SIST EN 17427:2022
(Main)Packaging - Requirements and test scheme for carrier bags suitable for treatment in well-managed home composting installations
Packaging - Requirements and test scheme for carrier bags suitable for treatment in well-managed home composting installations
This document specifies a testing scheme and requirements for the designation of carrier bags of any materials that are considered to be suitable for incorporation into well-managed home composting installations for non-commercial purposes with a home composting cycle of normally at least 12 months. Carrier bags are considered as home compostable in a well-managed system only if all the individual components meet the requirements.
The following four aspects are addressed:
a )characterization;
b) biodegradation in well managed home composting;
c) disintegration in well managed home composting; and
d) home compost quality.
The four aspects, a) to d), are assessing the effects on the biological treatment process and the compost made by it.
This document forms the basis for the labelling of carrier bags that are considered to be suitable for the incorporation into well-managed home composting installations.
NOTE 1 Compliance with the requirements of this document by the carrier bags entering the compost does not necessarily imply that a high-quality compost will be produced.
This document covers the suitability of carrier bags for the incorporation into well managed home composting installations but does not address regulations that may exist regarding the suitability of anything disposed together with the carrier bag to home composting.
This document provides a set of guidance on the parameters, boundaries and processes required to engage in well managed, aerobic, home composting. Alternative composting methods and systems may not provide the conditions necessary for the successful home composting of carrier bags which comply with the requirements of this document.
NOTE 2 Additional general information about home composting is provided in Annex F.
The testing scheme and the requirements specified by this document do not apply to worm composting, industrial composting nor community composting. It also does not provide information on the biodegradability of carrier bags ending up in the environment as litter.
This document includes a reference to features of well-managed home composting (Annex E).
The compost produced via home composting by a private individual is for private use only and not for provision to others, free of charge or in return for payment. Therefore, this document has no value as a marketing authorization or authorization of use of the final compost.
NOTE 3 The testing scheme and evaluation criteria could be the basis for the establishment of suitability to home composting of other products.
NOTE 4 The purpose of testing activity b) is to demonstrate the potential for ultimate biodegradation of the test material when exposed to microbes active under mesophilic conditions (between 15 °C and 45 °C).
NOTE 5 The purpose of testing activity c) is to verify the thickness and/or grammage that allows a full disintegration of the test product in a period consistent with a home composting cycle, under defined environmental conditions. To allow for the potential for variations of local climatic conditions and consumer application of well-managed home composting techniques, lower than optimal temperature profile has been adopted for this test.
Verpackung - Anforderungen an und Prüfmethoden für heimkompostierbare Tragetaschen in einer kontrollierten Heimkompos-tieranlage
Dieses Dokument legt ein Prüfschema und Anforderungen für die Kennzeichnung von Tragetaschen aus allen Materialien fest, die als geeignet für die Zuführung in kontrollierte Heimkompostierungsanlagen für nicht gewerbliche Zwecke mit einem Heimkompostierungszyklus von üblicherweise mindestens 12 Monaten erachtet werden. Tragetaschen gelten nur dann als heimkompostierbar in einem kontrollierten System, wenn alle Einzelbestandteile den Anforderungen entsprechen.
Es werden die folgenden vier Aspekte behandelt:
a) Charakterisierung;
b) Bioabbau während der kontrollierten Heimkompostierung;
c) Desintegration während der kontrollierten Heimkompostierung; und
d) Heimkompostqualität.
Die vier Aspekte a) bis d) bewerten die Auswirkungen auf den biologischen Behandlungsprozess und den daraus erhaltenen Kompost.
Dieses Dokument bildet die Grundlage für die Kennzeichnung von Tragetaschen, die als geeignet für die Zuführung in kontrollierte Heimkompostierungsanlagen erachtet werden.
ANMERKUNG 1 Die Einhaltung der Anforderungen dieses Dokuments durch die dem Kompost zugeführten Trage¬taschen führt nicht zwingend dazu, dass ein hochwertiger Kompost hergestellt wird.
Dieses Dokument behandelt die Eignung von Tragetaschen für die Zuführung in kontrollierte Heimkompos¬tierungsanlagen, geht jedoch nicht auf Vorschriften ein, die möglicherweise für die Eignung von zusammen mit der Tragetasche entsorgten Abfällen für die Heimkompostierung gelten.
Dieses Dokument enthält eine Reihe von Leitlinien zu den Parametern, Einschränkungen und Prozessen, die für eine kontrollierte, aerobe Heimkompostierung erforderlich sind. Alternative Kompostierungsverfahren und -systeme bieten möglicherweise nicht die erforderlichen Bedingungen für eine erfolgreiche Heimkom¬postierung von Tragetaschen, die den Anforderungen dieses Dokuments entsprechen.
