Commission Directive 87/94/EEC of 8 December 1986 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to procedures for the control of characteristics of, limits for and resistance to detonation of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content

• Celex Number: 31987L0094
• Coming into Force: 11 December 1986
• End of Effective Date: 10 December 2003
• ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1987/94/oj
• Published date: 07 February 1987
• Date: 08 December 1986
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Communities, L 38, 7 February 1987

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31987L0094

Commission Directive 87/94/EEC of 8 December 1986 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to procedures for the control of characteristics of, limits for and resistance to detonation of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content

Official Journal L 038 , 07/02/1987 P. 0001 - 0023
Finnish special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 16 P. 0112
Swedish special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 16 P. 0112

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 8 December 1986 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to procedures for the control of characteristics of, limits for and resistance to detonation of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content (87/94/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 80/876/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content (1), and in particular Article 8 thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 76/116/EEC of

18 December 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to fertilizers (2), and in particular Article 9 (2) thereof,

Whereas Directive 80/876/EEC provides for characteristics of, limits for and a test of resistance to detonation for the fertilizers in question; whereas Article 8 thereof provides that the methods of checking, analysis and test be established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11 of Directive 76/116/EEC;

Whereas Directive 76/116/EEC provides for official control for Community fertilizers for the purpose of checking compliance with requirements arising under the Community provisions concerning the quality and composition of fertilizers;

Whereas it seemed necessary, having regard to the particular nature of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content and to the requirements it entails regarding public safety, health, and protection of workers, to lay down additional Community rules for these fertilizers;

Whereas for straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers, sampling and analysis for official controls of Community fertilizers are carried out in accordance with the methods described in Commission Directive 77/535/EEC

Whereas in accordance with the same procedure the number of the thermal cycles to which the sample is to be submitted before being tested for resistance to detonation is established as provided in Annex II to Directive 80/876/EEC, and the limit value for heavy metals is established as provided in Annex I to the same Directive;

Whereas the method of the closed thermal cycles as described is regarded as stimulating sufficiently the conditions to be taken into account within the scope of application of Directive 80/876/EEC; whereas, however, this method may not necessarily simulate all conditions arising during bulk transport by water;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directives for the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in Fertilizers,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the methods of checking, analysis and test for official controls of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content provided for by Directive 80/876/EEC are carried out in accordance with the methods described in Annexes II and III to this Directive.

2. Annex I fixes:

- the permissible heavy metals content,

- the required number of thermal cycles applicable to samples submitted to the detonation test.

Article 2

1. Member States shall take the measures necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 31 December 1987. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive.

Article 3

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 8 December 1986.

For the Commission

COCKFIELD

Vice-President

EWG:L888UMBE00.95

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Kunde: 38334 Montan England

(1) OJ No L 250, 23. 9. 1980, p. 7.

(2) OJ No L 24, 30. 1. 1976, p. 21.(3), as amended by Directive 79/138/EEC (%);(4) OJ No L 213, 22. 8. 1977, p. 1.

(5) OJ No L 39, 14. 2. 1979, p. 3.

ANNEX I

1.

Limits for heavy metals according to Annex I, point 6, to Council Directive 80/876/EEC.

1.1.

The copper content shall not be higher than 10 mg/kg.

1.2.

No limits are specified for other heavy metals.

2.

Number of thermal cycles in accordance with Annex II to Council Directive 80/876/EEC.

The number of thermal cycles to be applied shall be five.

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ANNEX II

METHODS OF CHECKING COMPLIANCE WITH THE LIMITS SPECIFIED IN ANNEXES I AND II TO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 80/876/EEC METHOD 1. METHODS FOR THE APPLICATION OF THERMAL CYCLES 1.

Scope and field of application

This document defines the procedures for the application of thermal cycles prior to the execution of the oil retention test and detonability test in straight ammonium nitrate fertilizer of high nitrogen content.

2.

Thermal cycles referred to in Annex I to Council Directive 80/876/EEC

2.1.

