SIST EN 13038:2012
(Main)Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity
This European Standard specifies an instrumental method for the routine determination of electrical conductivity in a water extract of a soil improver or growing medium. The determination is carried out to obtain an indication of the content of water soluble electrolytes in either soil improvers or growing media.
This method is not applicable to liming materials and preformed materials such as mineral wool slabs and foam slabs.
NOTE The requirements of the standard may differ from the national legal requirements for the declaration of the products concerned.
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein gerätegestütztes Verfahren zur routinemäßigen Bestimmung der elek-trischen Leitfähigkeit in einem wässrigen Extrakt aus Bodenverbesserungsmitteln oder Kultursubstraten fest. Die Bestimmung wird durchgeführt, um einen Hinweis auf den Gehalt an wasserlöslichen Elektrolyten in Bodenverbesserungsmitteln oder in Kultursubstraten zu erhalten. Dieses Verfahren gilt nicht für Calcium-/Magnesium-Bodenverbesserungsmittel und vorgeformte Materialien wie Mineralwollplatten und Schaumplatten. ANMERKUNG Die Anforderungen der Norm können von den nationalen gesetzlichen Vorgaben bezüglich der Deklaration der erwähnten Produkte abweichen.
Amendements organiques et supports de culture - Détermination de la conductivité électrique
La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode instrumentale de détermination de routine de la conductivité électrique dans un extrait aqueux d'amendement du sol ou de support de culture. La détermination est effectuée afin d'obtenir une indication de la teneur en électrolytes solubles dans l'eau présents dans des amendements du sol ou des supports de culture.
La présente méthode n’est pas applicable aux amendements calciques et/ou magnésiens basiques, ni aux matériaux préformés tels que les blocs de laine minérale et de mousse.
NOTE Les exigences de la norme peuvent diverger par rapport aux législations nationales en ce qui concerne la déclaration des produits concernés.
Izboljševalci tal in rastni substrati - Določevanje električne prevodnosti
Ta evropski standard določa instrumentalno metodo za rutinsko določevanje električne prevodnosti v vodnem ekstraktu izboljševalca tal ali rastnega substrata. Z določevanjem se ugotovi vsebnost v vodi topnih elektrolitov v izboljševalcih tal ali rastnih substratih.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 28-Feb-2010
- Publication Date
- 10-Jan-2012
- Technical Committee
- KAT - Soil quality
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 04-Jan-2012
- Due Date
- 10-Mar-2012
- Completion Date
- 11-Jan-2012
- Directive
- Slovenian Regulation2013-01-3557 - Uredba o predelavi biološko razgradljivih odpadkov in uporabi komposta ali digestata
Relations
- Replaces
SIST EN 13038:2001 - Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity - Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2012
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
SIST-TS CEN/TS 17728:2022 - Organic soil improvers - Determination of specific parameters - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Revised
oSIST prEN 13038:2025 - Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity - Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2025
Overview
SIST EN 13038:2012 – Soil Improvers and Growing Media: Determination of Electrical Conductivity specifies a standardized instrumental method for routinely determining the electrical conductivity of water extracts from soil improvers and growing media. This European Standard provides a reliable technique to assess the content of water-soluble electrolytes, an important indicator of product suitability and performance in horticultural and agricultural applications. The method does not apply to liming materials or preformed materials such as mineral wool slabs and foam slabs.
By adopting this standard, laboratories, manufacturers, and quality control professionals can ensure consistency and comparability across measurements of electrical conductivity in soil and cultivation media, supporting both commercial and regulatory needs.
Key Topics
- Electrical Conductivity Measurement: The standard outlines how to prepare samples, extract soluble electrolytes using water, and measure the resulting electrical conductivity using a calibrated meter.
- Scope & Applicability: Specifically addresses soil improvers and growing media, excluding certain materials (e.g., liming agents, mineral wool).
- Sample Preparation: Guidance is drawn from related standards to ensure impartial and reproducible sample handling.
- Calibration and Quality Control: Provides direction on using standard potassium chloride solutions for calibrating the conductivity meter, ensuring accuracy and repeatability.
