Biodegradability

Testing
Explained
Current constraints
and future
prospects

Whitepaper
By: Dara Robinson
Sustainability Analyst Date: September 2023

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Introduction bottles from recycled materials reduces
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by
The demand for biodegradable 70% compared to the use of virgin raw
products from consumers has become materials [1].
increasingly prevalent in recent years, However, where an efficient system
correlating with a general drive towards is not in place to support circular
sustainability and corporate social economy, it is preferable that materials
responsibility. With more people focusing are designed to be biodegradable [4].
on the end-of-life (EOL) cycle of their This is embodied in the 10th principle
products, it has become imperative to of the American Chemical Society’s 12
have an accurate system in place not Principles of Green Chemistry titled
only to validate degradability claims, “Design for Degradation”:
but to assess toxicity of those
“Chemical products should be
degradation products and provide
designed so that at the end of their
alternative solutions in cases where
function they break down into
biodegradation isn’t favourable.
innocuous degradation products and
Defining biodegradability can be complex, do not persist in the environment [5]”
as the term is frequently misused and
If a material cannot be recycled or
overly employed. The positive implications
reused, then it should be degradable
of the term often lead individuals to
and compostable to reduce waste and
believe it is an eco-friendly process,
prevent the accumulation of harmful
which is not always the case. This fosters
substances in our environment.
a misguided sense of security, leading
This is where accurate and wide-ranging
people to believe they can dispose of
testing is required in order to assess
items carelessly. Littering increases
the degradability, disintegration, and
as a result, as individuals incorrectly
toxicological impact of materials.
assume that biodegradable items will
Various tests, as detailed below,
break down quickly even in inappropriate
measure different parameters associated
environments.
with degradation to suit the needs of the
French legislation under the AGEC client, the claim being validated, and
(Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy) the environment in which the material is
law forbids the use of the term likely to degrade.
‘biodegradable’ as a promotional term
for plastics to prevent misunderstanding
and reduce greenwashing [1]. Definitions
Likewise, the European Commission has
proposed that products prone to littering Biodegradation is the breakdown
(including those subject to the Single- of matter into smaller parts and
Use Plastics Directive) should not claim eventual conversion into substances
or be labelled as biodegradable [2]. that are reused in biological cycles or
In some cases it may be better to accumulate in the environment [6].
consider the durability and recyclability In the presence of oxygen,
of materials, which are two of the main microorganisms break down materials
goals set by AGEC [3]. Creating durable into carbon dioxide, water, mineral salts,
materials that can be repaired or and carbon-rich biomass. In anaerobic
recycled is important for the promotion of conditions, they convert materials into
a circular economy that reduces waste carbon dioxide, mineral salts, biomass,
and preserves natural resources. and methane [6]. For a material to fully
For instance, the production of decompose, both disintegration and
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic biodegradation take place.

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Disintegration is the physical While an important aspect of
breakdown of a material into smaller environmental sustainability,
constituent parts, for example by biodegradation is not without limitations.
weathering or UV radiation. Under aerobic conditions, carbon
dioxide (CO2) is released into the
When materials fully biodegrade under
atmosphere, contributing to GHG
controlled conditions within a defined
emissions. Likewise, uncontrolled
timeframe, into constituent parts that are
anaerobic biodegradation releases
suitable for organic recycling, they are
methane; a GHG twenty-times more
known as compostable [7].
damaging than CO2 [8]. If the process
It is important to note that materials is not managed correctly, it could
that are biodegradable are not always contribute to climate change.
compostable and testing can help us
Even when products are made from
determine if a product meets
biodegradable materials, they might not
these definitions.
break down as expected if the correct
waste management infrastructure is not
in place. For example, many regions
Overview of biodegradability do not have the industrial composting
facilities necessary to break down certain
There are many benefits to
types of biodegradable waste.
biodegradation. It is a process that
removes waste, increases landfill In some cases, so-called biodegradable
diversion, and returns substances to materials only partially degrade, leaving
the environment to be reused. behind microplastics or toxins. This is
Materials capable of completely breaking a significant issue with some types of
down into their base components biodegradable plastics. Organic pollutants
without generating harmful residues are such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
preferable over those which only partially and bisphenol A (BPA) can be released,
degrade, or release harmful contaminants which accumulate in the environment
like pollutants and microplastics. [9]
. Oxo-degradable plastic products are
banned under the Single-Use Plastics
Directive (EU 2019/904), as degradation
of these plastics through oxidation can
lead to the formation of microplastics [10].
The rate at which a material biodegrades
depends on several conditions:
• Material structure
• Environmental endpoint (i.e. soil,
compost, landfill, or water)
• Temperature
• Level of microorganisms
The development and use of • Chemical alteration
biodegradable products can also The structure of a material can influence
help to promote more sustainable degradation. For instance, untreated
practices, including the use of renewable natural fabrics such as cotton will
resources, the reduction of harmful typically degrade faster than synthetic
waste, and the promotion of circular materials [11]. On a structural level, there
economy models. is research that suggests aliphatic

