AfOR Compost Certification Scheme
© The Association for Organics Recycling 2010
Issued: 22/01/2010
Issue 1
Approved by: Association for Organics Recycling
INDEPENDENT SAMPLING AND LABORATORY TESTS
REQUEST RECORD FOR ADDITIONAL GRADE
N.B.: This sampling record and laboratory tests request is for compost certified under AfOR Compost
Certification Scheme
Sender
Organisation name
Composting site
Contact name
Batch(es) sampled
Batch code(s)
Grade (Additional)
Age(s) when sampled 1
Sample
Name of person sampling
batch(es)
Telephone
Certification code
mm
Quantity sampled 2
weeks
Date sampled
Product type (tick one below)
 Turf / top dressing  Mulch
 Soil improver / conditioner
<Batch code, IS-AG-1
 Other product ingredient / constituent 3
>
..............................................
<Batch code, IS-AG-2PRcode>
to
Sample code (to lab)
Sample code (archived) – if
requested by the compost
producer
1. If more than one batch, state age of each. 2. Approximate, and state whether unit is tonnes or cubic
metres. 3. Please state product type on dotted line in box, e.g. manufactured topsoil or growing medium.
Tests required
Pathogens
1
1



2

Potentially toxic elements
Physical contaminants (incl
‘sharps’)
Stability / maturity
Plant response, weeds &
herbicide residue effects
Grade
Physico-chemical



3

Total nutrients
Available nutrients
- single growing season
(approx timescale)
- immediate
(approx timescale)
Others (parameter, method /
description)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Salmonella spp (ISO method)
 Escherichia coli
Salmonella spp (ABPR method)
Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Hg, Zn
Glass, metal, plastic and ‘other’ (not stones)
Stones
Evolved carbon dioxide
Germination and growth of tomato and weed plants and any
abnormalities
Particle size distribution
Bulk density
 pH
 Organic matter
Moisture content
 Electrical conductivity
Nitrogen (Kjeldahl OR Dumas method)
Aqua regia-soluble P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Na.
 Calcium chloride / DTPA soluble (CAT) Ammonium-N, nitrateN, P, K, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Na. (‘CAT-extractable’)
 Water-soluble chloride, nitrate-N and ammonium-N
 Water-soluble P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Na.
 Total organic carbon
 Calcium oxide equivalent
4 C:N
(liming value).
If result is wanted, tick one Salmonella spp method; for non-ABPR facilities, ISO method is recommended.
Exempt only if too coarse for the test procedure (as advised by laboratory).
Laboratory to report which method used; Kjeldahl if known or suspected to contain > 500 mg/l ammonium.
Calculated from total nitrogen and total organic carbon results.
Approved laboratory
Laboratory name
Records
Independent sampling
provider
Laboratory
Send a copy to the approved laboratory used by the producer on a
regular basis and a copy to the relevant certification body
Send report and related invoice to the client (compost producer)
Page 1 of 1
AfOR Compost Certification Scheme
© The Association for Organics Recycling 2010
Issued: 22/01/2010
Issue 1
Approved by: Association for Organics Recycling
Page 2 of 1