BS EN 17427:2022

BSI Standards Publication

Packaging — Requirements and test scheme

for carrier bags suitable for treatment in well-
managed home composting installations
BS EN 17427:2022 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 17427:2022.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee PKW/0/-/1, Packaging - Biodegradability.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its committee manager.
Contractual and legal considerations
This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no
representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or
implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be
accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or
reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and
liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.
This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the
recipient’s own risk.
The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with
respect to its use of this publication.
This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are
responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2022
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2022
ISBN 978 0 539 05196 4
ICS 55.080
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 June 2022.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 17427
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2022

ICS 55.080

English Version

Packaging - Requirements and test scheme for carrier

bags suitable for treatment in well-managed home
composting installations
Emballage - Exigences et programme d’essai pour Verpackung - Anforderungen an und Prüfmethoden
les sacs de transport aptes au traitement dans des für heimkompostierbare Tragetaschen
installations de compostage domestique bien gérées

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 April 2022.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving
this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical
references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC 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 translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1[Link] E
worldwide for CEN national Members
BS EN 17427:2022
EN 17427:2022 (E)

Contents Page

European foreword............................................................................................................................................................................................................. iii

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. iv
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3 Terms and definitions...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4 Principle......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5 General requirements...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.1 Assessment.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
5.1.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.1.2 Characterization............................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.1.3 Biodegradation................................................................................................................................................................ 10
5.1.4 Disintegration................................................................................................................................................................... 10
5.1.5 Compost quality.............................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.1.6 Labelling................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
5.2 Equivalent form.................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
5.3 Carrier bag consisting ofmultiple components......................................................................................................... 10
5.4 Materials of natural origin.......................................................................................................................................................... 10
6 Detailed requirements.................................................................................................................................................................................11
6.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
6.2 Characterization.................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
6.2.1 Control of constituents............................................................................................................................................. 11
6.2.2 Volatile solids.................................................................................................................................................................... 12
6.2.3 Identifying characteristics..................................................................................................................................... 12
6.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation.......................................................................................................................................... 13
6.3.1 General requirements................................................................................................................................................ 13
6.3.2 Specific requirements................................................................................................................................................ 14
6.3.3 Test duration..................................................................................................................................................................... 15
6.3.4 Validity criteria................................................................................................................................................................ 15
6.4 Disintegration........................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
6.4.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
6.4.2 Weight evaluation method of disintegration/Requirements.................................................. 16
6.4.3 Test duration..................................................................................................................................................................... 16
6.5 Effects on compost quality.......................................................................................................................................................... 16
6.5.1 Compost production................................................................................................................................................... 16
6.5.2 Determination of negative effect to terrestrial organisms........................................................ 16
6.5.3 Requirements................................................................................................................................................................... 18
7 Test report................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Annex A (normative) Determination of ecotoxic effects to higher plants...................................................................20
Annex B (normative) Determination of acute ecotoxic effects to earthworms......................................................22
Annex C (normative) Determination of chronic ecotoxic effects to earthworms.................................................23
Annex D (normative) Determination of nitrification activity of soil microorganisms...................................25
Annex E (informative) Features of well-managed home composting...............................................................................27
Annex F (informative) Information about home composting...................................................................................................29
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 31

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

European foreword
This document (EN 17427:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261 “Packaging”,
the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2022, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 2022.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic
of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.

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BS EN 17427:2022
EN 17427:2022 (E)

Introduction
EN 13432:2000 specifies the requirements relating to packaging (including carrier bags) recovered
through organic recycling (e.g. aerobic composting) in municipal or industrial biological waste
treatment facilities. Carrier bags compliant with EN 13432:2000 are thus called “compostable” to
indicate that they are suitable for this recovery option. However, the term “composting” is also used to
designate “home composting” and this can generate confusion for the citizen.
Home composting is a practice used by private individuals to treat garden and food waste generated at
household level and produce compost for personal gardening use. Despite the common name, industrial
and home composting are two very different activities, the former being a controlled waste treatment
process and the latter being a gardening activity.
Home composting is affected by the feeding regime (usually discontinuous in quality, quantity, and
intervals), by the composting style of the householder (accurate or careless), and by the local climatic
conditions. The small dimensions of composting installations usually do not allow the generation of
heat enough to sustain high temperatures.
As a result, conditions in home composting can be very different from conditions in industrial
composting. As a result of this, a carrier bag recognized as “compostable” according to EN 13432:2000
cannot automatically be considered as suitable for treatment in a well-managed home composting
installation (see 3.5 and Informative Annexes E and F ).
This document has been prepared in order to define the necessary characteristics of carrier bags
for displaying biodegradation and disintegration behaviour compatible with well-managed home
composting installations.

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

1 Scope
This document specifies a testing scheme and requirements for the designation of carrier bags of any
materials that are considered to be suitable for incorporation into well-managed home composting
installations for non-commercial purposes with a home composting cycle of normally at least 12
months. Carrier bags are considered as home compostable in a well-managed system only if all the
individual components meet the requirements.
The following four aspects are addressed:
a) characterization;
b) biodegradation in well managed home composting;
c) disintegration in well managed home composting; and
d) home compost quality.
The four aspects, a) to d), are assessing the effects on the biological treatment process and the
compost made by it.
This document forms the basis for the labelling of carrier bags that are considered to be suitable for the
incorporation into well-managed home composting installations.
NOTE 1 Compliance with the requirements of this document by the carrier bags entering the compost does
not necessarily imply that a high-quality compost will be produced.

This document covers the suitability of carrier bags for the incorporation into well managed home
composting installations but does not address regulations that may exist regarding the suitability of
anything disposed together with the carrier bag to home composting.
This document provides a set of guidance on the parameters, boundaries and processes required to
engage in well managed, aerobic, home composting. Alternative composting methods and systems may
not provide the conditions necessary for the successful home composting of carrier bags which comply
with the requirements of this document.
NOTE 2 Additional general information about home composting is provided in Annex F.

The testing scheme and the requirements specified by this document do not apply to worm composting,
industrial composting nor community composting. It also does not provide information on the
biodegradability of carrier bags ending up in the environment as litter.
This document includes a reference to features of well-managed home composting (Annex E).
The compost produced via home composting by a private individual is for private use only and not for
provision to others, free of charge or in return for payment. Therefore, this document has no value as a
marketing authorization or authorization of use of the final compost.
NOTE 3 The testing scheme and evaluation criteria could be the basis for the establishment of suitability to
home composting of other products.

NOTE 4 The purpose of testing activity b) is to demonstrate the potential for ultimate biodegradation of the
test material when exposed to microbes active under mesophilic conditions (between 15 °C and 45 °C).

