This International Standard specifies a basic method of determining particle size distribution applicable to a wide range of mineral soil materials, including the mineral fraction of organic soils. It also offers procedures to deal with the less common soils mentioned in the introduction. This International Standard has been developed largely for use in the field of environmental science, and its use in geotechnical investigations is something on which professional advice might be required.

A major objective of this International Standard is the determination of enough size fractions to enable the construction of a reliable particle size distribution curve.

This International Standard does not apply to the determination of the particle size distribution of the organic components of soil, i.e. the more or less fragile, partially decomposed, remains of plants and animals. It should also be realized that the chemical pretreatments and mechanical handling stages in this International Standard could cause disintegration of weakly cohesive particles that, from field inspection, might be regarded as primary particles, even though such primary particles could be better described as aggregates. If such disintegration is undesirable, then this International Standard should not be used for the determination of the particle size distribution of such weakly cohesive materials.