Draft standard

prEN 17980:2023

End of enquiry: 03-08-2023

Algae and algae products - Sampling - Guidelines for the

definition of sampling programs and sampling protocols

ICS: 13.020.55

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© NBN 2023
prEN 17980:2023
 prEN 17980:2023
EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT
NORME EUROPÉENNE prEN 17980
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2023

ICS 13.020.55

English Version

Algae and algae products - Sampling - Guidelines for the

definition of sampling programs and sampling protocols
Algues et produits d'algues - Échantillonnage - Lignes Algen und Algenprodukte - Probenahme - Leitlinien für
directrices pour la définition des programmes et des die Festlegung von Probenahmeprogrammen und
protocoles d'échantillonnage Probenahmeprotokollen

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 454.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 17980:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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Contents Page

European foreword ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1 Scope.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Normative references.......................................................................................................................... 5
3 Terms and definitions ......................................................................................................................... 5
4 Principles of sampling......................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 General...................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Basic rules to obtain a representative sample ........................................................................... 8
4.3 Good practices of sampling ............................................................................................................... 8
5 Development of a sampling program ............................................................................................ 8
5.1 General...................................................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Identification of a lot ........................................................................................................................... 9
5.3 How to define a sample: where and when to collect, dimension and increments......... 9
5.4 Number and dimension of samples if bulk material .............................................................. 10
5.5 Number and dimension of samples if packaged material .................................................... 11
6 Development of a sampling protocol ........................................................................................... 11
6.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 11
6.2 Equipment ............................................................................................................................................. 12
6.3 Personnel ............................................................................................................................................... 13
6.4 Collection of increments................................................................................................................... 13
Annex A (informative) Microalgae produced with controlled environment .............................. 15
A.1 General information to be supplied ............................................................................................. 15
A.2 Example of a sampling program .................................................................................................... 15
A.3 Example of a sampling protocol .................................................................................................... 16
Annex B (informative) Macroalgae produced/collected from the wild ........................................ 17
B.1 General information to be supplied ............................................................................................. 17
B.2 Example of a sampling program .................................................................................................... 17
B.3 Example of a sampling protocol .................................................................................................... 18
Annex C (informative) Macroalgae produced in ponds/tanks with controlled environment
................................................................................................................................................................... 19
C.1 General information to be supplied ............................................................................................. 19
C.2 Example of a sampling program .................................................................................................... 19
C.3 Example of a sampling protocol .................................................................................................... 20
Bibliography ....................................................................................................................................................... 21

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European foreword

This document (prEN 17980:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 454 “Algae and
algae products”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.

This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.

This document has been prepared under a Standardization Request given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association.

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Introduction

This document has been prepared by the experts of CEN/TC 454 'Algae and algae products'.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) was requested by the European Commission (EC) to
draft European standards or European standardization deliverables to support the implementation of
Article 3 of Directive 2009/28/EC for algae and algae products.
This request, presented as Mandate M/547, also contributes to the Communication on “Innovating for
Sustainable Growth: A Bio economy for Europe”.
The former working group CEN Technical Board Working Group 218 “Algae”, was created in 2016 to
develop a work programme as part of this Mandate. The technical committee CEN/TC 454 'Algae and
algae products' was established to carry out the work programme that will prepare a series of standards.
The interest in algae and algae products has increased significantly in Europe as a valuable source
including but not limited to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and several pigments. These materials are
suitable for use in a wide range of applications from food and feed purposes to other sectors, such as
textile, cosmetics, biopolymers, biofuel and fertilizer/biostimulants. Standardization was identified as
having an important role in order to promote the use of algae and algae products.
The work of CEN/TC 454 should improve the reliability of the supply chain, thereby improving the
confidence of industry and consumers in algae and algae products and will promote and support
commercialization of the European algae industry.
This document has been developed with the aim to help algae producers and algae products industries
to establish a sound sampling program and a correct sampling protocol. The sampling program will
define the strategy for sampling, when, where and how much, and the sampling protocol will define how
the samples will be collected, packaged, labelled, preserved and transported until the final destination:
laboratory, long term storage, customer, health safety authority, etc.

