What is BS EN 12697-1 about?  
BS EN 12697-1 is the first part in a multi-series of European standards on bituminous mixtures.
BS EN 12697-1 describes test methods for the determination of the soluble binder content of samples of bituminous mixtures.
Who is BS EN 12697-1 for? 
BS EN 12697-1 on bituminous mixtures is relevant to: 
- Manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous mixtures and asphalt
- Asphalt refining plants
- Suppliers of construction materials
- Construction and civil engineers
- Contractors
- Road maintenance authorities
Why should you use BS EN 12697-1?  
Bitumen when used as a binder in asphalt is widely used in the construction domain for road construction, paving and roofing.
BS EN 12697-1 describes a uniform approach to the testing of bituminous mixtures that allows for some variation in the specific processes used by particular laboratories.
The tests in BS EN 12697-1 assist you in determining if you need to employ solvents capable of dissolving bitumen and, in some situations, distil the solution to recover all or a portion of the bitumen.
The test methods described are suitable for quality control purposes during the production of plant mix and for checking compliance with a product specification. 
A precise and valid determination of soluble binder content through the test methods under BS EN 12697-1 ensures of accurate and validated monitoring of the production processes. As a result, you can improve quality of construction materials for optimum durability and performance.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 12697-1:2020 supersedes BS EN 12697-1:2012, which is withdrawn. BS EN 12697-1:2020 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 12697-1:2012. These include: 
- The title no longer makes the method exclusively for hot mix asphalt
- [Clause 2 and 5.3.2.4] EN 933-1 replaced by EN 12697-2
- [5.2.2.1], [6.2.2] and [B.1.7.1.6] accuracy for balance of 0,05 % amended to ± 0,1 g
- [6.1] completed with the observation about influence of water for the result of binder content
- [8.6] the new clause about the precision of automatic devices
- [B.1.7] procedure for automatic extractor method included
- [B.2.1.1.1] acceleration amended to 25 000 m/s2 for consistency with EN 12697-3
- [C.2.1.1.1] accuracy of balance amended to read ± 1 mg
- [C.2.1.5] capacity of ignitions dishes clarified: Ignition dish, of at least 125 cm3 capacity
- [C.3.1.1] accuracy of balance, amended to read ± 10 mg
