EN ISO 22036:2024 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 22036:2024 - "Environmental solid matrices - Determination of elements using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)" - is a CEN-endorsed international standard that specifies a validated ICP‑OES method for multi‑element determination in solid environmental matrices. The method covers soils, treated biowaste, waste, sludge and sediment, and is applicable to aqua regia, nitric acid or mixed acid (HCl/HNO3/HBF4/HF) digests. It is also applicable to other extract/digest types (e.g., DTPA extraction, fusion, total digestion) when the user verifies suitability, and to eluates of construction products (see EN 17200).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and validated matrices: Validated for elements across a broad range (examples: Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg and many rare earths and precious metals); specific validation data are provided for sludge, compost and soil (Annex A).
• Sample digestion: Describes acceptable digest/extract media (aqua regia, HNO3, HCl/HNO3/HBF4/HF) and requires user verification for alternative methods (DTPA, fusion, total digestion).
• ICP‑OES instrument setup: Requirements for instrument performance, optimization, wavelength selection, inter‑element correction and long‑term stability checks.
• Interferences and corrections: Treatment of spectral and non‑spectral interferences, with normative inter‑element correction procedures (Annex C).
• Calibration and quality control: Linear and standard‑addition calibration options, blank and calibration solutions, calibration checks, recovery and performance characteristics.
• Reporting and performance data: Calculation methods, expression of results, required test report content and reproducibility/repeatability data (Annex A); wavelengths and estimated detection limits in Annex B.

Practical applications and users

• Environmental and commercial laboratories performing elemental analysis of soils, sludges, sediments, treated biowaste and other solid wastes.
• Regulatory agencies and consultants conducting compliance monitoring, risk assessment and site characterization.
• Waste management, remediation projects, agricultural soil testing, and construction product testing laboratories analyzing eluates per EN 17200.
• Research groups and method developers validating alternative digestion/extraction approaches for ICP‑OES multi‑element analysis.

Related standards

• EN 17200 - eluates of construction products (method compatibility noted)
• ISO 22036:2008 / EN 16170:2016 - earlier editions superseded by this consolidated 2024 edition
• ISO/TC 190 (Soil quality) publications - complementary guidance for soil characterization

This standard is essential for laboratories seeking a harmonized, CEN-endorsed ICP‑OES procedure for reliable multi‑element determination in environmental solid matrices.