BS EN 1482-3:2016
Incorporating
February 2017
BS ENcorrigendum
1482-3:2016

BSI Standards Publication

Fertilizers and liming materials
— Sampling and sample
preparation
Part 3: Sampling of static heaps


BS EN 1482-3:2016

BRITISH STANDARD
National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 1482-3:2016.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee CII/37, Fertilisers and related chemicals.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained
on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2017.
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2017
ISBN 978 0 580 97505 9
ICS 65.080

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from

legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards
Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 August 2016.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication
Date

Text affected

28 February 2017Implementation of CEN/CENELEC Correction Notice
17 August 2016: Figure 3 replaced


BS EN 1482-3:2016

EN 1482-3

EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

August 2016

ICS 65.080

English Version

Fertilizers and liming materials - Sampling and sample
preparation - Part 3: Sampling of static heaps


Engrais et amendements minéraux basiques Échantillonnage et préparation de l'échantillon - Partie
3 : Échantillonnage des tas statiques

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 12 June 2016.

Düngemittel und Kalkdünger - Probenahme und
Probenvorbereitung - Teil 3: Probenahme aus
statischen Haufwerken

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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2016 CEN

All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved

worldwide for CEN national Members.

Ref. No. EN 1482-3:2016 E


BS EN 1482-3:2016

EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Contents

Page

European foreword....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1

Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2

Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 5

3

Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 5

4
4.1
4.2

4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.4
4.5
4.5.1
4.5.2
4.5.3
4.5.4
4.6
4.6.1
4.6.2
4.6.3

Sampling plans and quantitative data ..................................................................................................... 5
General ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Characterization of the lot to be sampled .............................................................................................. 6
Sampling plan ................................................................................................................................................... 6
General ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Elements of the sampling plan ................................................................................................................... 6
Determination of the volume/mass of the lot....................................................................................... 8
Determination of sampling units and sampling points ..................................................................... 8
Determination of the number and location of the sampling units ................................................ 8
Minimum total number of sampling units ............................................................................................. 8
Determination of sampling units from which incremental samples shall be taken ............... 8
Determination of the minimum number of sampling points from which sub-samples
are to be taken.................................................................................................................................................. 8
Quantitative data............................................................................................................................................. 8
Determination of the minimum mass of increments ......................................................................... 8
Mass of increments ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Aggregate/reduced and final samples..................................................................................................... 9

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4

Incremental sampling methods ................................................................................................................. 9
General ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Sampling apparatus........................................................................................................................................ 9
Procedure........................................................................................................................................................ 11
Aggregate and reduced samples ............................................................................................................. 12

6
6.1
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2

Final samples ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Division into final samples ....................................................................................................................... 12
Practical arrangements for final (laboratory) samples ................................................................. 12
Final sample packaging materials ......................................................................................................... 12
Dealing with final samples ........................................................................................................................ 12

7

Sampling report ............................................................................................................................................ 12


Annex A (informative) Determination of mass/volume of a static heap .............................................. 13
A.1
Volume of a conical heap without edgewise limitation.................................................................. 13
A.2
Volume of a storage box, partly filled (rectangular base, three flanks closed) ..................... 13
A.3
Determination of the mass ....................................................................................................................... 14
Annex B (informative) Alternative method according to GOST ............................................................... 15
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 16

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BS EN 1482-3:2016

EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

European foreword
This document (EN 1482-3:2016) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 260 “Fertilizers
and liming materials”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2017, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by February 2017.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association.
EN 1482 “Fertilizers and liming materials — Sampling and sample preparation” consists of three parts:

— Part 1: Sampling;

— Part 2: Sample preparation;

— Part 3: Sampling of static heaps.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

3


BS EN 1482-3:2016

EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Introduction
The establishment of European Standards for methods of sampling and analysis is of utmost importance
to guarantee a uniform application and control of the European legislation in all Member States.
Standardized methods of sampling and analysis are essential elements in guaranteeing a high level of
quality and safety of EC fertilizers for the benefit of purchasers. In order to avoid any improper use of
the term “EC fertilizer” Member States are required to check the nutrient content of such fertilizers. To
achieve this, representative sampling is essential for reliable analytical results.

