🌿 Compliance test for leaching of granular waste materials and sludges — one-stage batch test at a liquid to solid ratio of 2 l/kg dry matter for materials with a dry matter content above 33 % and at least 95 % by mass of particles below 4 mm (oversize is reduced, without fine grinding; drying only when necessary, at most at 40 °C): a portion equivalent to 175 g dry matter in a 500 ml bottle with grade 3 water (pH 5–7,5, conductivity < 0,5 mS/m) is rotated in an end-over-end device (5–10 rpm), the solid phase is separated, the eluate filtered through a 0,45 µm membrane filter, pH, conductivity (optionally redox potential) measured and the eluate analysed by water methods; dry matter at 105 °C according to ISO 11465 or EN 12880 for sludges, PN-EN 12457-1

Environment PN-EN 12457-1

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. We read the text of the standard in the iTeh sample of SIST EN 12457-1:2004, i.e. EN 12457-1:2002 (English text): contents, foreword, introduction, Clauses 1–3 and Clause 4 up to 4.3.3 (dry matter and moisture content) — the sample ends on page 9. We do not read the rest of sample preparation (4.3.4 onward), the leaching procedure, further eluate preparation, blank test, calculation, test report, method performance or Annexes A–E and ZA; we know the titles from the contents.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 12457-1:2002. The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 292 “Characterization of waste” (secretariat NEN); national standards had to adopt it by June 2003 at the latest; it was prepared under a mandate from the European Commission and EFTA, supports requirements of EU directives (Annex ZA) and is intended primarily for compliance testing in the EU and EFTA; it was developed on the basis of DIN 38414-S4:1984, AFNOR X-31 210:1992, NEN 7343:1992 and ÖNORM S 2072:1990; Annexes A–E and ZA are informative (ZA — A-deviation for France according to the contents). Introduction: release of soluble constituents on contact with water is the main mechanism of potential hazard in the reuse and disposal of waste; tests are divided into basic characterization, compliance tests and on-site verification — this standard is a compliance test; the four parts differ in L/S ratio and particle size: Part 1 — one-stage L/S 2 l/kg, particles < 4 mm, materials with high solid content; Part 2 — one-stage L/S 10 l/kg, < 4 mm; Part 3 — two-stage L/S 2 and 8 l/kg, < 4 mm; Part 4 — one-stage L/S 10 l/kg, < 10 mm; for a given waste the results of the different parts may differ, and the choice of procedure lies with the body setting the requirements; for basic characterization ENV 12920 is used. Scope (1): a compliance test giving information on leaching of granular waste and sludges under specified conditions, in particular at L/S 2 l/kg dry matter; for wastes with particles < 4 mm with or without size reduction (4.3.2); mainly inorganic constituents — not taking into account the characteristics of non-polar organic constituents or microbiological processes in biodegradable waste; the eluate is characterized physically and chemically by the relevant standards; only for wastes and sludges with a high solid content — dry matter above 33 %, with a sufficient amount of eluate and the possibility of mixing; notes: not for materials with such a water content or affinity for water that mixing with the specified amount of liquid is impossible, nor for those reacting with the liquid (excessive gas evolution, solidification, heat release); crushing exposes new surfaces and may change leaching; a portion of 175 g dry matter gives at most 175 ml of eluate at 50 % dry matter; where Part 1 is not applicable — Part 2 (L/S 10); the test alone does not determine the leaching behaviour of the waste (ENV 12920); the standard does not deal with health and safety. References (2): ENV 12506 and ENV 13370 (eluate analysis), EN 12880 (dry residue of sludges), EN ISO 3696, EN ISO 5667-3, ISO 5725-5:1998, ISO 11465. Definitions (3): leaching test, leachant (here water according to 4.2.15), eluate, one-stage and serial batch test, L/S in l/kg dry matter, liquid waste (flows from a calibrated opening in less than 8 h, Annex B), sludge, monolithic waste, granular waste, dry matter content DR (according to ISO 11465 or EN 12880 for sludges), moisture content MC calculated on dry matter (unlike EN 12880, where on wet mass), laboratory sample, test sample, test portion. Principle (4.1): material with particles < 4 mm is brought into contact with water under specified conditions, assuming that equilibrium or near-equilibrium is reached; the solid phase is separated by filtration, the eluate analysed by water methods adapted to eluates; after the test pH, conductivity and optionally redox potential are recorded. Apparatus and reagents (4.2): glass or HDPE/PP bottles, 500 ml (HDPE/PP recommended for inorganic constituents, except mercury; 500 ml combined with 175 g dry matter minimizes headspace), rinsed; a device rotating the bottle end over end at 5–10 rpm or a roller table at about 10 rpm (others if equivalent); vacuum filtration 30–70 kPa or pressure filtration up to 0,5 MPa (no vacuum with volatile constituents); 0,45 µm membrane filters rinsed (e.g. with HNO3 0,1 mol/l and water), PTFE filters wetted with ethanol or methanol; jaw or cutting crusher and 4 mm sieves — possible contamination (e.g. Co and W from tungsten carbide, Cr, Ni and Mo from stainless steel); centrifuge 3000–4000 g; conductivity meter, pH meter, two thermometers, optionally redox meter; balance ± 0,1 g; cylinders accurate to 1 %; distilled or demineralized water of pH 5–7,5 and conductivity < 0,5 mS/m (grade 3 of EN ISO 3696); HNO3 0,1 mol/l. Sampling and preparation (4.3): laboratory sample at least 2 kg, divided with a riffle divider or by quartering; at least 95 % by mass of particles < 4 mm — with oversize above 5 % all oversize is crushed, without fine grinding; non-crushable parts (e.g. nuts, bolts, scrap) are separated, recording mass and type; the crushing method in the report; drying only when moisture prevents crushing or sieving, at most at 40 °C; notes: fibres and plastics after cryogenic treatment, passing part of the sample through the equipment before actual preparation, differences in results depending on crushing; test samples are not dried further; dry matter at 105 ± 5 °C according to ISO 11465 or EN 12880, on a separate portion; DR = 100 × MD/MW, MC = 100 × (MW − MD)/MD; with a large amount of volatile constituents direct determination of water is recommended.

