Pack ISDI: Soil and Excavated Material Testing

COFRAC-accredited laboratory — testing within the applicable scope of accreditation

BJL Laboratoires provides the Pack ISDI testing package to characterise soils, excavated earth and construction site spoil before their proposed acceptance at a French inert waste landfill facility (Installation de Stockage de Déchets Inertes — ISDI).

The package combines the NF EN 12457-2 leaching test, analysis of the resulting eluate and testing of the solid material. Results support the assessment of the material against the applicable acceptance criteria.

Samples can be delivered to our laboratory in Sèvres or sent from elsewhere in France. For samples originating elsewhere in Europe, contact the laboratory before dispatch to confirm shipping and acceptance arrangements.

What Is the Pack ISDI?

The Pack ISDI is a laboratory testing package used to characterise soils and excavated materials when analytical evidence is required for acceptance at an inert waste landfill facility in France.

The results can be compared with the applicable analytical acceptance criteria. Testing does not guarantee acceptance: the final decision rests with the receiving facility operator under its waste acceptance procedure.

This characterisation is particularly useful for:

• earth excavated during earthworks;
• construction site spoil;
• demolition and rehabilitation projects;
• civil engineering projects;
• planning the removal of excavated materials;
• preparing documentation for a receiving waste facility.

Who Uses ISDI Soil Testing?

BJL Laboratoires provides testing services for:

• civil engineering and earthworks contractors;
• demolition and building contractors;
• environmental consultancies;
• project owners and developers;
• local authorities;
• construction site managers;
• excavated material management professionals.

Which Analyses Are Included in the Pack ISDI?

The package combines testing performed after leaching with analyses performed on the solid material.

1. NF EN 12457-2 Leaching Test

The sample undergoes a leaching test in accordance with NF EN 12457-2. This assesses the release of substances into water under defined test conditions.

2. Eluate Analysis

The parameters analysed in the liquid obtained after leaching include:

• arsenic (As);
• barium (Ba);
• cadmium (Cd);
• total chromium (Cr);
• copper (Cu);
• mercury (Hg);
• molybdenum (Mo);
• nickel (Ni);
• lead (Pb);
• antimony (Sb);
• selenium (Se);
• zinc (Zn);
• chlorides;
• fluorides;
• sulphates;
• phenol index;
• total organic carbon in the eluate (TOC);
• total dissolved solids (soluble fraction).

3. Solid Material Analysis

• TOC: total organic carbon;
• BTEX: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes;
• PCBs: polychlorinated biphenyls;
• C10–C40 hydrocarbons;
• PAHs: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Additional testing may be needed depending on the material’s origin, suspected contamination and the receiving facility’s requirements.

Regulatory Acceptance Limits for French ISDI Facilities

The following tables summarise the default analytical limits in Annex II to the French Order of 12 December 2014. They must be read together with the conditions, exceptions and acceptance procedure set out in the applicable text.

Limit Values Following NF EN 12457-2 Leaching

The values below express the amount released relative to the dry mass of the tested material, in mg/kg of dry matter.

Limit Values for the Solid Material

Interpretation: specific provisions apply to certain parameters, including sulphates, soluble fraction and organic carbon. The tables alone do not establish the acceptability or hazardous classification of a waste.

Source: French Order of 12 December 2014 — consolidated text on Légifrance.

Read more about ISDI acceptance limits and requirements

Pack ISDI and Accreditation

BJL Laboratoires holds COFRAC accreditation No. 1-0973. Accreditation applies to the specific matrices, parameters and methods listed in the current scope.

The ISDI kit is intended for soil samples within the applicable scope. Other mineral materials, including concrete, rubble and certain fill materials, may also be tested, but the service may fall outside that scope.

The accreditation status of the requested tests should therefore be confirmed for the material concerned. The applicable analytical documentation identifies the tests covered.

Consult the current accreditation scope on the COFRAC website.

Characterising Excavated Materials Before Removal

Characterisation before removal provides analytical information to help plan the management of excavated materials and prepare an application to a receiving facility.

Typical projects include:

• foundation excavations;
• earthworks and ground preparation;
• trenches and utility works;
• urban development;
• demolition and reconstruction projects.

Learn more about inert waste and excavated material testing

How Should You Collect a Sample for the Pack ISDI?

The usefulness of the results depends on how representative the sample is of the batch being assessed. Sampling should take account of the material’s origin, composition and heterogeneity.

BJL Laboratoires provides sampling packaging and instructions through its online shop. Before collecting or dispatching samples, confirm:

• the appropriate sampling plan and number of samples;
• the quantity required per sample;
• the packaging and transport conditions;
• the identification of each sample and its origin;
• any additional analyses required by the receiving facility.

For large sample series or unusual materials, contact the laboratory before dispatch to arrange receipt and confirm the analytical requirements.

A Test Report to Support Your Waste Acceptance Application

BJL Laboratoires provides a laboratory test report presenting the results for the parameters analysed.

The report can be submitted to the project owner, environmental consultancy or receiving facility operator as part of the acceptance procedure.

Results relate to the sample tested. Their relevance to the whole batch depends on the sampling strategy and the representativeness of the sample.

The final acceptance decision remains with the receiving facility operator.

How Much Does Pack ISDI Soil Testing Cost?

The BJL Pack ISDI is listed at €234 including VAT per package in our online shop. Consult the product page for the current price and order conditions.

For multiple samples, additional analyses or specific project requirements, contact BJL Laboratoires for a tailored quotation.

ISDI Testing Laboratory Serving All of France

BJL Laboratoires is based in Sèvres, near Paris, in the Hauts-de-Seine department.

Soil and excavated material samples can be sent to the laboratory from anywhere in France. We work with contractors, environmental consultants, local authorities and project owners.

For shipments from elsewhere in Europe, contact us in advance to confirm the applicable transport requirements and sample acceptance arrangements.

Why Choose BJL Laboratoires for Your Pack ISDI?

• Environmental testing expertise for soils and excavated materials;
• A combined analytical package covering leaching, eluate and solid material testing;
• Technical support to clarify your analytical requirements;
• Laboratory reports supporting waste acceptance applications;
• Online ordering through the BJL Laboratoires shop;
• Sample reception from across France.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Pack ISDI

Need Soil Testing or a Pack ISDI?

Order online or contact BJL Laboratoires to discuss multiple samples, a construction project or specific analytical requirements.

Related Information and Testing Services

• ISDI acceptance limits and requirements
• Inert waste and excavated material testing
• PAH testing in asphalt
• ISDI testing prices
• Order the Pack ISDI