ISDI Acceptance Limits: Regulations and Limit Values
Which ISDI acceptance limits apply to soil, excavated earth and inert waste? The French Order of 12 December 2014 defines the acceptance conditions for certain types of inert waste and the limit values to be met when a prior acceptance procedure involving laboratory testing is required.
Testing includes a leaching test according to NF EN 12457-2 and several total content analyses: TOC, BTEX, PCBs, C10–C40 hydrocarbons and PAHs.
Need laboratory testing to assess a soil sample?
BJL Laboratoires provides an ISDI testing package for soil, excavated earth and earthworks spoil. Samples can be sent from anywhere in France.
View the ISDI testing package Order an ISDI testing packageWhich regulations define ISDI acceptance criteria?
The main acceptance conditions are established by the French Order of 12 December 2014 on inert waste acceptance conditions at certain facilities covered by categories 2515, 2516 and 2517, and at inert waste landfill facilities covered by category 2760.
The facility operator implements a prior acceptance procedure. Where the waste does not fall within the categories eligible for acceptance under the conditions of Annex I, it must, as a minimum, meet the limit values specified in Annex II.
Laboratory testing alone therefore does not guarantee acceptance: the decision rests with the operator of the receiving facility.
Is the ISDI testing package mandatory for all soil?
No. Different situations must be distinguished.
Annex I of the Order lists certain waste categories that may be accepted without the analytical procedure specified in Article 3, provided that the restrictions set out in the legislation are met.
Soil and stones classified under waste code 17 05 04 are included in this list where they contain no hazardous substances and do not originate from a contaminated site. Topsoil and peat are excluded from this category.
In other situations, or where characterisation is requested as part of the acceptance procedure, analytical results are compared with the limit values in Annex II.
ISDI limits following leaching according to NF EN 12457-2
Annex II specifies a standardised leaching test according to NF EN 12457-2. Values are expressed in mg/kg of dry matter (DM).
| Parameter | Symbol | ISDI limit |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | As | 0.5 mg/kg DM |
| Barium | Ba | 20 mg/kg DM |
| Cadmium | Cd | 0.04 mg/kg DM |
| Total chromium | Cr | 0.5 mg/kg DM |
| Copper | Cu | 2 mg/kg DM |
| Mercury | Hg | 0.01 mg/kg DM |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 0.5 mg/kg DM |
| Nickel | Ni | 0.4 mg/kg DM |
| Lead | Pb | 0.5 mg/kg DM |
| Antimony | Sb | 0.06 mg/kg DM |
| Selenium | Se | 0.1 mg/kg DM |
| Zinc | Zn | 4 mg/kg DM |
| Chloride | Cl- | 800 mg/kg DM |
| Fluoride | F- | 10 mg/kg DM |
| Sulphate | SO42- | 1,000 mg/kg DM |
| Phenol index | - | 1 mg/kg DM |
| Total organic carbon in the eluate | TOC | 500 mg/kg DM |
| Total dissolved solids | TDS | 4,000 mg/kg DM |
ISDI total content limits
In addition to the leaching test, the Order specifies limit values measured directly in the dry waste.
| Parameter | Limit value |
|---|---|
| Total organic carbon — TOC | 30,000 mg/kg of dry waste |
| BTEX: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes | 6 mg/kg of dry waste |
| PCBs — 7 congeners | 1 mg/kg of dry waste |
| C10–C40 hydrocarbons | 500 mg/kg of dry waste |
| PAHs — polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | 50 mg/kg of dry waste |
Summary of the main ISDI acceptance limits
For quick reference, the parameters frequently requested by earthworks contractors, consultancies and facility operators are summarised below:
| Category | Parameter | Limit value |
|---|---|---|
| Total content | TOC | 30,000 mg/kg dry weight |
| BTEX | 6 mg/kg dry weight | |
| PCBs | 1 mg/kg dry weight | |
| C10–C40 hydrocarbons | 500 mg/kg dry weight | |
| PAHs | 50 mg/kg dry weight | |
| Leaching | Chloride | 800 mg/kg DM |
| Fluoride | 10 mg/kg DM | |
| Sulphate | 1,000 mg/kg DM | |
| Total dissolved solids | 4,000 mg/kg DM |
Special provisions for chloride, sulphate and total dissolved solids
Interpreting ISDI criteria does not always involve comparing each result individually with its limit value.
The Order includes specific provisions linking the criteria for chloride, sulphate and total dissolved solids. Waste exceeding one of these values may still meet the acceptance criteria under certain conditions specified in the legislation.
Results should therefore be interpreted with reference to all the provisions of Annex II, rather than a single value in isolation.