Competent authorities have limited resources for conformity assessment and these are most efficiently
deployed at the downstream end of the supply chain. The purpose of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [1]

is to ensure that the fertilizer meets European requirements and complies with the declaration of the
required characteristics applied to it when delivered to a purchaser. EN 1482-1:2007 might not fully
satisfy the needs of Member States when a large quantity of fertilizer is stored in a static heap that
cannot be realistically put into motion. An evaluation was requested to be carried out by CEN to see
what, if any, static heaps of fertilizer could be representatively sampled at affordable costs see (see [3]).
The fundamental principle of representative sampling is that every particle has an equal chance of
being sampled. This principle cannot easily be complied with in the case of bulk static heaps of solid
fertilizers as a large proportion of the material cannot practically be reached by any sampling device.
Wherever possible, this fertilizer should be sampled during transfer, during the building up of the heap,
during dispatch or where it can practically be moved solely for sampling purposes. However, in some
cases, sampling in the way described is not practicable. The European Commission asked
CEN/TC 260/WG 1 to draft a European Standard in response to mandate M/454, which requires the
development of a method of sampling static heaps that could not be sampled according to
EN 1482-1:2007. This states that the sampling of static heaps should only be carried out when the
product is in motion.
In response to the mandate, sampling methods to sample static heaps have been developed and
standardized as specified in this document.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard is applicable to the sampling of mineral fertilizers and liming materials
supplied or ready for supply to third parties, as a lot or in smaller lots, where such supply or readiness
for supply is subject to legal requirements.


This European Standard specifies plans and methods of sampling of a lot of solid fertilizer or liming
material, if sampling in motion is not possible, to obtain samples from static bulk heaps in order to
ascertain compliance with legal requirements, in particular in relation to the accuracy of compulsory or
permitted statutory declarations. The methods specified in this document are not applicable to obtain
samples for physical analysis or for the chemical analysis which may be altered by particle
granulometric segregation.
This European Standard is applicable to single nutrient fertilizers, to uniform complex fertilizers and to
milled or granulated liming materials.

The methods described in this document are not suitable for sampling other types of fertilizer, for
example blended fertilizers.
NOTE
The term 'fertilizer' is used throughout the body of this European Standard and includes liming
materials unless otherwise indicated.

2 Normative references

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1482-1:2007, Fertilizers and liming materials - Sampling and sample preparation - Part 1: Sampling

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1482-1:2007 and the following
apply.
3.1
fertilizer
solid inorganic material designated for use as a fertilizer including liming materials
3.2

sampling point
point in the sampling unit from which a sub-sample is taken
Note 1 to entry:

For the definition of sub-sample, see EN 1482–1:2007, Note in 3.5.

3.3
static heap
quantity of fertilizer stored in bulk in a single mass

4 Sampling plans and quantitative data
4.1 General
The objective of sampling is to acquire a sample of the lot to establish its composition and properties.
The methods to be used for sampling static heaps are specified in the following clauses.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

4.2 Characterization of the lot to be sampled
Before a sampling plan is determined, a description of the characteristics of the lot that is intended to be
sampled shall be undertaken. In particular, the following physical characteristics shall be noted:
— kind/type,
— texture,

— colour,


— storage conditions, e.g. uncovered/covered,
— foreign matters.

If the owner of the material is applying the same description and statutory information to the whole lot,
sampling should proceed in accordance with this document. Only if there is evidence of deterioration or
contamination should consideration be given to the dividing of the lot into parts from which separate
samples should be taken.

