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Before you read this article, you might also want to read 

In the evolving landscape of biochar applications, the role of laboratory testing cannot be overstated. Laboratory tests are essential to accurately characterize the physical and chemical properties of biochar, which can significantly vary depending on the feedstock and production conditions. This variability affects the biochar’s effectiveness and suitability for different applications, making laboratory analysis not just beneficial but essential for project developers and stakeholders. 

Laboratory testing helps in defining and analyzing the essential characteristics of biochar, ensuring that it meets specific quality standards and regulatory requirements. For instance, many certification frameworks mandate thresholds for contaminants like heavy metals and stipulate that the hydrogen-to-organic carbon ratio (H:C

) ratio must be below 0.7 to confirm biochar stability. Assessing these and other parameters is vital for maintaining consistency across production batches and ensuring that they perform as expected in their respective applications. 

The effectiveness of biochar in any given application (whether in agriculture, cement or asphalt, industrial processes, or environmental remediation) is heavily influenced by its properties such as particle size, porosity, and chemical composition. Biochar that is suitable for soil amendment application may not be as suitable for use in commercial practices, such as concrete amendment. By evaluating the end-uses you derive from these lab results, you will have a clearer path to executing offtake for your biochar.  

Lab tests provide a detailed profile of these properties, helping in matching 

, thereby maximizing its effectiveness and efficiency. 

Laboratory testing also identifies any potential contaminants in biochar, such as heavy metals or volatile organic compounds, which could pose environmental or health risks. Ensuring that biochar is free from harmful contaminants is critical for meeting safety standards and regulatory compliance, particularly when used in soil amendment or in products that come into contact with food crops. For example, elevated levels of cadmium or lead in biochar can lead to soil contamination and uptake by food crops, posing serious health concerns. 

To receive accurate projections for your annual biochar amount and corresponding carbon credits, a lab test will be key. While Grain can calculate with average data for most eligible feedstocks, lab tests will provide data that is specific to your feedstock: wood from one source will not yield the exact same results as wood from another source.  

By leveraging these lab results you can quickly input the data into Grain’s GHG Quantification tool and see your yearly amount of biochar and carbon credit outputs. If you are able to get a lab test of a sample of your biochar, you will have an accurate organic carbon content as well as molar H:C ratio that is used to calculate the permanence of the carbon over time. This will be the foundation to create a financial pro-forma, where revenues and expenses reflect the accurate volumes of biochar and credits produced. 

Additionally, when your project is operational you will need to implement a sampling plan that will take representative samples of the biochar you are creating over time to get updated lab analysis values to verify your project claims, so it is in your best interest to understand the testing process now. 

Laboratory data can demonstrate the value and safety of biochar products to potential buyers and investors, helping to open new markets and applications. This is especially important in highly regulated industries or where end-users require detailed product specifications. 

The four Standards with methodologies for biochar are similar in many aspects but differ in others. In the table below, we outline the types of analyses and accreditations each of them requires in relation to laboratory testing. 

What Tests Do Standards Require

There is currently an effort being made to evolve biochar industry standards. The U.S. Biochar Initiative has engaged the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to develop an American National Standard for biochar analysis. This standard will likely incorporate ISO test methods as much as possible to preserve alignment with international standards. Grain is carefully monitoring the development of the ANSI standard and will update this article if it is adopted by the standards. 

We've compiled a list of labs that test biochar in the USA and Europe. If you have any additional recommendations, please send them to 

Control Laboratories – commonly used for Puro.earth and Verra VCS methodologies 

Fusinite – commonly used for Isometric methodology 

Summit Environment Technologies, Inc.  

Timber Products Inspection  - commonly used for Climate Action Reserve and Isometric methodologies 

Table 1. Analytical methods - International Biochar Initiative 

Table 2. Analytical methods - WBC/EBC 

Table 3. Analytical methods - Climate Action Reserve 

Table 4. Analytical methods - Isometric 

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen in Analysis Samples of Coal and Carbon in Analysis Samples of Coal and Coke 

 or Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen in Analysis of Solid Biofuels 

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Moisture Content in Analysis Samples of Wood Charcoal 

 or Standard Test Method for Determination of Moisture Content in Analysis of Solid Biofuels 

is calculated by subtracting the inorganic carbon from the total carbon content. H/C

 is calculated by dividing H content by C

 and H content may be calculated with 

. Inorganic carbon may be measured after biochar is ashed at 550

C with direct measurement of the inorganic carbon content in the ash content with 

 is calculated by subtracting the inorganic carbon from the total carbon content. O/C

 is calculated by dividing O content by C

. Oxygen content may be calculated using 

) – required only for 1,000 year durability crediting: 

