Any method conforming to EC Regulation 142:2011 or PAS100. This scheme is for laboratories carrying out on-going testing of compost rather than validation of composting plants. The PT scheme is also suitable for non APBR compost.
Enumeration of E coli and presence of Salmonella sp.
10 (5 for E coli and 5 for Salmonella)
0.1 ml freeze dried sample in 3-ml glass vial.
For the Salmonella test each vial to be reconstituted by adding 2.5 ml of sterile Nutrient Broth, then whole container treated as 25g of compost.
For the E. coli test the vial needs to be reconstituted with 0.5 ml sterile Nutrient Broth and then use the entire contents of the vial to get an enumeration using routine plating method.
UN 3373 Biological substance Category B. Overseas labs sent by courier. Courier delivery will incur additional costs. Please contact the QA unit for details.
Laboratories seeking or holding Defra approval for testing compost, must be accredited to ISO 17025 for the tests.
For price and detail of distribution months please see price list or contact: vetqas@apha.gov.uk