Plastics - Evaluation of disposability in waste water treatment plants - Test scheme for final acceptance and specifications

This European Standard specifies test methods and criteria which are to be applied in order to verify if a solid plastic material can be considered as disposable in waste water treatment plants, i.e. it does not create problems for the environment and for the drainage systems. In order to reach this conclusion it needs be verified that the plastic material under evaluation is biodegradable under aerobic conditions (i.e. susceptible to mineralization) and water soluble or water dispersible.
NOTE   Plastic materials which are shown to be in compliance with this European Standard can be used to produce items which, for their characteristics of water solubility or water dispersibility and biodegradability, can be eventually disposed of in municipal or industrial waste water treatment plants, through the sewage.

Kunststoffe - Bewertung der Entsorgbarkeit in Kläranlagen - Prüfplan für Endabnahme und Spezifikationen

Plastiques - Evaluation de l'aptitude des plastiques a etre éliminés dans des stations de traitement des eaux usées - Plan d'essai pour acceptation finale et spécifications

La présente Norme Européenne spécifie les méthodes d’essai et les critères qui doivent être appliqués pour vérifier si un matériau plastique solide peut être considéré comme éliminable dans des stations de traitement des eaux usées, et donc non susceptible d’induire des problèmes pour l’environnement et les systèmes d’assainissement. Pour en conclure qu’il est éliminable dans ces stations, il est nécessaire de vérifier que le matériau plastique soumis à l’évaluation est biodégradable dans des conditions aérobies (c’est-à-dire apte à la minéralisation), et soluble ou dispersable dans l’eau.
NOTE   Les matériaux plastiques conformes à la présente Norme Européenne peuvent être utilisés pour fabriquer des articles qui, en raison de leur solubilité ou dispersabilité dans l’eau et de leur biodégradabilité, peuvent en fin de vie être éliminés dans les stations de traitement des eaux usées urbaines ou industrielles.

Polimerni materiali - Vrednotenje primernosti za odlaganje v čistilnih napravah za odpadno vodo - Preskusna shema za končni prevzem in specifikacije

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
31-Mar-2007
Withdrawal Date
31-Mar-2007
ICS
13.060.30 - Sewage water
 
83.080.01 - Plastics in general
Technical Committee
IPMA - Polimer materials and products
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
01-Apr-2007
Due Date
01-Apr-2007
Completion Date
01-Apr-2007
Ref Project
EN 14987:2006 - Plastics - Evaluation of disposability in waste water treatment plants - Test scheme for final acceptance and specifications

Overview

SIST EN 14987:2007 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies the test scheme and acceptance criteria to evaluate the disposability of solid plastic materials in waste water treatment plants. This standard focuses on ensuring that plastics do not pose environmental or drainage issues when disposed of through municipal or industrial sewage systems. Plastics compliant with SIST EN 14987:2007 must demonstrate biodegradability under aerobic conditions and possess either water solubility or water dispersibility. This testing confirms that plastics can be safely and effectively processed in conventional waste water treatment plants without impacting system performance or environmental safety.

Key Topics

  • Biodegradability Testing:
    The standard employs respirometric test methods based on EN ISO 14851 and EN ISO 14852 to measure the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastics by quantifying oxygen demand or carbon dioxide evolution. Biodegradability is confirmed if the plastic material reaches at least 90% mineralization within 56 days compared to a reference material (soluble starch or microcrystalline cellulose).

  • Water Solubility and Dispersibility Assessment:
    SIST EN 14987:2007 defines plastics as water soluble or water dispersible based on their ability to dissolve or fragment in water at specific temperatures (cold ≤ 25 °C, hot ≥ 60 °C). Testing involves stirring the plastic specimen in water and measuring the fraction that passes through a 0.45 µm filter (soluble fraction, S) or fragments smaller than 10 mm (dispersible fraction, D). A fraction of ≥ 0.9 qualifies a plastic as soluble or dispersible.

  • Test Conditions and Equipment:
    Standardized testing uses controlled temperatures, specific water pH conditions, magnetic stirring at 150 rpm, and filtration or sieving apparatus. Samples reflect the actual product’s structure and density, ensuring realistic evaluation of disposability.

  • Classification of Plastics:
    Plastics are classified as either cold or hot water soluble/dispersible, affecting their application and disposal. Hot water soluble plastics require exposure to elevated temperatures for disposal. Water dispersible plastics are typically unsuitable where the dissolved material must pass through small pipes or filters.

