Standards Development

Scope

This European Standard specifies performance requirements, test methods and the use of diffusive samplers for the determination of the concentration of gases in ambient air. Such requirements apply to all diffusive samplers, irrespective of the physical nature of the rate controlling process and irrespective of the nature of the sorption process and the analytical determination.

This standard applies to all stages of the measuring procedure, including deployment, transportation and storage of the sample where appropriate. It includes measurement procedures with separate sampling and analysis stages.

This European Standard enables manufacturers and users of diffusive samplers to adopt a consistent approach to sampler validation and provide a framework for the assessment of sampler performance against criteria specified in this standard. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer or of those who assemble the diffusive samplers to ensure that the sampler complies with the data quality objectives given in this European Standard.

Annexes give further information on practical applications for particular environmental pollutants, including those specified by existing European Directives [X].

Purpose

Proposal for revision and merge of EN 13528 Part 1-3:

• EN 13528-1:2002 Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 1: General requirements

• EN 13528-2:2002 Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 2: Specific requirements and test methods

• EN 13528-3:2003 Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 3: Guide to selection, use and maintenance

The standards are outdated and need to be revised and aligned with other standards on diffusive sampling, such as

• EN 16339:2013 Ambient air - Method for the determination of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide by diffusive sampling 

• EN 17436:2020 Ambient air - Standard method for the determination of the concentration of ammonia using diffusive samplers The proposal is to combine the 3 standards and to publish 1 new European Standard.

This standard will describe the current state of the art in view of scientific research and developments and will support the latest European legislation.