General Information

Abstract

This European Standard specifies a method for the chromatographic determination of the iron chelated by each individual ortho(hydroxy)-ortho(hydroxy) isomer of the chelating agents [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and by HBED in fertilizers containing one or more of these substances, except for [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED mixes. The method allows the identification and the determination of the total concentration of water soluble iron chelates of these chelating agents. Also, after derivatization with Fe, the soluble amount of the chelating agents can be determined when other micro-nutrients, beside Fe are present in fertilizers containing [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA or HBED.
This method is applicable to EC fertilizers covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [4]. It is applicable to a mass fraction of the metal chelated of at least 0,625 %.
NOTE 1   The substances EDDHA (ethylenediamine-N,N'-di[(hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid] and EDDHMA (ethylenediamine-N,N'-di[(hydroxymethylphenyl)acetic acid] exist as several different isomeric forms. Positional isomers for the hydroxyl or methyl groups (in ortho, meta, and para positions) as well as stereo isomers (meso and dl-racemic forms) are known. Both meso and dl-racemic forms of the [ortho,ortho] EDDHA and [ortho,ortho] EDDHMA are positional isomers for the hydroxyl groups allowed by the Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003. Since para, meta and ortho methyl positional isomers of the EDDHMA present quite similar stability, they could be grouped: in the method here described the para, meta and ortho methyl positional isomers of the [o,o] EDDHMA are considered together. HBED (N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid) does not present isomeric forms.
NOTE 2   At present, analytically pure standards only exist for [ortho,ortho] EDDHA, [ortho,ortho] EDDHMA and HBED. All other substances being unavailable as a standard, the influence of their eventual presence in the samples (with respect to the sensitivity and the selectivity of this method) has not been studied.
NOTE 3   The meso and the dl-racemic forms of [o,o] EDDHA and [o,o] EDDHMA can be determined separately by this method.

Status
Published
Publication Date
14-Nov-2017
Withdrawal Date
30-May-2018
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
20-Jun-2023
Completion Date
12-Aug-2026

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Overview

EN 13368-2:2017 (CEN) defines a validated chromatographic method for the determination of iron chelates and related chelating agents in fertilizers. The standard covers the isocratic ion‑pair high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and photometric detection of Fe chelated by [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED, and describes how, after Fe‑derivatization, the soluble amounts of these chelating agents can be quantified even when other micronutrients are present. The method is applicable to EC fertilizers under Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003, for samples where the mass fraction of metal chelated is ≥ 0.625 %.

Key topics

  • Analytical scope
    • Identification and quantification of water‑soluble Fe‑chelates of [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED.
    • Determination of the chelating agent (after Fe derivatization) when other micro‑nutrients are present.
    • Not applicable to certain mixes (see standard text for exclusions).
  • Method principle
    • Ion‑pair chromatography on a reverse‑phase silica column with tetrabutylammonium (TBA+) and acetonitrile eluent.
    • Photometric detection (280 nm) to resolve individual ortho‑ortho isomers; meso and dl‑racemic forms can be separated.
  • Performance and limitations
    • Precision and reproducibility supported by inter‑laboratory tests (annexed results).
    • Pure analytical standards are currently available only for [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED; effects of other isomers not fully studied.
    • Potential peak overlap (e.g., meso [o,o] EDDHMA vs HBED) can occur depending on column - column selection may be required.

Applications

Who uses EN 13368-2:2017 and why:

  • Fertilizer manufacturers - quality control of micronutrient formulations containing Fe‑chelates to ensure label accuracy and regulatory compliance.
  • Analytical laboratories - routine testing and method validation for iron chelate content in water‑soluble fertilizer products.
  • Regulatory authorities - verification of compliance with EC fertilizer regulations and permitted chelating agent declarations.
  • R&D teams - formulation development and stability testing of chelated micronutrient products.

Practical benefits:

  • Enables precise determination of chelated iron (Fe‑chelates) and, after derivatization, the chelator content even in complex fertilizer matrices.
  • Supports product registration, performance specification, and traceability of micronutrient content.

Related standards

  • EN 13368 series:
    • Part 1 - EDTA, HEEDTA and DTPA by ion chromatography
    • Part 3 - [S,S]-EDDS by ion pair chromatography
  • EN 1482-2 - Sampling and sample preparation for fertilizers
  • EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
  • Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 - EC fertilizers

Keywords: EN 13368-2:2017, ion pair chromatography, iron chelates, [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA, HBED, fertilizers testing, HPLC, chelating agents, EC fertilizers.

Relations

Effective Date
21-Nov-2017
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

EN 13368-2:2017 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Fertilizers - Determination of chelating agents in fertilizers by chromatography - Part 2: Determination of Fe chelated by [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED, or the amount of chelating agents, by ion pair chromatography". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a method for the chromatographic determination of the iron chelated by each individual ortho(hydroxy)-ortho(hydroxy) isomer of the chelating agents [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and by HBED in fertilizers containing one or more of these substances, except for [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED mixes. The method allows the identification and the determination of the total concentration of water soluble iron chelates of these chelating agents. Also, after derivatization with Fe, the soluble amount of the chelating agents can be determined when other micro-nutrients, beside Fe are present in fertilizers containing [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA or HBED. This method is applicable to EC fertilizers covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [4]. It is applicable to a mass fraction of the metal chelated of at least 0,625 %. NOTE 1 The substances EDDHA (ethylenediamine-N,N'-di[(hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid] and EDDHMA (ethylenediamine-N,N'-di[(hydroxymethylphenyl)acetic acid] exist as several different isomeric forms. Positional isomers for the hydroxyl or methyl groups (in ortho, meta, and para positions) as well as stereo isomers (meso and dl-racemic forms) are known. Both meso and dl-racemic forms of the [ortho,ortho] EDDHA and [ortho,ortho] EDDHMA are positional isomers for the hydroxyl groups allowed by the Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003. Since para, meta and ortho methyl positional isomers of the EDDHMA present quite similar stability, they could be grouped: in the method here described the para, meta and ortho methyl positional isomers of the [o,o] EDDHMA are considered together. HBED (N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid) does not present isomeric forms. NOTE 2 At present, analytically pure standards only exist for [ortho,ortho] EDDHA, [ortho,ortho] EDDHMA and HBED. All other substances being unavailable as a standard, the influence of their eventual presence in the samples (with respect to the sensitivity and the selectivity of this method) has not been studied. NOTE 3 The meso and the dl-racemic forms of [o,o] EDDHA and [o,o] EDDHMA can be determined separately by this method.