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) - recommended: 

CEC is measured by cation extraction and subsequent measurement using ICP-MS (

) or AAS (standard). Appropriate extraction methods include 

 Standard Test Methods for Determination of Moisture,Volatile matter and Ash in Analysis Samples of Wood Charcoal 

 or Standard Test Method for the Determination of volatile matter in solid biofuels 

Calculated by difference by subtracting moisture with 

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), sum of USEPA 16: 

Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis eg 

 Standard Test Method for the Determination of Ash Content in Solid Biofuels 

Bulk Carbon Bonding State - recommended: 

External surface carbon bonding state composition - recommended:

 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) 

Heavy metals, PBCs and PCDD/F measurements should adhere to the same sampling guidance and monitoring frequency for PAHs set by the WBC. 

Lab testing is key to ensuring biochar quality, safety, reliable carbon credit forecasts, and will be mandatory when your project is operational. Check the specific requirements for each standard and see our recommended labs in this article. 

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<p></p><p><em>Before you read this article, you might also want to read </em><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6814f3dae44bb4f2fc862292" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>How to Understand Your Biochar Quality</em></a><em>. </em></p><p>In the evolving landscape of biochar applications, the role of laboratory testing cannot be overstated. Laboratory tests are essential to accurately characterize the physical and chemical properties of biochar, which can significantly vary depending on the feedstock and production conditions. This variability affects the biochar’s effectiveness and suitability for different applications, making laboratory analysis not just beneficial but essential for project developers and stakeholders. </p><h2>Why Lab Test Your Biochar? </h2><h3><em>Standardization and Quality Assurance </em></h3><p>Laboratory testing helps in defining and analyzing the essential characteristics of biochar, ensuring that it meets specific quality standards and regulatory requirements. For instance, many certification frameworks mandate thresholds for contaminants like heavy metals and stipulate that the hydrogen-to-organic carbon ratio (H:C<sub>org</sub>) ratio must be below 0.7 to confirm biochar stability. Assessing these and other parameters is vital for maintaining consistency across production batches and ensuring that they perform as expected in their respective applications. </p><h3><em>Evaluating Feasibility of End-use </em></h3><p>The effectiveness of biochar in any given application (whether in agriculture, cement or asphalt, industrial processes, or environmental remediation) is heavily influenced by its properties such as particle size, porosity, and chemical composition. Biochar that is suitable for soil amendment application may not be as suitable for use in commercial practices, such as concrete amendment. By evaluating the end-uses you derive from these lab results, you will have a clearer path to executing offtake for your biochar.  </p><p>Lab tests provide a detailed profile of these properties, helping in matching <a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6814f3dae44bb4f2fc862292" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the right type of biochar to the right application</a>, thereby maximizing its effectiveness and efficiency. </p><p><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/670938a179685344119a96f6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Learn more about Eligible End Uses for Carbon Credits Across Standards here.</em></a> </p><h3><em> Safety and Compliance </em></h3><p>Laboratory testing also identifies any potential contaminants in biochar, such as heavy metals or volatile organic compounds, which could pose environmental or health risks. Ensuring that biochar is free from harmful contaminants is critical for meeting safety standards and regulatory compliance, particularly when used in soil amendment or in products that come into contact with food crops. For example, elevated levels of cadmium or lead in biochar can lead to soil contamination and uptake by food crops, posing serious health concerns. </p><h3><em>GHG Quantification </em></h3><p>To receive accurate projections for your annual biochar amount and corresponding carbon credits, a lab test will be key. While Grain can calculate with average data for most eligible feedstocks, lab tests will provide data that is specific to your feedstock: wood from one source will not yield the exact same results as wood from another source.  </p><p>By leveraging these lab results you can quickly input the data into Grain’s GHG Quantification tool and see your yearly amount of biochar and carbon credit outputs. If you are able to get a lab test of a sample of your biochar, you will have an accurate organic carbon content as well as molar H:C ratio that is used to calculate the permanence of the carbon over time. This will be the foundation to create a financial pro-forma, where revenues and expenses reflect the accurate volumes of biochar and credits produced. </p><p>Additionally, when your project is operational you will need to implement a sampling plan that will take representative samples of the biochar you are creating over time to get updated lab analysis values to verify your project claims, so it is in your best interest to understand the testing process now. </p><h3><em>Data to Show Investors and Buyers </em></h3><p>Laboratory data can demonstrate the value and safety of biochar products to potential buyers and investors, helping to open new markets and applications. This is especially important in highly regulated industries or where end-users require detailed product specifications. </p><h2>What Tests Do Standards Require? </h2><p>The four Standards with methodologies for biochar are similar in many aspects but differ in others. In the table below, we outline the types of analyses and accreditations each of them requires in relation to laboratory testing. </p><img src="/media/LabTable1a.jpg" alt="LabTable1a.jpg" width="808"  height="609"/><p>There is currently an effort being made to evolve biochar industry standards. The U.S. Biochar Initiative has engaged the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to develop an American National Standard for biochar analysis. This standard will likely incorporate ISO test methods as much as possible to preserve alignment with international standards. Grain is carefully monitoring the development of the ANSI standard and will update this article if it is adopted by the standards. </p><h2>Where Can I Test My Biochar? </h2><p>We've compiled a list of labs that test biochar in the USA and Europe. If you have any additional recommendations, please send them to <a href="mailto:info@grainecosystem.