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compounds are more susceptible The assessments are conducted in
to biodegradation than aromatic settings designed to a certain extent, to
compounds [12]. Other research suggests mirror natural environments. There exists
that halogens and branched chains might a range of methods, which primarily
hinder biodegradation [5]. estimate the likelihood of a material to
biodegrade but can also assess the rate
The environment where waste is
of biodegradation, disintegration, and
disposed of also impacts its breakdown.
ecological impact [13].
Conditions such as temperature, oxygen
and nutrient levels, pH, and the presence There are similarities between OECD
and diversity of microorganisms vary and ISO standardised tests. The
across different matrices, leading to OECD has instituted three tiers of
distinct rates of degradation. testing: ready biodegradability, inherent
biodegradability, and simulation testing [13].
Higher temperatures can speed up
degradation by increasing the activity
and growth of microorganisms. Ready biodegradability tests
Additionally, the rate of degradation can
Ready biodegradability tests (RBTs)
be altered if chemistry is used to change
classify substances as readily
the composition of the material during
biodegradable if they meet thresholds
its product lifecycle. An example of this
set by the standard. For example, during
is the chemical cross-linking of collagen
OECD 301 testing the following pass
during the production of leather.
levels must be achieved after 28 days
We can use the conditions of degradation, (within a 10-day window):
as well as its products, to measure
• Production of at least 60%
and assess biodegradability and
Theoretical Carbon Dioxide (ThCO2)
compostability via testing. This helps
validate materials which are safely • Consumption of at least 60%
biodegradable, and flag materials which Theoretical Oxygen Demand
are not. (ThOD)
• Removal of at least 70% Dissolved
Organic Carbon (DOC) [14]
Current biodegradability &
disintegration testing
Biodegradability, disintegration, and
compost tests are carried out in order to
study the environmental and toxicological
impact of materials. There are various
standards and test methods which focus
on this, Table 1 summarises the main
services offered by Eurofins globally.
Over time, an established framework
for assessing biodegradability has
been created, primarily supported by
the Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD)
and International Organization for
Standardisation (ISO).
These standardised biodegradation tests
can estimate the biodegradability of pure
chemicals or individual components
within materials.

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RBTs are important as they form the highly variable and lack replication,
basis of many regulatory measures and resulting in false negatives amongst
have been incorporated into European the reported fails [15]. Enhanced RBTs
legislation under REACH (Registration, have been developed due to these
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction criticisms, including increasing the
of Chemicals) [13]. However, there are duration of tests up to 60 days and
limitations to the methodologies. using larger test vessels, which aim to
The test conditions are quite strict, for provide more realistic test conditions and
instance, duration is limited to 28 days therefore more accurate biodegradability
and a pre-adapted inoculum cannot be predictions [13].
used [13]. RBTs are often low-throughput,

Summary of services offered by Eurofins

Standards organisation Types of testing offered

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) • Biodegradation tests for plastics
• Biodegradation tests for lubricating oils and
Coordinating European Council (CEC)
formulations
Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) • Biodegradability of water, wastewater, sludge
• Ultimate aerobic and anaerobic
biodegradability tests
• Ultimate biodegradability in aqueous mediums
• Biodegradability and compostability tests for
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) packaging
• Aerobic biodegradability of plastic and leather
materials
• Disintegration tests for plastic, leather, and
textile materials
• Ready biodegradability tests
• Inherent biodegradability tests
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and • Aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation tests
Development (OECD) • Biodegradability in seawater
• Biodegradation tests for insoluble, water-
soluble, volatile, and non-volatile materials
Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
• Ready biodegradability tests
Substances (OPPTS)
Table 1: A summary of the key biodegradability, disintegration, and composting services
offered by Eurofins globally according to their [Link] biodegradability tests