This European Standard specifies a method for the chromatographic determination of the iron chelated by each individual ortho(hydroxy)-ortho(hydroxy) isomer of the chelating agents [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and by HBED in fertilizers containing one or more of these substances, except for [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED mixes. The method allows the identification and the determination of the total concentration of water soluble iron chelates of these chelating agents. Also, after derivatization with Fe, the soluble amount of the chelating agents can be determined when other micro-nutrients, beside Fe are present in fertilizers containing [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA or HBED. This method is applicable to EC fertilizers covered by Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 [4]. It is applicable to a mass fraction of the metal chelated of at least 0,625 %. NOTE 1 The substances EDDHA (ethylenediamine-N,N'-di[(hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid] and EDDHMA (ethylenediamine-N,N'-di[(hydroxymethylphenyl)acetic acid] exist as several different isomeric forms. Positional isomers for the hydroxyl or methyl groups (in ortho, meta, and para positions) as well as stereo isomers (meso and dl-racemic forms) are known. Both meso and dl-racemic forms of the [ortho,ortho] EDDHA and [ortho,ortho] EDDHMA are positional isomers for the hydroxyl groups allowed by the Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003. Since para, meta and ortho methyl positional isomers of the EDDHMA present quite similar stability, they could be grouped: in the method here described the para, meta and ortho methyl positional isomers of the [o,o] EDDHMA are considered together. HBED (N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid) does not present isomeric forms. NOTE 2 At present, analytically pure standards only exist for [ortho,ortho] EDDHA, [ortho,ortho] EDDHMA and HBED. All other substances being unavailable as a standard, the influence of their eventual presence in the samples (with respect to the sensitivity and the selectivity of this method) has not been studied. NOTE 3 The meso and the dl-racemic forms of [o,o] EDDHA and [o,o] EDDHMA can be determined separately by this method.

EN 13368-2:2017 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 65.080 - Fertilizers. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 13368-2:2017 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13368-2:2012, EN ISO 3696:1995, EN 1482-2:2024, EN 12944-2:1999, EN 12944-1:1999, EN 13366:2001, CEN/TS 17791:2022, CEN/TS 17764:2022. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN 13368-2:2017 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2003/2003, 2019/1009. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

EN 13368-2:2017 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Düngemittel - Bestimmung von Chelatbildnern in Düngemitteln mit Chromatographie - Teil 2: Bestimmung von Fe chelatisiertem [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA und HBED, oder der Menge der Chelatbildner, mit Ionen-PaarchromatographieEngrais - Détermination des agents chélatants dans les engrais par chromatographie - Partie 2: Détermination du fer chélaté [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA et HBED, ou de la quantité d'agents chélatants, par chromatographie d'appariement d'ionsFertilizers - Determination of chelating agents in fertilizers by chromatography - Part 2: Determination of Fe chelated by [o,o] EDDHA, [o,o] EDDHMA and HBED, or the amount of chelating agents, by ion pair chromatography71.040.50Fizikalnokemijske analitske metodePhysicochemical methods of analysis65.080GnojilaFertilizersICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13368-2:2017SIST EN 13368-2:2018en,fr,de01-januar-2018SIST EN 13368-2:2018SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 13368-2:20131DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13368-2
November
t r s y ICS
x wä r z r Supersedes EN
s u u x zæ tã t r s tEnglish Version
Fertilizers æ Determination of chelating agents in fertilizers by chromatography æ Part
tã Determination of Fe chelated of chelating agentsá by ion pair chromatography Engrais æ Détermination des agents chélatants dans les engrais par chromatographie æ Partie
t ã Détermination de la quantité d 5agents chélatantsá par chromatographie d 5appariement d 5ions
Düngemittel æ Bestimmung von Chelatbildnern in Düngemitteln mit Chromatographie æ Teil
tã EDDHMA und HBEDá oder der Summe der Chelatbildnerá mit IonenæPaarchromatographie This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s s September
t r s yä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Serbiaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s y CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s u u x zæ tã t r s y ESIST EN 13368-2:2018

Statistical results of the inter-laboratory tests . 19 A.1 Statistical results of the inter-laboratory test performed in 2003 . 19 A.1.1 Test samples . 19 A.1.2 Inter-laboratory test procedure . 19 A.1.3 Results and statistical interpretation . 19 A.2 Statistical results of the inter-laboratory test performed in 2010 . 21 A.2.1 Test samples . 21 A.2.2 Inter-laboratory test procedure . 21 A.2.3 Results and statistical interpretation . 21 SIST EN 13368-2:2018

General procedure for the determination of the titrimetric purity of the chelating agents using a photometric automatic titrator . 26 Annex C (informative)
Complete names of chelating agents . 27 Bibliography . 28 SIST EN 13368-2:2018

1) SYMMETRYTM C18, from WATERS, LiChroCART® Purospher® RP-18, from MERCK or equivalent are examples of suitable products available commercially. This information is given for the convenience of users of this European Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by CEN of these products. SIST EN 13368-2:2018
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