SIST EN ISO 10210:2018

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2018
Polimerni materiali - Metode za pripravo vzorcev za preskušanje biorazgradljivosti
polimernih materialov (ISO 10210:2012)
Plastics - Methods for the preparation of samples for biodegradation testing of plastic
materials (ISO 10210:2012)
Kunststoffe - Probenvorbereitung für die Bestimmung der Bioabbaubarkeit von Kunststoff
-Materialien (ISO 10210:2012)
Plastiques - Méthodes de préparation des échantillons pour les essais de biodégradation
des matériaux plastiques (ISO 10210:2012)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 10210:2017
ICS:
83.080.01 Polimerni materiali na Plastics in general
splošno
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 10210
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
December 2017
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 83.080.01
English Version
Plastics - Methods for the preparation of samples for
biodegradation testing of plastic materials (ISO
10210:2012)
Plastiques - Méthodes de préparation des échantillons Kunststoffe - Probenvorbereitung für die Bestimmung
pour les essais de biodégradation des matériaux der Bioabbaubarkeit von Kunststoff-Materialien (ISO
plastiques (ISO 10210:2012) 10210:2012)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 17 October 2017.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2017 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 10210:2017 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO 10210:2012 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61 “Plastics” of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as EN ISO 10210:2017 by
Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics” the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2018, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by June 2018.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 10210:2012 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 10210:2017 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 10210
First edition
2012-08-15
Plastics — Methods for the preparation
of samples for biodegradation testing of
plastic materials
Plastiques — Méthodes de préparation des échantillons pour les essais
de biodégradation des matériaux plastiques
Reference number
ISO 10210:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012
ISO 10210:2012(E)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s
member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 10210:2012(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Principle . 3
5 Reagents . 3
5.1 Solid carbon dioxide . 3
5.2 Liquid nitrogen . 3
6 Apparatus . 3
6.1 Sieves . 3
6.2 Rotor mill . 4
6.3 Rotating mechanical mixer . 4
6.4 Ball mill . 4
6.5 Sieve shaker . 4
6.6 Microscope . 4
7 Procedure . 4
7.1 Preparation and dimensional control of test material prior to size reduction . 4
7.2 Powder/pellet/granule test material . 4
7.3 Film and sheet test material . 5
7.4 Test material in the form of products . 5
7.5 Storage . 5
8 Calculation and expression of results . 6
8.1 Particle size distribution . 6
9 Validity of preparation . 6
10 Sample preparation report . 6
Annex A (informative) Examples of the preparation and testing of powder test samples produced from
pellets by milling using a rotating mechanical mixer . 7
Annex B (informative) Examples of the preparation and testing of film and powder test samples
produced from PLA film and pellets.13
Annex C (informative) Examples of test samples produced from a plastic product.15
Annex D (informative) Shape and size of pieces of test material used in ISO standards for
biodegradation testing of plastics .17
Bibliography .19
ISO 10210:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 10210 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 5, Physical-
chemical properties.
iv © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 10210:2012(E)
Introduction
Plastics recovery technology includes material recycling, organic recycling and energy recovery. The use of
biodegradable plastics is one of the valuable recovery options in the field of organic recycling.
ISO standards for determining the ultimate aerobic and anaerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an
aqueous medium, activated sludge, compost, digesting sludge and soil have been published. These standards
include ISO 14851, ISO 14852, ISO 14853, ISO 14855-1, ISO 14855-2, ISO 15985 and ISO 17556. For the
user of these standards, it might be difficult to compare biodegradation changes during a test, even when
using the same samples, due to differences in the test conditions. These differences might arise from the
compost preparation, the test preparation methodology, the shape and/or size of the test sample, etc. Accurate
comparison of biodegradability data for the same plastic material can be difficult to achieve unless the conditions
specified in the standards are accurately followed.
A unified approach to test sample preparation is important in achieving consistency within the standards
mentioned above. The methods described in this document help to provide a consistent approach to sample
preparation techniques for biodegradation testing of plastic materials.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 10210:2012(E)
Plastics — Methods for the preparation of samples for
biodegradation testing of plastic materials
WARNING — The use of this International Standard might involve hazardous materials, operations and
equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1 Scope
This International Standard describes methods for the preparation of test samples used in the determination of
the ultimate aerobic and anaerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium, soil, controlled
compost or anaerobic digesting sludge. The methods described are designed to provide dimensional
consistency of test samples, resulting in improved reproducibility of test results during the determination of the
ultimate biodegradability of the product.
These methods apply to the following materials:
— natural and/or synthetic polymers, copolymers or mixtures of these;
— plastic materials that contain additives, such as plasticizers or colorants;
— plastic composite materials that contain organic or inorganic fillers;
— products made from the above materials.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary
ISO 3310-1, Test sieves — Technical requirements and testing — Part 1: Test sieves of metal wire cloth
ISO 14851, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium —
Method by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer
ISO 14852, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium —
Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide
ISO 14853, Plastics — Determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in an
aqueous system — Method by measurement of biogas production
ISO 14855-1, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled
composting conditions — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide — Part 1: General method
ISO 14855-2, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled
composting conditions — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide — Part 2: Gravimetric measurement
of carbon dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test
ISO 15985, Plastics — Determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradation and disintegration under high-
solids anaerobic-digestion conditions — Method by analysis of released biogas
ISO 17088, Specifications for compostable plastics
ISO 10210:2012(E)
ISO 17556, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastics materials in soil by measuring the
oxygen demand in a respirometer or the amount of carbon dioxide evolved
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 472 and the following apply.