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1 Scope
This document specifies a set of principles and rules that algae producers, algae products industries,
laboratories or other entities that collect algae and algae products samples can follow for the definition
of their own sampling programs and sampling protocols.
In the context of this document, algae are a functional group that include microalgae, macroalgae,
cyanobacteria and Labyrinthulomycetes.
As algae and their production processes are so diverse, this document does not define a specific sampling
program and/or a specific sampling protocol. Instead, this document specifies the aspects that can be
considered when defining one’s own sampling program and protocol.
This document describes when, where and how to draw a representative sample. For guidance on sample
preparation of dry and wet samples of micro- and macroalgae, and algae products, please refer to
EN 17605.
This document is intended to be used for the collection of samples for lot characterization for commercial
or legal/regulatory purposes. However, this document can also be used for any type of sampling of algae,
including samples for quality control during production.

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 17399:2020, Algae and algae products - Terms and definitions

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 17399:2020 and the following
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/

• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

3.1
lot
quantity of material that is assumed to be of the same production process and represented by specified
sampling rules

[SOURCE: EN 17605:2022, 3.1]

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3.2
sample
quantity of material, from a larger amount for which the quality is to be determined

Note 1 to entry: A sample is intended to provide information on a given characteristic of the studied lot, and to form
a basis for a decision concerning the lot.

Note 2 to entry: A sample can be a laboratory sample, a test sample, a test portion, an incremental sample, or a
reserve sample.

[SOURCE: ISO 21637:2020, 3.63 — Notes to entry have been removed]

3.3
increment
incremental sample
quantity of material taken from a single place in the lot (3.1)

[SOURCE: COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007]

3.4
aggregate sample
combined total of all the incremental samples (3.3) taken from the lot (3.1)

[SOURCE: COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007]

3.5
representative sample
sample (3.2) in which the characteristics of the lot (3.1) from which it is drawn are maintained

Note 1 to entry: It is the case of a simple random sample where each of the items of the lot has been given the same
probability of entering the sample.

[SOURCE: CODEX ALIMENTARIUS, General Guidelines on Sampling CAC/GL 50-2004]

3.6
sampling
process of drawing or constituting a sample (3.2)

[SOURCE: ISO 21637:2020, 3.68]

3.7
sampling program
predetermined procedure for the definition of the amount, the number of increments (3.3), the timing of
the sample (3.2) and the sample collection point, to obtain representative samples (3.5)

3.8
sampling protocol
predetermined procedure for the definition of the steps to prepare, collect, package and label for
shipping, and deliver the sample (3.2) until the transfer of responsibility at final destination

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4 Principles of sampling
4.1 General

Sampling is an activity that is a common practice in almost any industrial, commercial or service area. It
is done due to economic or time constraints to characterize a collection (a lot) of heterogeneous items, as
it is not feasible to analyse the entire collection because the analysis is destructive, or too expensive.
The quality or confidence on the results of the sampling is related to two aspects: the representativeness
of the sample, and the relation between the number of items sampled and the number of items of the
entire collection.
The representativeness of the sample is based on the definition of a representative sample: the
probability of being present on the sample is the same for any item in the collection.
To ensure that this probability is verified is not a trivial issue. If the production line has in some place a
conveyor belt where the entire production passes in sequence, it is possible to ensure representativeness
if samples are collected in the entire width of the belt, and at random intervals. However, the most
common situation is the collection of samples from a pile, a tank or other three-dimensional stock of
production.
There are many aspects that can skew the results of sampling, such as;
• material segregation by size, form, density, etc.;

• production process variation due to raw material differences, parameter deviation, human error, etc.

To minimize the impact of those anomalies different strategies can be chosen, such as;
• mixing;

• agitating;

• have samples made of different increments collected in different/random periods, locations, depths,
etc.;

• take a larger sample or collect a larger number of increments to obtain a higher confidence interval.