ANMERKUNG 2 Weitere allgemeine Informationen zur Heimkompostierung sind in Anhang F enthalten.
Das Prüfschema und die in diesem Dokument festgelegten Anforderungen gelten nicht für die Wurmkom¬postierung, die industrielle Kompostierung oder die kommunale Kompostierung. Es liefert außerdem keine Informationen über die Bioabbaubarkeit von Tragetaschen, die als Abfall in die Umwelt gelangen.
Dieses Dokument enthält Hinweise zu Merkmalen für eine kontrollierte Heimkompostierung (Anhang E).
Kompost, der durch Heimkompostierung von einer Privatperson hergestellt wird, ist nur für den privaten Gebrauch und nicht für die unentgeltliche oder kostenpflichtige Abgabe an andere bestimmt. Dieses Dokument hat daher keinen Wert als Genehmigung für das Inverkehrbringen oder die Verwendung des fertigen Komposts.
ANMERKUNG 3 Das Prüfschema und die Bewertungskriterien könnten die Grundlage für die Feststellung der Eignung zur Heimkompostierung anderer Produkte sein.
ANMERKUNG 4 Der Zweck der Prüftätigkeit b) besteht darin, das Potenzial des vollständigen Bioabbaus des Prüfmaterials nachzuweisen, wenn es unter mesophilen Bedingungen aktiven Mikroben ausgesetzt (zwischen 15 °C und 45 °C).
ANMERKUNG 5 Der Zweck der Prüfungstätigkeit c) besteht darin, die Dicke und/oder die flächenbezogene Masse zu überprüfen, die eine vollständige Desintegration des Prüfprodukts in einer Zeitspanne, die einem Zyklus der Heim¬kompostierung entspricht, unter festgelegten Umweltbedingungen ermöglicht. Um den potenziellen Schwankungen der lokalen klimatischen Bedingungen und der Anwendung von Techniken der kontrollierten Heimkompostierung durch die Verbraucher Rechnung zu tragen, wurde für diese Prüfung ein Temperaturprofil gewählt, das niedriger als das optimale ist.
Emballage - Exigences et programme d’essai pour les sacs de transport aptes au traitement dans des installations de compostage domestique bien gérées
Le présent document spécifie un programme d’essai et des exigences relatives à la désignation des sacs de transport constitués de n’importe quel matériau, considérés comme aptes à être incorporés dans des installations de compostage domestique bien géré à des fins non commerciales, avec un cycle de compostage domestique d’une durée normale d’au moins 12 mois. Les sacs de transport sont considérés comme compostables dans un système domestique bien géré uniquement si tous les composants individuels répondent aux exigences.
Les quatre aspects suivants sont traités :
a) caractérisation ;
b) biodégradation pendant un compostage domestique bien géré ;
c) désintégration pendant un compostage domestique bien géré ; et
d) qualité du compost domestique.
Les quatre aspects, de a) à d), évaluent les effets sur le processus de traitement biologique et le compost obtenu par celui-ci.
Le présent document constitue la base pour l’étiquetage des sacs de transport qui sont considérés comme aptes à être incorporés dans des installations de compostage domestique bien géré.
NOTE 1 La conformité aux exigences du présent document des sacs de transport entrant dans le compost n’implique pas nécessairement qu’un compost de haute qualité sera produit.
Le présent document couvre l’aptitude des sacs de transport à être incorporés dans des installations de compostage domestique bien géré, mais il ne traite pas des règlements pouvant exister concernant l’aptitude au compostage domestique d’un quelconque élément éliminé conjointement avec le sac de transport.
Le présent document fournit un ensemble de recommandations relatives aux paramètres, limites et processus requis pour la mise en œuvre d’un compostage domestique aérobie bien géré. D’autres méthodes et systèmes de compostage peuvent ne pas fournir les conditions nécessaires à la réussite du compostage domestique des sacs de transport conformes aux exigences du présent document.
NOTE 2 Des informations générales supplémentaires sur le compostage domestique sont fournies dans l’Annexe F.
Le programme d’essai et les exigences spécifiées par ce document ne s’appliquent pas au lombricompostage, au compostage industriel, ni au compostage collectif. Le présent document ne fournit pas non plus d’informations sur la biodégradabilité des sacs de transport terminant dans l’environnement en tant que détritus.
Le présent document inclut une référence aux caractéristiques du compostage domestique bien géré (Annexe E).
Le compost produit par compostage domestique par un particulier est destiné à un usage privé uniquement et non à être fourni à des tiers, gratuitement ou contre paiement. Par conséquent, le présent document n’a aucune valeur en tant qu’autorisation de mise sur le marché ou autorisation d’utilisation du compost final.
