ISO 23517:2021
(Main)Plastics — Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture — Requirements and test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and control of constituents
Plastics — Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture — Requirements and test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and control of constituents
This document is applicable to biodegradable plastic materials used to produce mulch films or biodegradable mulch films ready to be used for mulch applications in agriculture and horticulture. This document specifies test methods and evaluation criteria by addressing the following characteristics: a) control of constituents; b) biodegradation; c) negative effects on terrestrial organisms. NOTE This document is construed in a way that it can be used to assess other soil biodegradable plastic products that do not qualify as mulch films. For example: drip tape, twine, clips, and plant pots.
Plastiques — Matériaux biodégradables dans le sol pour les films de paillage pour utilisation en agriculture et horticulture — Exigences et méthodes d'essai concernant la biodégradation, l'écotoxicité et le contrôle des constituants
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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 23517
First edition
2021-07
Plastics — Soil biodegradable
materials for mulch films for use
in agriculture and horticulture —
Requirements and test methods
regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity
and control of constituents
Plastiques — Matériaux biodégradables dans le sol pour les films de
paillage pour utilisation en agriculture et horticulture — Exigences
et méthodes d'essai concernant la biodégradation, l'écotoxicité et le
contrôle des constituants
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Basic requirements . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Control of constituents . 3
4.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation . 4
4.4 Negative effects on terrestrial organism. 4
5 Detailed requirements . 4
5.1 Control of constituents . 4
5.1.1 Regulated metals and other elements . 4
5.1.2 Organic and inorganic fluorine . 4
5.1.3 Other hazardous substances . 4
5.1.4 Volatile solids . 4
5.2 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation . 5
5.2.1 Test method and evaluation criteria . 5
5.2.2 Requirements regarding constituents . 5
5.3 Negative effects on terrestrial organism. 6
5.3.1 Ecotoxicity testing scheme . 6
5.3.2 Preparation of soils for ecotoxicity tests . 6
5.3.3 Acute toxicity plant growth test . 7
5.3.4 Earthworm test . 7
5.3.5 Nitrification inhibition test with soil microorganisms . 8
6 Test report . 9
Annex A (informative) Examples of maximum concentrations of regulated metals and other
elements .10
Annex B (normative) Maximum concentrations of organic and inorganic fluorine and other
hazardous substances .11
Annex C (normative) Determination of acute effects of materials on the emergence and
growth of higher plants .13
Annex D (normative) Determination of acute effects of materials on earthworms .15
Annex E (normative) Determination of effects on reproduction of earthworms.16
Annex F (normative) Determination of nitrification of soil microorganisms .17
Annex G (normative) Preparation of soils for ecotoxicity testing .18
Annex H (informative) Visual surface evaluation method of the disintegration in a slide
frame test .20
Bibliography .24
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 14,
Environmental aspects.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
Introduction
Biodegradable mulch films are used worldwide in agriculture and horticulture for many years. They
enhance growing conditions and contribute to increased yields and improved crop quality by, for
example:
— inhibiting the development of weeds;
— reducing significantly the consumption of water and other resources;
— control of soil temperature;
— reduction in leaching of mineral elements and other fertilizer;
— reduction in soil compaction;
— protecting the crops from soil.
Biodegradable mulch films are not designed to be recovered from soil at the end of the intended service
life. Therefore, it is no longer necessary for farmers to retrieve the biodegradable mulch film from the
field for disposal or recycling after the harvest. Farmers can simply plow it under along with what
remains from the plants so that it is incorporated into soil.
This document defines the standard specification to be met for biodegradable mulch films to be
used in agriculture and horticulture. It is suited to characterize both the plastic materials which are
used to manufacture mulch films and the mulch films itself with respect to characteristics such as
biodegradation, adverse effects on terrestrial organisms and control of constituents.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 23517:2021(E)
Plastics — Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for
use in agriculture and horticulture — Requirements and
test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and
control of constituents
1 Scope
This document is applicable to biodegradable plastic materials used to produce mulch films or
biodegradable mulch films ready to be used for mulch applications in agriculture and horticulture.
This document specifies test methods and evaluation criteria by addressing the following
characteristics:
a) control of constituents;
b) biodegradation;
c) negative effects on terrestrial organisms.
NOTE This document is construed in a way that it can be used to assess other soil biodegradable plastic
products that do not qualify as mulch films. For example: drip tape, twine, clips, and plant pots.
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 amendment s applies.