NOTE 5 The purpose of testing activity c) is to verify the thickness and/or grammage that allows a
full disintegration of the test product in a period consistent with a home composting cycle, under defined
environmental conditions. To allow for the potential for variations of local climatic conditions and consumer
application of well-managed home composting techniques, lower than optimal temperature profile has been
adopted for this test.

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
CEN/TR 13695‑2, Packaging - Requirements for measuring and verifying the four heavy metals and other
dangerous substances present in packaging, and their release into the environment - Part 2: Requirements for
measuring and verifying dangerous substances present in packaging, and their release into the environment
EN 14582, Characterization of waste - Halogen and sulfur content - Oxygen combustion in closed systems
and determination methods
EN 17428:20221), Packaging — Determination of the degree of disintegration under simulated home
composting conditions
EN ISO 536, Paper and board - Determination of grammage (ISO 536)
EN ISO 11268‑1, Soil quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms - Part 1: Determination of acute toxicity
to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei (ISO 11268-1)
EN ISO 11268‑2, Soil quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms - Part 2: Determination of effects on
reproduction of Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei (ISO 11268-2)
EN ISO 11269‑2:2013, Soil quality - Determination of the effects of pollutants on soil flora - Part 2: Effects
of contaminated soil on the emergence and early growth of higher plants (ISO 11269-2:2012)
EN ISO 12846, Water quality - Determination of mercury - Method using atomic absorption spectrometry
(AAS) with and without enrichment (ISO 12846)
EN 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 14851)
EN ISO 14852, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous
medium - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide (ISO 14852)
EN 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
(ISO 14855-1)
EN ISO 14855‑2, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under
controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide - Part 2: Gravimetric
measurement of carbon dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test (ISO 14855-2)
EN ISO 16929, Plastics - Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under defined
composting conditions in a pilot-scale test (ISO 16929)
EN ISO 17294‑2, Water quality - Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) -
Part 2: Determination of selected elements including uranium isotopes (ISO 17294-2)
EN ISO 17556, Plastics - Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in soil
by measuring the oxygen demand in a respirometer or the amount of carbon dioxide evolved (ISO 17556)
ISO 4591, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of average thickness of a sample, and average
thickness and yield of a roll, by gravimetric techniques (gravimetric thickness)
ISO 4593, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning
ISO 15685, Soil quality — Determination of potential nitrification and inhibition of nitrification — Rapid
test by ammonium oxidation

1) Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: FprEN 17428:2022.

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

OECD 208, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 2, Effects on Biotic Systems — Test No. 208:
Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at [Link]
— IEC Electropedia: available at [Link]
3.1
compost
organic soil conditioner obtained by biodegradation of a mixture consisting principally of vegetable
residues, occasionally with other organic material and having a limited mineral content
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.1]
3.2
composting
aerobic process designed to produce compost
NOTE Composting is classified into industrial composting, community composting, home composting and
worm composting.

[SOURCE: ISO 18606:2013, 3.2, modified – Note 1 to entry was added.]

3.3
industrial composting
composting process performed under controlled conditions on industrial scale with the aim of
producing compost for the market
NOTE In some regions industrial composting is refered to as professional composting.

3.4
home composting
composting process performed by private individuals with the aim of producing compost for
their own use
3.5
well-managed home composting
home composting practice which meets a minimum set of required conditions to convert biowaste
into compost
Note 1 to entry: See Annex E.

Note 2 to entry: For home composting a usual cycle time is at least 12 months.

3.6
community composting
controlled waste treatment process of organic waste collected from small neighbourhood or produced
by centralised sources (e.g. hospitals, canteens, restaurants) usually at a scale bigger than home
composting and smaller than industrial composting
3.7
worm composting
aerobic process using worms to recycle food scraps and other organic material into compost
NOTE The final compost is also called vermicompost, or worm compost.

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

3.8
carrier bag
bag, with or without handles, supplied to consumers with the purpose of containing and carrying goods
3.9
disintegration
physical breakdown of a material into very small fragments
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.4]
3.10
total dry solids
amount of solids obtained by taking a known volume of test material or compost and drying at about
105 °C to constant mass
[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.8]
3.11
intrinsic biodegradability
ability of a material to be biodegraded, established under controlled laboratory conditions
3.12
ultimate aerobic biodegradation
breakdown of an organic compound by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen into carbon dioxide,
water and mineral salts of any other elements present (mineralization) plus new biomass
[SOURCE: ISO 17088:2021, 3.10]
3.13
“ready” biodegradation
level of biodegradation achieved under defined conditions which indicates the test compound is
considered likely to degrade rapidly and completely under aerobic aquatic environmental conditions
[SOURCE: EN ISO 7827:2012, 3.6]
3.14
volatile solids
amount of solids obtained by subtracting the residue of a known volume of test material or compost
after incineration at about 550 °C from the total dry solids of the same sample
NOTE The volatile-solids content is an indication of the amount of organic matter present.

[SOURCE: EN ISO 20200:2015, 3.9]

3.15
constituent
<of a carrier bag material> all substances of which a carrier bag is composed of
NOTE This includes but is not limited to any colourants and inks.

3.16
organic constituent
chemical constituent that contains carbon covalently linked to other carbon atoms and to other
elements, most commonly hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen
Note 1 to entry: Inorganic carbonates, carbides, cyanides and simple oxides such as carbon monoxide and carbon
dioxide are not classified as organic constituent.

Note 2 to entry: Allotropes of carbon, such as diamond, graphite, carbon black, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes
are also not regarded as organic constituent.

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

3.17
component
<of a carrier bag> part of a carrier bag that can be separated by hand or by using simple physical means
EXAMPLE handles, lining, windows

3.18
organic carbon
amount of carbon bound in an organic material
[SOURCE: EN ISO 13833:2013, 3.4]
3.19
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
PFAS
organofluorine substance containing carbon-fluorine bonds and carbon-carbon bonds but also
other heteroatoms
3.20
plateau
phase reached in the course of a biodegradation test when no more CO2 is evolved from a vessel
containing the polymer than is evolved from the blank vessels (inoculum without addition of any
polymer or reference substance)
NOTE This is, in biological means, equal to the stationary phase (plateau phase) observed in batch growing curves.

4 Principle
The purpose of this document is to establish requirements for carrier bags that can be treated in well-
managed home composting installations.
A carrier bag is considered home compostable in a well-managed system if all of its components or the
whole carrier bag meet the requirements of this document.
The suitability of a carrier bag or its components is verified by the test scheme described in
this document.

5 General requirements

5.1 Assessment

5.1.1 General

Except as identified in 5.2 and 5.4, the assessment of the carrier bag or, if applicable, its individual
components shall include the following four assessment procedures:
— characterization (see 5.1.2);
— biodegradation (see 5.1.3);
— disintegration (see 5.1.4);
— compost quality (see 5.1.5).
For labelling, see 5.1.6.