- Data Reporting: Specifies that results should be reported in millisiemens per metre (mS/m), accompanied by relevant sample identification and procedural notes.
- Precision and Validation: The standard references interlaboratory trials and parameters for repeatability and reproducibility to help users evaluate measurement reliability.
Applications
Adherence to SIST EN 13038:2012 offers practical benefits in several key areas:
- Quality Control for Manufacturers: Soil improver and growing media producers can use this method to ensure product consistency, meet buyer specifications, and support certification processes.
- Regulatory Compliance: Laboratories and organizations may use the standard as part of their routine compliance testing to align with European regulatory expectations for soil additives and substrates.
- Product Development and Research: Researchers benefit from a unified measurement method when studying the effects of varying water-soluble electrolyte levels on plant growth or substrate performance.
- Trade and Procurement: Standardized measurement of electrical conductivity facilitates clear communication of product properties between producers, distributers, and purchasers, enhancing trust and reducing disputes.
Related Standards
For accurate and repeatable results, SIST EN 13038:2012 references and builds on several related standards:
- EN 13040:2007: Defines sample preparation methods for soil improvers and growing media, including laboratory determination of dry matter, moisture content, and bulk density.
- EN ISO 3696: Specifies the required purity and testing methods for water used in analytical laboratories, ensuring minimal interference during extraction and measurement.
- ISO 1770: Details specifications for solid-stem general-purpose thermometers, relevant for temperature control in the procedure.
- EN 27888 (ISO 7888): Provides methods for the determination of electrical conductivity in water, complementing procedures for the soil and growing media sector.
- ISO 5725 (all parts): Covers accuracy, trueness, and precision of measurement methods and results, supporting the validation of the testing process.
Summary
SIST EN 13038:2012 provides an essential, harmonized approach for determining the electrical conductivity of soil improvers and growing media. By following this standard, users gain confidence in their product quality assessments and align with European best practices-supporting agricultural innovation, market access, and regulatory compliance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 13038:2012 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies an instrumental method for the routine determination of electrical conductivity in a water extract of a soil improver or growing medium. The determination is carried out to obtain an indication of the content of water soluble electrolytes in either soil improvers or growing media. This method is not applicable to liming materials and preformed materials such as mineral wool slabs and foam slabs. NOTE The requirements of the standard may differ from the national legal requirements for the declaration of the products concerned.
This European Standard specifies an instrumental method for the routine determination of electrical conductivity in a water extract of a soil improver or growing medium. The determination is carried out to obtain an indication of the content of water soluble electrolytes in either soil improvers or growing media. This method is not applicable to liming materials and preformed materials such as mineral wool slabs and foam slabs. NOTE The requirements of the standard may differ from the national legal requirements for the declaration of the products concerned.
SIST EN 13038:2012 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.
SIST EN 13038:2012 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 13038:2001, SIST EN 12238:2001, SIST EN ISO 3696:1998, SIST EN 13040:2008, SIST-TS CEN/TS 17728:2022, SIST EN 16086-1:2012, SIST EN 13948:2007, SIST CR 13456:2002, SIST EN 16086-2:2012, SIST-TS CEN/TS 16201:2013, SIST-TS CEN/TS 17731:2022, oSIST prEN 13038:2025. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 13038:2012 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2013-01-3557. 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.
SIST EN 13038:2012 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)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.HYRGQRVWLBodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung der elektrischen LeitfähigkeitAmendements organiques et supports de culture - Détermination de la conductivité électriqueSoil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity65.080GnojilaFertilizersICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13038:2011SIST EN 13038:2012en,fr,de01-februar-2012SIST EN 13038:2012SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 13038:20011DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13038
November 2011 ICS 65.080 Supersedes EN 13038:1999English Version
Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of electrical conductivity
Amendements du sol et supports de culture - Détermination de la conductivité électrique
Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate - Bestimmung der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit This European Standard was approved by CEN on 17 September 2011.
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. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists 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, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 13038:2011: ESIST EN 13038:2012
Results of an interlaboratory trial to determine specific electrical conductivity .8Bibliography .9 SIST EN 13038:2012
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