)
- Cyanamide nitrogen
- Methylene-urea and urea formaldehyde nitrogen
- Phosphorus:
- Total phosphorus
- Water-soluble phosphorus
- Neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus
- Formic acid soluble phosphorus
- Potassium:
- Total potassium
- Water-soluble potassium
- Magnesium:
- Total and water-soluble magnesium
- Calcium:
- Total and water-soluble calcium
- Sulfur:
- Total and water-soluble sulfur
- Sodium:
- Total and water-soluble sodium
Applicability
- Fertilizer blends where inorganic fertilizer is the predominant component by mass or volume
- Other fertilizing products containing fertilizers, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, or plant biostimulants
- Guidance when components are present in equal quantity, allowing user discretion on standard selection
Sampling and Sample Preparation
- Outlines the necessity for representative samples and reliable preparation according to referenced EN standards
Analytical Robustness
- Validation procedures confirm methods are reliable across varied blend compositions, though chemical or matrix interactions may occasionally impact results
Applications
prEN 17757 serves multiple practical purposes for the fertilizer industry and regulatory bodies:
- Regulatory Compliance: Enables manufacturers and importers to demonstrate conformity with EU fertilizer regulations, particularly for labeling and market access.
- Quality Assurance: Provides laboratories with standardized procedures for nutrient determination, improving consistency and reliability of results.
- Product Certification: Supports third-party assessment and certification schemes by offering clear methodological references.
- Fertilizer Blending: Offers guidance for analyzing blended products, ensuring that nutrient declarations are accurate even in complex mixes.
- Trade Facilitation: Harmonizes testing approaches across EU and EFTA member states, simplifying cross-border movement of fertilizing products.
- Environmental Protection: Assists in the assessment of fertilizer composition, ultimately contributing to sustainable agriculture and responsible nutrient management.
Related Standards
prEN 17757 references a wide array of other harmonized standards for sampling, preparation, and nutrient analysis in fertilizers, such as:
- Sampling and Preparation: EN 1482 series
- Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium Analysis: EN 15475, EN 15476, EN 15477, EN 15919, EN 15958, EN 15959, prEN 15956, prEN 18316
- Elemental Analysis (Mg, Ca, Na, S): EN 16196, EN 16197, EN 16198, EN 16199, EN 15749, prEN 15960, prEN 15961
- Vocabulary: prEN 12944-1 and prEN 12944-2
Users are encouraged to consult these supporting documents for detailed procedures and definitions in fertilizer analysis and to ensure compliance with current European Union regulatory requirements.
Keywords: inorganic fertilizers, nutrient determination, European standard, fertilizer analysis, regulatory compliance, CEN, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sampling, quality assurance.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 03-Jul-2024
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Control Union Certifications
Global certification for agriculture and sustainability.
ECOCERT
Organic and sustainability certification.
FSC International
Forest Stewardship Council certification.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
prEN 17757 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Inorganic fertilizers - Determination of specific nutrients". This standard covers: This document specifies references to methods for the determination of the content of the following specific nutrients in inorganic fertilizers: — the total nitrogen content; — the ammoniacal nitrogen content; — the nitric nitrogen content; — the urea nitrogen content; — the content of nitrogen from isobutylidenediurea (IBDU) and crotonylidenediurea (CDU); — the cyanamide nitrogen content; — the methylene-urea nitrogen content (and urea formaldehyde, if applicable); — the total phosphorus content; — the water-soluble phosphorus content; — the neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus content; — the formic acid soluble phosphorus content; — the total potassium content; — the water-soluble potassium content; — the total magnesium content; — the water-soluble magnesium content; — the total calcium content; — the water-soluble calcium content; — the total sulfur content; — the water-soluble sulfur content; — the total sodium content; — the water-soluble sodium content. 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: inorganic fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizer 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.
This document specifies references to methods for the determination of the content of the following specific nutrients in inorganic fertilizers: — the total nitrogen content; — the ammoniacal nitrogen content; — the nitric nitrogen content; — the urea nitrogen content; — the content of nitrogen from isobutylidenediurea (IBDU) and crotonylidenediurea (CDU); — the cyanamide nitrogen content; — the methylene-urea nitrogen content (and urea formaldehyde, if applicable); — the total phosphorus content; — the water-soluble phosphorus content; — the neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus content; — the formic acid soluble phosphorus content; — the total potassium content; — the water-soluble potassium content; — the total magnesium content; — the water-soluble magnesium content; — the total calcium content; — the water-soluble calcium content; — the total sulfur content; — the water-soluble sulfur content; — the total sodium content; — the water-soluble sodium content. 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: inorganic fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizer 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.
prEN 17757 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.
prEN 17757 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to CEN/TS 17757:2022. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN 17757 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.
prEN 17757 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
Anorganska gnojila - Določanje specifičnih hranil
Inorganic fertilizers - Determination of specific nutrients
Anorganische Düngemittel - Bestimmung spezifischer Nährstoffe
Engrais inorganiques - Détermination des éléments nutritifs spécifiques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17757
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
February 2026
ICS 65.080 Will supersede CEN/TS 17757:2022
English Version
Inorganic fertilizers - Determination of specific nutrients
Engrais inorganiques - Détermination des éléments Anorganische Düngemittel - Bestimmung spezifischer
nutritifs spécifiques Nährstoffe
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 17757:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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 Methods for extraction and determination of specific nutrients . 7
5.1 Total nitrogen content . 7
5.2 Ammoniacal nitrogen . 8
5.3 Nitric nitrogen . 8
5.4 Urea nitrogen content . 8
5.5 Content of nitrogen from IBDU and CDU . 8
5.6 Cyanamide nitrogen content . 8
5.7 Methylene-urea and urea formaldehyde nitrogen content . 8
5.8 Phosphorus content . 8
5.9 Potassium content . 8
5.10 Magnesium content . 9
5.11 Calcium content . 9
5.12 Sulfur content . 9
5.13 Sodium 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
fertilising products aimed to be covered . 10
Bibliography . 16
European foreword
This document (prEN 17757:2026) 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 CEN/TS 17757:2022.
