European Standards, packaging

Compostable polymers must pass compostability test standards that are described in the harmonised European standard EN 13432, introduced in 2000. This standard applies to Packaging and is virtually the same as the former DIN V 54900 standard. 

The terms compostable and compostability are not defined in many dictionaries, but can be found in technical norms, particularly in Europe (NF EN 13432). This world recognized European standard defines the conditions that must be satisfied for a packaging (according to the European directive 94/62/CE) to be declared compostable under industrial conditions. 

The European Directive 94/62/EC, amended by 2004/12/EC, indicates that composting of packaging waste is a form of recycling, since the original product, the package , is transformed into a new product, the compost . Following this Directive the European Standard EN 13432 was introduced. This European Standard defines the characteristics that a material must accomplish to be defined as compostable ... 

The European standard DIN EN 13432 details the requirements in particular for recycling of packaging materials by composting and biodegradation. This standard provides test schemes and evaluation criteria for rating packaging. 

This European standard was conceived specifically for packaging materials and it defines requirements and methods to determine the compostability and anaerobic treatability of packaging materials. DIN EN 13432 has completely replaced the former German standard DIN V 54900 however, it is essentially based on the former standard. Other than in the German standard, DIN EN 13432 provides only a framework, i.e., it does not provide details on the specific procedures. The specific testing procedures and requirements are more or less identical. 

The European standard DIN EN 14995 also provides a framework for procedures that can be used to support requirements regarding the compostability of plastics. Unlike DIN EN 13432 it does not focus solely on packaging, but defines requirements for plastic materials in general in order to be classified as organically recyclable. 

DIN EN 13427 Packaging - Requirements for the use of European Standards in the field of packaging and packaging waste... 

European Standard EN 13432 (2000) Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging. 

European Standard prEN 14046 (2000) Packaging - Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of packaging materials under controlled composting conditions - Methods by analysis of released carbon dioxide. 

Plastic products can provide proof of their compostability by successfully meeting the harmonized European standard EN 13432 [1]. The European Packaging Directive 94/62 EC makes reference hereto with regard to compliance with recovery directives. 

The strictest European standard for biodegradability is CEN 13432. This standard can apply to other packaging materials in addition to polymers, and incorporates the following tests and standards ... 

Hospital sterilizer loads vary in composition, thus the challenge presented to the test organism can vary considerably, depending on the type and contents of packages in which they are placed. The benefits of a standardized test-pack constmction and test protocol are obvious, and such recommendation is made by AAMI for steam and ethylene oxide sterilizers (11). More recentiy in European (CEN) and International (ISO) standards, biological indicators are considered as additional information supplemental to the measurement of physical parameters. Indeed, for sterilization using moist heat (steam), the biological indicator information is not considered to be relevant. 

Antioxidants should be labelled on the retail package with the specific chemical name or with the EC number. The legislation of member states of the EU is influenced by the decision taken within the EC. Some food standards are fully based on EC Directives and some are still based on national considerations. There may be differences between European states, for instance, the utilisation of ascorbic acid as antioxidant for egg products is permitted in France but prohibited in Germany. These differences concern usually the utilisation of antioxidants in various food commodities. The specification of antioxidants mentioned in EC Directives are respected by all member states. But it is still generally required that individual countries of the European Union as well as the central organisation should be approached. The requirements appearing in the EC Directives on additives must be applied by the member states. This means in the first place that for those categories of additives for which a Community positive list exists, member states may not authorise any additives which do not appear on the positive list. 

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