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Inherent biodegradation tests are less 70%, suggests primary biodegradability
stringent and have a higher probability in which stable degradation products are
of complete biodegradation, therefore likely to be formed [13].
face less criticism than RBTs.
Chemicals that are biodegradable in Simulated biodegradability tests
inherent tests are considered to be
biodegradable under various natural Simulated tests are very close to
and technical conditions, such as environmental conditions meaning
wastewater treatment plants. If further they have the highest predictive power.
criteria are met, materials can be Environments such as freshwater bodies
classified as non-persistent. and sediment can be evaluated, as
This is the case for materials with a lag detailed in OECD 308 and 309, as well
phase under 3 days during OECD 302B as anaerobic conditions. The caveat
testing [13]. to this increased accuracy is the tests
are costly, time-consuming, and difficult
According to ECHA guidelines,
to automate [13]. The main advantages
biodegradation under 20% in inherent
and disadvantages of this tiered testing
testing may be considered as evidence
system are summarised in Table 2.
of a persistent substance. Biodegradation
above 20% but below the pass rate of

Comparative table of OECD biodegradability testing

Ready biodegradability tests

Advantages Disadvantages

• Cost-effective • Limited precision

• Relatively quick results (within 28 days) • Stringent test conditions

• Simple set-up • Some compounds may fail if they degrade

slightly slower than test criteria, but would pass
• Serves as a good screening tool inherent tests
Inherent biodegradability tests

Advantages Disadvantages
• Probability of complete biodegradation higher
• Longer timeframe for results
than RBTs
• Less standardised than RBTs
• Less stringent test conditions
• Potential for overestimation of biodegradability
• Higher credibility of results
Simulated biodegradability tests

Advantages Disadvantages
• Costly
• Highest predictive power
• Resource-intensive
• Much closer to environmental conditions
• Results can be challenging to interpret due to
• More comprehensive than other tests
complexity of simulated environment
Table 2: A summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the OECD tiered system of
biodegradability testing.

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Measured parameters Globally, there are other important
standards such as those set by the
Biodegradability tests often measure American Society for Testing and
CO2 output or oxygen (O2) demand. For Materials (ASTM). These standards were
example, the test method set out by developed to establish degradability and
ISO 20136 determines the degradability biodegradability and assess the impact
of leather by exposing grindings to an of degraded plastics [19].
inoculum in an aqueous medium and Additionally in the US, the Office of
measuring CO2 production. The amount Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
of CO2 evolved is then used to calculate Substances (OPPTS), developed a
the rate of aerobic biodegradation [16]. series of biodegradability test guidelines.
Parameters such as change in mass, One such test is OPPTS 835.3140,
odour, appearance, and chemical analysis which is a ready biodegradability test
can also be measured, which is covered based on OECD 310 [20].
in ISO 20200 methodology [17]. This is a
standard for disintegration testing which Limitations of biodegradability
is used to determine the percentage of testing
disintegration of plastics.
One of the biggest limitations of current
There are tests to suit nearly all types of
biodegradation and compost tests is time.
environments and test substances, and
where methods are not in place they can Methods can take many months to
often be modified. Such is the case for complete and are typically designed
ISO 20200, which can be modified for to examine one sample at a time.
leather and textiles [18]. Additionally, a number of tests use
preferable lab conditions that do not
To ensure the products of degradation
accurately mimic those found in the
and disintegration are not harmful,
environment. Tests that simulate
toxicity tests are carried out to test
environmental conditions more
how compostable a material is and to
authentically are often more expensive.
flag possible contaminants. To give
an example, supplementary tests are While some tests implement defined
available after completion of ISO 20200 thresholds and pass criteria, others yield
testing, which analyse compost nutrition results that are open to interpretation.
and toxicology. These include ecotoxicity, This lack of clarity can lead to
plant response and weed tests. inconclusive findings and the need for
additional testing.
Ecotoxicity tests evaluate the end
compost after degradability or Despite limitations, these tests are
disintegration tests. Over 200 components undeniably important not only when
are quantitatively measured such as considering the environmental footprint
phenols, pesticides, and metals [17]. of products, but for compliance with
Plant response and weed tests evaluate relevant regulations, legislation, and
the effect of the substrate on the growth claims validation.
of plants (crop and non-crop), as well as
weed propagulation.
The bio-enriching or bio-suppressive
properties of the degradation products
produced are measured by these tests
and can be used to give information
about the nutrition of the soil/compost
that the test material has degraded in [18].

