To effectively reduce the accumulation of plastic waste, materials labeled biodegradable or compostable must actually decompose under the intended disposal conditions, within a reasonable timeframe, and without releasing toxic substances. However, an environmental claim is only valid if it can be demonstrated. This is precisely the role of testing standards: to provide an objective, reproducible, and recognized method for verifying that these criteria are indeed met.
Biodegradability tests can be performed according to various standards—EN, ISO, OECD, ASTM, or national standards—depending on the conditions under which the material is expected to degrade and the objective of the analysis project. For research and development purposes, a simple biodegradability screening is generally sufficient. However, demonstrating that a material can be effectively processed within the biowaste collection system requires a comprehensive compostability assessment. Before delving into the details of the standards, it is helpful to review the scope of the materials involved: our article on polymers, their properties, and their laboratory analysis lays the groundwork. This article then provides a structured overview of biodegradability standards, their parameters, and their applications.
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Why the regulatory context makes this topic unavoidable
Evolving European regulations are placing biodegradability at the forefront of concerns for packaging manufacturers. The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR )will require certain compostable packaging to comply with harmonized standards from February 12, 2028. Specifically, PPWR compliance tests will have to be carried out according to the updated industrial compostability standard, or according to the new home compostability standard, once these standards are available.
This deadline transforms what was previously a largely voluntary issue into a key regulatory requirement. Anticipating the choice of standards and planning tests therefore becomes a strategic advantage for manufacturers of packaging and bio-based materials. To help you identify the test best suited to your product and objective, we have also created a dedicated factsheet on biodegradability validation.
Overview of the main standards
These standards are part of the broader body of standardized methods governing chemical safety testing, the organization of which we detail in our article on OECD guidelines. The table below summarizes a selection of standards covering biodegradation, ecotoxicity, and compostability, along with their analyzed parameters and typical applications. It serves as a reference point for identifying the appropriate standard for each situation.
| Standard | Parameter(s) analyzed | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| OECD 120 | Water solubility / polymer extraction behavior | Compliance with the REACH microplastics restriction; solubility exemption documentation |
| OECD 201 | Inhibition of freshwater microalgae growth; ErC50, NOEC | Characterization of aquatic hazards under REACH |
| OECD 202 | Acute immobilization of Daphnia magna ; EC50 | Characterization of aquatic hazards under REACH |
| OECD 207 | Acute toxicity to earthworms (Eisenia foetida); LC50 | Characterization of terrestrial hazards under REACH; plant protection products |
| OECD 208 | Emergence and growth of higher plants; ECx/ERx, NOEC | Risk assessment on non-target plants (REACH, Regulation 1107/2009) |
| OECD 209 | Inhibition of activated sludge respiration; EC50, NOEC | Toxicity to microorganisms under REACH; compatibility with wastewater treatment |
| OECD 301 | Easy biodegradability in fresh water (sub-methods A to F); % mineralization | REACH requirements regarding the environmental fate of surfactants (Regulation 648/2004) |
| OECD 306 | Aerobic biodegradability in seawater; % COD elimination or O₂ consumption | Easily biodegradable; REACH compliant; EU Ecolabel for lubricants |
| OECD 310 | Easy biodegradability via CO₂ release in a sealed bottle (headspace test); % ThIC | Easy biodegradability; REACH compliant; surfactants; microplastics restriction |
| EN 13432 | Biodegradability, disintegration, ecotoxicity, heavy metal content | Industrial compostability certification of packaging; PPWR compliance |
| EN 14995 | Same as EN 13432 | Industrial compostability of plastics other than packaging |
| ISO 14855 | Aerobic biodegradability under controlled composting conditions; % of CO₂ released | R&D screening prior to full compostability assessment |
| ISO 17088 | Biodegradability, disintegration, ecotoxicity, heavy metals | Industrial compostability certification; international equivalent of EN 13432 |
| ISO 17556 | Aerobic biodegradability in soil; % of CO₂ or O₂ consumption | Assessment of biodegradation in soil (plastics, packaging, agricultural materials) |