A sampling program should define clearly the “when” to sample and “how much” sample material should
be collected. The “when” can be time or production (at which stage of production) dependent. The “how
much” should be a function of the lot size and should also be destination dependent. The “how much” may
be dependent of the confidence interval that is required for the destination.
A sampling protocol should consider 4 stages:
a) initial preparation, which defines the set of knowledge, expertise, experience needed for a correct
collection, and the safety procedures and PPE (personal protective equipment) required, and the set
of tools, packaging, labelling, preservation and transport equipment needed to be available for
collection;

b) before collection, which defines the checklist and the verification of tools, PPE, and other equipment;

c) collection, which defines the procedure of collection;

d) after collection, which defines the procedure for sample packaging, labelling, preservation, storage
and delivery to the destination, until its responsibility is transferred to other entity.

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4.2 Basic rules to obtain a representative sample

To obtain a representative sample the following rules should be in place:

a) ensure that the probability of any item being in the sample, is equal for all items: randomize the place,
time and depth of the sample collection according to the specific situation, and stick to it;

b) ensure that the items are not segregated by any means, and mix, agitate or scramble the entire
collection before sample collection if possible;

c) take as many increments as possible to complete the sample, at random locations, periods and
depths, and homogenize the collected material. If too large, this sample can be divided into
subsamples without losing representativeness;

d) if samples or increments are collected at different time intervals, be sure that they are not
synchronous with normal production cycles or other aspects of the production: avoid collection at
personnel changing, at same time in the day, etc.

4.3 Good practices of sampling

Besides specific aspects of sampling algae or algae products, there are many other aspects that are
common to sampling. This list is a reminder of those aspects that anyone collecting samples should keep
in mind for the success of their task:
a) be sure of the objective of sampling;

b) ensure that you have available all items needed to collect the sample, and following steps;

c) take all safety measures required to collect the sample;

d) ensure that the sample collected is representative of the collection;

e) take all the steps to close the container, label and preserve the sample;

f) deliver the sample as soon as possible.

It is good practice of sampling to keep a counter sample under the control for any future reference or
dispute that can arise from final destination (external lab, customer, H&S authority, etc.). This counter
sample shall be collected following the same protocol and at the same conditions (location, time and
amount) as the normal sample.

5 Development of a sampling program

5.1 General

A sampling program shall be defined based on both the internal and external context of production of
algae and algae products.
The internal context includes information on:
• production conditions, e.g. wild stock or controlled conditions;

• the production facility and unit;

• algae species;

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• lot size;

• final product.

The external context includes information on:

• the local, national or regional legal, regulatory and commercial framework;

• objective of the sampling, e.g. microbiology, contamination, physical and chemical characterization,
genetic analysis;

• final use of the sample.

When it is requested to keep a counter sample in house for future reference, then a duplicate sample shall
be collected following the protocol and at the same conditions (location, time and amount) as the normal
sample, and appropriately stored in-house.
Considering the diversity of algae production processes, the sampling program shall be defined for each
type of production unit. The sampling program shall define the amount, the number of increments, the
timing of the sample and the sample collection point, to fulfil the basic sampling principle of
representativeness.
For algae products, the production process is not so much relevant for sample collection, except what
refers to packaging: before, e.g. in bulk, or after packaging, e.g. units in warehouse. The basic sampling
principle of representativeness shall be fulfilled as well.
The lot size is relevant to determine the amount of the sample, and/or the number of increments to be
collected to obtain each sample.
Examples of a sampling program for different type of productions or collections are given in Annex A, B
and C.
5.2 Identification of a lot

For each production unit, the internally defined lot size shall be defined in terms of weight, volume or
number of packages. An example of how to physically divide into identifiable sublots is given below.
EXAMPLE If the lot size is larger than 1 000 kg or 1 m3, it could be physically divided into identifiable sublots
of maximum 1 000 Kg or 1 m3, so that samples can be collected and identified.

The identification of a lot shall include at least:

• production unit;

• algae species and/or algae product;

• harvesting/production date;

• lot size (kg, l) or number of units/packages.

5.3 How to define a sample: where and when to collect, dimension and increments
5.3.1 General

Samples shall be collected during harvesting, or after the operations of preparation (washing, cleaning,
concentration, etc.), or for packaged products, before packaging or after packaging and before storage at
the warehouse.