STATUS (as of 03.10.2026). In the PKN search (term “12457-1”, 03.10.2026) PN-EN 12457-1:2006 (Polish version, “Introduces: EN 12457-1:2002 [IDT]”) has no withdrawal note. Card: publication date 08.02.2006, 30 pages, KT 216 Waste, “Replaces PN-EN 12457-1:2003 – English version”, no withdrawal note. In the iTeh catalogue (read 03.10.2026) EN 12457-1:2002 has the status “Published”, stage 90.92 (decision after review — revision), with the review from 17.02.2026; as the revising document the card gives the draft prEN 12457-1 with a title covering granular waste, sludges, soil, soil-like materials and sediments. The field “Withdrawal Date 30-Jun-2003” on the card is the deadline for withdrawing conflicting national standards, not a withdrawal of EN 12457-1.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, load up to 17.09.2026, read 03.10.2026). The number 12457-1 appears in 34 records at 2 laboratories: AB 300 (31), AB 700 (3). In the current PCA documents (read 03.10.2026; AB 700 issue No. 33 of 21.08.2026, AB 300 issue No. 36 of 08.09.2026) the number appears in 34 lines at the same 2 laboratories (31 and 3); in each document the number of page markers equals the number of PDF pages, without repetitions; a search of all PCA documents downloaded from the BIP on 03.10.2026 found no laboratories outside the database copy. Form “PN-EN 12457-1:2006” (AB 300) and “PN-EN 12457-1” without year (AB 700) — always in one cell with the standard for determining the given quantity and with PN-EN 12457-4, at AB 300 usually also with PN-93/G-11010 and PN-G-11011:1998. None of these items is suspended. The “Laboratories” tab (term “PN-EN 12457-1”) shows both laboratories — checked by a tab query on the labcoda.pl production server on 03.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in PCA). AB 300: sewage sludge, wastes of specified codes (also according to DAB-11), soil and aggregates — in the eluate e.g. pH, mercury (CVAAS), elements (ICP-OES, HG-ICP-OES), sulfates, chlorides, phenol index, fluorides, dissolved substances, COD-Cr, sulfides and hydrogen sulfide, DOC, alkalinity (ANC), anions (IC-CD), ammonium nitrogen. AB 700: waste (flexible scope) — mercury (CVAAS) (0,01–5,0) mg/kg, DOC (50–10 000) mg/kg and phenol index (0,01–30,0) mg/kg.