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5.1.2 Characterization

Each carrier bag under investigation or, if applicable, its components shall be identified and
characterized prior testing, including at least:
— determination of the presence of regulated metals;
— information on PFAS (declaration of compliance), determination of inorganic fluorine;
— information on the presence of substances hazardous to the environment according to
CEN/TR 13695‑2 based on a self-declaration (declaration of compliance);
— information on the presence of substances of very high concern (SVHC) shall be recorded based on
a self-declaration (declaration of compliance);
— determination of volatile solids;
— other relevant identifying characteristics as specified in 6.2.3.

5.1.3 Biodegradation

To be designated as “home compostable in a well-managed system”, each component of the carrier bag,
if applicable, shall be intrinsically and ultimately biodegradable as demonstrated in laboratory tests
and shall conform to the criteria and pass levels given in 6.3.

5.1.4 Disintegration

To be designated as “home compostable in a well-managed system”, each component of the carrier bag,
if applicable, shall disintegrate in a well-managed home composting process in conformance with the
criteria and pass levels given in 6.4.

5.1.5 Compost quality

To be designated as “home compostable in a well-managed system”, no carrier bag and carrier bag
component, if applicable, thereof, submitted to a biological waste treatment process, shall be recorded
as having a negative effect on the quality of the resulting compost as specified in 6.5.

5.1.6 Labelling

Carrier bags complying with this document can be labelled. If the carrier bag is labelled it shall be
labelled with reference to this document (EN 17427:2022) and as “home compostable in a well-
managed system”.

5.2 Equivalent form

A carrier bag demonstrated to be in accordance with this document in a particular form, shall be
accepted without additional tests as being in accordance with this document in any other form having
the same or a smaller mass to surface ratio, the same or lower grammage or the same or lower thickness.

5.3 Carrier bag consisting ofmultiple components

In case a carrier bag consists of multiple components, all components shall be home compostable.

5.4 Materials of natural origin

Chemically unmodified constituents of natural origin, such as wood, wood fibre, cotton fibre, starch,
wood pulp, or jute shall be accepted as being biodegradable without testing (see 6.3). Nevertheless,
they shall be chemically characterized (see 6.2) and fulfil the criteria for disintegration (see 6.4) and
compost quality (see 6.5).

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

6 Detailed requirements

6.1 General
In order to meet the requirements of this document, a carrier bag shall fulfil all the requirements given
in 6.2 to 6.5.
Test samples shall not be subjected to conditions or procedures designed to accelerate biodegradation
or disintegration prior to testing according to 6.3 or 6.4.

6.2 Characterization

6.2.1 Control of constituents

[Link] Regulated metals

The concentration of regulated metals in the material under investigation shall not exceed the limits
according to Table 1.

Table 1 — Maximum concentration of regulated metals

Maximum concentration a
Element Test method
mg/kg of dry matter
Cadmium (Cd) 0,5 EN ISO 17294‑2
Chromium (Cr) 50 EN ISO 17294‑2
Copper (Cu) 50 EN ISO 17294‑2
Mercury (Hg) 0,5 EN ISO 12846
Nickel (Ni) 25 EN ISO 17294‑2
Lead (Pb) 50 EN ISO 17294‑2
Zinc (Zn) 150 EN ISO 17294‑2
a  The maximum metal concentrations are 50 % of those prescribed in ecological criteria for the award of the Community
eco-label to soil improvers [2].

[Link] Organic and inorganic fluorine

[Link].1 Organic fluorine

From a precautionary perspective, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shall not be intentionally
added to a material of a carrier bag.
NOTE Most of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely persistent in the environment and
in addition, certain PFAS are suspected to have bioaccumulative properties and adverse effects for environment
and human health.

[Link].2 Inorganic fluorine

The concentration of inorganic fluorine in the material of a carrier bag shall be less than
100 mg fluorine/kg material (dry matter).
The inorganic fluorine concentration shall be analysed according to EN 14582.

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If a testing on a material containing talcum, results in a value of more than 100 mg F/kg material (dry
matter), then, in addition, the total fluorine content of a material without talcum shall be determined.
NOTE Talcum or talc is an inert mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical
formula Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. The mineral is used in many applications including baby care products, cosmetics and
packaging and packaging materials. Depending on the geographical origin of the inorganic natural product it
may contain appreciable amounts of fluorine. As fluorine is almost entirely fixed in the matrix of talcum, just a
marginal proportion of it is water-soluble and hence bioavailable. Talcum is not classified as hazardous to the
environment according to CLP.

[Link] Substances hazardous to the environment

From a precautionary perspective, hazardous substances as specified below shall not be intentionally
added to a carrier bag. From a precautionary perspective a carrier bag shall not:
1) be classified as hazardous according to the UN Globally Harmonized System for Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) [45]; or
2) be intentionally produced with a hazardous substance:
— meeting criteria of classification according to the UN Globally Harmonized System for
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) [45] as:
a) carcinogenic (category 1A or 1B); or
b) mutagenic (category 1A or 1B); or
c) toxic for reproduction (category 1A or 1B); or
— having endocrine disrupting properties [5]; or
— having persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties; or
— having very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties; and
— exceeding a concentration limit of 0,1 % (by weight) in the plastics product or plastics material.

[Link] Substances of very high concern (SVHC)

From a precautionary perspective, substances of very high concern (SVHC) shall not be intentionally
added to a material of a carrier bag.
NOTE 1 SVHC are substances that exceed a concentration limit of 0,1 % (by weight) in the material of the
carrier bag and that appear on the Candidate List of substances of very high concern for Authorization [4].

NOTE 2 Substances of very high concern are covered by legal provisions laid down in Regulation (EC) No
1907/2006 [1].

6.2.2 Volatile solids

The carrier bag shall contain a minimum of 50 % (w/w) of volatile solids.

6.2.3 Identifying characteristics

a) Information necessary to identify the composition regarding the constituents of the carrier bag or,
if applicable, its components shall be declared and recorded;
NOTE 1 Colorants, additives, printing inks and glues could influence the test results regarding tests for
biodegradation, disintegration and ecotoxicity.