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Guidelines and regulations recovery [23]. Packaging items such as
tea bags, sticky labels, and lightweight
There are important regulatory frameworks plastic bags must be compostable in
in place to ensure materials are assessed industrially controlled environments.
for potentially hazardous properties. In certain conditions, Member States can
mandate that lightweight plastic bags
be made from industrially compostable
EU biodegradable polymers [23].
Under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, In France, AGEC law also outlines rules
Authorisation and Restriction of for biodegradation. Aside from prohibiting
Chemicals) regulation in the EU, all the word on products and packaging,
organic chemicals manufactured or the legislation also bans the use of
imported for more than one ton per non-biodegradable plastic in products
year must be evaluated for their ready such as tea bags, and the distribution of
biodegradability. A series of RBTs, such unsolicited printed matter containing ink
as OECD 301 are recommended for from non-biodegradable sources [1].
evaluation.
It is likely that biodegradability will
Degradation tests are used to fulfil be further regulated in the EU with
regulatory needs such as: the introduction of the Digital Product
• Identifying PBT (Persistent, Passport (DPP). The DPP will facilitate
Bioaccumulative and Toxic) or the exchange of key product-related
vPvB (very Persistent and very information essential for sustainability and
Bioaccumulative) properties circularity, including those specified in
Annex III of the Ecodesign for Sustainable
• Determining the potential Products Regulation (ESPR) Proposal.
to cause long-term adverse Information such as biodegradability,
effects (environmental hazard recyclability, durability, and traceability will
classification) be made available digitally for consumers
• Determining Predicted Environment to easily access [24].
Concentration (PEC) for risk
characterisation [14] China
Though there is currently no EU Whilst there are currently no mandatory
law in place relating to biobased, standards in China, there are several
biodegradable, and compostable voluntary standards relating to the
plastics, the European Commission biodegradability of plastics.
has drafted a forthcoming framework GB/T 41010 standard specifies
which aims to improve understanding of the degradability and identification
biobased and biodegradable plastics [21]. requirements of biodegradable plastics
In agriculture, the EU Fertilising and products. One requirement is
Products Regulation has established that biodegradable plastics and
guidelines for biodegradation. products must have a relative degree
These must be substantiated through of biodegradation of at least 90%.
rigorous testing methods that measure The standard also outlines pass rates
ready biodegradation, inherent for ecotoxicity evaluation such as
biodegradation, or simulation studies [22]. phytotoxicity and earthworm tests on
degradation products [25]. Other relevant
Compostable packaging is regulated in
voluntary standards include GB/T 38082-
the current draft of the Packaging and
2019 relating to biodegradable plastic
Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD).
shopping bags, and GB/T 41008-2021
The PPWD aims to reduce packaging
for biodegradable drinking straws [25].
waste and promote its reuse or

