Norm NF EN

This test is always required. It is carried out under laboratoiy conditions by incubating the test material against cellulose, in compost at 58 °C for a maximum of six months. The validity of the test is assured if cellulose degrades by at least 70% in 45 days. The material is considered to be biodegradable if it reaches 90% of the value for cellulose when the level of cellulose plateaus or after a maximum of six months. 

Cylinder of I mm metal sheet turning about an axis 

High density 5inm polystyrene plates for insolation 

Anaerobic disintegration is an optional test, which is almost never requested. It is carried out under actual anaerobic digestion conditions or in a pilot plant that reproduces these same conditions. The material is exposed for a maximum of five weeks to a combination of anaerobic digestion and aerobic stabilization. After five weeks, we verify that at least 90% of the products of disintegration pass through a sieve with 2 mm mesh. 

The tests are performed using a 10% fermentate mixture of weight of the material concerned in the compost for 12 weeks. The fermentate obtained is then mixed by 25 and 50% voltrme or weight in a culture substrate. One monocot (barley) and 1 dicot (lettuce) are sown on these preparations, and then the germination rates and biomass are meastrred. There is conformity when at least 90% of the values obtained using the control (pure compost) is reached. 

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The norms NF EN ISO 846 of August 1997 and ISO 15985 of Deceniber 2004 (Appendix B) propose methods to calculate the loss of mass for sampled incubated under aerobic and anaerobic laboratory conditions. 

State of the polymer (visual assessment, calculation of the loss of mass, tensile testing, etc.) compared with the samples on the non-inoculated and the sterile media (Fignre 14.6). This strictly empirical method was not intended to show the biodegradability of materials in contact. The norm NF EN ISO 846 describes this methodology, but these kinds of tests are insufficient to show the biodegradability of the tested material, as they are too prone to subjective interpretation. However, they can be useful to show and reinforce other types of tests (particnlarly respirometric). 

No, we must always specify the compostability conditions, i.e. by saying my product is compostable according to norm NF EN 13432 or even my product complies with norm NF EN 13432 and can be declared biodegradable by composting imder industrial conditions or even by consulting a known mark of conformity that refers to the same norms ad hoc. 

No. The norm NF EN 13432 is strictly restricted to packaging as defined by the European directive 94/62/CE. However, compliance can be obtained with NF EN 14995, a certified copy of NF EN 13432, but it is restricted to all materials except packaging. Failure to observe this regulation could lead to prosecution for false... 

NF EN ISO 846 itself specifies that this norm is empirical and does not intend to determine the biodegradability of plastics. 

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. 

Only biodegradation tests, preferably normative, can conclude that a given material is biodegradable, but they carmot conclude, in any case, its eco-compatibility. In an attempt to approach this, other tests must complement those that determine the biodegradability of materials, such as chemical analyses and ecotoxicity studies. This is the focus of other norms based on those devoted to studying biodegradability and are supplemented by new tests. Thus, we answer the question posed in the article title in fact, biodegradabihty tests are ultimately only part of certification standards, whether this may be NF EN 13432, or NF U 52001 or all other equivalent norms. 

There are many norms that define the conditions of measuring bioassimilation (Table 14.2). We will only mention a few principles. In practice, only the aerobic tests measuring the CO2 released are practical, because in most cases the manufacturers of biodegradable plastics must be compatible with the norms EN 13432, EN 14995 and NF U 52001, which essentially refer to the aerobic measurements of released CO2. 

NF U52-001, Materiaux biodegiadables pour I agriculture et I horticulture. Produits de paillage. Exigences et methode d essai. Cette norme comporte les techniques respirometriques a mettre en oeuvre, soit en explication directe soit en renvoi a d autres normes. 

Harmonised standards, known as European Norms (EN), provide solutions that enable compliance with the essential requirements of New Approach, or other relevant, Directives. They provide a presumption of conformity but for this to apply the standard must have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Standards are produced by the European Standards Organisation for a technical sector, e.g. electrical and machinery, and published by national standards bodies, e.g. British Standards Institute (BSI), DIN in Germany, NF in France. 

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