FprEN 16087-1

Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological degradation rate of organic matter - Part 1: Oxygen uptake rate (OUR)

Publication date:   Oct 9, 2025

Scope

This document describes a method to determine the stability of materials (e.g. compost, digestate) used as components (ingredients) in growing media, soil improvers and organic fertilizers by measuring the oxygen uptake rate (OUR). It can also be used for growing media and soil improvers. The oxygen uptake rate is a direct parameter for the degradation rate of biodegradable organic matter that is being broken down within a specified time period. The method is not suitable for materials with a content of particle sizes > 20 mm exceeding 20 % by volume.
NOTE 1 The relation between the degradation rate and the oxygen uptake rate under the same conditions is depending on the type of material, for example by the C/N ratio. So it is important for the interpretation and limit values to be set based on the type of material.
NOTE 2 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 C, being biowaste compost, green compost, solid digestate and liquid digestate).

Related legislation

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