What is BS EN 14069-Denominations, specifications and labelling of liming materials about?
BS EN 14069 is a European standard that serves technical specifications for denominations, specifications and labelling of liming materials, enabling identification, classification, and usability in agricultural applications.
BS EN 14069 specifies the requirements of products of natural origin and products from industrial processes of basic and fine quality to be used as liming materials in agriculture for raising the pH of the soil (and water).
Who is BS EN 14069-Denominations, specifications and labelling of liming materials for?
BS EN 14069 on denominations, specifications and labelling of liming materials applies to:
- Manufacturers of liming materials for agricultural applications
- Dealers and importers of liming materials for agricultural applications
- Testing houses and labs for liming materials
Why should you use BS EN 14069-Denominations, specifications and labelling of liming materials?
Liming depends on pH levels of soils, soil types, crops to be grown and regional climatic conditions. When pH targets have been fixed under each condition, a buffer method can be used, in addition to determining total soil acidity, to predict the amount of an effective liming material to be used to achieve this required lime status, irrespective of soil type.
BS EN 14069 provides users guidance on the type of designation, data on method of production and essential ingredients, the minimum content of nutrients supplied, other data on the type of designation and nutrient content to be declared, enabling effective communication, and labelling for the end-users in agricultural applications.
BS EN 14069 provides users guidance on terms and definitions, denominations, specifications for liming materials, analytical methods, tolerances, use of terms and declaration, which facilitates effective communication across all value chains.
The adoption of BS EN 14069 allows users to standardize the denominations, specifications and labelling of liming materials, enabling grading and marking of product specifications that facilitate the usability of liming materials to improve soil structure in agricultural applications.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 14069:2017 supersedes BS EN 14069:2003, which is now withdrawn. Changes in BS EN 14069:2017 include -
- References to analytical methods extended
- Requirements concerning oxide and hydroxide limes of natural origin added (see Table 2)
- Requirements concerning silicate limes added (see Table 4)
- Requirements concerning mixed limes added (see Table 5)
- Requirements concerning mixtures of liming materials with other EC fertilizer types added (see Table 6)