D7986, Practice for Preparing Specimens of Hydraulic Erosion Control Products for Index Property Testing, is the first step toward quantifying physical properties of hydraulic erosion control products in a laboratory. Sprayed on the ground as mulch, HECPs are a newer type of product that both protect against erosion and help establish vegetation. Standard will help determine the critical properties of HECPs that can be used to ensure that construction sites are using quality products.