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b) the thickness/mass to surface ratio/grammage (or other relevant parameters that describe the
character of the carrier bag material) of the carrier bag or carrier bag component shall be determined
and recorded according to relevant methods such as ISO 4591, ISO 4593 or EN ISO 536 or others;
c) the mass of the carrier bag or carrier bag component, if applicable, shall be determined and recorded;
d) other analyses, such as the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis described in
EN ISO 11357 or the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis described in EN ISO 11358‑1 or a Fourier
Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, may be carried out for the physical-chemical
characterization of the carrier bag or carrier bag component, if applicable;
e) the organic carbon content, the total dry matter content and the volatile solids of the carrier bag
and its components, if applicable, shall be determined and recorded;
f) regulated metals according to Table 1 shall be determined and reported;
g) the fluorine content shall be determined and reported;
h) information on the presence and the assessment of substances hazardous to the environment
according to CEN/TR 13695‑2 shall be recorded based on a self-declaration (declaration of
compliance);
i) information on the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shall be recorded based
on a self-declaration (declaration of compliance);
j) information on the presence of substances of very high concern (SVHC) shall be recorded based on
a self-declaration (declaration of compliance).
NOTE 2 Levels of acceptability of chemical characteristics are provided for regulated metals and
inorganic fluorine as their total absence is not possible.

6.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation

6.3.1 General requirements

A carrier bag is considered to have demonstrated a satisfactory rate and level of biodegradation if, when
tested in accordance with EN ISO 14855‑1 or EN ISO 14855‑2, it achieves the minimum biodegradation
percentage specified in 6.3.2 within the time periods specified in 6.3.3.
NOTE 1 EN ISO 14855‑1 and EN ISO 14855‑2 are addressing plastic materials but can also be used for
other materials.
The test environment shall be at an ambient temperature of (25 ± 5) °C and the temperature shall not
exceed 30 °C at any day.
NOTE 2 The purpose of this testing activity is to demonstrate intrinsic and ultimate biodegradability of the
test material when exposed to microbes active under mesophilic conditions (mesophilic microorganisms are
active in a range between 15 °C and 45 °C). A material which has been shown to be intrinsically and ultimately
biodegradable is subject to biodegradation if environmental conditions are favourable.

NOTE 3 If the well-managed home composting process happens at lower or higher temperatures it might take
longer or shorter to reach ultimate biodegradation than during the laboratory test [46], [47].

There are 2 routes to demonstrate the biodegradability of a carrier bag according to this document.
a) Route 1:
Biodegradability shall be demonstrated for each significant organic constituent of the carrier bag.
The term significant shall mean any organic constituent present in more than 1 % of dry mass of the
carrier bag. The total proportion of organic constituents without demonstrated biodegradability
shall not exceed 3 %.

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Organic constituents demonstrated to be readily biodegradable in a biodegradation test according

to an OECD test guideline (OECD 301, Methods A to F; OECD 310) are considered as biodegradable
in the context of this document.
NOTE 4 The 3 % limit is to discourage intentional adding of non-biodegradable organic constituents for
structural purposes of the carrier bag but allow the use of some inks and glues. This is to further prevent
contamination of compost and soil.

b) Route 2:
Biodegradability shall be demonstrated for the carrier bag and for the organic constituents which
are present in the carrier bag at a concentration between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass) and meet
the criteria specified in 6.3.2 and 6.3.3. The total proportion of organic constituents without
demonstrated biodegradability shall not exceed 3 %.
Organic constituents at a concentration between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass) demonstrated to
be readily biodegradable in a biodegradation test according to an OECD test guideline (OECD 301,
Methods A to F; OECD 310) are considered as biodegradable in the context of this document.
As an alternative to testing the single organic constituent used between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass),
the level of biodegradation of that organic constituent can be determined using an artificial blend of
the same material composition consisting of at least 15 % (by dry mass) of this organic constituent. In
case that this defined artificial blend meets the criteria specified in 6.3.2 and 6.3.3, then the organic
constituent in question is considered to be biodegradable in the context of this document and can be
used at the same or lower concentration in the same material composition on the condition that the co-
substrate is present as tested in the artificial blend.
NOTE 5 The objective of testing an artificial blend is to demonstrate that a constituent which doesn't meet
the biodegrability requirements of this document when tested alone, may become biodegradable in combination
with another biodegradable constituent of a material. The concentration of the constituent in the artificial blend
was set at a minimum of 15 % in order to avoid false-positive results, as theoretically a material with e.g. 10 %
of a non or moderately biodegradable constituent may still reach the pass level for biodegradation specified in
6.3.2 and 6.3.3.

Only biodegradation tests that provide unequivocal information on the intrinsic and ultimate
biodegradability of the material composition or its significant organic constituents shall be used.
The test under conditions of controlled aerobic composting (EN ISO 14855‑1, EN ISO 14855‑2) shall
be used unless inappropriate to the type and properties of the material under test (e.g. in the case of
printing inks, additives or colorants). In the event that alternative methods are necessary, then the
biodegradation tests according to EN ISO 14851, EN ISO 14852 or EN ISO 17556 shall be used. Inorganic
carbon is excluded from the calculation of biodegradation. Test results according to EN ISO 14851,
EN ISO 14852 and EN ISO 17556 are also accepted when available for one or several organic
constituents of the carrier bag under investigation; tests in controlled aerobic composting conditions
being the preferential method. If the 90 % pass level requirement of EN 17033 on biodegradation in soil
(EN ISO 17556) is met within the maximum duration of 24 months the requirements of this document
on biodegradation for the tested material composition are fulfilled.
NOTE 6 EN ISO 14851, EN ISO 14852, EN ISO 14855‑1, EN ISO 14855‑2 and EN ISO 17556 are addressing
plastic materials but can also be used for other materials.

Information on how to handle materials having poor water solubility for use in aquatic biodegradation
tests may be obtained from EN ISO 10634.
Organic constituents at a concentration between 1 % and 15 % (by dry mass) that turned out to be
readily biodegradable in a biodegradation test according to an OECD test guideline (OECD 301,
Methods A to F; OECD 310) are considered as biodegradable in the context of this document.

6.3.2 Specific requirements

A minimum of 90 % of the total organic carbon of the sample shall convert to carbon dioxide by the end
of the test period (absolute biodegradation).

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As an alternative, relative biodegradation can be demonstrated in which conversion of total organic

carbon to carbon dioxide from the sample is at least 90 % of the conversion of total organic carbon to
carbon dioxide (CO2) from the reference material by the end of the test period (relative biodegradation).
The reference material used shall be microcrystalline cellulose. The reference material shall meet the
validation criterion specified in 6.3.4.
NOTE 1 The purpose of the test is to demonstrate complete mineralization of the material under evaluation.
At least 90 % conversion of the total organic carbon present in the sample into CO2 is chosen as the criterion,
because even when 100 % of the sample is taken up by the microorganisms, they do not use all of it to produce
energy and release CO2 but keep a fraction for building new biomass (for growth and reproduction).

Cpolymer + O2 → CCO 2 + Cbiomass

Cbiomass = biomass growth

Both the reference material and the test sample shall be tested for the same duration and the results
compared at the same point in time after the activity of both has reached a plateau, i.e. reached
its end point.
NOTE 2 Although the biodegradation test includes the conversion of the carrier bags into cellular biomass
and humic substances in addition to carbon dioxide, no recognized standard test methods or specifications exist
for the quantification of these conversion products. When such tests and specifications become available, this
document may be revised.