NOTE 3 Le programme d’essai et les critères d’évaluation pourraient servir de base à l’établissement de l’aptitude d’autres produits au compostage domestique.
NOTE 4 L’objectif de l’activité d’essai b) est de démontrer le potentiel de biodégradation ultime du matériau d’essai lorsqu’il est exposé à des microbes actifs en conditions mésophiles (entre 15 et 45 °C).
NOTE 5 L’objectif de l’activité d’essai c) est de vérifier l’épaisseur et/ou le grammage permettant une désintégration complète du produit à l’essai dans une période cohérente avec un cycle de compostage domestique, dans des conditions environnementales définies. Afin de tenir compte des variations potentielles des conditions climatiques locales et de l’application par le consommateur de techniques de compostage domestique bien géré, un profil de températures inférieures aux valeurs optimales a été adopté pour cet essai.
Embalaža - Zahteve in shema preskušanja vrečk za nošenje blaga, primernih za razgradnjo v dobro vodenih gospodinjskih kompostnikih
Ta dokument določa sistem preskušanja in zahteve za označevanje vrečk za nošenje blaga, izdelanih iz kakršnih koli materialov, ki se štejejo kot primerni za vključitev v dobro vodene gospodinjske kompostnike, ki jih imajo lastniki hiš za osebno rabo. Vrečke za nošenje blaga se štejejo za primerne za domače kompostiranje le, če vsi posamezni sestavni deli izpolnjujejo zahteve.
Obravnavanih je naslednjih pet vidikov:
a) karakterizacija;
b) biorazgradnja;
c) razpadanje med domačim kompostiranjem;
d) kakovost komposta;
e) prepoznavnost.
Prvi štirje vidiki (od a) do d)) so povezani z učinki na proces biološke razgradnje in komposta, nastalega pri tem. Peti vidik zagotavlja, da končni uporabnik prepozna domače kompostirne vrečke za nošenje blaga.
Ta dokument predstavlja osnovo za označevanje vrečk za nošenje blaga, izdelanih iz katerega koli materiala, ki se šteje kot primeren za vključitev v dobro vodene gospodinjske kompostnike.
OPOMBA 1: Skladnost vrečk za nošenje blaga, ki vstopajo v kompost, z zahtevami tega dokumenta ne pomeni nujno, da bo proizveden visokokakovosten kompost.
Ta dokument obravnava domače kompostiranje vrečk za nošenje blaga, ne obravnava pa morebitnih predpisov v zvezi z domačim kompostiranjem preostale vsebine.
Shema preskušanja in zahteve iz tega dokumenta se ne uporabljajo za kompostiranje z deževniki in/ali industrijsko kompostiranje.
Dokument ne zagotavlja informacij o biološki razgradljivosti vrečk za nošenje blaga, ki preidejo v okolje kot smeti.
Ta dokument vsebuje sklice na smernice za dobro vodeno domače kompostiranje (dodatek E).
Kompost, ki ga proizvede posameznik, je namenjen njegovi lastni uporabi in ne zagotavljanju kompostiranja za druge, niti brezplačno niti proti plačilu. Ta dokument nima vrednosti v smislu dovoljenja za promet ali dovoljenja za uporabo končnega komposta.
OPOMBA 2: Shema preskušanja in merila za vrednotenje so lahko podlaga za ugotavljanje primernosti drugih proizvodov za domače kompostiranje.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2022
Embalaža - Zahteve in shema preskušanja vrečk za nošenje blaga, primernih za
razgradnjo v dobro vodenih gospodinjskih kompostnikih
Packaging - Requirements and test scheme for carrier bags suitable for treatment in
well-managed home composting installations
Verpackung - Anforderungen an und Prüfmethoden für heimkompostierbare
Tragetaschen in einer kontrollierten Heimkompos-tieranlage
Emballage - Exigences et programme d’essai pour les sacs de transport aptes au
traitement dans des installations de compostage domestique bien gérées
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 17427:2022
ICS:
55.080 Vreče. Vrečke Sacks. Bags
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 17427
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2022
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 55.080
English Version
Packaging - Requirements and test scheme for carrier bags
suitable for treatment in well-managed home composting
installations
Emballage - Exigences et programme d'essai pour les Verpackung - Anforderungen an und Prüfmethoden für
sacs de transport aptes au traitement dans des heimkompostierbare Tragetaschen
installations de compostage domestique bien gérées
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 April 2022.
