SIST EN 14045:2003
(Main)Packaging - Evaluation of the disintegration of packaging materials in practical oriented tests under defined composting conditions
Packaging - Evaluation of the disintegration of packaging materials in practical oriented tests under defined composting conditions
This European Standard is used to evaluate the disintegration of packaging materials in a pilot-scale aerobic composting test under defined conditions. Other methods should be used to measure the biodegradability of the packaging materials. Packaging materials are mixed with biowaste and spontaneously composted for 12 weeks in practical oriented composting conditions. At the end of the composting cycle the disintegration is measured by sieving of the compost and the calculation of a mass balance. The influence of the tested sample on the quality of the compost can be be studied by using the compost obtained at the end of the composting process for further measurements such as chemical analyses and ecotoxicity tests.
Additionally this method can be used for visual perception and photographic documentation of the disintegration of packaging materials and for evaluating the effect of their addition on the composting process.
Verpackung - Bewertung der Desintegration von Verpackungsmaterialien in praxisorientierten Prüfungen unter definierten Kompostierungsbedingungen
Emballage - Evaluation de la désintégration des matériaux d'emballage lors d'essais a usage pratique dans des conditions de compostage définies
Embalaža – Vrednotenje razkroja embalažnih materialov v praktičnih preskusih pod določenimi pogoji kompostiranja
General Information
Overview
EN 14045:2003 - "Packaging - Evaluation of the disintegration of packaging materials in practical oriented tests under defined composting conditions" (CEN) defines a pilot‑scale, aerobic composting test to assess how packaging materials disintegrate when mixed with biowaste under controlled but practical composting conditions. The method focuses on physical disintegration over a 12‑week composting cycle and is intended to inform compost quality assessments and further analyses (chemical, ecotoxicity). It is not a test of biodegradability; separate methods are required for biodegradation measurements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Mix packaging with a homogeneous biowaste matrix and allow spontaneous microbial composting (pilot‑scale bins or nets) for 12 weeks; monitor temperature, pH, moisture and gas composition to ensure active composting.
- Test scale & equipment: Minimum bin volume ~140 L; sample nets (optional) with 1 mm mesh; temperature probes (0–100 °C ±1 °C), pH meter, oxygen analysis apparatus, sieves per ISO 3310‑2.
- Material preparation & mixing: Biowaste shredded ≤50 mm, with bulking agent (10–60%) as needed. Biowaste should meet criteria such as C/N ratio ~20–30, moisture >50%, volatile solids >50% and pH >5.
- Addition rates: Typical addition of test material is 1% (wet weight) in final form for disintegration/compost analysis. For combined ecotoxicity testing, add 1% final form + 9% powder/granulate (or up to 10% powder in a separate series).
- Duration & turning: 12‑week incubation. Turn weekly for first 4 weeks, then every two weeks.
- End‑of‑test analysis: Sieve final compost through 10 mm and 2 mm screens; recover and clean residual packaging fragments, dry (105 °C or 40 °C for low‑melting materials) and weigh. Calculate a mass balance and analyse volatile solids. Compost can be used for chemical analyses and ecotoxicity testing.
- Documentation: Visual and photographic records of disintegration are supported by the method.
Applications
- Assess whether packaging disintegrates under realistic composting operations.
- Provide input for waste management decisions and compliance with packaging/waste policies.
- Generate compost samples for compost quality, chemical screening and ecotoxicity testing after exposure to packaging residues.
- Help packaging designers, manufacturers and recyclers evaluate end‑of‑life behavior in biological treatment systems.
Who should use this standard
- Packaging manufacturers and R&D teams evaluating compostability performance.
- Laboratories and pilot composting facilities conducting disintegration tests.
- Municipal or industrial composting operators assessing material impacts.
- Environmental consultants and regulators assessing packaging waste management options.
Related standards
- EN 13193:2000 (Packaging - Terminology)
- ISO 3310‑2 (Test sieves - technical requirements)
- Contextual reference: EU Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste
Keywords: EN 14045:2003, packaging disintegration, pilot‑scale aerobic composting, compost quality, ecotoxicity testing, sieving 10 mm 2 mm, mass balance, C/N ratio, moisture content.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Verpackung - Bewertung der Desintegration von Verpackungsmaterialien in praxisorientierten Prüfungen unter definierten KompostierungsbedingungenEmballage - Evaluation de la désintégration des matériaux d'emballage lors d'essais a usage pratique dans des conditions de compostage définiesPackaging - Evaluation of the disintegration of packaging materials in practical oriented tests under defined composting conditions55.040SDNLUDQMHPackaging materials and accessories13.030.99Drugi standardi v zvezi z odpadkiOther standards related to wastesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14045:2003SIST EN 14045:2003en01-julij-2003SIST EN 14045:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14045March 2003ICS 13.030.99; 55.040English versionPackaging - Evaluation of the disintegration of packagingmaterials in practical oriented tests under defined compostingconditionsEmballage - Evaluation de la désintégration des matériauxd'emballage lors d'essais à usage pratique dans desconditions de compostage définiesVerpackung - Bewertung der Desintegration vonVerpackungsmaterialien in praxisorientierten Prüfungenunter definierten KompostierungsbedingungenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 27 December 2002.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the 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 translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UnitedKingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2003 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14045:2003 ESIST EN 14045:2003
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 14045:2003 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Packaging - Evaluation of the disintegration of packaging materials in practical oriented tests under defined composting conditions". This standard covers: This European Standard is used to evaluate the disintegration of packaging materials in a pilot-scale aerobic composting test under defined conditions. Other methods should be used to measure the biodegradability of the packaging materials. Packaging materials are mixed with biowaste and spontaneously composted for 12 weeks in practical oriented composting conditions. At the end of the composting cycle the disintegration is measured by sieving of the compost and the calculation of a mass balance. The influence of the tested sample on the quality of the compost can be be studied by using the compost obtained at the end of the composting process for further measurements such as chemical analyses and ecotoxicity tests. Additionally this method can be used for visual perception and photographic documentation of the disintegration of packaging materials and for evaluating the effect of their addition on the composting process.
This European Standard is used to evaluate the disintegration of packaging materials in a pilot-scale aerobic composting test under defined conditions. Other methods should be used to measure the biodegradability of the packaging materials. Packaging materials are mixed with biowaste and spontaneously composted for 12 weeks in practical oriented composting conditions. At the end of the composting cycle the disintegration is measured by sieving of the compost and the calculation of a mass balance. The influence of the tested sample on the quality of the compost can be be studied by using the compost obtained at the end of the composting process for further measurements such as chemical analyses and ecotoxicity tests. Additionally this method can be used for visual perception and photographic documentation of the disintegration of packaging materials and for evaluating the effect of their addition on the composting process.
SIST EN 14045:2003 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.030.99 - Other standards related to wastes; 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 14045:2003 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 94/62/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/200. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
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