4.3 Sampling plan
4.3.1 General

The sampling plan shall be determined after the characteristics according to 4.2 have been considered.
Any variations from the stated sampling plan shall be documented in written form.
The sampling plan shall define the course of the sampling process, and associated provisions, in
reproducible manner.
Sampling only around the base of the heap or from a single part of the heap does not supply a
representative sample.
4.3.2 Elements of the sampling plan

Within the sampling plan, the following elements shall be stated:

— boundary of the lot,

— determination of the volume/mass of the lot,

— determination of the number and location of sampling units,

— determination of sampling units from which the increments shall be taken,

— if necessary, preparation of a sketch-map of the sampling areas (see Figure 1),


— determination of the minimum number of sampling points from which sub-samples are to be taken
to form the incremental sample,
— determination of minimum volume/mass of increments.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Key

1

1 to 32
+

top ring

second ring
third ring

fourth ring

conveyor belt

number of sampling units of equivalent surface


10 random selected sampling units for sampling

sampling points (random distribution in the sampling unit)
2 sampling units (180° each)
6 sampling units (60° each)
8 sampling units (45° each)

16 sampling units (22,5° each)

Characteristics of the heap:
angle of repose: 36 °
base diameter:

12 m

circumference:

37,70 m

height:
ridge:

volume:

5,3 m
8m

200 m3

Figure 1 — Example of sampling plan for a conical heap (developed)


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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

4.4 Determination of the volume/mass of the lot
The volume/mass of the lot should either be determined by reference to production/purchase/sales
records of the owner or, if this is not possible, shall be estimated by the methods described in Annex A.

4.5 Determination of sampling units and sampling points

4.5.1 Determination of the number and location of the sampling units
The total minimum number of sampling units depends on the size of the lot. Each sampling unit will be
represented by approximately the same surface area.
4.5.2 Minimum total number of sampling units

The total number of sampling units into which the lot has to be divided shall be determined in
accordance with Table 1.
Table 1 — Number of sampling units that the lot needs be divided into

25 or less

Lot size
t

More than 25 and up to 400
More than 400


Minimum number of sampling units
10

The nearest whole even number above the
square root of 4 times the quantity, in tonnes,
present
40

4.5.3 Determination of sampling units from which incremental samples shall be taken

Select randomly a minimum of 10 sampling units from the total number of sampling units determined
in accordance with 4.5.2 using random number tables or a random number generator. Incremental
samples shall be taken from the selected sampling units.

4.5.4 Determination of the minimum number of sampling points from which sub-samples are to
be taken

The number of sub-samples to be taken from the material in the selected sampling units shall be
determined by reference to the minimum quantity of the incremental sample required according to
4.6.2 and the quantity of material delivered on each occasion by the sampling device.

Sub-samples shall comprise of a quantity of material taken at randomly selected points in each selected
sampling unit. These shall be mixed to form the incremental sample from that unit.
EXAMPLE
Minimum quantity of incremental sample 250 g Sampling device delivers approximately 100 g
from each point. Sub-samples to be taken from three randomly selected points in the unit.

4.6 Quantitative data


4.6.1 Determination of the minimum mass of increments
One incremental sample shall be taken from each selected sampling unit.
All increments shall have approximately the same mass.

The required size of each incremental sample shall be considered when choosing the sampling device
and the sampling method.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

4.6.2 Mass of increments
The incremental sample from any one sampling unit should be at least 250 g. For liming materials
coarser than 80 % passing 0,315 mm the mass of each increment should be at least 500 g.

4.6.3 Aggregate/reduced and final samples

Incremental samples from the static heap should be dealt with in accordance with EN 1482-1:2007,
4.3.2 to 4.3.4.

5 Incremental sampling methods
5.1 General

All sampling operations should be carried out in such a way as to minimize changes to sample
properties, e.g. moisture content.

In every case, the objective shall be to gain a sample that is representative of the lot with regard to the

chemical composition.
An assessment should be carried out to determine any safety measures that should be taken.

5.2 Sampling apparatus

The sampling apparatus shall be clean, dry and inert (i.e. fabricated of materials that will not affect the
characteristics of the fertilizers to be sampled).
The sampling apparatus shall be suitable to remove the required volume/mass.
The design of the apparatus for sampling should ensure that
— a complete discharge is possible;

— no contamination of the test material occurs;

— the width of the opening should not be less than three times the size of the largest particle of the
fertilizer.

