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This document defines test methods and criteria for distinguishing intrinsically biodegradable plastic materials from those that are persistent. Biodegradability is inferred from biodegradation tests conducted under aerobic conditions, i.e. under the conditions typically found in most natural habitats. Plastics that undergo ultimate biodegradation under aerobic conditions in a manner similar to natural polymer materials are defined as biodegradable plastics. This document describes a method for distinguishing between non-biodegradable plastics, which do not biodegrade even when environmental conditions are favourable for biodegradation (including aerobic conditions), and biodegradable plastics, i.e. those that biodegrade upon contact with active microorganisms when environmental conditions are favourable for biodegradation.

The aim is to demonstrate ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials, i.e. the intrinsic potential for conversion to carbon dioxide, water and biomass by aerobic microorganisms in an oxygen-rich environment, which is representative of most natural environments.

The potential for biodegradation should be verified using alternative tests and criteria, if a deposition in a permanent anaerobic environment (e.g. deep subsurface environments, wetlands and swamps, anoxic zones in oceans and lakes) is expected.

NOTE          Currently, there are no methodologies or criteria available to verify accumulation due to the lack of biodegradation of plastics in such anaerobic habitats.

The plastic materials identified as intrinsically biodegradable following this document can be used in the design of products with a high risk of dispersion whenever the use of biodegradable components is searched by the designer. Intrinsically non-biodegradable components are not susceptible to biodegradation and therefore cannot be removed from the environment by the action of micro-organisms. This factor tends to increase the residence time of products in the environment. In addition, their eventual degradation, mainly due to abiotic factors, results in persistent fragments (microplastics).

The test scheme described in this document is not specific to any particular application. Rather, it is a framework methodology that can be used in different industries to identify biodegradable plastics that can be used to make different types of products and for different applications. For the characterisation and environmental assessment of products placed on the market containing plastics identified as biodegradable according to this document, reference is made to the specific product standards, where available. This document only deals with the definition of intrinsic biodegradability of plastic materials, without defining the hazard of the products, which requires a specific assessment that is beyond the scope of this document. The rate of biodegradation of a plastic object as a function of environmental conditions cannot be determined from this document. Therefore, this document is not sufficient to carry out an analysis of the ecological risk associated with the dispersal of products, as this requires an assessment of the intrinsic hazard, of the environmental fate, in addition to the assessment of biodegradability.

The methodology described in this document does not apply to applications covered by mandatory regulations.