| ISO 23977 | Aerobic biodegradability of plastics in seawater; CO₂ or O₂ | Marine biodegradability; certification of materials exposed to the marine environment |
| ASTM D6400 | Biodegradability, disintegration, ecotoxicity, heavy metals | Industrial compostability labeling (United States); comparable to EN 13432 |
| ASTM D6691 | Aerobic biodegradability in seawater by CO₂ release; % carbon conversion | Claims regarding the marine biodegradability of plastics |
| AS 5810 | Biodegradability, disintegration, ecotoxicity, heavy metals at room temperature | Home compostability certification (Australia); international use |
| NF T51-800 | Biodegradability, disintegration, ecotoxicity, heavy metals at room temperature | Certification of home compostability (France); international use |
Glossary of parameters
To facilitate understanding of these standards, here are the main indicators used. EC50 designates the concentration resulting in a 50% reduction of the measured parameter compared to the control; ErC50 is the variant based on the growth rate, used in tests on algae. LC50 corresponds to the concentration causing 50% mortality over the defined exposure period. NOEC is the highest concentration tested without a statistically significant effect, while LOEC is the first concentration, just above it, to produce a significant effect. The ECx/ERx values express the concentration (or application rate) resulting in an x% change in the measured parameter. Finally, ThIC (theoretical inorganic carbon) represents the maximum CO₂ that would be produced by complete mineralization of the substance, the "% mineralization" the proportion of carbon actually converted to CO₂, and the "% COD removal" the reduction of dissolved organic carbon during the test.
Among these reference standards, the OECD 301 series occupies a central place for soluble organic substances: we detail the process, sub-methods and thresholds in our sheet dedicated to theanalysis of biodegradability – OECD 301 test.
Industrial compostability trials
The objective of industrial compostability testing is to ensure that a biodegradable material can be safely and effectively disposed of through the organic waste stream. In Europe, the harmonized reference standard for determining whether packaging can be classified as compostable under industrial conditions is EN 13432. However, it should be noted that its current edition, dating from 2000, will soon be updated so that the composting times and permissible contamination levels better reflect the actual conditions of biowaste treatment facilities.
To comply with EN 13432:2000, packaging must meet four minimum requirements. The constituent characterization requires that the material contain at least 50% volatile solids—a parameter generally determined by loss on ignition or thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) —and that it does not contain heavy metals or toxic substances at concentrations likely to harm the environment. Biodegradation requires that at least 90% of the material degrades within six months under aerobic conditions, at a temperature generally set at 58 ± 2 °C, in accordance with ISO 14855. Disintegration requires that, after twelve weeks of aerobic composting, at least 90% of the material (by dry mass) passes through a 2 mm sieve. Finally, the ecotoxicity and compost quality criterion requires that the compost obtained after disintegration has no adverse effect on plant growth.
These tests are often part of a broader quality control approach for packaging, which also covers the mechanical properties and regulatory compliance of materials. For packaging intended for food contact, they are frequently combined with a migration testto verify that no substances pass into the food (Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004).
One often overlooked aspect concerns communication: the end user must be able to recognize packaging as compostable in order to direct them to the correct recycling stream. It is also important to clearly indicate whether the "compostable" label applies to the product inside or to the packaging itself.
Other industrial compostability standards follow a comparable testing procedure, including EN 14995, ISO 17088, and ASTM D6400, all designed for compostable plastics. Furthermore, ISO 14855, which focuses on ultimate aerobic biodegradability, is frequently used to compare different material formulations during the development phase, before confirming compostability using a more comprehensive standard.
Home compostability trials
The conditions for home composting vary considerably from one household to another, making it difficult to define typical temperature or humidity parameters. This is why there is currently no European or international standard for home compostability. However, a harmonized European standard is expected to be developed soon, driven by the PPWR (Plant Protection and Restoration Project).