Increments from static heaps can be taken by the following sampling apparatus:

— sampling spear (with or without compartments) (see Figure 2);

— for wet liming materials a tube shovel can be used (see Figure 3), or other suitable device.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Figure 2 — Sampling spears


10


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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Dimensions in mm

Figure 3 — Sampling tube shovel for wet liming materials

5.3 Procedure
When sampling loose bulk heaps, it is important to get increments not only from the surface layer. The
uppermost layer of the heap shall be excluded from sampling if encrustations or other changes are
visible that clearly deviate from the whole of the heap. Exclusion of such parts of the test material from
sampling shall be documented.
If increments are taken using a sampling spear, insert the spear into the surface at an angle of 45° to the
base of the static heap or at right angles to the surface layer (see Figure 4).

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

If increments are taken from wet liming materials using a tube shovel, insert the tube shovel into the
surface at an angle of 45 ° to the base of the static heap or at right angles to the surface layer (see
Figure 4).


Figure 4 — .Sampling of a conical heap using a spear
The dotted line represents the depth the sampling device can practically reach.

5.4 Aggregate and reduced samples

All incremental samples shall be mixed together to form an aggregate sample which shall be dealt with
in accordance with EN 1482-1:2007, Clause 6.

6 Final samples

6.1 Division into final samples
Final samples shall be obtained by division of the aggregate sample in accordance with
EN 1482-1:2007, Clause 7.

6.2 Practical arrangements for final (laboratory) samples
6.2.1 Final sample packaging materials

The practical arrangements for final (laboratory) samples shall be in line with the requirements as
specified in EN 1482-1:2007, Clause 8.
6.2.2 Dealing with final samples

Final samples in containers shall be dealt with in accordance with EN 1482-1:2007, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5.

7 Sampling report

The sampling report shall comply with EN 1482-1:2007, Clause 9 as appropriate for bulk static heaps.
NOTE

12


It can be advantageous to photograph the heap and include this with the report.


BS EN 1482-3:2016

EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Annex A
(informative)

Determination of mass/volume of a static heap
A.1 Volume of a conical heap without edgewise limitation
An example is given in Figure A.1.

Calculate the volume of the lot to be sampled, V, according to Formula (A.1).

V=

where

d

h

d 2 ×π × h
12

(A.1)


is the diameter of the base of the cone;
is the height of filling.

Figure A.1 — Conical heap

A.2 Volume of a storage box, partly filled (rectangular base, three flanks closed)
An example is given in Figure A.2.

Calculate the volume of the lot to be sampled, V, according to Formula (A.2).

V=

1
× b × (l × h + l × a + d × a )
2

(A.2)

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

where

l

b

a
h
d

is the distance between the base of the angle of repose and the back
wall;
is the width of the rectangular base;

is the height of filling at the back wall;
is the height of the apex;

is the distance between apex and back wall.

Figure A.2 — Box shaped container

A.3 Determination of the mass
In the second step, estimate the mass using the density provided by the manufacturer.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Annex B
(informative)

Alternative method according to GOST


In the experimental trial III, the method standardized in GOST 21560.0 (see [2]) was tested in parallel
for the sampling of liming materials. The principle is climbing the edge of the heap and sampling at
regular intervals along a virtual edge of the heap.

Despite that this method is certainly an easier way to sample static heaps compared to full random
sampling, this method is not suitable to ascertain compliance with legal requirements in the frame of
the scope of EN 1482-3. However, GOST 21560.0 can be used as a screening test.

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EN 1482-3:2016 (E)

Bibliography

[1]
[2]

[3]
[4]

16

Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003
relating to fertilisers, Official Journal L 304, 21/11/2003, P. 0001 – 0194
GOST 21560.0, Mineral fertilizers — Methods of sampling and preparation of samples

FprCEN/TR 17040, Sampling of fertilizers and liming materials - Report on experimental work of

static heap sampling procedures

EN 1482-2, Fertilizers and liming materials - Sampling and sample preparation - Part 2: Sample
preparation


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