This document specifies one of the methods for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining effects of soil contaminants and substances on the reproduction of Enchytraeus sp. by dermal and alimentary uptake in a chronic test. It is applicable to soils and soil materials of unknown quality, for example, from contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, agricultural or other sites under concern and waste materials.

This document provides information on how to use this method for testing substances under temperate conditions.

The method is not applicable to substances, for which the air/soil partition coefficient is greater than 1, or to substances for which the vapour pressure exceeds 300 Pa at 25 °C.

NOTE      No provision is made in the test method for monitoring the persistence of the substance under test.