6.3.3 Test duration

The test period shall be no longer than 365 days.

6.3.4 Validity criteria

The test of biodegradation in accordance with this document is considered as valid if each of the
following requirements is fulfilled:
a) the degree of biodegradation of the reference material is more than 70 % at the plateau phase or at
the end of the test;
b) the difference of extremes of replicate values of the removal of the reference material at the plateau
phase or at the end of the test is less than 20 %;
NOTE This requirement is in accordance with OECD 301:1992, paragraph 24.

c) the inoculum in the blank compost has produced more than 10 mg but less than 50 mg of carbon
dioxide per gram of volatile solids (mean values) after 10 days of incubation.

6.4 Disintegration

6.4.1 General

Carrier bags shall be tested in the same form as they are intended to be used (including glue, seals,
etc.). For carrier bags made in several thicknesses or densities only the thickest or most dense form
shall be tested as long as the chemical composition and structure remain the same. Given the nature
and conditions of the disintegration test analysis, no distinction can be made between the results of the
biodegradation and abiotic disintegration analyses.
Disintegration shall be evaluated by the weight evaluation method in accordance with EN 17428:2022
1. Sufficient disintegration of the test material within the treatment period specified in 6.4.3 shall be
demonstrated.

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6.4.2 Weight evaluation method of disintegration/Requirements

A carrier bag shall be designed and composed to reach complete disintegration. For practical reasons a
minimum threshold of 90 % disintegration is sufficient, meaning no more than 10 % of the original dry
mass of the carrier bag remains in the oversize fractions after sieving using a 2,0 mm sieve.
NOTE 10 % of the original dry mass is allowed on the sieve, because biological test methods are subject to
intrinsic variability (due for example to the formation of micro-environments in the composting heap with sub-
optimal conditions, or the temporary formation of lumps more resistant to degradation).

However, if the result is not the consequence of a random variation but is systematic (i.e. it is due to
the non-disintegration of parts of the bag that are more difficult to degrade, such as handles, seals or
reinforced parts), then the sample has failed the disintegration test.
Any carrier bag residue shall be indistinguishable to the naked eye from the other matter in the compost
at a distance of 300 mm.
Any carrier bag residue particles which are < 2 mm but differ from the < 2 mm compost in their colour,
structure, dimensions, moistness, brightness and/or textural appearance are visually contaminating
the compost. If any such visual contaminants remain present at the end of the disintegration test the
carrier bag shall be reported as not home compostable in a well-managed system according to this
document, regardless of whether its test sample has complied with the other criteria specified in
this document.
The visible assessment of the compost shall be documented by means of photography in the test report.

6.4.3 Test duration

The test period shall be no longer than 180 days.

6.5 Effects on compost quality

6.5.1 Compost production

Compost for the evaluation of compost quality shall be produced in accordance with EN ISO 16929. At
start of the pilot-scale composting test 10 % of the dry mass of the test material in powder or granule
form is added to biowaste and composted for 12 weeks (84 days). The < 10 mm fraction of the blank
compost and the test compost is used in order to determine the compost quality.
Ecotoxicity tests shall be done with mature compost according to EN ISO 16929.

6.5.2 Determination of negative effect to terrestrial organisms

[Link] General

Compost from home composting installations is used in the gardens of private households as a soil
conditioner. In order to exclude negative effects to terrestrial organisms, the following testing scheme
shall apply.
The testing scheme takes into account:
— all relevant organism groups such as plants, invertebrates (e.g. earthworms) and microorganisms;
— important ecological processes critical due to their role in maintaining soil functions as breakdown
of organic matter, formulation of soil structure and cycling of materials;
— all relevant exposure pathways in soil as soil pore water, soil pore air and soil material.

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The link between soil organism groups of major ecological importance covering all significant
soil exposure pathways and suitable test methods for evaluation of ecotoxicity of compost is
shown in Table 2.

Table 2 — Testing scheme for ecotoxicity testing

Organism group: Ecological pro- Soil exposure path-
Test methods
Important taxa cess way

Plants: Mainly soil pore Plant growth test according to OECD 208
Primary produc-
water (by root up- or EN ISO 11269‑2 with the modifications
— Higher plants tion
take) specified in Annex A
Diverse and multiple
uptake routes: Acute earthworm test according to
Break-up of EN ISO 11268‑1 with the modifications
Invertebrates: organic matter; — Soil pore water; given in Annex B or alternatively chron-
— Earthworms Formation of soil — Ingestion of soil ma- ic earthworm toxicity test according to
structure terial; EN ISO 11268‑2 with the modifications
specified in Annex C
— Soil air
Microorganisms: Nitrification inhibition test with soil micro-
Re-cycling of nu- Mainly soil pore
organisms according to ISO 15685 with the
— Bacteria trients water
modifications specified in Annex D

Transient toxicity effects can occur due to the rapid biodegradation of the high amount of biodegradable
material (i.e. 100 g test material per kg biowaste at start of EN ISO 16929). These transient toxicity
effects are normally found in nature as well. Such temporary toxic effects can interfere with results
from ecotoxicity tests. For toxicity tests with higher plants, nutrients may be added to the compost
exposed to test material (= test compost) in order to compensate nutrient depletion caused by increase
of microbial biomass during the biodegradation of the test item and in order to maintain good growth
vigor and plant vitality. For example, NO3-N is an essential macro-element for plant growth. In the
test compost prepared according to EN ISO 16929, the NO3-N content can be significantly lower when
compared to the blank compost, due to the microbial mineralization of the test item. Therefore, it is
recommended to measure the nitrate content in the test compost as well as in blank compost shortly
before the start of the plant growth test. If necessary, nutrients may be added to the test compost till a
similar level as in the blank compost. If transient toxicity effects occur in toxicity tests with earthworms
and microorganisms, the composts can be stabilized at 20°C ± 2°C for a maximum period of 3 months
until suspected transient toxicity can be expected to be over. Report these operations.
NOTE Cellulose is considered to be a biodegradable and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) material.
Therefore, no negative ecotoxicity responses elicited by the compost with cellulose in the ecotoxicity tests in
comparison with the blank compost are expected. Some practitioners also test cellulose compost in parallel with
the other samples as an additional form of control. A negative result obtained with cellulose is generally regarded
as a warning that the test did not have a regular course.