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">info@grainecosystem.com</a>. </p><h4>Celignis Biomass Analysis Laboratory </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: +353 61 371 725 </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: Unit 11, Holland Road, Castletroy, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.celignis.com">www.celignis.com</a> </li></ul><h4>Chem-Bac Laboratories </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: 704-394-6381 </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: 2500 A West Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28208, USA </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.chembac.com/">https://www.chembac.com/</a> </li></ul><h4>Control Laboratories – commonly used for Puro.earth and Verra VCS methodologies </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: 831-724-5422   </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: 42 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.controllabs.net">www.controllabs.net</a>  </li></ul><h4>Creative Biolabs  </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: 631-416-1478  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: 17 Ramsey Road, Shirley, NY 11967, USA </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.creative-biolabs.com">www.creative-biolabs.com</a>  </li></ul><h4>Eurofins (multiple locations)  </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: +49 2236 897125  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: Lindenstraße 11, 09627 Bobritzsch-Hilbersdorf, Germany  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.eurofins.com">www.eurofins.com</a>  </li></ul><h4>Fusinite – commonly used for Isometric methodology </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: <a href="mailto:info@fusinite.com">info@fusinite.com</a> </li><li value=2>Website: <a href="https://fusinite.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fusinite.com </a></li></ul><h4>Inovalys  </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: +02 51 85 44 44  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: Route de gachet, 44327 Nantes, France  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.inovalys.fr">www.inovalys.fr</a>  </li></ul><h4>Ruhr Lab  </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: +49-152 310 685 19  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: Glückaufstraße 56 D-45896 Gelsenkirchen, Germany  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.ruhr-lab.de">www.ruhr-lab.de</a>  </li></ul><h4>Summit Environment Technologies, Inc.  </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: 330-253-8211  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: 3310 Win Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223, USA </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.settek.com">www.settek.com</a>  </li></ul><h4>Timber Products Inspection  - commonly used for Climate Action Reserve and Isometric methodologies </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: 770-922-8000  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: 1641 Sigman Road, Conyers, GA 30012, USA </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.tpinspection.com">www.tpinspection.com</a>  </li></ul><h4>Wyoming Analytical Laboratories  </h4><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Contact: 307-742-7995  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Address: 1660 Harrison Street, Laramie, WY 82070  </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Website: <a href="https://www.wal-lab.com">www.wal-lab.com</a>  </li></ul><h2>Appendix: Tables</h2><h3>Table 1. Analytical methods - International Biochar Initiative </h3><img src="/media/Table1a.jpg" alt="Table1a.jpg" width="805"  height="907"/><h3>Table 2. Analytical methods - WBC/EBC </h3><img src="/media/Table2.jpg" alt="Table2.jpg" width="815"  height="546"/><h3>Table 3. Analytical methods - Climate Action Reserve </h3><img src="/media/Table3.jpg" alt="Table3.jpg" width="820"  height="492"/><h3>Table 4. Analytical methods - Isometric </h3><img src="/media/Table4.jpg" alt="Table4.jpg" width="820"  height="1049"/><p><em>Text version of Table 4:</em></p><p><strong>Carbon Content: </strong>Standard Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen in Analysis Samples of Coal and Carbon in Analysis Samples of Coal and Coke <a href="https://www.astm.org/d5373-21.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTM D5373</a> or Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen in Analysis of Solid Biofuels <a href="https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/cen/62319c79-9053-4515-afd1-352bc90c9846/en-iso-16948-2015" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EN ISO 16948:2015</a> </p><p><strong>Moisture Content: </strong>Standard Test Methods for Determination of Moisture Content in Analysis Samples of Wood Charcoal <a href="https://www.astm.org/d1762-84r21.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTM D1762-84</a> or Standard Test Method for Determination of Moisture Content in Analysis of Solid Biofuels <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/83191.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 18134 -1:2022</a> </p><p><strong>H/C</strong><sub><strong>organic</strong></sub><strong> :</strong> C<sub>org </sub>is calculated by subtracting the inorganic carbon from the total carbon content. H/C<sub>organic</sub> is calculated by dividing H content by C<sub>org</sub>. C<sub>org</sub> and H content may be calculated with <a href="https://www.astm.org/d5373-21.