ISO 14239:2017 specifies six suitable incubation systems for measuring the rates and extent of mineralization of organic compounds in soil by measurement of carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution. All incubation systems are applicable to soluble or insoluble compounds but choice of system depends on the overall purposes of the study.

ISO 14239:2017 does not apply to the use of such systems for material balance studies, which are often test-substance specific.