3.1
sieve
wire mesh of specified aperture size
3.2
bulk material
test material taken from a polymer product or part of a product
NOTE The size of the bulk polymeric test sample is approximately 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm.
3.3
sheet
planar product of arbitrarily limited maximum thickness in which the thickness is small compared to the
length and width
NOTE The thickness of sheets is typically 0,5 mm to 3 mm.
3.4
film
thin planar product of arbitrarily limited maximum thickness in which the thickness is very small compared to
the length and width and which is generally supplied in roll form
NOTE 1 The arbitrary thickness limit can differ between countries and often between materials.
NOTE 2 The thickness of films is typically 0,01 mm to 0.3 mm.
3.5
pellet
small mass of preformed moulding material, having relatively uniform dimensions in any given batch and used
as feedstock in moulding and extrusion operations
NOTE The average diameter of pellets can range from 1 mm to 5 mm.
3.6
granule
relatively small particle produced in various sizes and shapes in operations such as cutting, grinding, crushing,
precipitation and polymerization
NOTE 1 These operations can also yield material in the form of powder and, in some precipitation and polymerization
processes, material in the form of beads can be produced
NOTE 2 The average diameter of granules can range from 0,1 mm to 3 mm.
3.7
powder
very fine particulate material smaller in size than granules
NOTE The average diameter of polymeric powder particles can range from 0,01 mm to 0,1 mm.
3.8
test material
product from which a test sample is taken and used to assess the biodegradability of a polymeric item by
means of standardized biodegradation tests
2 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

ISO 10210:2012(E)
4 Principle
This International Standard describes methods for the preparation of test samples from polymer materials for
biodegradation testing in the following environments:
— an aqueous medium as used in ISO 14851 and ISO 14852;
— mature compost as used in ISO 14855-1 and ISO 14855-2;
— digestion sludge as used in ISO 14853 and ISO 15985;
— simulated soil-burial conditions on a laboratory scale as used in ISO 17556.
The methods described provide a level of control over the test sample preparation from polymer pellets through
to end-products, minimizing the effect of sample shape on the biodegradation test results.
Biodegradation data from test materials need to be as accurate and reproducible as possible. An important
factor in establishing consistent test data is to use test samples with a regular surface area, produced by
utilizing a defined preparation method. This will promote a high degree of homogeneity when the test sample is
mixed with an aqueous medium, controlled compost or digestion sludge. The preparation methods described
below use low-temperature mechanical milling or cutting without changing certain physical properties of the
test materials. Any change in properties such as crystallinity, thermal history or thermal decomposition should
be avoided or at least minimized during the sample preparation process. It is generally accepted that the
crystallinity of a polymeric test material will not change during low-temperature mechanical milling/cutting at
temperatures below the glass transition temperature of the polymer.
The surface area per unit mass of powder samples may be defined by regulation of the particle size, which
shall be a parameter specified in the biodegradation test procedure. Very fine particles, such as nanospheres,
might have properties different from those of microspheres, which have a significantly greater particle size.
This might affect the biodegradation rates of the samples and make comparisons of test data unreliable. The
relevant methods described minimize the variable effects of sample surface area in biodegradation testing by
controlling the particle size.
5 Reagents
5.1 Solid carbon dioxide
Solid carbon dioxide used for cooling and maintaining the sample materials at low temperatures during
mechanical size reduction is not required to be analytical grade.
Crushed solid carbon dioxide with a particle size of 1 mm to 10 mm is recommended.
NOTE Solid carbon dioxide is commonly known as dry ice.
5.2 Liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen used for cooling and maintaining the sample materials at low temperature during mechanical
size reduction is not required to be analytical grade.
6 Apparatus
All apparatus shall be thoroughly cleaned and free from organic or toxic matter.
6.1 Sieves
The particle size of sample powders is controlled by using sieves of different sizes to remove the oversize and
undersize fractions. For the purposes of this International Standard, sieve sizes of 60 mesh and 120 mesh as
specified in ISO 3310-1 shall be used.
ISO 10210:2012(E)
6.2 Rotor mill
This type of mill has rotating, blunt blades and a ring sieve to mechanically reduce polymer pellets, polymer
products or other samples to powders.
The recommended minimum aperture size of the ring sieve is > 0,5 mm to avoid blockage of the cutter.
Accurate reproducibility of the sample powders strongly depends upon the sieve size.
6.3 Rotating mechanical mixer
This type of mixer has mechanically rotating blades to reduce polymer pellets, polymer products or other
samples to pow
...