SIST EN ISO 18475:2025 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 18475:2025 (adoption of ISO 18475:2023) specifies validated laboratory methods for quantitative determination of seven indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180 - in environmental solid matrices using gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC‑MS) or electron‑capture detection (GC‑ECD). The standard covers sampling considerations, extraction options, a range of clean‑up procedures, instrumental analysis, calibration with internal standards, and performance checks. It replaces EN 17322:2020 and is intended for use across soil, sludge, sediment, treated biowaste and solid waste matrices.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Target congeners: PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, PCB180. The method may be extended to other congeners after in‑house validation.
• Analytical techniques: GC‑MS (mass selective detection) and GC‑ECD (electron‑capture detection). Choice affects sensitivity and interferences.
• Limits of application / detection: Under specified conditions, achievable lower limits range from 1 µg/kg (dry matter) for soils, sludge and biowaste to 10 µg/kg for solid waste; some samples may not reach the 10 µg/kg limit depending on matrix and interferences.
• Extraction procedures: Multiple extraction options are described (agitation/sonication, Soxhlet, pressurized liquid extraction, salt‑assisted extraction) to suit diverse matrices.
• Clean‑up strategies: Decision tables guide selection among various clean‑up methods to remove interferences, including:
  • Aluminium oxide (Clean‑up A)
  • Silica gel 60 (B)
  • Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) (C)
  • Florisil (D)
  • Silica H2SO4 / silica NaOH (E)
  • Benzenesulfonic acid / sulfuric acid (F)
  • TBA sulfite reagent (G)
  • Pyrogenic copper (H)
  • Silica / AgNO3 (I)
• Quality control: Blank tests, calibration standards, internal/injection standards, method performance checks and calculation procedures are specified.

Applications and who uses it

• Environmental testing laboratories performing regulatory PCB monitoring in soil, sediment, sludge, treated biowaste and solid wastes.
• Remediation contractors and site consultants validating cleanup levels or long‑term monitoring data.
• Waste managers and compliance officers assessing PCB contamination in waste streams.
• Research groups and quality assurance labs extending analysis to additional PCB congeners (with in‑house validation).

Related standards

• EN 61619, EN 12766‑1 and ISO 6468 - referenced for analysis of PCBs in insulating liquids, petroleum products/used oils and aqueous samples, respectively.
• Supersedes: EN 17322:2020.

Keywords: EN ISO 18475:2025, PCB determination, polychlorinated biphenyls, GC‑MS, GC‑ECD, soil PCB analysis, sludge PCB, sediment PCB, extraction and clean‑up, environmental standard.