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In 2020 Jilin, Hainan, and Guangdong protecting consumers from misleading
provinces released their local plastic environmental marketing claims in product
bags banning policy and in 2022 aimed sale and promotion [30]. There are several
to reduce consumption of single- other states which have introduced
use plastic products and promote restrictions relating to marketing claims,
alternatives. Similar plastic-banning particularly for single-use plastic
policies were released to all provinces bags. These are detailed further in the
upon the adoption of the “Opinions following section.
on further strengthening the control of
plastic pollution” policy [26].
There are three main aims at a national
Validating claims
level, which local provinces are intending
Regulating biodegradability claims is
to follow:
vital for protecting the environment from
• 2020; the banning and restriction products that are not truly biodegradable
of the production, sale, and use of which can accumulate and cause
selected plastic products in certain harm. It also safeguards the trust and
regions/fields. transparency expected by consumers.
• 2022; the reduction in consumption Composting claims are equally significant.
If a product is labelled as biodegradable
of disposable plastic products, the
and ends up in a composting facility, but
promotion of alternative products,
it doesn’t break down properly, it can
and an increase in plastic waste
contaminate the compost. This underlines
resources and energy utilisation.
the importance of regulation and accurate
Green logistics models have
labelling. Claims on biodegradability
also been formed in areas with
should be transparent, verifiable, and
prominent plastic pollution. supported by relevant standards and
• 2025; the establishment of testing methodologies.
a management system for
the production, circulation, EU & UK
consumption, recycling, and
disposal of plastic products. The labelling of materials as
Improvements in alternative product biodegradable or compostable is
development and application have regulated so that claims made on
also been proposed along with the packaging must be validated.
reduction of plastic waste landfill in The European Green Deal has proposed
key cities [26]. that plastic products and packaging
that can only be composted in industrial
The Chinese government are also set to facilities cannot bear the “compostable”
ban plastic bags in postal and express label. Additionally products and
delivery outlets in 2025 [27]. This has packaging made of compostable plastic
driven the production of biodegradable materials in domestic or industrial
plastics in China [28] as well as the composting must include ‘Do not
development of biodegradability and dispose in nature’ in their labelling.
disintegration testing capabilities. It is also forbidden to include the words
“biodegradable”, “environmentally
US friendly” or equivalent statements on
products or packaging. The Green Deal
The primary guideline in the US is the approaches biodegradable plastics
Federal Trade Commission’s Green with caution. They must be labelled to
Guides which aim to reduce deceptive show the timespan in which they will
environmental marketing claims [29]. biodegrade, under which circumstances
In California, there are multiple laws and which environment [2].

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 In the UK and EU, the Green Claims
Directive has been proposed, which
will provide further guidance on
biodegradability claims and definitions.
The current draft of the EU Green
Claims Directive includes requirements
for substantiation of green claims such
as “biodegradable” and “compostable”.
This will increase the necessity for
biodegradability and compost tests.
The EU Ecolabel managed by the
European Commission is another scheme
which promotes the use of goods and
For composting claims, it should be services using sustainable ingredients.
made clear whether the conditions For instance, the importance of lubricants
relate to industrial or home composting. being biodegradable in water has
The main specification standard for been acknowledged due to significant
industrial composting in Europe is quantities of these substances ending up
EN 13432 which outlines criteria for in the environment during typical use.
packaging that can be recovered There are limits on the total weight
through biodegradation. From this, percentage for ingredients in
several certification programs have been these lubricants based on their
developed, some of which comply with the biodegradability potential [32]. There
EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EEC) [31]. are similar conditions amongst other
categories of the EU Ecolabel including
There are currently no standardised detergents and textile products [33].
conditions for home composting,
however there is an OK Compost
US
HOME certification program which has
been the basis for the development of In the US, the FTC has addressed the
several standards such as prEN 17427 in use of environmental claims through
Europe, NF T 51800 in France, and AS the Green Guides. These guides aim
5810 in Australia. PrEN 17427 will set a to reduce deceptive environmental
maximum duration of 26 weeks for 90% marketing claims. In terms of
disintegration to be reached, compared to degradability, the following is outlined [29].
EN 13432 which is 12 weeks [31].
• Marketers asserting a product’s
Biodegradation and ecotoxicity testing degradability must possess credible
can help to meet the demands of scientific proof that the item will fully
EN 13432, particularly the following: decompose and revert to nature
• Biodegradation; at least 90% of swiftly after standard disposal.
materials have to be broken down • Making unqualified degradability
by biological action within 6 months assertions for items that don’t
to CO2 fully decompose within a year of
• Disintegration; at least 90% of the standard disposal in the solid waste
product must be able to pass through stream is misleading. Such claims
a 2 x 2 mm mesh after 12 weeks are deceptive for items ending
up in landfills, incinerators, or
• Quality of the final compost and recycling facilities, as these places
ecotoxicity; the quality of soil don’t offer conditions for complete
should not decline as a result of the decomposition within a year.
added packaging material

