This document provides guidance on the range of tests that could be necessary to characterize soil and other soil materials intended to be re-used, with or without preliminary treatment (e.g. screening to remove over large material). It is intended to be of use in determining the suitability of soil materials for re-use (see 3.4.1), and the assessment of the environmental impacts that might arise from re-use. It takes into account the different requirements of topsoil, sub-soil and other soil materials such as sediments or treated soils. International Standard methods are listed that might be of use for characterization.

Soil materials include natural soils and other materials (e.g. fill, made ground) excavated, stripped, or otherwise removed from their original in-ground or above-ground location (e.g. stockpile), dredged materials, manufactured soils, and soil treated to remove or destroy contaminants. For manufactured soils, which are often made using excavated materials together with other materials such as "green waste", the characteristics of the components and of the manufactured product might need to be determined.

NOTE The terms "excavated soil" and "excavated soil materials" are used for brevity throughout the document to embrace the range of materials covered.

An overriding principle governing the guidance provided in this document is that when there is to be no change in intended land use at the target site, imported soil materials cannot lead to a permanent reduction in performance of relevant soil functions.

The guidance provided is intended to cover a range of possible end uses, including:

— play areas for small children, including nursery schools, kindergartens, etc.;
— schools;
— gardens and other residential areas;
— allotments;
— horticulture;
— agriculture;
— forestry;
— recreational areas, e.g. parks, sport fields;
— restoration of damaged ecosystems;
— mining and industrial sites;
— construction sites;
— road and rail constructions.

It is not applicable to the placement of soil materials in an aqueous environment or to restore underground workings. It does not address geotechnical requirements when soil materials are to be used as construction material.

NOTE The sensitive end uses listed above such as play areas for small children, schools, gardens, agriculture and recreational areas require particular care, particularly when excavated soils are derived from contaminated sites.

Cross References:
ISO 15800
ISO 11464
ISO 14240-1
ISO 14239
ISO 14235
ISO 18400-204
ISO 18400-103
ISO 14254
ISO 11266
ISO 10693
ISO 10390
ISO 11268-1
ISO 11275
ISO 14154
ISO 10573
ISO 11271
ISO 14689
ISO 14688-2
ISO 11465
DIN 19730
ISO 11508
ISO 11466
ISO 11269-2
ISO 11276
ISO 13878
ISO 14256-2
ISO 18400-106
ISO 18400-102
EN 45002
ISO 14255
ISO 10382
ISO 17155
ISO 18400-206
ISO 15009
ISO 14240-2
ISO 18400-105
ISO 15799
ISO 11461
ISO 11269-1
ISO 5667-4
ISO 15178
ISO 15473
ISO 18400-101
ISO 11263
ISO 18400-202:2018
ISO 17892-1:2014
ISO 17892-2:2014
ISO 11264
ISO 18400-205
ISO 18400-201
ISO 10694
ISO 14238
ISO 11048
ISO 25177
ISO 11268-2
ISO 5667-6
ISO 11268-3
ISO 11272
ISO 14870
ISO 18400-203
ISO 13536
ISO 14688-1
ISO 14869-1
ISO 15175
ISO 11047
ISO 16072
ISO 11265
ISO 11074
ISO TS 16558-2
BS 3882
ISO 11277
ISO/CEI 17025
ISO 5667-12
ISO 13196
ISO 21365:2019
ISO 14507
ISO 16558-1
ISO 12404
ISO 14869-2
ISO 11267
ISO 11274
ISO 5667-11
ISO 11261
ISO 18400-107
ISO 18400-104


All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.