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, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, 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: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 17427:2022 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Principle . 11
5 General requirements . 11
5.1 Assessment . 11
5.1.1 General . 11
5.1.2 Characterization . 11
5.1.3 Biodegradation . 12
5.1.4 Disintegration. 12
5.1.5 Compost quality . 12
5.1.6 Labelling . 12
5.2 Equivalent form . 12
5.3 Carrier bag consisting ofmultiple components . 12
5.4 Materials of natural origin . 12
6 Detailed requirements . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.2 Characterization . 12
6.2.1 Control of constituents . 12
6.2.2 Volatile solids . 14
6.2.3 Identifying characteristics . 14
6.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation . 15
6.3.1 General requirements . 15
6.3.2 Specific requirements . 17
6.3.3 Test duration . 17
6.3.4 Validity criteria . 17
6.4 Disintegration. 18
6.4.1 General . 18
6.4.2 Weight evaluation method of disintegration/Requirements . 18
6.4.3 Test duration . 18
6.5 Effects on compost quality . 18
6.5.1 Compost production . 18
6.5.2 Determination of negative effect to terrestrial organisms . 19
6.5.3 Requirements . 21
7 Test report . 22
Annex A (normative) Determination of ecotoxic effects to higher plants . 23
A.1 General . 23
A.2 Properties of the reference substrate. 23
A.3 Preparation of samples . 23
A.4 Selection of plant species . 23
A.5 Performing the tests . 24
A.6 Validity of the tests . 24
A.7 Evaluation of the results . 24
Annex B (normative) Determination of acute ecotoxic effects to earthworms . 25
B.1 General . 25
B.2 Selection of the reference substrate . 25
B.3 Preparation of samples . 25
B.4 Selection of earthworm species . 25
B.5 Performing the tests . 25
B.6 Validity of the tests . 25
B.7 Evaluation of the results . 25
Annex C (normative) Determination of chronic ecotoxic effects to earthworms . 26
C.1 General . 26
C.2 Selection of the reference substrate . 26
C.3 Preparation of samples . 26
C.4 Selection of earthworm species . 26
C.5 Performing the tests . 26
C.6 Validity of the tests . 26
C.7 Evaluation of the results . 27
Annex D (normative) Determination of nitrification activity of soil microorganisms . 28
D.1 General . 28
D.2 Selection of the reference substrate . 28
D.3 Preparation of samples . 28
D.4 Performing the tests . 28
D.5 Validity of the tests . 28
D.6 Evaluation of the results . 28
Annex E (informative) Features of well-managed home composting . 29
Annex F (informative) Information about home composting . 31
Bibliography . 33
European foreword
This document (EN 17427:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261 “Packaging”,
the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
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 December 2022, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by December 2022.
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.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
EN 13432:2000 specifies the requirements relating to packaging (including carrier bags) recovered
through organic recycling (e.g. aerobic composting) in municipal or industrial biological waste treatment
facilities. Carrier bags compliant with EN 13432:2000 are thus called “compostable” to indicate that they
are suitable for this recovery option. However, the term “composting” is also used to designate “home
composting” and this can generate confusion for the citizen.
Home composting is a practice used by private individuals to treat garden and food waste generated at
household level and produce compost for personal gardening use. Despite the common name, industrial
and home composting are two very different activities, the former being a controlled waste treatment
process and the latter being a gardening activity.
Home composting is affected by the feeding regime (usually discontinuous in quality, quantity, and
intervals), by the composting style of the householder (accurate or careless), and by the local climatic
conditions. The small dimensions of composting installations usually do not allow the generation of heat
enough to sustain high temperatures.
As a result, conditions in home composting can be very different from conditions in industrial
composting. As a result of this, a carrier bag recognized as “compostable” according to EN 13432:2000
cannot automatically be considered as suitable for treatment in a well-managed home composting
installation (see 3.5 and Informative Annexes E and F).
This document has been prepared in order to define the necessary characteristics of carrier bags for
displaying biodegradation and disintegration behaviour compatible with well-managed home
composting installations.
1 Scope
This document specifies a testing scheme and requirements for the designation of carrier bags of any
materials that are considered to be suitable for incorporation into well-managed home composting
installations for non-commercial purposes with a home composting cycle of normally at least 12 months.
Carrier bags are considered as home compostable in a well-managed system only if all the individual
components meet the requirements.
The following four aspects are addressed:
a) characterization;
b) biodegradation in well managed home composting;
c) disintegration in well managed home composting; and
d) home compost quality.
The four aspects, a) to d), are assessing the effects on the biological treatment process and the compost
made by it.
This document forms the basis for the labelling of carrier bags that are considered to be suitable for the
incorporation into well-managed home composting installations.
NOTE 1 Compliance with the requirements of this document by the carrier bags entering the compost does not
necessarily imply that a high-quality compost will be produced.
This document covers the suitability of carrier bags for the incorporation into well managed home
composting installations but does not address regulations that may exist regarding the suitability of
anything disposed together with the carrier bag to home composting.
This document provides a set of guidance on the parameters, boundaries and processes required to
engage in well managed, aerobic, home composting. Alternative composting methods and systems may
not provide the conditions necessary for the successful home composting of carrier bags which comply
with the requirements of this document.
