UNE-EN 17516:2023

(1) This document specifies an up-flow percolation test (PT) which is applicable to determine theleaching behaviour of inorganic and non-volatile organic substances from granular solids with potentialfor use as construction material. The test is not suitable for substances that are volatile under ambientconditions. The granular solids are subjected to percolation with water as a function of liquid to solidratio under specified percolation conditions. The method is a once-through column leaching test.NOTE 1 Volatile organic substances include the low molecular weight substances in mixtures such as mineral oil.(2) This up-flow percolation test is performed under specified test conditions for granular solids withpotential for use as construction material and does not necessarily produce results that mimic specificintended use conditions. This test method produces eluates, which can subsequently be characterized byphysical, chemical and ecotoxicological methods according to existing standard methods. The results ofeluate analysis are presented as a function of the liquid/solid ratio. The test results enable the distinctionbetween different leaching behaviour.NOTE 2 It is not always possible to adjust test conditions simultaneously for inorganic and organic substances.Test conditions can also vary between different groups of organic substances. Test conditions for organicsubstances are generally more stringent than those for inorganic substances. The test conditions are generallydescribed in a way that they fit testing organic substances and are also applicable to inorganic substances dependingon the set-up.NOTE 3 For ecotoxicity testing, eluates representing the release of both inorganic and organic substances areneeded. In this document, ecotoxicological testing is meant to include also genotoxicological testing.NOTE 4 Granular solid waste materials with a low hydraulic conductivity that can cause detrimental pressurebuild-up are not supposed to be subjected to this test.NOTE 5 This procedure is generally not applicable to solids that are easily biologically degradable and solidsreacting with the leachant, leading to, for example, excessive gas emission or excessive heat release, impermeablehydraulically bound solids or solids that swell in contact with water.Granular solid waste materials without potential for beneficial use are excluded from the scope.NOTE 6 Granular solid waste materials without potential for beneficial use can be materials with gas generationor biodegradation during a potential reuse scenario.This test is applicable to types of granular solid waste of which the general long-term leaching behaviouris known based on previous investigations.(3) In this document the same test conditions as for FprEN 16637-3 (CEN/TC 351/WG 1) are applied inorder to allow full comparability of testing construction products and waste derived constructionproducts to avoid double testing. The FprEN 16637-3 test results are eligible in the context of testinggranular solids with potential for use as construction material as well.NOTE 7 If a leaching test according to FprEN 16637-3 has been performed, additional prEN 17516 testing doesnot need to be carried out.