Special provisions for the sulphate limit
The general limit for sulphate is 1,000 mg/kg of dry matter.
However, the Order provides for an additional procedure where waste does not meet this value. Compliance may then be assessed under specific leaching conditions, including a percolation test according to NF CEN/TS 14405.
For this procedure, the legislation specifies particular values at different liquid-to-solid ratios.
Special provisions for TOC in the eluate
The limit for TOC in the eluate is 500 mg/kg of dry matter.
Where this limit is not met at the material’s own pH, the Order allows an NF EN 12457-2 test to be performed at a pH between 7.5 and 8.0. The material may be considered compliant with this criterion if the result then does not exceed 500 mg/kg of dry matter.
Special provisions for total TOC in soil
The general total content limit for TOC is 30,000 mg/kg of dry waste.
For soil, however, the Order allows a higher value where the criterion of 500 mg/kg of dry matter for TOC in the eluate is met, either at the soil’s own pH or at a pH between 7.5 and 8.0.
Can ISDI acceptance limits be adjusted?
For certain landfill facilities covered by category 2760, Article 6 provides that a prefectural order may adjust certain limit values, subject to specific justification and a study of the waste’s behaviour.
For leaching parameters, any adjustment must not exceed three times the limit values in Annex II. This adjustment cannot apply to TOC in the eluate.
For total content parameters, only the TOC limit may be adjusted, within the limit specified in the legislation.
Which wastes may be accepted without prior testing?
Annex I lists wastes that may, under certain conditions, be accepted without the analytical procedure specified in Article 3.
| Waste code | Waste type |
|---|---|
| 17 01 01 | Concrete |
| 17 01 02 | Bricks |
| 17 01 03 | Tiles and ceramics |
| 17 01 07 | Mixtures of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics containing no hazardous substances |
| 17 02 02 | Glass |
| 17 03 02 | Bituminous mixtures containing no tar |
| 17 05 04 | Soil and stones containing no hazardous substances |
| 20 02 02 | Soil and stones from gardens and parks |
Please note: this provision is subject to restrictions. For example, soil classified under code 17 05 04 must not originate from contaminated sites, and topsoil and peat are excluded.
Inclusion in this list does not therefore mean that a waste can automatically be accepted in every situation.
Who decides whether waste is accepted at an ISDI facility?
The laboratory does not issue authorisation for acceptance at an ISDI facility.
BJL Laboratoires analyses the sample and provides the results. These data allow measured concentrations to be compared with regulatory limits or the specified criteria.
The operator of the receiving facility remains responsible for its acceptance procedure and decides whether the load can be accepted.
Assess a sample with an ISDI testing package
BJL Laboratoires performs analyses to characterise soil, excavated earth and earthworks spoil.
The package includes a leaching test according to NF EN 12457-2 and analyses of the regulatory parameters in the eluate and solid material.
View the analyses included in the ISDI package Order the ISDI testing packageISDI testing for excavated soil and earthworks spoil
ISDI testing is commonly requested for earthworks, construction, demolition or development projects where soil needs to be removed from the site.
Analytical characterisation gives project owners, consultancies and contractors the information needed to plan soil management and liaise with the receiving facility.
Find out more: inert waste and excavated soil testing.
How much does ISDI testing cost?
The BJL ISDI testing package is currently available for €298.80 per sample, according to the public price displayed in the online shop.
A quotation can be provided for multiple samples or projects requiring a specific analytical programme.
Frequently asked questions about ISDI acceptance limits
What is the ISDI limit for PAHs?
The total content limit for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is 50 mg/kg of dry waste.
What is the ISDI limit for hydrocarbons?
The limit for C10–C40 hydrocarbons is 500 mg/kg of dry waste.
What is the ISDI limit for lead?
For the leaching test, the limit for lead is 0.5 mg/kg of dry matter.
What is the ISDI limit for sulphate?
The general limit is 1,000 mg/kg of dry matter. However, the Order provides for a specific procedure where this value is exceeded.
What is the ISDI limit for chloride?
The reference limit for chloride is 800 mg/kg of dry matter.
What is the ISDI limit for fluoride?
The limit for fluoride is 10 mg/kg of dry matter.
Which standard is used for ISDI leaching tests?
Annex II of the French Order of 12 December 2014 specifies the standardised test NF EN 12457-2.
Do results below all the limits guarantee acceptance?
No. Analytical results form one part of the procedure. The acceptance decision remains with the operator of the receiving facility.
Need testing to assess compliance with ISDI limits?
BJL Laboratoires accepts soil and earth samples from anywhere in France.
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