Overview
EN ISO 21637:2020 - Solid recovered fuels - Vocabulary (ISO 21637:2020) is an international vocabulary standard developed by ISO/TC 300 (Solid recovered fuels) and endorsed by CEN as EN ISO 21637:2020. Its purpose is to provide agreed terminology and definitions for solid recovered fuels (SRF) so stakeholders share a consistent understanding of scope, properties and processes. The standard replaces EN 15357:2011 and includes an informative Annex A that groups terms by typical uses to aid navigation.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Defines terms needed to understand the work of ISO/TC 300 and those used across two or more SRF standards; terms used only in a single standard remain defined in that standard.
- Core vocabulary items: Includes definitions for sampling and analysis (e.g., analysis sample, duplicate sample), material states and bases (as received, dry, dry ash free), fuel properties (calorific value, ash, ash fusibility, bulk density, energy density), and physical forms (bale, chips, densified SRF, fluff, fines).
- Process and handling terms: Covers activities such as drying, crushing, fraction separation, electromagnetic separation (eddy current) and classification of solid recovered fuels by key parameters (net calorific value, chlorine, mercury).
- Vocabulary boundaries: The standard clarifies what falls inside SRF terminology and what is covered elsewhere (e.g., solid biofuels are covered by ISO/TC 238).
- Normative status: There are no normative references; terms are intended for use across ISO/TC 300 standards. Annex A groups terms by sub‑sections to speed lookup.
Practical applications
- Standards and regulation: Ensures consistent terminology in SRF standards, certification schemes and regulatory text.
- Supply chain and trade: Harmonizes definitions used in procurement, material specifications and contractual documents for SRF trading.
- Industry operations: Useful to waste processors, SRF producers, cement kilns, power plants and co‑incineration facilities for clear communication about fuel composition, sampling and handling.
- Testing and QA/QC: Laboratories and quality managers use agreed terms for sampling plans, test reports and certificate of analysis.
- Technical communication: Supports engineers, consultants and policymakers by reducing ambiguity in reports, specifications and environmental assessments.
Who should use this standard
- Standard developers, national standards bodies and regulators
- SRF producers, waste management companies and fuel traders
- Cement, lime, and energy‑from‑waste industries
- Testing laboratories and quality assurance personnel
- Consultants and procurement professionals dealing with alternative fuels
Related standards
- Supersedes: EN 15357:2011
- Cross‑references: terminology sources such as ISO 16559 (used for some definitions)
- Boundary: Solid biofuels terminology covered by ISO/TC 238
Keywords: solid recovered fuels, SRF vocabulary, ISO 21637:2020, terminology, classification, sampling, calorific value, ash content, CEN.