For methods of analysis the growing media industry has for many years referred to British Standard 4156:1990 "Recommendations for Peat for Horticultural and Landscape Use". Materials other than peat have tended to be analysed using the same methods, even though these have not always been the most appropriate.

However, a new European standard for soil improvers and growing media, which has been in preparation for several years by the European Committee for Standardisation, is in the process of being published. Most companies and laboratories are adopting the methods in the new standard. As with current British Standards, the new CEN standards will be advisory rather than legislative.

Although the standard is a European one, the convention is that within each country the national prefix is used before the EN number. For example European Standard EN 12579 Sampling would be referred to as BS EN 12579 in the UK.

The new standards are as follows:

Publications

Title : Soil improvers and growing media -
• PD CR 13455 Guidelines for the safety of users, the environment and plants.
• PD CR 13456 Labelling, specifications and product schedules
• BS EN 12579 Sampling
• BS EN 12580 Determination of a quantity
• BS EN 13037 Determination of pH
• BS EN 13038 Determination of electrical conductivity
• BS EN 13039 Determination of organic matter and ash content
• BS EN 13040 Sample preparation for chemical and physical methods, determination of dry matter content, moisture content and laboratory compacted bulk density
• BS EN 13041 Determination of physical properties - Dry bulk density, air, volume, water volume, shrinkage value and total pore space