Biodegradability Legislation

Changing consumer behavior based on higher sensitivity for environmental issues and an increased interest in environmentally friendly products Increased interest of retailers to differentiate in the market Support by municipal authorities (providing a composting infrastructure) Legislative frameworks to enhance the use of biodegradable products (e.g., in Erance, Spain, Italy)... 

Due to their poor water solubility (less than 1 mg/L), disperse dyes have low acute ecological impact. Especially the acute toxicity to aquatic life is generally low. Nevertheless, according to the European chemicals legislation disperse dyes are classified as substances, that may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment [40,41], because they are not easily biodegradable and suspected of being potentially bioaccumulative due to their hydrophobicity. 

With the slow demise of the nonylphenol ethoxylate market due to legislation, the fatty alcohol market has the chance to design alternatives by subtle changes to the hydrophobe chain lengths and alkoxylate levels. The effects must be achieved with biodegradability as... 

In addition to primary and ready1 tests, within legislative compliance there are two other types of ultimate biodegradability tests. Inherent and simulation tests provide valuable information on the level of biodegradability expected if the test material does not meet the ready1 criteria. This provides essential information when carrying out risk assessments particularly on surfactants which can have high levels of ecotoxicity. 

Table 7.1 Regulatory biodegradability testing proced ing the Detergents Regulation ures used in surfactant legislation includ- ...

Table 7.2 Expanded or additional regulatory biodegradability testing procedures used in dangerous substance legislation risk assessment ...

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