Bioplaster: Fakta och siffror 1
FAQ JUN 2017 European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr.
19/20 10117 Berlin phone fax European Bioplastics e.V. IX STANDARDISATION, CERTIFICATION, LABELLING What are the relevant standards for bioplastics? Working Group 3 of the Technical Committee (TC) 411 of CEN has developed different standards for the measurement of the renewable content of bio-based materials and, therefore, bioplastics. Most importantly, the European norm EN 16640 „Bio-based products – Determination of the bio-based carbon content of products using the radiocarbon method“, published in 2017, describes how to measure the carbon isotope 14C (radiocarbon method). In addition, the standard EN 16785-1 „Bio-based products – Bio-based content – Part 1: Determination of the bio-based content using the radiocarbon analysis and elemental analysis“ has been developed to also account for other biobased elements in a polymer through elemental analysis. EN 13432 “Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation” is the European standard for biodegradable packaging designed for treatment in industrial composting facilities and anaerobic digestion. It requires at least 90% disintegration after twelve weeks and includes tests on ecotoxicity and heavy metal content. There is currently no international standard specifying the conditions for home composting of biodegradable plastics. However, there are several national standards, such as the Australian norm AS 5810 “Biodegradable plastics – biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting” as well as the French standard NF T 51800 “Plastics — Specifications for plastics suitable for home composting” requires at least 90% degradation in 12 months at ambient temperature. A new standard EN 17033 “Biodegradable mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture – Requirements and test methods” (expected to be published in 2017) specifies the requirements for biodegradable films, manufactured from thermoplastic materials, to be used for mulching applications in agriculture and horticulture, which are not intended to be removed. A degradation of at least 90% in two years at preferably 25°C will be required. For a comprehensive overview of all relevant standards and labels for bioplastics, please have a look at our fact sheet: http://docs.europeanbioplastics.org/publications/fs/EUBP_FS_Standards.pdf http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/standards/ How do standard, certification and label work together? A standard can be used as the basis for a certification scheme if it clearly defines the criteria and the testing procedures for the material or product. Once the certifier confirms compliance with the defined requirements, the respective product can be labelled with the corresponding logo. http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/standards/ http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/fs/EUBP_FS_Standards.pdf Graphs: Logos for certification http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/standards/labels/ http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/fs/EUBP_FS_Standards.pdf http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/EUBP_Environmental_communications_guide.pdf Which institutions are involved in the certification of bioplastics in Europe? e-mail web Marienstr. 19/20, 10117 Berlin +49.30.28 48 23 50 +49.30.28 48 23 59 info@european-bioplastics.org www.european-bioplastics.org Certification of biodegradable/compostable products is available from Vinçotte (Belgium) and DIN CERTCO (Germany) or one of its co-operating institutes such as AfOR (UK) and COBRO (Poland). The Seedling logo for industrial compostable plastic packaging (based on EN 13432) can be acquired from Vinçotte or DIN CERTCO following successful certification. Certification for bio-based products based on EN 16640 is available from DIN CERTCO (Germany) and Vinçotte (Belgium). http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/standards/certification/ http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/fs/EUBP_FS_Standards.pdf Which labels for bioplastic products do exist in Europe? Labels referring to the bio-based content are for example DIN-Geprüft biobased, OK biobased (both offering different labels reflecting the product’s share of bio-based content), and the new logo by Nederlandse Norm (NEN), based on EN 16785-1. Labels for industrially compostable products are, for example, the Seedling Logo, OK Compost, and DIN-Geprüft Industrial Compostable. Labels proving home compostability are OK compost Home and the DINGeprüft Home Compostable Mark. The label OK biodegradable Soil is certified by Vinçotte in case a product meets the requirement of their certification scheme. DIN CERTCO awards DIN-Geprüft biodegradable in soil in accordance with CEN/TR 15822. VR 19997 Nz, Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, USt-IdNr. DE235874231 HypoVereinsbank Rosenheim, BLZ 711 200 77, Konto 6356800, IBAN DE26 7112 0077 0006 3568 00, BIC/SWIFT HYVEDEMM448 23