SIST EN 14046:2003
(Main)Packaging - Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of released carbon dioxide
Packaging - Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of released carbon dioxide
This European Standard specifies a method for the evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials based on organic compounds under controlled composting conditions by measurement of released carbon dioxide at the end of the test. This method is designed to resemble typical aerobic composting conditions for the organic fraction of mixed municipal solid waste. The packaging material is exposed in a laboratory test to an inoculum which is derived from compost. The aerobic composting takes place in an environment where especially temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled. The test method is designed to yield a percentage and rate of conversion of carbon of the test material to released carbon dioxide.
The conditions described in this European Standard do not necessarily always correspond to the optimal conditions allowing the maximum degree of biodegradation to occur.
Verpackung - Bestimmung der vollständigen aeroben biologischen Abbaubarkeit von Packstoffen unter kontrollierten Kompostierbedingungen - Verfahren mittels Analyse des freigesetzten Kohlenstoffdioxids
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der vollständigen aeroben biologischen Abbaubarkeit von Verpackungsmaterial fest, welches auf organischen Bestandteilen basiert. Das Verfahrensprinzip beruht auf kontrollierten Kompostierungsbedingungen und Messung des freigesetzten Kohlenstoffdioxids bis zum Ende der Prüfung. Dieses Verfahren ist in seinen Bedingungen einer typischen aeroben Kompostierung der organischen Fraktion von gemischtem, festem Siedlungsabfall ähnlich. Das zu prüfende Verpackungsmaterial wird in der Laborprüfung einem Kompostinokulum ausgesetzt. Die Bedingungen der aeroben Kompostierung, insbesondere Temperatur, Belüftung und Feuchtigkeit, werden genau aufgezeichnet und kontrolliert. Das Verfahren liefert als Ergebnis die prozentuelle Umsetzung des Kohlenstoffes aus dem Prüfmaterial in freigesetztes Kohlenstoffdioxid.
Die in dieser Europäischen Norm beschriebenen Bedingungen sind nicht notwendigerweise gleich jenen, die zum Erreichen der maximalen Umsetzungsrate in Kohlenstoffdioxid führen.
Emballage - Evaluation de la biodégradabilité aérobie ultime et de la désintégration des matériaux d'emballage dans des conditions contrôlées de compostage - Méthode par analyse du dioxyde de carbone libéré
Embalaža – Vrednotenje končne aerobne biorazgradljivosti in razkroja embalažnih materialov pod nadzorovanimi pogoji kompostiranja – Metoda z analizo sproščenega ogljikovega dioksida
General Information
Overview
EN 14046:2003 is a CEN (European) standard that defines a laboratory method to evaluate the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials under controlled composting conditions. The method measures the carbon dioxide (CO2) released during aerobic composting of packaging materials to quantify the percentage and rate at which the material’s carbon is converted to CO2. The test simulates typical intensive aerobic composting for the organic fraction of mixed municipal solid waste and uses a compost-derived inoculum, controlled temperature, aeration and humidity.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Biodegradation is determined from cumulative CO2 evolution compared with the theoretical maximum CO2 (ThCO2) calculated from the material’s carbon content (TOC or elemental analysis).
- Inoculum: Mature, well‑aerated compost (preferably 2–4 months old) screened and characterised for solids and activity.
- Controlled conditions: Static composting vessels in an enclosure at a stable elevated temperature (standard specifies close control around typical intensive composting temperatures) with monitored aeration and humidity.
- CO2 measurement: Continuous or periodic monitoring of CO2 released from test and blank vessels (direct analysers or absorption/DIC techniques).
- Reference and controls: Use of a positive control reference material (cellulose) to verify inoculum activity; blank controls monitor background respiration.
- Sample preparation: Test materials are prepared as compact pieces (films, bars, granules) or reduced to reproducible sizes; TOC and dry/volatile solids are measured to calculate ThCO2 and optional weight‑loss.
- Output: Percentage biodegradation, biodegradation rate curves (lag, biodegradation, plateau phases), optional weight‑loss data, and a formal test report with conditions and validity checks.