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Attention shall be given to samples with requirements for different types of analysis: biochemistry,
microbiology, genetic.
5.3.2 For macroalgae harvested from the natural environments

Macroalgae from natural environments can be harvested from wild stock or from cultivation lines.
Depending on the aforementioned objective(s) of the sampling, the samples shall be collected from its
means of transportation, e.g. tractor or ship, or as soon as they are unloaded at the port to preserve their
freshness. If the harvested algae are subject to preparation operations, e.g. washing and cleaning, before
entering into processing operations, then samples shall be collected after those preparation operations.
5.3.3 For macroalgae produced on open ponds

Macroalgae harvested from open ponds or tanks are collected and put into containers and transferred to
the processing unit. Samples shall be collected from the transportation units immediately at arrival at the
processing units. If the harvested algae are subject to preparation operations, e.g. washing and cleaning,
before entering into processing operations, then samples shall be collected after those preparation
operations.
5.3.4 For microalgae produced in open ponds or raceways

Microalgae harvested from open ponds are collected using pumps, concentrated, dried and/or stored
under temperature control, and stored in bulk or packaged. Depending on the aforementioned
objective(s) of the sampling, samples shall be collected after the first concentration operation to prevent
any possible contamination, or, if the final product is packaged, immediately before or after packaging
and before storage at the warehouse.
5.3.5 For microalgae produced in closed systems

Microalgae harvested from closed systems, such as photobioreactors and fermenters, are collected from
production equipment using pumps, concentrated, dried and/or stored under temperature control, and
stored in bulk or packaged. Samples shall be collected after the first concentration operation to prevent
any possible contamination, or if the final product is packaged, immediately before or after packaging
and before storage at the warehouse.
5.4 Number and dimension of samples if bulk material

The minimum size requirements of increments for the different type of algae (micro or macro) are given
in Table 1.
Table 1 — Minimum size requirements of an increment

Type of algae Minimum increment requirement

Macroalgae 200 g or 200 ml

Microalgae 35 g or 35 ml

Each minimum set of increments shall be combined into one aggregate sample of 600 g or 600 ml for
macroalgae and 100 g or 100 ml for microalgae, and secured as appropriate.
Each increment shall be taken at random times at a dynamic material flow, or from a static storage. If
collected from a box, pile or vessel, special attention shall be given to collect increments from different
strata or depth of the lot.
Table 2 provides the minimum number of increments that shall be taken for different ranges of lot sizes.

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Table 2 — Minimum number of increments per lot size class

Weight or volume of lot Minimum number of increments to

(in kilograms or litres) be taken
50 3
≥ 50 and ≤ 500 6
> 500 12

Table 2 is based on food/feed grade requirements for sampling, and for any type of production unit, and
therefore it may be adapted for other quality grade requirements not so stringent, or for industrial
controlled units (i.e. PBR, fermenters, etc) that produce algae with consistent historic quality parameters.
These adaptations shall be explained and justified.
5.5 Number and dimension of samples if packaged material

Each increment shall be taken at random times at a dynamic package/unit flow or from a static storage.
If collected from static storage, special attention shall be given to collect increments from different strata
or depth of the lot.
Table 3 provides the minimum number of packages or units that shall be sampled for different lot sizes.
Table 3 — Minimum number of packages to be sampled per number of packages in lot

Number of packages or units Minimum number packages or units to be

in the lot sampled
≤ 25 1
> 25 and ≤ 100 About 5 %, at least 2 packages or units
> 100 About 5 %, at maximum 10 packages or units

6 Development of a sampling protocol

6.1 General

A sampling protocol shall be defined based on both the internal and external context of production of
algae and algae products.
The internal context includes information on:
• production conditions, e.g. wild stock or controlled conditions;

• the production facility and unit;

• algae species;

• lot size;

• final product.

The external context includes information on:

• the local, national or regional legal, regulatory and commercial framework;

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• objective of the sampling, e.g. microbiology, contamination, physical and chemical characterization,
genetic analysis;

• final use of the sample.

Considering the diversity of algae production processes, the sampling protocol shall be defined for each
type of production unit.
The sampling protocol shall define the steps to prepare, collect, package and label for shipping, and
deliver the sample until the transfer of responsibility.
Examples of a sampling protocol for different type of productions or collections are given in Annex A, B
and C.
6.2 Equipment
6.2.1 General

To collect a sample, there is a need for a set of equipment that shall be identified and made available
during the normal operation of the production unit.
6.2.2 Equipment to collect and store increments or samples

To collect increments from a pile or from a vessel, the type of shovel or cup shall be defined with an
internal volume corresponding to the volume to be collected for each increment.
NOTE This shovel or cup can have some kind of opening/closing mechanism so that the increment can be
collected from different depths without mixing with surface material.

