Global [biodegradable materials] standards

Chinese degradable material standard: GB/T 19277

The standard "Definition, classification, marking and degradation performance requirements of degradable plastics" in 2006 stipulates that the identification of degradable plastics should include the main raw materials and composition information of the product, the degradation category or degradation mode of plastics, and the standard number; Moreover, the definition of degradable plastics and the definition of biodegradability and disintegration performance are clearer:

A. Biodegradability: It is stipulated that controlled composting materials must be finally converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals by more than 60% within a maximum of 6 months under aerobic composting conditions.

B. Disintegration performance: specify the maximum thickness that can be used for controllable composting materials. Under aerobic composting conditions, the controllable composting degradable materials under this thickness must disintegrate into more than 90% of fragments that can pass the 22mm sieve within a maximum of 12 weeks.

On the basis of this standard, the Biodegradable Materials Working Group (BMG) of the National Center for the Standardization of Plastic Products signed a memorandum of mutual recognition and degradation of the detection results and identification of biodegradable plastics with BPS and BPI respectively. The signing of this memorandum has further brought the development of biodegradable plastics in China into line with international associations, and also means that the logo of the BMG system has been recognized by foreign associations.

On June 1, 2022, the new biodegradable plastic standard GB/T 41010 Biodegradable Plastics and Products Degradability and Labeling Requirements was implemented, and the 2006 version of the biodegradable plastic standard is still in effect.

EU degradable material standard: En 13432

Since the 1990s, the European Committee for Standardization has actively participated in the formulation and research of standards for degradable plastics. Germany, Finland and other countries have also formulated relevant standards. Germany issued the DINCERTCO decree mainly through some application demonstration projects and a large number of experiments, and formulated the standards for the detection of the biodegradability of compost. The current EU compostable degradable plastic standard is En 13432 "Requirements for the test and final evaluation of packaging materials recycled by composting and biodegradation", which is one of the important components of EU Directive 94/62/EC. Based on the requirements of environment and life safety, energy and reasonable utilization of resources, the directive puts forward corresponding requirements and expected objectives for the whole packaging process and all links.

A. Chemical substance limit: specifies the minimum content of organic substances, heavy metals and fluorine in compostable materials.

B. Biodegradability: It is stipulated that more than 90% of biodegradable compost materials must be finally converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals within 6 months under aerobic composting conditions.

C. Disintegration performance: It specifies the maximum thickness of degradable compost material that can be used. Under aerobic composting conditions, the degradable compost material under this thickness must disintegrate into more than 90% of fragments that can pass the 22mm sieve within a maximum of 12 weeks.

D. Eco-toxicological properties: the original survival rate and biological properties of the selected plants reach more than 90% after the introduction of compost decomposing substances of compostable degradable materials.

American Standard for Degradable Materials: ASTM D6400

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is mainly engaged in the development, production and promotion of biodegradable plastics in the United States. At the same time, the American Association for Experimental Materials (ASTM) and the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) have set up a special sub-technical committee to complete the identification of relevant standards for compostable biodegradable plastics. ASTM D6400 Specification for Composting Plastics is the current standard of compostable degradable plastics in the United States. Conclusions mainly include biodegradation, disintegration and ecotoxicological properties:

A. Biodegradability: For a single polymer, it is specified that the degradable compost material must be finally converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals by more than 60% within 12 months under aerobic composting conditions. For blends, it is required that more than 90% of biodegradable compost materials must be finally converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals within 12 months under aerobic composting conditions.

B. Disintegration performance: specifies the maximum thickness of degradable compost material that can be used. Under aerobic composting conditions, the degradable compost material under this thickness must disintegrate into more than 90% of fragments that can pass the 22mm sieve within 12 weeks.

C. Eco-toxicological properties: after the introduction of compost decomposing substances of degradable compost degradable materials, the selected plants reach more than 90% of the original survival rate and biological properties.

ASTM D6400 Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities

Australian Standard for Degradable Materials: AS 4736

The relevant standard for compostable degradation in Australia is AS4736 Biodegradable Plastics - Biodegradable Plastics Suitable for Composting or Other Biological Treatment Methods. This standard is based on the European standard En 13432, and in addition, the ecotoxicological test of earthworms is added to the ecotoxicological performance requirements. The details are as follows:

A. Chemical restriction: The minimum content of organic substances, heavy metals and fluorine in degradable compost materials is specified.

B. Biodegradability: It is stipulated that more than 90% of biodegradable compost materials must be finally converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals within 6 months under aerobic composting conditions.

C. Disintegration performance: specify the maximum thickness that can be used for degradable compost materials. Under aerobic composting conditions, the degradable compost degradable materials under this thickness must disintegrate into more than 90% of fragments that can pass the 22mm sieve within a maximum of 12 weeks.

D. Eco-toxicological properties: the selected plants will reach more than 90% of the original survival rate and biological properties after the introduction of compost decomposing substances of degradable compost degradation materials, and at the same time, the earthworms will reach more than 90% of the original survival rate and biological properties after the introduction of compost decomposing substances of controllable compost degradation materials.

Japanese degradable material standard: JISK6950

Japan's Biodegradable Plastics Research Institute (BPS) is engaged in the standards, promotion and technology development of biodegradable materials. At present, BPS includes resin manufacturers, processors, finished product manufacturers and trading institutions. In 1999, BPS launched the Greenpla safety evaluation system for food packaging. In 1994, Japan formulated the Japanese industrial method. JISK 6950. The implementation specifications are as follows:

A. Chemical substance limit: specifies the minimum content of organic substances and heavy metals in degradable compost materials.

B. Biodegradability: It is stipulated that more than 60% of biodegradable compost materials must be finally converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals under aerobic composting conditions. The specific time span is not clearly specified.

C. Disintegration performance: It specifies the maximum thickness of degradable compost material that can be used. Under aerobic composting conditions, the degradable compost material under this thickness must disintegrate into more than 90% of fragments that can pass the 22mm sieve within a maximum of 12 weeks.

D. Eco-toxicological properties: the selected plants reach more than 90% of the original survival rate and biological properties after the introduction of compost decomposing substances of degradable compost degradation materials, or the earthworms reach more than 90% of the original survival rate and biological properties after the introduction of compost decomposing substances of controllable compost degradation materials.