[Link] Acute toxicity plant growth test

The test shall be performed according to OECD 208 or EN ISO 11269‑2 with the modifications specified
in Annex A in order to determine effects of materials on the emergence and growth of plants.
Test items that have been already assessed for plant toxicity according to EN 13432, EN 14995,
ISO 17088, ISO 18606, ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, AS 4736, AS 5810, NF T 51‑800 or equivalent standard
specifications and fulfilled the pass level for plant toxicity laid down in the standard specifications do
not need to be retested.

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[Link] Earthworm test

[Link].1 General

Adverse effects of materials on earthworms shall be determined by either performing the acute toxicity
earthworm test according to [Link].2 or the chronic toxicity earthworm test according [Link].3.

[Link].2 Acute toxicity earthworm test

Adverse effects of materials on mortality and biomass of adult earthworms shall be determined in an
acute earthworm test according to EN ISO 11268‑1 with the modifications specified in Annex B.
Test items that have been already assessed for acute toxicity to earthworms according to AS 4736,
AS 5810, or equivalent standard specifications and fulfilled the pass level for toxicity to earthworm laid
down in the standard specifications do not need to be retested.

[Link].3 Chronic toxicity earthworm test

Adverse effects of materials on the reproduction of earthworms shall be determined in a test according
to EN ISO 11268‑2 with the modifications specified in Annex C of this document.

[Link] Nitrification inhibition test with soil microorganisms

The effects of materials on the microbial nitrification activity in soil shall be determined according to
ISO 15685 with the modifications specified in Annex D of this document.

6.5.3 Requirements

[Link] Acute toxicity plant growth test

The germination rate and the plant biomass of the tested plant species in the compost exposed to the
test material shall be more than 90 % of those from the corresponding blank compost not exposed to
the test material.

[Link] Earthworm test

[Link].1 Acute toxicity earthworm test

The observed survival rate as well as the weight of the biomass of surviving adult earthworms in
the compost exposed to the test material shall be at least 90 % when compared to the corresponding
blank compost.

[Link].2 Chronic toxicity earthworm test

After an incubation period of 28 days the observed survival rate as well as the weight of the biomass
of surviving adult earthworms in the compost exposed to the test material shall be at least 90 % when
compared to the corresponding blank compost.
After an incubation period of 56 days the observed number of offspring in the compost exposed to the
test material shall be at least 90 % when compared to the corresponding blank compost.

[Link] Nitrification inhibition test with soil microorganisms

The nitrite formation in compost exposed to the test material shall be more than 80 % of those from the
corresponding blank compost not exposed to the test material.

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7 Test report
The test report shall provide the following pertinent information, including:
a) a reference to this document, i.e. EN 17427 (including its year of publication);
b) all information necessary to identify and describe the carrier bag being tested;
c) description of relevant requirements requested in normatively referenced documents and a
statement, for each such requirement, as to whether the test result was in agreement with the
requirement or not;
d) documentation enabling the identification of any supplementary information (including externally
sourced technical data) necessary to support the conclusions reached in the assessments.

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

Annex A
(normative)

Determination of ecotoxic effects to higher plants

A.1 General
The purpose of this test is to determine the possible toxic effects of carrier bags incorporated in
compost on the emergence, the early stages of growth and development of terrestrial plants. The basis
for the determination are OECD 208 and EN ISO 11269‑2. The principles of these test methods shall
be followed with the modifications given in this Annex, required to meet the special needs for testing
compost samples.

A.2 Properties of the reference substrate

Any reference substrate is suitable if it allows a normal seed germination and plant growth. It should
preferably have a composition and structure similar to the compost samples. Fertilizers shall not
have been added.
Suitable reference substrates are all those which are defined by European standards or European
national standards for analysis of compost quality.
EXAMPLES Standard soil according to Fruhstorfer type 0, mixtures of culture substrate with backed clay
granules (ÖNORM S 2023) or mixtures of peat and siliceous sand.

A.3 Preparation of samples

Prepare a mixture of the reference substrate with 50 % (mass fraction or volume fraction documented
in the report) of compost. Use the compost obtained at the end of the composting test to which 10 %
test material has been added at the start of the test (sample compost) and the blank compost, obtained
from the parallel process without addition of test material.
Compost to be used for plant toxicity tests shall be prepared according to EN ISO 16929 using a 10 %
(dry mass sample/wet mass compost). The ecotoxicity testing shall be carried out on mature compost
as described in EN ISO 16929.
In case of high salt concentrations in the mature compost (blank as well as compost exposed to carrier
bags, exceeding 1700 µS/cm) a mixture composed of 75 % reference substrate and 25 % compost may
be used for the toxicity tests with earthworms. Salinity and the reduced compost fraction need to
be reported.
NOTE High salinity may derive from some components of municipal mixed biowaste and may not
be avoidable.

A.4 Selection of plant species

Use at least one plant species from each family:
— Monocotyledonae (e.g. summer barley (Hordeum vulgare); wheat (Triticum aestivum); perennial
ryegrass (Lolium perenne));
— Dicotyledonae (e.g. white mustard (Sinapis alba); garden cress (Lepidium sativum); radish (Raphanus
sativus); mung bean (Phaseolus aureus)).

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A.5 Performing the tests

Fill each tray with a minimum of 200 g of the samples (see A.3) and add as a minimum 50 seeds (see A.4)
on the top. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of inert material, such as siliceous sand or perlite. Perform
the tests in three parallels for each mixture. Add water until 70 % to 100 % of the water holding capacity
is reached. Supply evaporated water periodically during the whole test duration as needed. The trays
are kept under conditions that allow a satisfactory development of the selected species, i.e. 14 days to
21 days after 50 % of the seedlings have emerged in the control trays.
Nutrients may be added to the samples (see A.3) in order to compensate nutrient depletion in compost
samples caused by the increase of microbial biomass during previously performed composting
test according to EN ISO 16929 and in order to maintain good growth vigor and plant vitality.
Recommendations for nutrient solutions are given in EN ISO 11269‑2:2013, Annex D. Applied measures
shall be documented in the test report.
NOTE It is of advantage to keep the trays at a dark place or to cover them during the germination period.

A.6 Validity of the tests

The validity criteria of the test as stated in OECD 208 or EN ISO 11269‑2 shall be fulfilled in blank
compost samples (see A.3).

A.7 Evaluation of the results

The germination rate (number of grown plants) and the plant biomass of the sample compost and the
blank compost are compared. Germination rate and biomass are both calculated as per cent of the
corresponding values obtained with the blank compost.

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Annex B
(normative)

Determination of acute ecotoxic effects to earthworms

B.1 General
The purpose of this test is to evaluate the possible acute toxic effects of carrier bags incorporated in
compost on the mortality and the biomass (mean weight) of Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei. The basis
for the determination is EN ISO 11268‑1 with the modifications given in this Annex, required to meet
the special needs for testing compost samples.

B.2 Selection of the reference substrate

The reference substrate prepared according to A.2 shall be used.
Alternatively, standard soil according to EN ISO 11268‑1 may be used.