Field of application

This procedure is for thermal cycling prior to determining the oil retention of the fertilizer.

2.2.

Principle and definition

Heating the test sample from normal temperature to 50 gC and holding it at that temperature for two hours (phase at 50 gC); Cooling it to a temperature of 25 gC and holding it at that temperature for two hours (phase at 25 gC).

The two successive phases at 50 gC and 25 gC together form a thermal cycle.

After being subjected to two thermal cycles the test sample is held at a temperature of 20 (± 3) gC for determination of the oil retention.

2.3.

Apparatus

Normal laboratory apparatus, in particular:

- water baths thermostated at 25 (± 1) and 50 (± 1) gC respectively,

- Erlenmeyer flasks with an individual capacity of 150 ml.

2.4.

Procedure

Put each test sample of 70 (± 5) grams into an Erlenmeyer flask which is then sealed with a stopper.

Move each flask every two hours from the 50 gC bath to the 25 gC bath and vice versa.

Maintain the water in each bath at constant temperature and keep in motion by rapid stirring to ensure the water level comes above the level of the sample. Protect the stopper from condensation by a foam rubber cap.

3.

Thermal cycles to be used for Annex II to Council Directive 80/876/EEC

3.1.

Field of application

This procedure is for thermal cycling prior to the execution of the detonability test.

3.2.

Principle and definition

In a watertight box heat the sample from ambient temperature to 50 gC and maintain at this temperature for a period of one hour (phase at 50 gC). Thereupon cool the sample until a temperature of 25 gC is achieved and maintain at that temperature for a period of one hour (phase at 25 gC). The combination of the successive phases at 50 gC and 25 gC forms one thermal cycle. After the required number of cycles the sample is kept at a temperature of 20 (± 3) gC pending the execution of the detonability test.

3.3.

Apparatus

- A water bath, thermostated in a temperature range of 20 to 51 gC with a minimum heating and cooling rate of 10 gC/h, or two water baths, one thermostated at a temperature of 20 gC, the other

at 51 gC. The water in the bath(s) is continuously stirred; the volume of the bath should be large enough to guarantee ample circulation of the water.

- A stainless steel box, watertight all around and provided with a thermocouple in the centre. The outside width of the box is 45 (± 2) mm and the wall thickness is 1,5 mm (see Figure 1); The height and length of the box can be chosen to suit the dimensions of the water bath, e.g. length 600 mm, height 400 mm.

3.4.

Procedure

Place a quantity of fertilizer sufficient for a single detonation into the box and close the cover. Place the box in the water bath. Heat the water to 51 gC and measure the temperature in the centre of the fertilizer. One hour after the temperature at the centre has reached 50 gC cool the water. One hour after the temperature at the centre has reached 25 gC heat the water to start the second cycle.

METHOD 2. DETERMINATION OF OIL RETENTION 1.

Scope and field of application

This document defines the procedure for the determination of oil retention of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content.

The method is applicable to both prilled and granular fertilizers which do not contain oil-soluble materials.

2.

Definition

Oil retention of a fertilizer: the quantity of oil retained by the fertilizer determined under the operating conditions specified, and expressed as a percentage by mass.

3.

Principle

Total immersion of the test portion in gas oil for a specified period, followed by the draining away of surplus oil under specified conditions. Measurement of the increase in mass of the test portion.

4.

Reagent

Gas oil

Viscosity max.: 5 mPas at 40 gC

Density: 0,8 to 0,85 g/ml at 20 gC

Sulphur content: 9 1,0 % (m/m)

Ash: 9 0,1 % (m/m)

5.

Apparatus

Ordinary laboratory apparatus, and:

5.1.

Balance, capable of weighing to the nearest 0,01 gram.

5.2.

Beakers, of capacity 500 ml.

5.3.

Funnel, of plastic materials, preferably with a cylindrical wall at the upper end, diameter approximately 200 mm.

5.4.

Test sieve, aperture 0,5 mm, fitting into the funnel (5.3).

Note: The...