Practical applications and users
EN 14046:2003 is useful for:
- Packaging manufacturers and material developers assessing compostability claims and reformulating materials for better biodegradability.
- Testing laboratories conducting standardized biodegradation and compostability testing for product certification and quality control.
- Waste management organisations and composting operators evaluating how packaging behaves in intensive composting systems.
- Regulators and ecolabel schemes that require evidence of ultimate aerobic biodegradability under controlled composting conditions.
- R&D teams and sustainability consultants studying biodegradation rates, carbon conversion, and disintegration behaviour in composting environments.
Related standards
This method is part of the family of composting and CO2‑evolution biodegradability tests. For comprehensive compliance and comparative testing, consult other national, CEN and international methods addressing compostability, CO2 evolution tests, TOC analysis and disintegration under composting conditions.
Keywords: EN 14046:2003, packaging biodegradability, controlled composting, aerobic biodegradability, carbon dioxide analysis, compost inoculum, TOC, biodegradation testing, compostability.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.L]RVerpackung - Bestimmung der vollständigen aeroben biologischen Abbaubarkeit von Packstoffen unter kontrollierten Kompostierbedingungen - Verfahren mittels Analyse des freigesetzten KohlenstoffdioxidsEmballage - Evaluation de la biodégradabilité aérobie ultime et de la désintégration des matériaux d'emballage dans des conditions contrôlées de compostage - Méthode par analyse du dioxyde de carbone libéréPackaging - Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of released carbon dioxide55.040SDNLUDQMHPackaging materials and accessories13.030.99Drugi standardi v zvezi z odpadkiOther standards related to wastesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14046:2003SIST EN 14046:2003en01-julij-2003SIST EN 14046:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14046March 2003ICS 13.030.99; 55.040English versionPackaging - Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradabilityand disintegration of packaging materials under controlledcomposting conditions - Method by analysis of released carbondioxideEmballage - Evaluation de la biodégradabilité aérobieultime et de la désintégration des matériaux d'emballagedans des conditions contrôlées de compostage - Méthodepar analyse du dioxyde de carbone libéréVerpackung - Bestimmung der vollständigen aerobenbiologischen Abbaubarkeit und Desintegration vonPackstoffen unter kontrollierten Kompostierbedingungen -Verfahren mittels Analyse des freigesetztenKohlenstoffdioxidsThis 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 14046:2003 ESIST EN 14046:2003
Principle of a test system with released carbon dioxide.12Annex B (informative)
Example of a carbon dioxide release and a biodegradation curve.13Annex C (informative)
Example of weight loss determination.15Annex D (informative)
Information - Ring test.18Annex E (informative)
Example of form sheets.19Bibliography.22SIST EN 14046:2003
tensile bars, granules or powder. The maximumsurface area of a compact test material used should be about 2 cm ´ 2 cm. In case the original test material is larger,reduce it in particle size.SIST EN 14046:2003
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 14046:2003 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Packaging - Evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of released carbon dioxide". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a method for the evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials based on organic compounds under controlled composting conditions by measurement of released carbon dioxide at the end of the test. This method is designed to resemble typical aerobic composting conditions for the organic fraction of mixed municipal solid waste. The packaging material is exposed in a laboratory test to an inoculum which is derived from compost. The aerobic composting takes place in an environment where especially temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled. The test method is designed to yield a percentage and rate of conversion of carbon of the test material to released carbon dioxide. The conditions described in this European Standard do not necessarily always correspond to the optimal conditions allowing the maximum degree of biodegradation to occur.
This European Standard specifies a method for the evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials based on organic compounds under controlled composting conditions by measurement of released carbon dioxide at the end of the test. This method is designed to resemble typical aerobic composting conditions for the organic fraction of mixed municipal solid waste. The packaging material is exposed in a laboratory test to an inoculum which is derived from compost. The aerobic composting takes place in an environment where especially temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled. The test method is designed to yield a percentage and rate of conversion of carbon of the test material to released carbon dioxide. The conditions described in this European Standard do not necessarily always correspond to the optimal conditions allowing the maximum degree of biodegradation to occur.
SIST EN 14046:2003 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 14046:2003 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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