NOTE 2 Additional general information about home composting is provided in Annex F.
The testing scheme and the requirements specified by this document do not apply to worm composting,
industrial composting nor community composting. It also does not provide information on the
biodegradability of carrier bags ending up in the environment as litter.
This document includes a reference to features of well-managed home composting (Annex E).
The compost produced via home composting by a private individual is for private use only and not for
provision to others, free of charge or in return for payment. Therefore, this document has no value as a
marketing authorization or authorization of use of the final compost.
NOTE 3 The testing scheme and evaluation criteria could be the basis for the establishment of suitability to home
composting of other products.
NOTE 4 The purpose of testing activity b) is to demonstrate the potential for ultimate biodegradation of the test
material when exposed to microbes active under mesophilic conditions (between 15 °C and 45 °C).
NOTE 5 The purpose of testing activity c) is to verify the thickness and/or grammage that allows a full
disintegration of the test product in a period consistent with a home composting cycle, under defined environmental
conditions. To allow for the potential for variations of local climatic conditions and consumer application of well-
managed home composting techniques, lower than optimal temperature profile has been adopted for this test.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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.
CEN/TR 13695-2, Packaging - Requirements for measuring and verifying the four heavy metals and other
dangerous substances present in packaging, and their release into the environment - Part 2: Requirements
for measuring and verifying dangerous substances present in packaging, and their release into the
environment
EN 14582, Characterization of waste - Halogen and sulfur content - Oxygen combustion in closed systems
and determination methods
EN 17428:2022 , Packaging — Determination of the degree of disintegration under simulated home
composting conditions
EN ISO 536, Paper and board - Determination of grammage (ISO 536)
EN ISO 11268-1, Soil quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms - Part 1: Determination of acute toxicity
to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei (ISO 11268-1)
EN ISO 11268-2, Soil quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms - Part 2: Determination of effects on
reproduction of Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei (ISO 11268-2)
EN ISO 11269-2:2013, Soil quality - Determination of the effects of pollutants on soil flora - Part 2: Effects
of contaminated soil on the emergence and early growth of higher plants (ISO 11269-2:2012)
EN ISO 12846, Water quality - Determination of mercury - Method using atomic absorption spectrometry
(AAS) with and without enrichment (ISO 12846)
EN 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 14851)
EN ISO 14852, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous
medium - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide (ISO 14852)
EN 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 14855-1)
EN 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 14855-2)
EN ISO 16929, Plastics - Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under defined
composting conditions in a pilot-scale test (ISO 16929)
EN ISO 17294-2, Water quality - Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) -
Part 2: Determination of selected elements including uranium isotopes (ISO 17294-2)
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: FprEN 17428:2022.
EN ISO 17556, Plastics - Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in soil
by measuring the oxygen demand in a respirometer or the amount of carbon dioxide evolved (ISO 17556)
ISO 4591, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of average thickness of a sample, and average
thickness and yield of a roll, by gravimetric techniques (gravimetric thickness)
ISO 4593, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning
ISO 15685, Soil quality — Determination of potential nitrification and inhibition of nitrification — Rapid
test by ammonium oxidation
OECD 208, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 2, Effects on Biotic Systems — Test No. 208:
Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
compost
organic soil conditioner obtained by biodegradation of a mixture consisting principally of vegetable
residues, occasionally with other organic material and having a limited mineral content
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.1]
3.2
composting
aerobic process designed to produce compost
Note 1 to entry: Composting is classified into industrial composting, community composting, home composting
and worm composting.
[SOURCE: ISO 18606:2013, 3.2, modified – Note 1 to entry was added.]
3.3
industrial composting
composting process performed under controlled conditions on industrial scale with the aim of producing
compost for the market
Note 1 to entry: In some regions industrial composting is refered to as professional composting.
3.4
home composting
composting process performed by private individuals with the aim of producing compost for their own
use
3.5
well-managed home composting
home composting practice which meets a minimum set of required conditions to convert biowaste into
compost
Note 1 to entry: See Annex E.
Note 2 to entry: For home composting a usual cycle time is at least 12 months.
3.6
community composting
controlled waste treatment process of organic waste collected from small neighbourhood or produced by
centralised sources (e.g. hospitals, canteens, restaurants) usually at a scale bigger than home composting
and smaller than industrial composting
3.7
worm composting
aerobic process using worms to recycle food scraps and other organic material into compost
Note 1 to entry: The final compost is also called vermicompost, or worm compost.