The type of containers with specific characteristics for specific analysis that shall be available to receive
increment and to preserve them, e.g. with tight caps, shall also be defined.
6.2.3 Protective equipment for the personnel collecting the sample

For any production unit, safety instructions shall be available defining which PPE (personal protective
equipment) shall be used and what type of appropriate first aid kit shall be available. The PPE shall not
interfere with the representativeness and/or cause cross-contamination of the sample.
6.2.4 Equipment to identify the sample container

Any form of container identification, e.g. waterproof stickers or tags, waterproof pens, markers for any
type of surface or heavy duty adhesive tape, shall be available.
6.2.5 Equipment to store, preserve and transport the sample container

Depending on the aforementioned objective(s) of the sampling and the nature of the sample, e.g. dry,
fresh, frozen, it shall be defined which type of secondary package is needed to preserve the sample
container.
Types of secondary package are:
• simple card box;

• insulated box;

• special insulated box;

• cooler;

• (deep) freezer.

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NOTE Types of cooling material commonly used are: cold accumulators, regular ice, dry ice and liquid nitrogen.

6.3 Personnel
6.3.1 General

Internal procedures shall be in place that include clear instructions detailing the steps required to collect
samples for each type of production unit, and have evidence that the personnel collecting samples have
the required skills and training to perform the collection.
6.3.2 Required knowledge

It shall be defined what knowledge and the corresponding evidence, such as formal education, internal
training and written instructions, the personnel collecting a sample needs to have.
6.3.3 Training

It shall be defined if the personnel collecting samples need formal training, by e.g. workshops, exercises
or on-the-job, and evidence of this shall be kept.
6.4 Collection of increments
6.4.1 General

The collection of one increment has three steps, related to the description of what to do before the
collection, the actual collection and what to do after collection.
6.4.2 What to do before sampling

6.4.2.1 Equipment preparation

The personnel collecting the sample shall verify that the equipment needed to collect the sample and any
PPE required is available and at the right operating conditions, such as clean, dry, sterile - if specified -,
and other existing requirements.
6.4.2.2 Sample container preparation

The personnel collecting the sample shall verify that the container is prepared to receive the increment
with no further delay and avoiding contamination, such as opening any external protective device, pre-
identification prepared.
6.4.2.3 Storage and preservation equipment

The personnel collecting the sample shall verify that the required storage and preservation equipment is
available and operational at a reasonable distance from the collection point.
NOTE A checklist can be made available to help.

6.4.3 What to do during sampling

6.4.3.1 Checklist of what to do

The personnel collecting the sample shall review and be aware of all the actions needed to perform the
collection.
6.4.3.2 Use of protective equipment

The personnel collecting the sample shall wear all PPE required for the operation. A procedure shall be
in place regarding the necessity for change of PPE in case of a change of production unit, algae species or
product.

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6.4.3.3 Collection of the increments

The collection of the increments can be performed in two different ways;

• Randomization: the collection of increments shall be randomized in a way to ensure the
representativeness of the sample. This can be achieved by randomizing time between increment
collection or by randomizing space (place and depth) of increment collection.

• Homogenization: if the materials that constitute a lot can develop some form of segregation, by size,
form, density, etc., and if possible, some form of homogenization shall be done by agitating, mixing of
the lot, before increment collection.

Increments shall be collected using the required tools and at the required conditions such as clean, dry,
sterile - if specified -, in a way to avoid contamination, not only with external environment, but also
between samples.
NOTE For example, it can be required to change gloves or to clean or sterilize the collection device between
samples, as between different increments of the same sample the change/cleaning is not required.

