This document specifies a test procedure for the evaluation of the habitat function of soils by determining effects of soil contaminants and substances on organic matter decomposition. This test is applicable to natural soils and soil materials of unknown quality (e.g. contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, agricultural or other sites under concern). This document also specifies how to use this method for testing substances under temperate conditions.

This document is not applicable to substances for which the air/soil partition coefficient is greater than 1. It is not applicable to substances with vapour pressure exceeding 300 Pa at 25 °C.

NOTE      The stability of the test substance cannot be ensured over the test period. No provision is made in the test method for monitoring the persistence of the substance under test.