3.8
carrier bag
bag, with or without handles, supplied to consumers with the purpose of containing and carrying goods
3.9
disintegration
physical breakdown of a material into very small fragments
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.4]
3.10
total dry solids
amount of solids obtained by taking a known volume of test material or compost and drying at about
105 °C to constant mass
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.8]
3.11
intrinsic biodegradability
ability of a material to be biodegraded, established under controlled laboratory conditions
3.12
ultimate aerobic biodegradation
breakdown of an organic compound by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen into carbon dioxide,
water and mineral salts of any other elements present (mineralization) plus new biomass
[SOURCE: ISO 17088:2021, 3.10]
3.13
“ready” biodegradation
level of biodegradation achieved under defined conditions which indicates the test compound is
considered likely to degrade rapidly and completely under aerobic aquatic environmental conditions
[SOURCE: EN ISO 7827:2012, 3.6]
3.14
volatile solids
amount of solids obtained by subtracting the residue of a known volume of test material or compost after
incineration at about 550 °C from the total dry solids of the same sample
Note 1 to entry: The volatile-solids content is an indication of the amount of organic matter present.
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.9]
3.15
constituent
all substances of which a carrier bag is composed of
Note 1 to entry: This includes but is not limited to any colourants and inks.
3.16
organic constituent
chemical constituent that contains carbon covalently linked to other carbon atoms and to other elements,
most commonly hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen
Note 1 to entry: Inorganic carbonates, carbides, cyanides and simple oxides such as carbon monoxide and carbon
dioxide are not classified as organic constituent.
Note 2 to entry: Allotropes of carbon, such as diamond, graphite, carbon black, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes
are also not regarded as organic constituent.
3.17
component
part of a carrier bag that can be separated by hand or by using simple physical means
EXAMPLES handles, lining, windows
3.18
organic carbon
amount of carbon bound in an organic material
[SOURCE: EN ISO 13833:2013, 3.4]
3.19
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
PFAS
organofluorine substance containing carbon-fluorine bonds and carbon-carbon bonds but also other
heteroatoms
3.20
plateau
phase reached in the course of a biodegradation test when no more CO is evolved from a vessel
containing the polymer than is evolved from the blank vessels (inoculum without addition of any polymer
or reference substance)
Note 1 to entry: This is, in biological means, equal to the stationary phase (plateau phase) observed in batch
growing curves.
4 Principle
The purpose of this document is to establish requirements for carrier bags that can be treated in well-
managed home composting installations.
A carrier bag is considered home compostable in a well-managed system if all of its components or the
whole carrier bag meet the requirements of this document.
The suitability of a carrier bag or its components is verified by the test scheme described in this
document.
5 General requirements
5.1 Assessment
5.1.1 General
Except as identified in 5.2 and 5.4, the assessment of the carrier bag or, if applicable, its individual
components shall include the following four assessment procedures:
— characterization (see 5.1.2);
— biodegradation (see 5.1.3);
— disintegration (see 5.1.4);
— compost quality (see 5.1.5).
For labelling, see 5.1.6.
5.1.2 Characterization
Each carrier bag under investigation or, if applicable, its components shall be identified and characterized
prior testing, including at least:
— determination of the presence of regulated metals;
— information on PFAS (declaration of compliance), determination of inorganic fluorine;
— information on the presence of substances hazardous to the environment according to
CEN/TR 13695-2 based on a self-declaration (declaration of compliance);
— information on the presence of substances of very high concern (SVHC) shall be recorded based on a
self-declaration (declaration of compliance);
— determination of volatile solids;
— other relevant identifying characteristics as specified in 6.2.3.
5.1.3 Biodegradation
To be designated as “home compostable in a well-managed system”, each component of the carrier bag,
if applicable, shall be intrinsically and ultimately biodegradable as demonstrated in laboratory tests and
shall conform to the criteria and pass levels given in 6.3.
5.1.4 Disintegration
To be designated as “home compostable in a well-managed system”, each component of the carrier bag,
if applicable, shall disintegrate in a well-managed home composting process in conformance with the
criteria and pass levels given in 6.4.
5.1.5 Compost quality
To be designated as “home compostable in a well-managed system”, no carrier bag and carrier bag
component, if applicable, thereof, submitted to a biological waste treatment process, shall be recorded as
having a negative effect on the quality of the resulting compost as specified in 6.5.
5.1.6 Labelling
Carrier bags complying with this document can be labelled. If the carrier bag is labelled it shall be labelled
with reference to this document (EN 17427:2022) and as “home compostable in a well-managed system”.
5.2 Equivalent form
A carrier bag demonstrated to be in accordance with this document in a particular form, shall be accepted
without additional tests as being in accordance with this document in any other form having the same or
a smaller mass to surface ratio, the same or lower grammage or the same or lower thickness.
5.3 Carrier bag consisting ofmultiple components
In case a carrier bag consists of multiple components, all components shall be home compostable.
