ISO 22401:2015

Overview - ISO 22401:2015

ISO 22401:2015 specifies a laboratory test method to measure potential spray drift from horizontal boom sprayers by using a dedicated test bench. The method collects spray sedimentation beneath a passing boom and expresses drift as a comparison between collected deposit and a calculated reference spray deposit (RSD), producing a drift potential value (DPV). It applies to mounted, trailed and self‑propelled horizontal boom sprayers used in arable crops, orchards, vineyards and horticulture and is intended for booms using a uniform set of spray generators.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: Collect sedimenting droplets on a track of covered/uncovered deposit collectors; compare total collected amount to the RSD to calculate DPV.
• Test bench design: Aligned collector slots with spacing of (500 ± 2) mm, at least 20 collector positions, each collector area ≥ 100 cm². Two end slots remain uncovered to collect full under‑boom deposit. Collector covers are actuated so collectors are uncovered when the spray hits ground at (2 ± 0.1) m beyond the last collector.
• Tracer and spray liquid: Use a low‑toxicity tracer (e.g., tartrazine) with analytical sensitivity to detect ≥ 0.1% of RSD; spray liquid should reflect typical formulation (surfactant addition allowed).
• Environmental and positioning limits: Preferably indoor testing with average wind < 1.0 m/s (max < 1.5 m/s); temperature 5–35 °C; relative humidity 40–95%. Test bench placed on flat surface/grass, collectors ≤ 300 mm above ground.
• Test conditions and repeatability: Record wind speed at 2 m height (≥1 Hz), air and ground temperatures, and maintain strict tolerances when comparing setups (e.g., wind differences ≤ 0.2 m/s).
• Comparison scope: For spray‑drift classification, comparisons are limited to nozzle type, spray pressure, and boom height (other parameters under study).

Applications and users

ISO 22401 is practical for:

• Sprayer manufacturers evaluating design options to reduce drift.
• Farm advisory services recommending sprayer setups that minimize off‑target drift.
• Researchers and test laboratories conducting comparative tests between nozzle types, pressures or boom heights.
• Certification and classification schemes where a standardized bench method offers rapid, repeatable potential‑drift assessment. Use cases include product development, compliance checks, and optimizing sprayer setup for environmental protection and buffer‑zone determination.

Related standards

• ISO 22866 - Field measurement of spray drift (comparative/alternative method)
• ISO 22856 - Laboratory measurement of drift from individual nozzles
• ISO 5681 - Vocabulary for crop protection equipment

Keywords: ISO 22401:2015, spray drift, horizontal boom sprayers, test bench, drift potential, RSD, DPV, nozzle type, boom height, sprayer testing.