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Ins titute for Ref erence Mater ials and Measurements

CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL

BCR® – 033

CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
SUPERPHOSPHATE

Mass fraction based on dry mass Number of

accepted
Certified value 1) Uncertainty 2)
individual
[g/kg] [g/kg]
measurements
Total P expressed as P2O5 193.4 1.2 85
Sulphates (SO4) 428.0 4.1 75
Ca expressed as CaO 314.8 3.1 55
Si expressed as SiO2 29.2 1.2 60
F 16.5 0.5 75
Al expressed as Al2O3 11.0 0.8 75
Fe expressed as Fe2O3 4.0 0.2 80
Mg expressed as MgO 2.1 0.2 75
1) The certified value is the unweighted mean of individual measurements obtained by different laboratories
participating in the certification. The certified value is traceable to SI.
2) The uncertainty is estimated standard deviation of reproducibility which affects each individual measurement. It
accounts for the precision and bias of the participating laboratories as well as for any inhomogeneity of the
material.

This certificate is valid for one year after purchase.

Sales date:
The minimum amount of sample to be used is 2 g.

NOTE
This material has been certified by BCR (Community Bureau of Reference, the former reference
materials programme of the European Commission). The certificate has been revised under the
responsibility of IRMM.

Brussels, November 1979

Latest revision: May 2007

Signed:

Prof. Dr. Hendrik Emons

Unit for Reference Materials
EC-JRC-IRMM
Retieseweg 111
2440 Geel, Belgium

All following pages are an integral part of the certificate.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE
The sample consists of approximately 100 g of thoroughly mixed finely ground material (particle size
< 200 µm) taken from a batch of commercial superphosphate and analysed 18 months after its
production. The sample is homogeneous at least to a 2 g level for all the parameters. The sample is
available in brown glass bottles closed with a double plastic stopper.

ANALYTICAL METHOD USED FOR CERTIFICATION

Total P2O5 : Quinoline phosphomolybdate gravimetry, spectrometric method,
phosphomolybdate gravimetry.
SO4 : Gravimetric method.
CaO : Titrimetric method by KMnO4, titrimetric method by EDTA.
SiO2 : Gravimetric methods, spectrophotometric method after alkaline fusion,
X-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma.
F : Spectrophotometric and volumetric methods after distillation of F,
ion selective electrode.
Al2O3 : Atomic absorption spectrometry, gravimetry with 8-hydroxyquinoline,
spectrophotometric methods, neutron activation analysis.
Fe2O3 : Atomic absorption spectometry, spectrophotometric methods,
X-ray fluorescence.
MgO : Atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma.

PARTICIPANTS
- ANIC, Milano (IT)
- APC, Toulouse (FR)
- ARBED S A, Esch-sur-Alzette (LU)
- CNR, Centro Radiochimica, Pavia (IT)
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Chemistry Division and CETIS, Ispra (IT)
- Général des Engrais SA, Rouen (FR)
- Laboratory of the Government Chemist, London (GB)
- Landwirtschaftskammer Rheinland, Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt
Bonn, Bonn (DE)
- Landwirtschaftskammer Schleswig-Holstein, Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und
Forschungsanstalt Kiel, Kiel (DE)
- Nitrigin Eireann Teoranta, Arklow (IE)
- Rijkslandbouwproefstation, Maastricht (NL)
- Services Techniques de l’Agriculture, Ettelbruck (LU)
- Station Agronomique de l’Aisne, Laon (FR)
- Technical and Analytical Services, Stockton-on-Tees (GB)
- Ugine-Kuhlmann, Levallois-Perret (FR)
- UKF – SBB, Geleen (NL)
- Universita di Bologna, Istituto Chimica Agraria, Bologna (IT)
- Universität Hohenheim, Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaftliche Chemie, Stuttgart (DE)
- Windmill Holland S V, Vlaardingen (NL)

SAFETY INFORMATION
The usual laboratory safety precautions apply.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

The sample required for the analysis must be obtained from the whole sample after mixing without
any grinding or drying. Should the sample contain any lumps formed during storage, the contents of
the bottle should be stirred with a spatula, until perfectly loose and then shaken to mix the contents
thoroughly before removing an aliquot. All the certified values are referred to the sample dried at 105
± 2 °C for 48 hours. The determination of moisture content must be carried out on a 5 g sample
weighted in a weighing bottle of 6–7 cm, simultaneously with the sample fraction taken for
determining the other parameters.

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STORAGE
The material can be stored at room temperature.
However, the European Commission cannot be held responsible for changes that happen during
storage of the material at the customer's premises, especially of opened samples.

LEGAL NOTICE
Neither IRMM, its subsidiaries, its contractors nor any person acting on their behalf.
(a) make any warranty or representation, express or implied that the use of any information, material,
apparatus, method or process disclosed in this document does not infringe any privately owned
intellectual property rights;
or
(b) assume any liability with respect to, or for damages resulting from, the use of any information,
material, apparatus, method or process disclosed in this document save for loss or damage arising
solely and directly from the negligence of IRMM or any of its subsidiaries.

NOTE
A technical report on the production of BCR-033 is available on the internet (http://www.irmm.jrc.be).
A paper copy can be obtained from IRMM on request.

European Commission – Joint Research Centre

Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM)
Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel (Belgium)
Telephone: +32-(0)14-571.722 - Telefax: +32-(0)14-590.406

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