5.4 Materials of natural origin
Chemically unmodified constituents of natural origin, such as wood, wood fibre, cotton fibre, starch, wood
pulp, or jute shall be accepted as being biodegradable without testing (see 6.3). Nevertheless, they shall
be chemically characterized (see 6.2) and fulfil the criteria for disintegration (see 6.4) and compost
quality (see 6.5).
6 Detailed requirements
6.1 General
In order to meet the requirements of this document, a carrier bag shall fulfil all the requirements given
in 6.2 to 6.5.
Test samples shall not be subjected to conditions or procedures designed to accelerate biodegradation or
disintegration prior to testing according to 6.3 or 6.4.
6.2 Characterization
6.2.1 Control of constituents
6.2.1.1 Regulated metals
The concentration of regulated metals in the material under investigation shall not exceed the limits
according to Table 1.
Table 1 — Maximum concentration of regulated metals
a
Maximum concentration
Element Test method
mg/kg of dry matter
Cadmium (Cd) 0,5 EN ISO 17294-2
Chromium (Cr) 50 EN ISO 17294-2
Copper (Cu) 50 EN ISO 17294-2
Mercury (Hg) 0,5 EN ISO 12846
Nickel (Ni) 25 EN ISO 17294-2
Lead (Pb) 50 EN ISO 17294-2
Zinc (Zn) 150 EN ISO 17294-2
a
The maximum metal concentrations are 50 % of those prescribed in ecological criteria for the award of the
Community eco-label to soil improvers [2].
6.2.1.2 Organic and inorganic fluorine
6.2.1.2.1 Organic fluorine
From a precautionary perspective, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shall not be intentionally
added to a material of a carrier bag.
NOTE Most of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely persistent in the environment and in
addition, certain PFAS are suspected to have bioaccumulative properties and adverse effects for environment and
human health.
6.2.1.2.2 Inorganic fluorine
The concentration of inorganic fluorine in the material of a carrier bag shall be less than
100 mg fluorine/kg material (dry matter).
The inorganic fluorine concentration shall be analysed according to EN 14582.
If a testing on a material containing talcum, results in a value of more than 100 mg F/kg material (dry
matter), then, in addition, the total fluorine content of a material without talcum shall be determined.
NOTE Talcum or talc is an inert mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula
Mg Si O (OH) . The mineral is used in many applications including baby care products, cosmetics and packaging
3 4 10 2
and packaging materials. Depending on the geographical origin of the inorganic natural product it may contain
appreciable amounts of fluorine. As fluorine is almost entirely fixed in the matrix of talcum, just a marginal
proportion of it is water-soluble and hence bioavailable. Talcum is not classified as hazardous to the environment
according to CLP.
6.2.1.3 Substances hazardous to the environment
From a precautionary perspective, hazardous substances as specified below shall not be intentionally
added to a carrier bag. From a precautionary perspective a carrier bag shall not:
1) be classified as hazardous according to the UN Globally Harmonized System for Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) [45]; or
2) be intentionally produced with a hazardous substance:
— meeting criteria of classification according to the UN Globally Harmonized System for
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) [45] as:
a) carcinogenic (category 1A or 1B); or
b) mutagenic (category 1A or 1B); or
c) toxic for reproduction (category 1A or 1B); or
— having endocrine disrupting properties [5]; or
— having persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties; or
— having very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties; and
— exceeding a concentration limit of 0,1 % (by weight) in the plastics product or plastics material.
6.2.1.4 Substances of very high concern (SVHC)
From a precautionary perspective, substances of very high concern (SVHC) shall not be intentionally
added to a material of a carrier bag.
NOTE 1 SVHC are substances that exceed a concentration limit of 0,1 % (by weight) in the material of the carrier
bag and that appear on the Candidate List of substances of very high concern for Authorization [4].
NOTE 2 Substances of very high concern are covered by legal provisions laid down in Regulation (EC) No
1907/2006 [1].
6.2.2 Volatile solids
The carrier bag shall contain a minimum of 50 % (w/w) of volatile solids.
