BS EN 13432:2000 Packaging

Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging

This European Standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability and anaerobic treatability of packaging and packaging materials by addressing four characteristics: 1) biodegradability; 2) disintegration during biological treatment; 3) effect on the biological treatment process; 4) effect on the quality of the resulting compost. In case of a packaging formed by different components, some of which are compostable and some other not, the packaging itself, as a whole is not compostable.

Content BS EN 13432:2000:

Foreword
lntroduction
Scope
1 Normative referenoes
2 Terms and deflnll ions
3 Requirements
3.1 Control of constltuentseAssessmen1
4.2.1 General
4.2.2 Characterlzatlon
4.2.3 Biodegradablllty
4.2.4 Dislntegration
4 . 2.5 Compost quallty
4.2.6 Recognizablli t y
4.3 Exemptions.
4.3.1 Equivalent form
4.3.2 Materials of natural origin
4.4 Reoording of assessment outcome
4.4.1 Cheok list
4.4.2 Supporting documentation
4.5 Applica ti on
5 Organb:ation ot a test scheme
6 Laboratory tests on biodegradability
7 Determlnation of dislntegratlon
8 Quatlty of the flnal, compost
8.1 Ratlonale
8.2 Determlnatlon of negativ e effect
Annex A (normative) Evaluatlon cri terla
Annex B (inrormatfve) Flow chart of evaluation of organic recoverablllty of packaging
Annex C (inrorma tive) Reoommended format for a oonformity assessment cheoklist
Annex D (informative) Prerequisites and quality of compost for evaluating composting ot paokaging
Annex E (normative) Determination of ecotox ic effects to higher plants
Annex Z (intormative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other
provisions
Bibliography

Reference documents:

EN 13193-Packaging. Packaging and the environment. Terminology

EN 13427-Packaging. Requirements for the use of European Standards in the field of packaging and packaging waste

EN 13437-Packaging and material recycling. Criteria for recycling methods. Description of recycling processes and flow chart

EN 12880-Characterization of sludges. Determination of dry residue and water content

ISO 10634-Water quality — Preparation and treatment of poorly water-soluble organic compounds for the subsequent evaluation of their biodegradability in an aqueous medium

ISO 11074-1-Soil quality — Vocabulary

ISO 11734-Water quality — Evaluation of the "ultimate" anaerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in digested sludge — Method by measurement of the biogas production

ISO 14853-Plastics — Determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in an aqueous system — Method by measurement of biogas production

ISO/TR 15462-Water quality — Selection of tests for biodegradability

ISO 15985-Plastics — Determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradation under high-solids anaerobic-digestion conditions — Method by analysis of released biogas

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 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

This standard is harmonized throught European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste.

Testing for certification according EN 13432 usually comprise these points:
-Chemical test
-Ecotoxicity test
-Practical test of compostability in an industrial composting facility:
-Disintegration
-Biodegradability in controlled composting conditions (CO2 production) 

Testing for EN 13432 can be provide via these laboratories:
Impact Solution UK

TÜV Rheinland

RespirTek, Inc US

This standard BS EN 13432:2000 Packaging. Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.030.99 Other standards related to wastes
• 55.040 Packaging materials and accessories
• 13.030.50 Recycling
• 55.020 Packaging and distribution of goods in general