CEN/TS 17757:2022:
a) the CEN Technical Specification has been adopted as a European Standard including the addition of
Annex ZA;
b) Scope (Clause 1) updated:
c) Normative references (Clause 2) updated;
d) Bibliography updated;
e) determination of formic acid soluble phosphorus content (5.8) and total potassium content (5.9)
added.
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.
Introduction
Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [1] lays down the rules on the making available on the market of EU
fertilizing products and the specific safety and quality requirements for the defined product function
categories (PFCs). Inorganic fertilizers have been classified into PFC 1(C).
The specific safety and quality requirements in relation to the following specific nutrients are defined in
this document as well as normative references of the test methods to be used in order to measure the
compliance with the related requirement in the Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 [1].
1 Scope
This document specifies references to methods for the determination of the content of the following
specific nutrients in inorganic fertilizers:
— the total nitrogen content;
— the ammoniacal nitrogen content;
— the nitric nitrogen content;
— the urea nitrogen content;
— the content of nitrogen from isobutylidenediurea (IBDU) and crotonylidenediurea (CDU);
— the cyanamide nitrogen content;
— the methylene-urea nitrogen content (and urea formaldehyde, if applicable);
— the total phosphorus content;
— the water-soluble phosphorus content;
— the neutral ammonium citrate soluble phosphorus content;
— the formic acid soluble phosphorus content;
— the total potassium content;
— the water-soluble potassium content;
— the total magnesium content;
— the water-soluble magnesium content;
— the total calcium content;
— the water-soluble calcium content;
— the total sulfur content;
— the water-soluble sulfur content;
— the total sodium content;
— the water-soluble sodium content.
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: inorganic fertilizers is the highest % in the blend by
mass or volume, or in the case of liquid form by dry mass. If inorganic fertilizer 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.
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.
EN 1482-2:2024, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Sampling and sample preparation — Part
2: General sample preparation provisions
prEN 12944-1:2026, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
prEN 12944-2:2026, Fertilizers, liming materials and inhibitors — Vocabulary — Part 2: Terms relating to
fertilizers
prEN 15475:2026, Inorganic fertilizers — Titrimetric determination of ammoniacal nitrogen
EN 15476:2009, Fertilizers — Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Devarda
EN 15477:2009, Fertilizers — Determination of the water-soluble potassium content
prEN 15478:2026, Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of total nitrogen in urea, methylene-urea and
urea formaldehyde
EN 15560:2023, Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of total nitrogen in calcium cyanamide nitrate free
EN 15561:2023, Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of total nitrogen in calcium cyanamide containing
nitrates
EN 15562:2023, Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of cyanamide nitrogen
EN 15604:2009, Fertilizers — Determination of different forms of nitrogen in the same sample, containing
nitrogen as nitric, ammoniacal, urea and cyanamide nitrogen
EN 15749:2022, Fertilizers — Determination of sulfates content using three different methods
EN 15750:2009, Fertilizers — Determination of total nitrogen in fertilizers containing nitrogen only as
nitric, ammoniacal and urea nitrogen by two different methods
EN 15919:2011, Fertilizers — Extraction of phosphorus soluble in 2 % formic acid
prEN 15925:2026, Inorganic fertilizers — Extraction of total sulfur present in various forms
EN 15926:2011, Fertilizers — Extraction of water soluble sulfur where the sulfur is in various forms
prEN 15956:2025, Inorganic fertilizers — Extraction of phosphorus soluble in mineral acids
prEN 15957:2026, Inorganic fertilizers — Extraction of phosphorus which is soluble in neutral ammonium
citrate
EN 15958:2011, Fertilizers — Extraction of water soluble phosphorus
EN 15959:2023, Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of extracted phosphorus P O
2 5
prEN 15960:2025, Inorganic fertilizers — Extraction of total calcium, total magnesium, total sodium and
total sulfur in the forms of sulfates
prEN 15961:2025, Inorganic fertilizers — Extraction of water-soluble calcium, magnesium, sodium and
sulfur in the form of sulfates
EN 16196:2012, Fertilizers — Manganimetric determination of extracted calcium following precipitation
in the form of oxalate
EN 16197:2012, Fertilizers — Determination of magnesium by atomic absorption spectrometry
EN 16198:2012, Fertilizers — Determination of magnesium by complexometry
EN 16199:2012, Fertilizers — Determination of the sodium extracted by flame-emission spectrometry
EN 17864:2023, Inorganic fertilizers — Determination of nitrogen content in IBDU (isobutylidenediurea)
and CDU (crotonylidenediurea)
prEN 18316
...