WHERE AN APPARENTLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. With the choice of part: Part 1 requires dry matter above 33 % and particles < 4 mm; where it cannot be applied — Part 2 (L/S 10); results of different parts for the same waste may differ (1, introduction) — both laboratories cite Part 4 (L/S 10, < 10 mm) in the same items, so the report must state which procedure was performed. With the unit: L/S is calculated on dry matter, and moisture in this standard is on dry matter, unlike EN 12880 (3.12, 4.3.3); AB 700 gives results in mg/kg. With preparation: only oversize is crushed, without fine grinding; drying only as a last resort and at most at 40 °C; crushers and sieves may introduce Co, W, Cr, Ni, Mo (4.2.5, 4.2.6, 4.3.2). With the type of constituents: the standard is primarily for inorganic constituents and does not take into account the characteristics of non-polar organic compounds (1) — the scopes also list phenol index, COD and DOC alongside it. With the object: the scope of the standard is granular waste and sludges (1); AB 300 also applies it to soil and aggregates, which only the title of the draft prEN 12457-1 covers. With filtration: no vacuum filtration with volatile constituents (4.2.3).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not quote the time and conditions of agitation, the amount of liquid, phase separation, eluate preparation, blank test, the formula for the amount released, method performance or the annexes — they lie outside the sample. We have not read PN-EN 12457-4, ENV 12920 or the draft prEN 12457-1. We do not give limit values from landfill regulations.

Method principle

A sample with at least 95 % of particles below 4 mm (oversize reduced, without fine grinding) and dry matter above 33 % is brought into contact with grade 3 water at a liquid to solid ratio of 2 l/kg dry matter in a bottle rotated for a specified time, assuming near-equilibrium is reached. The solid phase is separated, the eluate filtered through a 0,45 µm filter, pH and conductivity measured and the eluate analysed by water methods; the amount released is converted to the dry matter of the waste.

Applications

• Compliance test for leaching of granular waste and sludges with high solid content, L/S 2 l/kg, particles < 4 mm (1)
• Mainly inorganic constituents; eluate for determinations according to other standards (1, 4.1)
• Waste, sewage sludge, soil and aggregates — eluate preparation in 34 items of the accreditation scopes of 2 laboratories in PCA

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 12457-1:2006

Title (PL)

Charakteryzowanie odpadów — Wymywanie — Badanie zgodności w odniesieniu do wymywania ziarnistych materiałów odpadowych i osadów — Część 1: Jednostopniowe badanie porcjowe przy stosunku cieczy do fazy stałej 2 l/kg w przypadku materiałów o wysokiej zawartości fazy stałej i wielkości cząstek poniżej 4 mm (bez redukcji lub z redukcją wielkości)

Title (EN)

Characterisation of waste — Leaching — Compliance test for leaching of granular waste materials and sludges — Part 1: One stage batch test at a liquid to solid ratio of 2 l/kg for materials with high solid content and with particle size below 4 mm (without or with size reduction)

Step-by-step procedure

1. Laboratory sample

   ≥ 2 kg, division with a riffle divider or by quartering (4.3.1). PN-EN 12457-1:2006 without a withdrawal note in PKN (03.10.2026).

2. Particle size

   Sieving through 4 mm, crushing of oversize > 5 %, separation of non-crushable parts; drying only ≤ 40 °C (4.3.2).

3. Dry matter

   On a separate portion at 105 ± 5 °C; DR and MC (4.3.3).

4. Leaching

   Portion for 175 g dry matter, water to L/S 2 l/kg, rotation (4.2, 5 — details outside the sample).

5. Eluate

   Phase separation, 0,45 µm filtration, pH and conductivity, analyses according to water standards (4.1; 5.3–6 outside the sample).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The standard does not deal with health and safety (1) — handle hazardous waste according to its characteristics
• Wastes reacting with water (gas, heat) are excluded from the scope (1, note 2)

Frequently asked questions