Choosing the most appropriate test method to demonstrate the biodegradability of a finished product is a critical issue for material manufacturers and suppliers. Biodegradation product testing is designed for product claims regarding biodegradability and incorporates several factors into the actual performance of a product. For example, products tested to biodegradability standards using the OECD standard 301B biodegradation test method may make claims to this particular level of biodegradation. The test method described in the OECD 302B standard cannot make the same claims. These test methods are designed in different ways to measure biodegradation, and they differ in the way they adapt to different types of materials. These factors greatly influence several parameters of the degradation process for different types of products or materials.
Biodegradable products are often combinations of several materials or formulation ingredients, and relying on the biodegradability of the majority ingredient is misleading when evaluating the entire finished product. For all but the simplest products, product development for biodegradable products requires testing of formulation ingredients and possibly even material structure variables.
Many factors affect the real-life biodegradable performance of a finished product, and a product may fail a particular test method due to new product properties associated with the finished product formulation. The most common factors affecting biodegradability are related to the water solubility of the material or its phase distributions.
Biodegradation tests are applied to determine the biodegradability of products in a specific or intended use environment. Biodegradation testing for plastics is typically performed in conditions close to commercial composting.In general, the ISO 16929 standard for pilot scale composting and the OECD 301B standard for liquid biodegradation are requested.
Biodegradability testing measures the complex biochemical process that occurs when microorganisms consume a particular type of material. The biodegradability of a product depends on the amount of carbon available for microbial consumption. Today, biodegradability claims require it to be based primarily on aerobic biodegradation, which measures oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and the state of inorganic carbon intermediates.
Our organization also provides biodegradability testing services in packaging with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.
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EUROLAB reporting and certification activities, United Accreditation Foundation (UAF), Turkish Accreditation Agency (TÜRKAK), Enterprise Accreditation Foundation (EAF) based on the accreditation provided by its institution. The Enterprise Accreditation Foundation (EAF) is also a signatory to the United Nations (UN GLOBAL COMPACT).
