DIN EN 13137 2001-12 PDF

Full title and description

DIN EN 13137:2001-12 — Characterization of waste — Determination of total organic carbon (TOC) in waste, sludges and sediments. Deutsche Fassung EN 13137:2001; specifies two laboratory procedures for measuring total organic carbon in undried waste and comparable matrices.

Abstract

This standard defines two methods for determining total organic carbon (TOC) in waste, sludges and sediments (samples with >1 g C/kg dry matter, i.e. >0.1% w/w). It describes principle, interferences, reagents, equipment, sample storage, two procedural methods (often referenced as Method A and Method B, indirect and direct approaches), performance characteristics and reporting requirements. The standard was published as the EN 13137:2001 series and adopted in national catalogues as DIN EN 13137:2001-12.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded (national adoption withdrawn; users are directed to later EN standards on TOC).
• Publication date: 2001 (adopted as DIN EN 13137:2001-12 — national publication 1 December 2001; original EN approval June–August 2001).
• Publisher: Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) — national adoption of CEN/EN 13137.
• ICS / categories: 13.030.10 (Solid wastes), 13.030.20 (Liquid wastes. Sludge).
• Edition / version: EN 13137:2001 (adopted as DIN EN 13137:2001-12).
• Number of pages: National publications vary (typical listings: 16–20 pages; DIN listing frequently shows 17 pages for the 2001-12 national publication).

Scope

EN/DIN EN 13137:2001 specifies two methods to determine total organic carbon (TOC) in undried waste samples and comparable materials (sludges and sediments) where the TOC content is greater than 1 g C per kg dry matter (0.1% w/w). The methods may record some inorganic carbon forms (elemental carbon, carbides, cyanides/cyanates, isocyanates/thiocyanates) as “organic carbon”; where these are significant they should be assessed separately and noted in the test report. The standard applies to laboratory characterization and quality-control testing of waste matrices.

Key topics and requirements

• Two procedural methods (commonly referenced as Method A and Method B) — indirect and direct TOC determination procedures and their appropriate use.
• Principle and measurement interferences (how certain inorganic carbon species and elemental carbon affect results and their interpretation).
• Required reagents, equipment and instrumentation (including combustion apparatus or indirect measurement setups, sample handling and storage).
• Sample storage, preparation and representativeness requirements for undried waste, sludge and sediment matrices.
• Performance characteristics, validation / inter-laboratory test considerations and the required content of the test report.
• Informative annex with inter-laboratory test results and guidance on method performance.

Typical use and users

Environmental testing laboratories, waste-management and landfill authorities, consultants performing waste characterization, researchers working on sludge/sediment analysis, and national compliance bodies use this standard (or its successors) to ensure consistent TOC measurement and reporting for regulatory, treatment and disposal decisions.

Related standards

EN 13137:2001 has been superseded in practice by later European standards on TOC determination. Key related documents include EN 15936 (2012) — “Sludge, treated biowaste, soil and waste — Determination of total organic carbon (TOC) by dry combustion” (nationally published as DIN EN 15936:2012-11) and subsequent updates (EN 15936:2022 series). ISO/TC 190 work on TOC (ISO 10694 and the developing ISO/DIS 15936) are also relevant for soil and waste TOC methods. Users should consult the latest EN/ISO TOC standards for current validated procedures.

Keywords

TOC, total organic carbon, waste characterization, sludge, sediment, dry combustion, Method A, Method B, sample storage, performance characteristics.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: DIN EN 13137:2001-12 is the German adoption of EN 13137:2001 — a CEN/European standard that specified laboratory methods for determining total organic carbon (TOC) in waste, sludges and sediments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers two procedures for TOC measurement (including principles, interferences, reagents, equipment, sample handling, method performance and reporting). It applies to undried waste and comparable matrices where TOC exceeds about 0.1% (1 g/kg dry matter).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and analytical laboratories, waste-management authorities, consultants, researchers and regulatory bodies performing or specifying TOC testing for waste, sludge and sediment matrices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The DIN-adopted EN 13137:2001 national publication is withdrawn/superseded for routine use. Users are recommended to follow the later EN TOC standard EN 15936 (2012) and its subsequent updates (EN 15936:2022 and national adoptions). Check the latest national/normative catalogues for the currently endorsed method in your country.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the family of CEN/ISO standards dealing with environmental matrix characterization and TOC determination (linked to national adoptions and later EN/ISO updates such as EN 15936 and ISO work on TOC methods). Laboratories should track those successor standards for the current validated procedures.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: TOC, total organic carbon, waste, sludge, sediment, dry combustion, method validation, sample preparation, interferences.