B.3 Preparation of samples

Sample compost and blank compost prepared according to A.3 shall be used.

B.4 Selection of earthworm species

Adult earthworms of the species Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei should be used.

B.5 Performing the tests

Fill each test container with 500 g (dw, dry weight) of samples (see B.3) and place 10 randomly selected
worms (see B.4) to each test container. Perform the tests in four replicates. Add water until 40 % to
60 % of the water holding capacity is reached. Supply evaporated water periodically during the whole
test duration as needed.
The number of dead earthworms is determined at day 7 and day 14 in each test container and the body
weight of the earthworms is recorded at the beginning (day 0) and at day 14 of the surviving earthworms.
The biomass change of earthworms in each test container (mean weight of surviving earthworms) is
calculated as percent biomass of earthworms at the beginning (day 0).

B.6 Validity of the tests

The validity criteria as stated in EN ISO 11268‑1 shall be fulfilled in reference substrate (B.2).

B.7 Evaluation of the results

The number of dead earthworms at day 7 and day 14 of sample compost and blank compost are
compared and the mortality is calculated as percent of the corresponding value obtained with the
blank compost.
In addition, the average loss of biomass (mean weight) of worms in sample compost and blank compost
is compared and calculated as per cent of the corresponding values obtained with the blank compost.

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Annex C
(normative)

Determination of chronic ecotoxic effects to earthworms

C.1 General
The effects on reproduction of adult earthworms (species Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei) exposed to
carrier bags incorporated in compost are compared to those observed for samples exposed to blank
compost. In addition, observations on growth and survival of adult earthworms are determined.
The basis for the determination is EN ISO 11268‑2 with the modifications given in this Annex, required
to meet the special needs for testing compost samples.

C.2 Selection of the reference substrate

The reference substrate prepared according to A.2 shall be used.
Alternatively, standard soil according to EN ISO 11268‑2 may be used.

C.3 Preparation of samples

Sample compost and blank compost prepared according to A.3 shall be used.

C.4 Selection of earthworm species

Adult earthworms of the species Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei should be used.

C.5 Performing the tests

Perform the test according to EN ISO 11268‑2.
Fill each test container with 500 g to 600 g (dw, dry weight) of samples (see C.3) and place 10 randomly
selected worms (see C.4) to each test container. Perform the tests in four replicates. Add water until
40 % to 60 % of the water holding capacity is reached. Supply evaporated water periodically during
the whole test duration as needed. The earthworms are fed once a week during the test period. At the
beginning the mass of living worms is measured in each container.
Remove after four weeks (28 days) the adult earthworms and record the total number and mass of
living adult worms in each container. The biomass change of earthworms in each test container (mean
weight of surviving worms) is calculated as percent biomass of earthworms at the beginning (day 0).
Incubate the test containers for another period of four weeks to allow offspring to develop. At the
beginning of this period, juveniles are fed once. After 56 days the number of offspring per test container
hatched from the cocoons is counted.

C.6 Validity of the tests

The validity criteria as stated in EN ISO 11268‑2 shall be fulfilled in reference substrate (C.2).

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C.7 Evaluation of the results

After 28 days the effect of compost exposed to test item on the mortality and the biomass (mean weight
of surviving worms) of adult earthworms added to the sample compost and the blank compost are
compared. Both parameters are calculated as per cent of the corresponding values obtained with the
blank compost.
After 56 days the effect of sample compost on the reproduction of earthworms is determined by
comparing the number of offspring counted in the sample compost and the blank compost. The effect
on reproduction is calculated as per cent of the corresponding value obtained with the blank compost.

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Annex D
(normative)

Determination of nitrification activity of soil microorganisms

D.1 General
The purpose of this test is to assess possible adverse effects of carrier bags incorporated in compost
on nitrification activity of compost living microorganisms. The basis for the determination is
ISO 15685 with the modifications given in this Annex, required to meet the special needs for testing
compost samples.
According to ISO 15685, ammonium oxidation, the first step in autotrophic nitrification in soil, is used
to assess the potential activity of microbial nitrifying populations. Autotrophic ammonium-oxidizing
bacteria are exposed to ammonium sulfate in a soil slurry buffered at pH 7,2. Oxidation of the nitrite
performed by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in the slurry is inhibited by the addition of sodium chlorate.
The subsequent accumulation of nitrite is measured over a 6 h incubation period, and is taken as an
estimate of the potential activity of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria. As the generation time of ammonia-
oxidizing bacteria is long (> 10 h), the method provides a measure of the potential activity of the
nitrifying population at the time of sampling. It does not measure growth of the nitrifying population.

D.2 Selection of the reference substrate

The reference substrate prepared according to A.2 shall be used.

D.3 Preparation of samples

Sample compost and blank compost prepared according to A.3 shall be used.

D.4 Performing the tests

Perform the test according to ISO 15685 in three replicates for each sample.
The ammonium oxidation is measured by means of analysing the nitrite formation (mg NO2/g soil (dry
weight)) in each sample (see D.3) after 2 h and 6 h of incubation.
Nitrogen-containing materials may affect the nitrite concentration in sample compost because of
possibly occurring nitrification during the preceding composting test. Therefore, if nitrification in
sample compost is anticipated, the nitrite content in sample compost as well as in blank compost should
also be measured at the beginning of the test. Corrections should be made if the nitrite concentration
in sample compost is 15 % higher compared to values obtained with blank compost. In order to do this,
the measured nitrite concentrations in sample compost after 2 h and 6 h should be corrected by the
mean difference value observed at the beginning of the test (0 h).

D.5 Validity of the tests

The results are considered to be valid, if the variation between replicates of blank compost assays
(see D.3) and the replicates of sample compost assays (see D.3) is less than ± 20 %, respectively.

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D.6 Evaluation of the results

The nitrite formation in sample compost and blank compost is compared and calculated as per cent of
the corresponding values obtained with blank compost.

