BS EN 17053-2018 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN 17053-2018 — Animal feeding stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis — Determination of trace elements, heavy metals and other elements in feed by ICP‑MS (multi‑method). This European method specifies sample preparation (pressurized nitric‑acid digestion), measurement by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) and quality‑assurance procedures for a defined set of elements in animal feeding stuffs.

Abstract

EN 17053:2018 defines a validated multi‑element ICP‑MS procedure to determine arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), thallium (Tl), uranium (U) and zinc (Zn) in extraction solutions obtained after pressurised digestion of feed samples. The standard covers sample preparation, calibration strategies (external or standard addition), measures to control matrix and polyatomic interferences, limits of quantification (matrix dependent) and reporting/precision criteria.

General information

• Status: Published / active (national implementations in CEN member bodies).
• Publication date: 2018 (EN approval/publication in early 2018; national adoptions published between Jan–Mar 2018).
• Publisher: European Standard published under CEN (national adoptions published by respective national bodies; British adoption available as BS EN via BSI where applicable).
• ICS / categories: 65.120 — Animal feeding stuffs.
• Edition / version: EN 17053:2018 (first EN edition 2018).
• Number of pages: Varies by national publication (examples: several national publishers list between ~29 and 40 pages — national PDF page counts differ by layout).

Scope

This standard specifies a laboratory method for the determination of specified trace elements and heavy metals in animal feeding stuffs by ICP‑MS after appropriate sample preparation (pressure digestion with nitric acid). It includes guidance on sample grinding/homogenisation, special procedures for mineral feeds and feeds containing phyllosilicates (extractable Pb), calibration and strategies to reduce or correct spectral interferences, quality control (repeatability, reproducibility) and requirements for test reporting. The method is suitable for quadrupole ICP‑MS (with or without collision/reaction technology) and for high‑resolution sector‑field ICP‑MS.

Key topics and requirements

• Target analytes: As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Tl, U and Zn in digests.
• Sample preparation: grinding/homogenisation guidelines and pressurised nitric‑acid digestion; special wet‑digestion note for extractable lead in mineral/phyllosilicate matrices.
• Instrumentation: suitability for quadrupole ICP‑MS (with collision/reaction cell options) and high‑resolution sector‑field ICP‑MS.
• Calibration and quantification: external calibration or standard addition; matrix effects and interference correction methods described.
• Performance/limits: worked limits of quantification are matrix dependent (examples given per element in the standard); precision established via interlaboratory trials.
• Quality assurance: repeatability/reproducibility criteria, interlaboratory trial results (informative annexes) and requirements for reporting results.

Typical use and users

Routine and reference analytical laboratories testing animal feeds and feed ingredients; regulatory laboratories enforcing feed safety limits; feed manufacturers and quality assurance teams validating product composition or compliance; research organisations studying trace element content in feed matrices. The standard is used where multi‑element ICP‑MS determination is required for feed-control, safety or ingredient characterisation.

Related standards

Normative and related references commonly cited with EN 17053 include EN ISO 6498 (guidelines for sample preparation of animal feeding stuffs) and other CEN methods for feed sampling and analysis. National implementations may also reference other feed‑analysis methods (see national catalogues). Users commonly apply EN 17025 (laboratory accreditation) and other CEN/TC 327 standards when assembling a complete feed‑testing programme.

Keywords

Animal feeding stuffs; feed analysis; ICP‑MS; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; trace elements; heavy metals; pressurised digestion; sample preparation; LOQ; quality assurance; CEN/TC 327.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 17053:2018 is a CEN European Standard specifying a validated ICP‑MS multi‑element method for determining selected trace elements and heavy metals in animal feeding stuffs (see elements list in the standard).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation (grinding, pressurised nitric‑acid digestion), measurement by ICP‑MS (instrumentation and interference mitigation), calibration/quantification approaches, performance characteristics (LOQs, precision) and reporting/quality‑assurance requirements for the listed elements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accredited and routine testing laboratories, national/regulatory control bodies, feed producers and QA teams, and research laboratories working on feed composition and contaminant monitoring.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: EN 17053:2018 is the 2018 European edition. National catalogues and CEN records list it as the EN 2018 publication and as the normative method for ICP‑MS determination of the specified elements; there is no widely published replacement or superseding EN standard as of 22 February 2026. Users should check their national standards body for the latest status or any national amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: EN 17053 is part of the body of CEN standards produced by CEN/TC 327 (Animal feeding stuffs — Methods of sampling and analysis). It is used alongside other EN/ISO feed‑analysis standards and laboratory accreditation requirements to form a complete feed testing framework.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ICP‑MS, trace elements, heavy metals, animal feed, pressurised digestion, LOQ, calibration, interference correction, sample preparation.