Odour Sample Testing: How to Collect & Send Samples Safely
Why Accurate Odour Sample Testing Matters
Accurate odour sample testing is essential. It helps you understand emissions, assess control measures and demonstrate regulatory compliance. Whether you are an environmental consultant or a site operator, sending your odour samples to a trusted laboratory ensures results you can rely on.
At Silsoe Odours, our UKAS-accredited laboratory provides independent testing of odour samples. We deliver objective, repeatable and legally defensible results.
Who Usually Collects Odour Samples?
In most cases, Silsoe Odours’ experienced team collects samples on behalf of clients. We conduct comprehensive odour sampling surveys to ensure compliance with BS EN 13725 and best-practice standards.
However, some clients also collect their own odour samples. In most cases, environmental consultants or operators with trained personnel. This article focuses on how clients can safely collect, store and send their own odour samples to a laboratory while maintaining quality, accuracy, and compliance.
How to Collect Odour Samples Correctly
Choose the Right Equipment
To collect high-quality samples, you must have a thorough understanding of how to measure odour. This starts with choosing the right equipment to prevent contamination or loss of odour compounds.
Poor handling can compromise results and affect regulatory compliance.
Follow BS EN 13725 Standards
All odour samples should comply with European standard BS EN 13725:2022.
This ensures samples meet strict requirements for olfactometry, including correct volume, storage and transport conditions.
If you lack the expertise, equipment or facilities, Silsoe Odours can help. We can provide guidance or assistance to ensure odour samples meet the right standards for accurate and reliable results.
Sending Samples to a UKAS-Accredited Odour Laboratory
Transporting odour samples safely is just as important as collection. Our laboratory has maintained the highest quality standards since becoming the first UKAS-accredited odour lab in the UK.
By sending samples to an accredited laboratory, you ensure your data is accurate, reproducible, and reliable. This is essential for compliance, reporting and effective odour management.
Tests Available on Your Odour Samples
Once received, we can analyse odour samples using several methods. Each test provides different insights to support odour management and compliance.
Odour Concentration
Measures odour units per cubic metre.
Odour Characterisation
Provides a detailed description of the odour.
Odour Intensity
Qualitative ranking, from faint to strong.
Chemical Analysis
Identifies specific compounds to guide odour mitigation strategies.
Hedonic Tone
Rates how pleasant or unpleasant an odour is.
Odour Detection Threshold
Determines the minimum concentration detectable by humans.
Client Experiences
Silsoe Odours are invaluable to me as a partner for testing odour samples. I use their laboratory services, on average, several times each month, for many of my clients.
Silsoe Odours are a great source of expertise and allow me to offer clients an integrated consultancy experience, without the associated overhead and resourcing costs of operating my own laboratory.
They understand both my needs as an independent environmental consultant, and those of my clients – whether utilities or multi-national operators.
The flexibility and ease of working with Silsoe Odours is hugely valuable. I don’t hesitate to recommend their services.
Matthew Houseman, H&M Environmental Ltd
At Biogen, we regularly take odour samples from around our sites. This forms part of our Best Practice activities within our Odour Management Plans. By being proactive, we’re able to demonstrate compliance with our operating permits to the regulator and ensure we’re not impacting the communities we work alongside.
Our in-house teams conduct the odour sampling activities, with Silsoe Odours completing the subsequent odour testing. We’ve now been working closely with them for over 10 years, and they have proven themselves a highly trusted partner.
The team at Silsoe Odours are knowledgeable and friendly, and the laboratory services they provide are second-to-none. I cannot recommend them enough for their understanding of our business needs, flexibility and efficiency. Their odour specialists are also a valued source of helpful, prompt advice.
Kate Lister, Biogen
Book Your Odour Sample Testing Today
Finding a reliable partner for odour sample testing is essential for accurate, defensible results. Contact our laboratory team for advice or to arrange testing.
Call: 01525 860222
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Updated March 2026