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Annex E
(informative)

Features of well-managed home composting

Well-managed home composting is a process based on biological reactions driven by specific features
and influenced by local climatic and seasonal conditions.
A well-managed home composting process has an optimal fixed location in the garden, and should be
chosen wisely. Its size depends on the amount of compost raw materials and the intended rotting time.
Compost heaps or bins should be set up on open ground. Dense surfaces (concrete, slabs) are unsuitable
as possible waterlogging disfavours rotting processes.
Creating a well-managed home composting process means creating favourable conditions for the
microorganisms. Like all living organisms the microorganisms needed for composting need air, water
and enough food to function, reproduce and survive. Coarse organic matter should be shredded/chopped
to increase the surface area for the microorganisms to colonise.
Well-managed home composting includes:
— the presence of sufficient air and moisture in the composting heap;
— a manual rotation or aeration by other means at least three times in a 12-month cycle;
— a minimum size for closed insulated composting systems of 100 l and a minimum size for non-
closed, non-insulated systems of 0,5 m3;
— mechanical shredding/chopping of roughly textured raw materials (e.g. branches) before being
added to composting; and
— a mix of garden and kitchen waste.
The rotting material should feel moist but not wet. The rotting material consists of a mixture of different
substances each with their specific disintegration and biodegradation behaviour. Substances degrading
slowly form the humus substance in the final compost. Easily degradable substances are consumed by
microorganisms to drive the composting process.
At the beginning of the rotting, when there is still a lot easily degradable substance, the degradation
process proceeds very quickly. If fresh rotting material is piled up in large quantities at once on a
heap, it heats up because the microorganisms quickly convert the easily degradable substances and
cannot release the resulting heat to the environment (insulation effect). The self-heating of the rotting
material is important, as at the resulting temperatures of more than 50 °C pathogens and weed seeds
are de-natured (hygienization). On the other hand, if the rotting material is applied gradually in flat
layers, the microbial decomposition process is less intense and the resulting heat can be released
to the environment (cold rotting). This method of composting is also possible. Due to the lack of
heating, however, the hygienization effect of the process is lower than at higher self-heating of the
rotting material.
When treating home compostable carrier bags in a composting system the bags should not be closed
by any means to ensure aerobic conditions within the bag. Carrier bags put inside of other carrier bags
usually slow down the disintegration of the carrier bags.

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The following documents contain information about home composting:

— In Dutch:
— Vlaco “Thuiscomposteren in de kringlooptuin - Alles wat u moet weten over thuiscomposteren” [5];
— In French:
— Guide ADEME sur le compostage domestique “Faire son compost” [6];
— Guide Nova Envirocom – Recyc-Québec “Le compostage facilité: Guide sur le compostage
domestique” [7];
— Guide Trame – Association Agriculteurs Composteurs de France “Objectif compostage –
Guide du porteur de projet – Pour les agriculteurs qui souhaitent développer une activité de
compostage” [8];
— Comité Jean Pain ASBL “Compost à domicile” [9], [10];
— SPW (Service Public de Wallonie) Editions “Composter les déchets organiques – Guide des
bonnes pratiques pour la transformation des déchets de cuisine et de jardin” [11];
— ADEME “Déchets - Le compostage et le paillage – Jardiner au naturel” [12];
— In German:
— Bundesgütegemeinschaft Kompost e. V. (BGK) “Selbst kompostieren” [13].
It is recommended to ask the local competent authority/municipality for a guide to good practice in
home composting in order to meet any local requirements.

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Annex F
(informative)

Information about home composting

The term “composting” is used to designate very different practices.

It refers to the treatment of biodegradable organic waste performed in large-scale, industrial
installations run by professionals. These installations are recognized waste treatment plants, i.e. they
need authorization to accept waste, treat it, and produce compost, a product subjected to quality
controls following specific regional or national regulations. This centralized treatment of biodegradable
organic waste is better identified as “industrial (or professional) composting”.
The same term “composting” is also used to describe the gardening activity carried out by households
in small installations normally located in the backyard (called “composters”). Grass clippings, leaves,
and occasionally food waste are decomposed to compost that is used as a supplement to the garden
soil. The compost produced by households is not the result of an economic activity and it is not a
commercial product, lacking the required analyses and authorizations needed to place on the market
fertilizers and soil improvers. The compost can only be used for gardening as a hobby activity. The
autonomous management of biodegradable organic waste carried out at home is better identified as
“home composting”.
In spite of being both identified as “composting”, professional composting and home composting are
two very different processes.
Professional composting treats large masses of organic waste which are properly managed in order to
get a final optimized composition (e.g. with a proper carbon/nitrogen ratio, optimized water content,
texture), and ensure proper environmental conditions (e.g. aeration, mixing), in a controlled process.
This management enables the waste to go through a spontaneous thermophilic phase, where the
evolved microbial heat is trapped by the large mass and increases temperatures up to 60 °C to 70 °C.
Under these conditions, the microbial population shifts towards species adapted to high temperature
(thermophilic) and the overall metabolism is highly accelerated.
Home composting deals with small amounts of organic waste discontinuously added into the composter.
The feeding of the composter is usually not managed i.e. the amount, quality, and intervals of addition
are not predefined but based on the activity of a single household. This makes the establishment of
thermophilic conditions rather difficult, for lack of available energy and insufficient volume (little
heat and high dispersion = low temperature). The lack of management makes the establishment of
local micro-imbalances (e.g. C/N ratio, water content, texture, oxygen availability) probable. Under
these conditions the temperature of the mass under composting is generally simply controlled by the
seasonal climate. For all these reasons the degradation rate of home composting is much slower than
professional composting and highly variable, home composting being a personal activity autonomously
carried out by independent householders.
The harmonized standards:
— EN 13427, Packaging — Requirements for the use of European Standards in the field of packaging and
packaging waste;
— EN 13428, Packaging — Requirements specific to manufacturing and composition — Prevention by
source reduction;
— EN 13430, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable by material recycling;
— EN 13431, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable in the form of energy recovery,
including specification of minimum inferior calorific value; and

 29
BS EN 17427:2022
EN 17427:2022 (E)

— EN 13432:2000, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and

biodegradation — Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging
provide presumption of conformity with the European Directive 94/62/EC [14]. In particular the
standard EN 13432:2000 establishes the specific requirements for a packaging to be considered as
suitable for organic recycling through professional composting.
Packaging and more specifically carrier bags have thus been designated as being “compostable”
i.e. recoverable after service life, through composting. As already remarked the term “compostable”
is subject to misunderstanding because it could be taken as suitability to home composting. However,
the requirements established by EN 13432:2000 are for professional composting only. Carrier bags
complying with EN 13432:2000 only are not suitable for home composting. The ambiguity of the term
“compostable” can be solved by improving the communication, for instance with a specific wording
limiting the term “composting” to the professional composting and warning the consumer about the
fact that the carrier bag recoverable via composting is not meant to be treated in a home composting
installation.
Grocery carrier bags could after the primary use of (carrying groceries) also be used as waste bags
to neatly collect kitchen or yard waste and to bring it to the home composters. Carrier bags that are
suitable to be decomposed in a home composter can be left in the composter together with the food
waste with no need of separation.
All this has prompted the need for a specific testing scheme and requirements to specify the
characteristics of a carrier bag that is considered to be home compostable in a well-managed system.

30 
 BS EN 17427:2022
EN 17427:2022 (E)

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EN 17427:2022 (E)

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32 
 BS EN 17427:2022
EN 17427:2022 (E)

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 33
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