6.4.3.4 Close and secure container

Immediately after the increments are collected, the container shall be closed tight. If required, the
container is sealed.
If a production lot takes several periods of time (days or weeks), and the increment collection extends for
such periods, the container receiving the increments shall be secured and stored after each increment is
added until the aggregate sample is completed and ready to be delivered.
6.4.4 What to do after sampling

6.4.4.1 Identification the sample container

The sample container closed tight, and eventually sealed, shall be identified immediately according to the
specified rules, e.g. by using waterproof tags, labels and/or pens.
NOTE It is good practice that labelling items are pre-printed and ready to be attached to the container.

6.4.4.2 Packing of the container according to the organization’s instructions, storage and
preservation equipment

If required, secondary packaging shall be provided according to the specifications as mentioned in 6.1.1.4.
This equipment shall be available at a reasonably distance from the collection point.
6.4.4.3 Sending of the full package to the final destination

After all required increments of each sample are collected, identified and packed according to the
destination(s), each package shall be closed and identified with origin, destination, a packing list of the
samples contained, the conditions required and provided, and a time stamp. Those packages shall be
delivered inside the maximum time interval defined. The delivery is only considered to be completed
after the evidence of the receipt is obtained and transfer of responsibility of the package to the final
destination.
NOTE It is common practise when sending a full package to a third party to retain a counter sample on-site,
under the assigned storage conditions.

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Annex A
(informative)
Microalgae produced with controlled environment

A.1 General information to be supplied

Organization: …
Main Office: Location
Vat Number: …
Contact: …
URL: …
Applicable legal or regulatory requirements (reference to documents): …

A.2 Example of a sampling program

Table A.1 gives an example of a sampling program for microalgae produced with a controlled
environment.
Table A.1 — Example of a sampling program for microalgae produced with a controlled
environment

Question Information
Location: LLLLLLLLLL
Type of production (wild stock/controlled Controlled
conditions/processing):

Type of production unit (raceway, open pond, PBR, PBR

tanks, long lines, other):
Production unit internal ID (can be more than one): PBR L, XL
Type of algae (macro/micro, other): Micro
Algae species (all that can be produced at this/those S1, S2, S3
unit/units):
Type of product (bulk, packaged): Bulk
Final product in bulk (wet, dried, frozen, fermented, Dried
milled, etc):
Typical lot size (kg, l, number of packages): 100 to 1000 kg
Typical production period: 5 to 50 days
Sample collection point(s): Drier
Sample collection schedule: Random time during drier operation
Number of incremental/aggregate samples: Between 6 and 12 incremental samples, to
form 2 aggregate samples
Mass of each aggregate sample: 100 to 150 ml

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A.3 Example of a sampling protocol

Table A.2 gives an example of a sampling program for microalgae produced with a controlled
environment.
Table A.2 — Example of a sampling program for microalgae produced with a controlled
environment

Microbiology Chemical and Contaminants Other

Physical (genetic)
Equipment
Equipment for Scoop or spatula Idem Idem Idem
collection
Container (capacity, Plastic sterile Glass or plastic Glass or plastic Petri dish
material, etc) 150 ml reusable reusable
150 ml 150 ml
PPE (personal Clean gloves Idem Idem Idem
protective Face mask (PPR2)
equipment)
Identification Self-stick Tag Idem Idem Idem
XXXXX, waterproof
marker or
Pre-printed self-
stick tag
Secondary package Insulated box with Idem Idem Idem
cold accumulators
(minimum 2)
Personnel
Knowledge Basic training how Idem Idem Idem
to collect samples
(training reference)
Experience At least 3 Idem Idem Idem
supervised
collections

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Annex B
(informative)
Macroalgae produced/collected from the wild

B.1 General information to be supplied

Organization: …
Main Office: Location
Vat Number: …
Contact: …
URL: …
Applicable legal or regulatory requirements (reference to documents): …

B.2 Example of a sampling program

Table B.1 gives an example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced or collected from the wild.
Table B.1 — Example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced or collected from the wild
Question Information
Location: LLLLLLLLLL
Type of production (wild stock/controlled wild stock
conditions/processing):