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTM D5373</a> or <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/58004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 16948</a>. Inorganic carbon may be measured after biochar is ashed at 550<sup>o</sup>C with direct measurement of the inorganic carbon content in the ash content with <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/58004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 16948:2015</a>. </p><p><strong>O/C</strong><sub><strong>organic</strong></sub><strong>:</strong> C<sub>organic</sub> is calculated by subtracting the inorganic carbon from the total carbon content. O/C<sub>organic</sub> is calculated by dividing O content by C<sub>org</sub>. C<sub>org</sub> content may be measured with <a href="https://www.astm.org/d5373-21.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTM D5373</a>. Inorganic carbon may be measured after biochar is ashed at 550<sup>o</sup>C with direct measurement of the inorganic carbon content in the ash content with <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/58004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 16948:2015</a>. Oxygen content may be calculated using <a href="https://www.astm.org/e0385-22.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTM E385-22</a> or <a href="https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/cen/62319c79-9053-4515-afd1-352bc90c9846/en-iso-16948-2015" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EN ISO 16948:2015</a> </p><p><strong>Random Reflectance (R</strong><sub><strong>0</strong></sub><strong>) – required only for 1,000 year durability crediting: </strong>White-light microscopy, eg  <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/42832.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 7404-5:2009</a> </p><p><strong>Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) - recommended: </strong>CEC is measured by cation extraction and subsequent measurement using ICP-MS (<a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/32957.html#:~:text=Abstract,for%20determining%20elements%20in%20water." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 17294-1:2004</a>) /OES (<a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/36250.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 11885:2007</a>) or AAS (standard). Appropriate extraction methods include <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/60566.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 11260:2018</a>, <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/68765.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 23470:2018</a>, or the <a href="https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.c6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chapman method</a>. </p><p><strong>Volatile matter content (VMC):</strong> Standard Test Methods for Determination of Moisture,Volatile matter and Ash in Analysis Samples of Wood Charcoal <a href="https://www.astm.org/d1762-84r21.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASTM D1762-84</a> or Standard Test Method for the Determination of volatile matter in solid biofuels <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/83192.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 18123:2023</a> </p><p><strong>Fixed Carbon content: </strong>Calculated by difference by subtracting moisture with <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/83191.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 18134-1:2022 </a>, ash content with <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/83190.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 18122:2022 </a>and volatiles with <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/83192.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 18123:2023</a>, or similar equivalent method </p><p><strong>Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), sum of USEPA 16: </strong>Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis eg <a href="https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso:13859:ed-1:v1:en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 13859:2014</a> or <a href="https://www.en-standard.eu/bs-en-17503-2022-soil-sludge-treated-biowaste-and-waste-determination-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-pah-by-gas-chromatography-gc-and-high-performance-liquid-chromatography-hplc/?srsltid=AfmBOoodGm7MVmcOwpDDavuyvnJpkOHs8qRMeXLKwGxo0PlzZiEM3cYW" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BS EN 17503:2022</a> </p><p><strong>Ash Content:</strong> Standard Test Method for the Determination of Ash Content in Solid Biofuels <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/83190.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISO 18122:2022</a> </p><p><strong>pH - recommended:</strong> Slurry pH probe. Refer to ISO <a href="https://www.iso.org/standard/75243.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">10390:2021</a> </p><p><strong>Bulk Carbon Bonding State - recommended: </strong>NMR spectroscopy </p><p><strong>External surface carbon bonding state composition - recommended:</strong> X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) </p><p>Heavy metals, PBCs and PCDD/F measurements should adhere to the same sampling guidance and monitoring frequency for PAHs set by the WBC. </p><h2>Related content</h2><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6814f3dae44bb4f2fc862292" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">How to Understand Your Biochar Quality</a><em> (Members only)</em></li><li value=2><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6785453e2918ca9860d5047c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Additionality: Definition, Types, and Applications</a></li><li value=3><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/68af5254b1d72ab2d7467ef7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Securing Your Feedstock: How to Prove it’s Sustainable </a><em>(Members only)</em></li><li value=4><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/68f92c02b36ae835d7dddde5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What are Project Design/Description Documents (PDDs)?</a> <em>(Members only)</em></li><li value=5><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/68fa7a61b36ae835d7dde533" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and its Role in Biochar Projects</a><em> (Members only)</em></li></ul>

The Importance of Laboratory Testing in Biochar Projects