A reliable solution for conforming to the new European EN 17505 standard for TOC analysis

The recently released EN 17505, which was based on the German DIN 19539 standard, is the new European norm for laboratories carrying out total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The standard focuses on soil and waste characterisation, providing guidelines for labs utilising the temperature-ramping method, which uses an increasing furnace temperature to separate the TOC400, ROC, and TIC900 peaks. It is widely anticipated that EN 17505 will be be adopted, in its entirety, by the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) member states.

Elementar, in collaboration with some of their customers, contributed data to the development of the standard. Dr Calum Preece, Elementar’s Product Manager, stated, "The EN17505 standard specifies requirements to ensure accuracy and consistency of TOC analysis results across different companies, institutions and sectors. We’ve received fantastic feedback from companies using the temperature ramping method, who have shared how it has significantly increased the speed of returning results in their busy labs."

Elementar also confirmed that its applicable instruments are compliant with the new standard, entitled ‘Temperature Dependent Differentiation of Total Carbon’, on release. Elementar's soli TOC® cube was developed for carbon analysis in solid waste, and provides efficient oxidation, accurate detection and robust calibration routines, to ensure that results are in alignment with the standard's guidelines. As the most sensitive instrument of its kind, it provides an unsurpassed measurement range of 0.001 – 100 % carbon.

To determine temperature-dependent carbon fractions, a precision, temperature adjustment is necessary to achieve reproducible measurements. The dynamic heater in the Elementar soli TOC cube, controls the temperature directly at the crucible and therefore provides an excellent solution for labs needing to conform to this latest standard.