Type of production unit (raceway, open pond, PBR, tanks, NA

long lines, other):
Production unit internal ID (can be more than one): NA
Type of algae (macro/micro, other): Macro
Algae species (all that can be produced at this/those S1, S2, S3
unit/units):
Type of product (bulk, packaged): Bulk
Final product in bulk (wet, dried, frozen, fermented, milled, Wet, dry or frozen
etc):
Typical lot size (kg, l, number of packages): Fresh: 100 to 1000 kg
Dry: 50 to 500 kg
Typical production period: NA
Sample collection point(s): Wet: At reception on plant, after washing
Dry: after drying, possibly also after grinding
Frozen: At reception on plant, or after freezing
process
Sample collection schedule: NA
Number of incremental/aggregate samples: Between 3 and 12 incremental samples, to form 2
aggregate samples
Mass of each aggregate sample: 500 to 600 g

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B.3 Example of a sampling protocol

Table B.2 gives an example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced or collected from the wild.
Table B.2 — Example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced or collected from the wild

Microbiology Chemical and Contaminants Other

Physical (genetic)
Equipment
Equipment for Sharp and clean Idem Idem Idem
collection knife/scissor
Container (capacity, Plastic bag sterile Plastic bag sterile Plastic bag sterile Plastic zip bag
material, etc) 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml with silica (for
wet or dry
Sealing device Sealing device Sealing device
samples)

PPE (personal Clean gloves Idem Idem Idem

protective Face mask (PPR2)
equipment)
Identification Self-stick Tag Idem Idem Idem
XXXXX, waterproof
marker or
Pre-printed self-
stick tag
Secondary package Insulated box with Idem Idem Idem
cold accumulators
(minimum 2)
Personnel
Knowledge Basic training how Idem Idem Idem
to collect samples
(training
reference)
Experience At least 3 Idem Idem Idem
supervised
collections

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Annex C
(informative)
Macroalgae produced in ponds/tanks with controlled environment

C.1 General information to be supplied

Organization: …
Main Office: Location
Vat Number: …
Contact: …
URL: …
Applicable legal or regulatory requirements (reference to documents): …

C.2 Example of a sampling program

Table C.1 gives an example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced in ponds or tanks with a
controlled environment.
Table C.1 — Example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced in ponds or tanks with a
controlled environment

Question Information
Location: LLLLLLLLLL
Type of production (wild stock/controlled Controlled
conditions/processing):

Type of production unit (raceway, open pond, Open pond

PBR, tanks, long lines, other):
Production unit internal ID (can be more than A, B, C and D
one):
Type of algae (macro/micro, other): Macro
Algae species (all that can be produced at S1, S2, S3
this/those unit/units):
Type of product (bulk, packaged): Bulk
Final product in bulk (wet, dried, frozen, Wet
fermented, milled, etc):
Typical lot size (kg, l, number of packages): 20 to 400 kg
Typical production period: 14 to 30 days
For kelp: up to 11 months
For Atlantic nori: up to 4 months
Sample collection point(s): Wet: after washing and salting
Dry: after drying
Milled: after milling

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Question Information
Sample collection schedule: Random period during processing operation at
final stage
Number of incremental/aggregate samples: Between 3 and 6 incremental samples, to form 2
aggregate samples
Mass of each aggregate sample: 200 to 750 g

C.3 Example of a sampling protocol

Table C.2 gives an example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced in ponds or tanks with a
controlled environment.
Table C.2 — Example of a sampling program for macroalgae produced in ponds or tanks with a
controlled environment

Microbiology Chemical and Contaminants Other

Physical (genetic)
Equipment
Equipment for NA Idem Idem Idem
collection
Container (capacity, Plastic bag sterile Idem Idem Petri dish
material, etc) between 100 and
1000 ml
Sealing device
PPE (personal Clean gloves Idem Idem Idem
protective Face mask (PPR2)
equipment)
Identification Self-stick Tag Idem Idem Idem
XXXXX, waterproof
marker or
Pre-printed self-
stick tag
Secondary package Insulated box with Idem Idem Idem
cold accumulators
(minimum 2)
Personnel
Knowledge Basic training how Idem Idem Idem
to collect samples
(training
reference)
Experience At least 3 Idem Idem Idem
supervised
collections

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Bibliography

[1] ISO 21637:2020, Solid recovered fuels — Vocabulary

[2] COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No. 333/2007 of 28 March 2007

[3] EN 17605, Algae and algae products - Methods of sampling and analysis - Sample treatment

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