This International Standard provides guidance on the range of tests that may be necessary to characterize soil materials intended to be excavated and re-used, with or without preliminary treatment. Soil materials include excavated soil, dredged materials, fill materials, manufactured soils and soil treated to remove or destroy contaminants.

It takes into account the different requirements of top soil, sub-soil and other soil materials such as sediments or treated soils. International Standard methods are listed where available.

The test methods are intended to cover a range of possible end uses, such as:

• play areas for small children, including nursery schools, kindergardens, etc.,
• schools,
• gardens and other residential areas,
• allotments,
• horticulture,
• agriculture,
• forestry,
• recreational areas, e.g. parks, sport fields,
• restoration of damaged ecosystems,
• construction sites.

It is intended to be of use in determining the suitability of soil materials for re-use, and the assessment of the environmental impacts that might arise from re-use.

This International Standard 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.