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 • Claims about degradability should China
be transparently specified to
prevent misleading impressions As outlined in the Chinese standard
about the product or packaging’s GB/T 41010, plastics and products
ability to decompose in its typical which claim to be subject to industrial
disposal environment, along with its composting, high-solids anaerobic
degradation speed and extent [29]. digestion or home composting must have
a disintegration rate of at least 90% [25].
In California, consumer products must
meet specific legal requirements in In conclusion, having robust
order to be labelled as compostable. standards for evaluating degradability,
Compostable plastic products must compostability, and ecotoxicity is vital
meet the standards of ASTM D6400, to meet regulations and substantiate
which establishes requirements for claims. It’s equally crucial to back these
labelling as compostable in aerobic claims with adequate data to reduce
industrial and municipal conditions [34]. greenwashing and miscommunication.
Compostable plastic bags must
be labelled with a certification logo
indicating compliance with ASTM Future of biodegradability
D6400, amongst other requirements [35].
testing
Similarly in Maryland, House Bill 1349
details prohibitions on the selling of certain As discussed, though current testing
plastic products labelled as biodegradable, methods are valuable, they come with
degradable, or decomposable, unless several limitations. Just as with enhanced
the product meets specific standards. RBTs, could it be feasible to refine current
Plastic products labelled as compostable tests by adapting existing techniques, or
must meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 even developing new ones?
standard specifications [36].
In 2021, Washington State introduced
a statewide ban on single-use plastic
bags. The new law also prohibits the
words biodegradable, degradable,
or decomposable on produce bags
and thick re-usable bags, with fines
being imposed for repeated violations.
Additionally, these bags cannot be tinted
green or brown unless they are certified
as compostable [37].
There are also standards in Minnesota Potential may lie in high-throughput
for the labelling of plastic bags. rapid assessments of biodegradability
Under Section 325E.046 of the 2022 and disintegration, allowing
Minnesota Statutes, plastic bags must simultaneous testing of multiple
not be labelled as biodegradable or samples [15]. Likewise, the automation
degradable unless a scientifically of already available tests, such as
based standard is developed for RBTs, could be another way to increase
biodegradability which the products the productivity of biodegradability
are certified to meet [38]. Similarly to the testing. With additional research, high-
restrictions in other states, plastic bags throughput techniques could become
must not be labelled as compostable valuable tools for biodegradability
unless they meet ASTM D6400 prediction; overcoming the limitations of
standards. Manufacturers, distributors, existing low-throughput methods.
or wholesalers who violate these
restrictions may be fined [38].

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Another area of interest is predictive imperative. Where degradability cannot or
modelling, such as quantitative structure- should not be achieved, the recyclability
activity relationship (QSAR) studies and re-usability of a material should be
which are encouraged under REACH [39]. the next consideration.
With enough experimental data, in silico
With continued research, it is hopeful that
models could be produced which provide
we will not only develop tests that are
preliminary insights on biodegradability
faster, cheaper, and more accurate, but
based on a material’s structure.
also design products that degrade more
This again reduces the time, costs,
efficiently. There are plenty of exciting
and labour associated with current
opportunities to explore, and given the
testing methods.
momentum towards sustainability driven
by consumers and regulatory frameworks,
it is likely we will see advancements in
Summary testing and predicting biodegradability in
the near future.
When biodegradation is the desirable or
preferred outcome, the testing methods If you would like more information
detailed in this report are crucial for on biodegradability services offered
confirming degradation and evaluating the by Eurofins, or our durability and
toxicity of the resultant products, as well recyclability assessments, please visit
as substantiating claims and adhering to [Link],
relevant regulations. Ensuring the EOL or e-mail us on
cycle of a product is safe, environmentally SustainabilityServices@[Link].
friendly, non-toxic, and non-damaging is

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Table of Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning

AGEC Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

BPA Bisphenol A

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

DOC Dissolved Organic Carbon

DPP Digital Product Passport

EOL End-of-life

ESPR Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation

FTC Federal Trade Commission

GHG Greenhouse Gas

HT-BST High-Throughput Biodegradation-Screening Tests

ISO International Organization for Standardization

O2 Oxygen

OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

OPPTS Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances

PBT Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic

PCBs Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PEC Predicted Environment Concentration

PET Polyethylene terephthalate

POPs Persistent Organic Pollutants

PPWD Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

QSAR Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship

RBT Ready Biodegradability Test

REACH Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals

ThCO2 Theoretical Carbon Dioxide

ThOD Theoretical Oxygen Demand

VPvB Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative

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 Biodegradability Testing Explained ESS022WP1
Due to the ever-changing international regulatory scenario, the information displayed in this document may be subject to changes, should any of the referred Authorities publish an
update after the date of issue. Please check with our product experts or with the respective local Authorities for eventual updates, prior to using these contents for your testing plan.

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