Pending the publication of this new standard, the Australian standard AS 5810 and the French standard NF T51-800 are the most commonly used to assess compostability in home composting. The parameters covered by AS 5810 are largely identical to those of EN 13432, with the most notable differences concerning the biodegradation conditions and permitted decomposition times.
The acceptance criteria for home compostable packaging are as follows. Characterization requires a minimum of 50% volatile solids and a heavy metal content not exceeding the specified thresholds, identical to those of EN 13432. Biodegradability requires that at least 90% (by mass) of the material degrades under aerobic conditions within twelve months at 25 ± 5 °C, with tests conducted in accordance with EN 14855. Disintegration requires that after 180 days in a controlled composting environment, at least 90% (by mass) of the material passes through a 2 mm sieve, with any residue being indistinguishable from the compost to the naked eye at a distance of 500 mm. Finally, the resulting compost must not negatively affect plant growth or worm survival. As with industrial testing, each component of the material must meet these requirements in order for the whole to be labeled home compostable.
The behavior of a bio-based material depends closely on its structure and composition: upstream characterization of polymers often allows for better anticipation of the results of compostability tests
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Biodegradation in soil and marine environments
Due to the highly controlled conditions involved, meeting compostability criteria does not guarantee that a material will biodegrade in the natural environment. Separate biodegradation tests are therefore necessary to assess degradation in soil or water, environments into which the material may end up accidentally or as a result of its use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or the fishing industry.
For biodegradability in soil, ISO 23517 is one of the most widely used standards. It covers constituent characterization, biodegradation, and ecotoxicity. While primarily aimed at agricultural and horticultural mulch films, it can also be used to evaluate other plastic materials. Biodegradation in marine environments is generally assessed using a combination of standards covering aerobic biodegradation (ISO 19679, ASTM D6691) and disintegration (ISO 23832) under simulated marine conditions. Tests under actual marine conditions can also be carried out using specific in-house methods.
These phenomena of degradation over time are also at the heart of accelerated aging tests, which make it possible to simulate the effect of time and environmental conditions on the durability of a material.
Choosing the right testing strategy
From this overview, a guiding principle emerges: there is no universal biodegradability test, but rather a family of methods to be selected according to the nature of the material, its intended disposal environment, and the regulatory or commercial objective. For a research and development phase involving the comparison of several materials, biodegradability screening based on ISO 14855 is often a relevant and cost-effective approach. For a certification process, however, it is necessary to consult comprehensive compostability standards (EN 13432, ISO 17088, ASTM D6400) or tests adapted to the real-world environment (soil, seawater).
When dealing with complex or recycled materials, a deformulation can be a useful prerequisite to testing, in order to precisely identify the material's components and anticipate their behavior. Given the upcoming PPWR deadline and the announced update of harmonized standards, it may be wise, for projects aiming for 2028 regulatory compliance, to integrate this development into testing planning now. A poorly chosen test or one based on an outdated standard version could indeed require retesting. To guide you in this choice, our biodegradability validation compares the main methods according to your product type.
Conduct your biodegradability tests with YesWeLab
At YesWeLab, we collaborate with a rigorously selected network of laboratories, most of which are certified and/or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC, etc.). These laboratories are chosen based on your specific needs, the matrices to be analyzed, and the required analytical techniques or methods, from our full range of analytical methods.
The main challenge in biodegradability validation lies in selecting the appropriate standard for your material and objective. Our scientific team will guide you through this selection process, whether it involves R&D screening, industrial or domestic compostability certification, or biodegradation assessment in soil or marine environments. You will also benefit from access to a catalog of over 10,000 analyses and personalized support throughout your project.
Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have trusted us to manage their analyses, entrusting us with their samples via our digital platform.
To learn more or to submit a specific need, contact our team now.