6.2.3 Identifying characteristics
a) Information necessary to identify the composition regarding the constituents of the carrier bag or, if
applicable, its components shall be declared and recorded;
NOTE 1 Colorants, additives, printing inks and glues could influence the test results regarding tests for
biodegradation, disintegration and ecotoxicity.
b) the thickness/mass to surface ratio/grammage (or other relevant parameters that describe the
character of the carrier bag material) of the carrier bag or carrier bag component shall be determined
and recorded according to relevant methods such as ISO 4591, ISO 4593 or EN ISO 536 or others;
c) the mass of the carrier bag or carrier bag component, if applicable, shall be determined and recorded;
d) other analyses, such as the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis described in
EN ISO 11357 or the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis described in EN ISO 11358-1 or a Fourier
Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, may be carried out for the physical-chemical
characterization of the carrier bag or carrier bag component, if applicable;
e) the organic carbon content, the total dry matter content and the volatile solids of the carrier bag and
its components, if applicable, shall be determined and recorded;
f) regulated metals according to Table 1 shall be determined and reported;
g) the fluorine content shall be determined and reported;
h) information on the presence and the assessment of substances hazardous to the environment
according to CEN/TR 13695-2 shall be recorded based on a self-declaration (declaration of
compliance);
i) information on the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shall be recorded based
on a self-declaration (declaration of compliance);
j) information on the presence of substances of very high concern (SVHC) shall be recorded based on a
self-declaration (declaration of compliance).
NOTE 2 Levels of acceptability of chemical characteristics are provided for regulated metals and inorganic
fluorine as their total absence is not possible.
6.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation
6.3.1 General requirements
A carrier bag is considered to have demonstrated a satisfactory rate and level of biodegradation if, when
tested in accordance with EN ISO 14855-1 or EN ISO 14855-2, it achieves the minimum biodegradation
percentage specified in 6.3.2 within the time periods specified in 6.3.3.
NOTE 1 EN ISO 14855-1 and EN ISO 14855-2 are addressing plastic materials but can also be used for
other materials.
The test environment shall be at an ambient temperature of (25 ± 5) °C and the temperature shall not
exceed 30 °C at any day.
NOTE 2 The purpose of this testing activity is to demonstrate intrinsic and ultimate biodegradability of the test
material when exposed to microbes active under mesophilic conditions (mesophilic microorganisms are active in a
range between 15 °C and 45 °C). A material which has been shown to be intrinsically and ultimately biodegradable
is subject to biodegradation if environmental conditions are favourable.
NOTE 3 If the well-managed home composting process happens at lower or higher temperatures it might take
longer or shorter to reach ultimate biodegradation than during the laboratory test [46], [47].
There are 2 routes to demonstrate the biodegradability of a carrier bag according to this document.
a) Route 1:
Biodegradability shall be demonstrated for each significant organic constituent of the carrier bag.
The term significant shall mean any organic constituent present in more than 1 % of dry mass of the
carrier bag. The total proportion of organic constituents without demonstrated biodegradability
shall not exceed 3 %.
Organic constituents demonstrated to be readily biodegradable in a biodegradation test according to
an OECD test guideline (OECD 301, Methods A to F; OECD 310) are considered as biodegradable in
the context of this document.
NOTE 4 The 3 % limit is to discourage intentional adding of non-biodegradable organic constituents for
structural purposes of the carrier bag but allow the use of some inks and glues. This is to further prevent
contamination of compost and soil.
b) Route 2:
Biodegradability shall be demonstrated for the carrier bag and for the organic constituents which are
present in the carrier bag at a concentration between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass) and meet the
criteria specified in 6.3.2 and 6.3.3. The total proportion of organic constituents without
demonstrated biodegradability shall not exceed 3 %.
Organic constituents at a concentration between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass) demonstrated to be
readily biodegradable in a biodegradation test according to an OECD test guideline (OECD 301,
Methods A to F; OECD 310) are considered as biodegradable in the context of this document.
As an alternative to testing the single organic constituent used between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass), the
level of biodegradation of that organic constituent can be determined using an artificial blend of the same
material composition consisting of at least 15 % (by dry mass) of this organic constituent. In case that
this defined artificial blend meets the criteria specified in 6.3.2 and 6.3.3, then the organic constituent in
question is considered to be biodegradable in the context of this document and can be used at the same
or lower concentration in the same material composition on the condition that the co-substrate is present
as tested in the artificial blend.
NOTE 5 The objective of testing an artificial blend is to demonstrate that a constituent which doesn't meet the
biodegrability requirements of this document when tested alone, may become biodegradable in combination with
another biodegradable constituent of a material. The concentration of the constituent in the artificial blend was set
at a minimum of 15 % in order to avoid false-positive results, as theoretically a material with e.g. 10 % of a non or
moderately biodegradable constituent may still reach the pass level for biodegradation specified in 6.3.2 and 6.3.3.
Only biodegradation tests that provide unequivocal information on the intrinsic and ultimate
biodegradability of the material composition or its significant organic constituents shall be used. The test
under conditions of controlled aerobic composting (EN ISO 14855-1, EN ISO 14855-2) shall be used
unless inappropriate to the type and properties of the material under test (e.g. in the case of printing inks,
additives or colorants). In the event that alternative methods are necessary, then the biodegradation tests
according to EN ISO 14851, EN ISO 14852 or EN ISO 17556 shall be used. Inorganic carbon is e
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...