Organic Soil Conditioners – Composts – Determination of Foreign Matter Content – Sieving Method

Standard CAN/BNQ 0413-210
Organic Soil Conditioners – Composts – Determination of Foreign Matter Content – Sieving Method

The use of compost as a soil conditioner is an excellent fertilization method that is inexpensive and effective. However, producers must ensure that compost is safe for human health and the environment, in particular by measuring its foreign matter content. To that end, the BNQ developed the CAN/BNQ 0413-210 standard, for compost producers. This national standard specifies a sieving method adapted from methods developed by the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) and the Quebec Ministère de l’Environnement (MENV). The method described is used to determine the foreign matter content of composts through particle size analysis and applies to composts from various sources used as organic soil conditioners.

The standard covers the following areas:

• principle;
• apparatus;
• samples;
• procedure (calibration, test prerequisites, test portions and testing);
• calculating and expressing the results (general and percentage of mass);
• calculating counts (foreign matter and sharp foreign matter);
• test report.