ISO 10390, Soil quality — Determination of pH
ISO 11268-1, Soil quality — Effects of pollutants on earthworms — Part 1: Determination of acute toxicity
to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei
ISO 11268-2, Soil quality — Effects of pollutants on earthworms — Part 2: Determination of effects on
reproduction of Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei
ISO 11269-2, 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 11274, Soil quality — Determination of the water-retention characteristic — Laboratory methods
ISO 15685, Soil quality — Determination of potential nitrification and inhibition of nitrification — Rapid
test by ammonium oxidation
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
EN 14582, Characterization of waste — Halogen and sulfur content — Oxygen combustion in closed
systems and determination methods
OECD. (2006), Test No. 208, Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test, OECD
Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 2
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 https:// www. iso. org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.el ectropedia. org/
3.1
mulch film
film made from thermoplastic material intended to be used in agriculture and horticul
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 23517
First edition
2021-07
Plastics — Soil biodegradable
materials for mulch films for use
in agriculture and horticulture —
Requirements and test methods
regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity
and control of constituents
Plastiques — Matériaux biodégradables dans le sol pour les films de
paillage pour utilisation en agriculture et horticulture — Exigences
et méthodes d'essai concernant la biodégradation, l'écotoxicité et le
contrôle des constituants
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Basic requirements . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Control of constituents . 3
4.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation . 4
4.4 Negative effects on terrestrial organism. 4
5 Detailed requirements . 4
5.1 Control of constituents . 4
5.1.1 Regulated metals and other elements . 4
5.1.2 Organic and inorganic fluorine . 4
5.1.3 Other hazardous substances . 4
5.1.4 Volatile solids . 4
5.2 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation . 5
5.2.1 Test method and evaluation criteria . 5
5.2.2 Requirements regarding constituents . 5
5.3 Negative effects on terrestrial organism. 6
5.3.1 Ecotoxicity testing scheme . 6
5.3.2 Preparation of soils for ecotoxicity tests . 6
5.3.3 Acute toxicity plant growth test . 7
5.3.4 Earthworm test . 7
5.3.5 Nitrification inhibition test with soil microorganisms . 8
6 Test report . 9
Annex A (informative) Examples of maximum concentrations of regulated metals and other
elements .10
Annex B (normative) Maximum concentrations of organic and inorganic fluorine and other
hazardous substances .11
Annex C (normative) Determination of acute effects of materials on the emergence and
growth of higher plants .13
Annex D (normative) Determination of acute effects of materials on earthworms .15
Annex E (normative) Determination of effects on reproduction of earthworms.16
Annex F (normative) Determination of nitrification of soil microorganisms .17
Annex G (normative) Preparation of soils for ecotoxicity testing .18
Annex H (informative) Visual surface evaluation method of the disintegration in a slide
frame test .20
Bibliography .24
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 14,
Environmental aspects.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
Introduction
Biodegradable mulch films are used worldwide in agriculture and horticulture for many years. They
enhance growing conditions and contribute to increased yields and improved crop quality by, for
example:
— inhibiting the development of weeds;
— reducing significantly the consumption of water and other resources;
— control of soil temperature;
— reduction in leaching of mineral elements and other fertilizer;
— reduction in soil compaction;
— protecting the crops from soil.
Biodegradable mulch films are not designed to be recovered from soil at the end of the intended service
life. Therefore, it is no longer necessary for farmers to retrieve the biodegradable mulch film from the
field for disposal or recycling after the harvest. Farmers can simply plow it under along with what
remains from the plants so that it is incorporated into soil.
This document defines the standard specification to be met for biodegradable mulch films to be
used in agriculture and horticulture. It is suited to characterize both the plastic materials which are
used to manufacture mulch films and the mulch films itself with respect to characteristics such as
biodegradation, adverse effects on terrestrial organisms and control of constituents.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 23517:2021(E)
Plastics — Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for
use in agriculture and horticulture — Requirements and
test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and
control of constituents
1 Scope
This document is applicable to biodegradable plastic materials used to produce mulch films or
biodegradable mulch films ready to be used for mulch applications in agriculture and horticulture.
This document specifies test methods and evaluation criteria by addressing the following
characteristics:
a) control of constituents;
b) biodegradation;
c) negative effects on terrestrial organisms.
NOTE This document is construed in a way that it can be used to assess other soil biodegradable plastic
products that do not qualify as mulch films. For example: drip tape, twine, clips, and plant pots.
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 amendment s applies.
ISO 10390, Soil quality — Determination of pH
ISO 11268-1, Soil quality — Effects of pollutants on earthworms — Part 1: Determination of acute toxicity
to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei
ISO 11268-2, Soil quality — Effects of pollutants on earthworms — Part 2: Determination of effects on
reproduction of Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei
ISO 11269-2, 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 11274, Soil quality — Determination of the water-retention characteristic — Laboratory methods
ISO 15685, Soil quality — Determination of potential nitrification and inhibition of nitrification — Rapid
test by ammonium oxidation
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
EN 14582, Characterization of waste — Halogen and sulfur content — Oxygen combustion in closed
systems and determination methods
OECD. (2006), Test No. 208, Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test, OECD
Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 2
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 https:// www. iso. org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.el ectropedia. org/
3.1
mulch film
film made from thermoplastic material intended to be used in agriculture and horticul
...
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