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WHAT’S NEXT FOR EN13725?

WHAT’S NEXT FOR EN13725?

EN13725 - CEN WG2 'Odours'

EUROPEAN ODOUR STANDARD

UPDATE: European Standard EN13725:2022 is now available.

At the end of February 2018, WG2 ‘Odours’ of the Technical Committee CEN/TC 264 “Air Quality” met in Trieste, Italy. They worked towards the next phase of updates for the European Standard EN13725 – air quality – determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry. So, here’s what you need to know.

WHAT DOES EN13725 MEAN FOR ODOUR MANAGEMENT?

All odour sampling and testing activities at Silsoe Odours comply with the European odour standard EN13725. In fact, we hold UKAS accreditation to attest to this. But what does this actually mean? The current version of the European standard was prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 264 “Air Quality” WG2 ‘Odours’. Our Director, Robert Sneath, has acted as the UK expert representing the British Standards Institute (BSI) since the committee’s inception in 1996. With this in mind, he shares his insights here to explain the ongoing development of EN13725, as well as the changes you can expect to see moving forward.

WHAT IS EN13725 FOR?

This European Standard specifies a method for the objective determination of the odour concentration of a gaseous sample using dynamic olfactometry with human assessors. The standard also specifies a method for the determination of the emission rate of odours form stationary sources, in particular:

  • Point sources (conveyed or ducted emissions);
  • Active area sources (e.g. biofilters);
  • Passive sources.

The primary application of this standard is to provide a common basis for evaluation of odour emissions.
BSEN13725:2022 Stationary Source Emissions – Determination of Odour Concentration by Dynamic Olfactometry and Odour Emission Rate

WHY IS CONSISTENCY IMPORTANT WHEN EVALUATING ODOUR EMISSIONS?

Over the past few decades, there has been a sharp increase in environmental regulations development. For example, those relating to odour management for planning, industry and agriculture. Most noteworthy, the H4 odour guidance document from the Environment Agency and the Guidance on the Assessment of Odour for Planning document from the Institute of Air Quality (IAQM). These guidance documents outline best practice criteria for effective odour management. In order to be enforceable, these regulations have led to the creation of a single European Standard of odour measurement.

WHAT DID THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE HOPE TO ACHIEVE?

The original aim of WG2 ‘Odours’ was to develop a unified standard of olfactometry which:

  • Improved consistency within each laboratory (repeatability)
  • Achieved comparable results amongst laboratories (reproducibility)
  • Connected the results to a traceable reference material, such as n-butanol (accuracy)

WHAT DOES IT PROVIDE CRITERIA ON?

  • Sampling procedures
  • Laboratory design and operation
  • Olfactometer design, operating procedures and calibration requirements
  • Ongoing screening of odour panellists, as well as selection and training criteria
  • Certification of odour panellists
  • Procedures relating to data processing

WHAT’S NEXT FOR EN13725?

WG2 ‘Odours’ began considering updates to the EN13725 in November 2012. During the course of many meetings, 252 documents were prepared and discussed. The final revised was approved and published in March 2022, titled EN13725 Stationary Source Emissions – Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry and odour emission rate. The new document incorporates updates including;

  • Health and safety recommendations for all staff involved with the process of dynamic olfactometry. This includes odour assessors and sampling technicians, both in the laboratory and on-site.
  • More rigorous procedures for sampling and pre-dilution.
  • A more thorough method to assess measurement uncertainty.
  • Certain exclusions (for example, field olfactometry and measurement of exposure).

WG2 ‘Odours’ comprised a dedicated team of around 20 experts in odour consulting. Commercial and academic delegates from several countries have made major contributions to EN13725. The UK, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark are just some of the countries included. These represent a solid cross-section of Europe in the process.

Silsoe Odours is UKAS accredited to BSEN13725 for odour sampling and testingHOW IS COMPLIANCE EVALUATED?

In conclusion, EN13725 is an important guideline for owners and operators to work to when assessing odours. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is responsible for ensuring compliance with the UK’s European Standard. Here at Silsoe Odours, we are proud to operate a UKAS-accredited odour laboratory and sampling team.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Finally, do you have a specific question about EN13725 and/or the newest revision? Feel free to drop our team of odour consultants a line on 01525 860222 or click the button below. We are also happy to answer your odour queries, whenever you need us.

Updated 30th March 2022

4 Responses

  1. […] Robert is a renowned odour specialist with over 40 years’ experience at the forefront of the odour industry. Robert acts as the UK expert for Technical Committee CEN/TC 264 “Air Quality”’. The workgroup is responsible for the ongoing development of the European Standard EN13725. […]

  2. […] They’re tested by our fully trained (and frequently tested) panel of odour assessors, to the European Standard EN13725. There are a number of different things we can test for, depending on your needs. Most commonly, we […]

  3. […] This assessed whether I would be suitable to work as an odour panellist, measured according the European Standard BSEN13725:2003. The test established my individual odour threshold estimate is 22 parts per billion. Importantly, […]

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