{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/fertilisers-sampling-and-analysis-regulations-northern-ireland-1996/schedule-2/part-II/chapter-1./paragraph-6",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/fertilisers-sampling-and-analysis-regulations-northern-ireland-1996/schedule-2/part-II/chapter-1./paragraph-6.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/1996/513",
  "legislation_title": "Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/fertilisers-sampling-and-analysis-regulations-northern-ireland-1996",
  "path": "schedule/2/part/II/chapter/1./paragraph/6",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "6",
  "heading": "SPECIAL CASES",
  "text": "Samples not to be ground\n6.1 For those samples where the fineness of grinding is to be determined it shall be carried out on an unground sample. The sample should be well mixed (soft lumps may be disintegrated by lightly crushing) and divided into two parts, which are as identical as possible. All other determinations shall be carried out on the sample prepared in accordance with the directions in paragraph 5.1.\nProducts which may be difficult to grind mechanically, including products with abnormal moisture or products which become doughy through grinding\n6.2 Some products such as superphosphates may become doughy if ground mechanically. In these cases crush the sample in a mortar (4.2) so that all the material passes through a 1.0 mm sieve (4.3). Place the material so crushed in a clean container (4.4) and seal it until required for analysis.\nOrganic materials\n6.3 Some organic materials may be of such a nature that the procedures given above cannot be used (for example fresh guano, leather, wool and animal residues). In these cases the analyst should use the best practicable means to obtain a representative sample.\nFertilisers comprising several different materials\n6.4 These fertilisers include materials with marked differences in texture or mechanical properties (hardness, density, etc). They may be difficult to grind entirely (for example mixtures of organic and inorganic materials) or they may segregate during handling (for example “Kalimagnesia”). Special procedures are necessary in these cases:\n6.4.1 for mixtures other than those in 6.4.2, follow the procedure in 5.1.1, replacing the 0.5 mm sieve by one with apertures of 0.18 mm. A grinding machine, capable of grinding the whole of the sample to the required fineness in one pass, is strongly recommended;\n6.4.2 in the case of mixtures containing one or more very hard components, or mixtures containing organic materials, it may be difficult to grind and homogenise all the components. To avoid overgrinding some of the softer components proceed as follows:—\ngrind the sample as in 5.1.1 or 5.1.2 to pass a 0.5 mm sieve. Re-sieve the sample through a 0.18 mm sieve and reduce the residue to a convenient size by further grinding or other practical means. Thoroughly remix the sample and place in a clean container (4.4).",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1996/513/schedule/2/part/II/chapter/1./paragraph/6",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T02:32:40.012993+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}