Applications

  • Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment:
    EN 14987 provides manufacturers and wastewater managers with validated methods to determine if plastic products can be safely disposed of via sewage systems without causing blockages or environmental harm.

  • Product Development and Certification:
    Plastic producers can use this standard to design biodegradable and water-soluble/dispersible products, such as packaging, laundry bags, or hygiene products, that comply with sustainable disposal requirements.

  • Environmental Safety Compliance:
    Regulatory bodies and industries benefit from the standard to evaluate and ensure plastics meet environmental protection criteria for biodegradability and safe breakdown in wastewater environments.

  • Sewage System Management:
    By identifying plastics that are compatible with wastewater treatment processes, municipalities can reduce infrastructure maintenance issues and improve overall system efficiency.

Related Standards

  • EN ISO 14851: Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastics in an aqueous medium by measuring oxygen demand in a closed respirometer.

  • EN ISO 14852: Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastics in an aqueous medium by analyzing evolved carbon dioxide.

  • ISO 3310: Specifications for test sieves, relevant for the sieving step during water dispersibility testing.

Summary

SIST EN 14987:2007 is an essential standard for establishing the environmental compatibility and disposability of plastic materials in waste water treatment plants. It guides product developers, wastewater professionals, and regulators in evaluating biodegradable and water soluble/dispersible plastics, ensuring protection of municipal drainage infrastructure and minimizing environmental impacts. Compliance with EN 14987 supports sustainable waste management practices aligned with European environmental regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

SIST EN 14987:2007 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Plastics - Evaluation of disposability in waste water treatment plants - Test scheme for final acceptance and specifications". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies test methods and criteria which are to be applied in order to verify if a solid plastic material can be considered as disposable in waste water treatment plants, i.e. it does not create problems for the environment and for the drainage systems. In order to reach this conclusion it needs be verified that the plastic material under evaluation is biodegradable under aerobic conditions (i.e. susceptible to mineralization) and water soluble or water dispersible. NOTE Plastic materials which are shown to be in compliance with this European Standard can be used to produce items which, for their characteristics of water solubility or water dispersibility and biodegradability, can be eventually disposed of in municipal or industrial waste water treatment plants, through the sewage.

This European Standard specifies test methods and criteria which are to be applied in order to verify if a solid plastic material can be considered as disposable in waste water treatment plants, i.e. it does not create problems for the environment and for the drainage systems. In order to reach this conclusion it needs be verified that the plastic material under evaluation is biodegradable under aerobic conditions (i.e. susceptible to mineralization) and water soluble or water dispersible. NOTE Plastic materials which are shown to be in compliance with this European Standard can be used to produce items which, for their characteristics of water solubility or water dispersibility and biodegradability, can be eventually disposed of in municipal or industrial waste water treatment plants, through the sewage.

SIST EN 14987:2007 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.060.30 - Sewage water; 83.080.01 - Plastics in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST EN 14987:2007 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Plastics - Evaluation of disposability in waste water treatment plants - Test scheme for final acceptance and specificationsPlastiques - Evaluation de l'aptitude des plastiques a etre éliminés dans des stations de traitement des eaux usées - Plan d'essai pour acceptation finale et spécificationsKunststoffe - Bewertung der Entsorgbarkeit in Kläranlagen - Prüfplan für Endabnahme und SpezifikationenTa slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14987:2006SIST EN 14987:2007en;fr;de83.080.01Polimerni materiali na splošnoPlastics in general13.060.30Odpadna vodaSewage waterICS:SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 14987:200701-april-2007

EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14987November 2006ICS 13.060.30; 83.080.01 English VersionPlastics - Evaluation of disposability in waste water treatmentplants - Test scheme for final acceptance and specificationsPlastiques - Evaluation de l'aptitude des plastiques à êtreéliminés dans des stations de traitement des eaux usées -Plan d'essai pour acceptation finale et spécificationsKunststoffe - Bewertung der Entsorgbarkeit in Kläranlagen -Prüfplan für Endabnahme und SpezifikationenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 6 October 2006.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 Central Secretariat 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 Central Secretariat has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2006 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14987:2006: E

3.2 hot water water at a temperature ≥ 60 °C 3.3 cold water soluble plastic water soluble plastic which can be solubilized in cold water 3.4 hot water soluble plastic water soluble plastic which can be solubilized in hot water 3.5 water dispersible plastic plastic item that is able to readily fragments in water in particles lower than 10 mm size
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