ISO 17088:2021
(Main)Plastics — Organic recycling — Specifications for compostable plastics
Plastics — Organic recycling — Specifications for compostable plastics
This document specifies procedures and requirements for plastics, and products made from plastics, that are suitable for recovery through organic recycling. The four following aspects are addressed: a) disintegration during composting; b) ultimate aerobic biodegradation; c) no adverse effects of compost on terrestrial organisms; d) control of constituents. These four aspects are suitable to assess the effects on the industrial composting process. This document is intended to be used as the basis for systems of labelling and claims for compostable plastics materials and products. This document does not provide information on requirements for the biodegradability of plastics which end up in the environment as litter. It is also not applicable to biological treatment undertaken in small installations by householders. NOTE 1 The recovery of compostable plastics through composting can be carried out under the conditions found in well-managed industrial composting processes, where the temperature, water content, aerobic conditions, carbon/nitrogen ratio and processing conditions are optimized. Such conditions are generally obtained in industrial and municipal composting plants. Under these conditions, compostable plastics disintegrate and biodegrade at rates comparable to yard trimmings, kraft paper bags and food scraps. NOTE 2 “Compostable” or “compostable in municipal and industrial composting facilities” are expressions considered to be equivalent to organically recyclable for the purposes of this document.
Plastiques — Recyclage organique — Spécifications pour les plastiques compostables
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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17088
Third edition
2021-04
Plastics — Organic recycling —
Specifications for compostable
plastics
Plastiques — Recyclage organique — Spécifications pour les
plastiques compostables
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 .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General . 4
5 Basic requirements . 4
5.1 General . 4
5.2 Disintegration during composting . 4
5.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradability . 4
5.4 No adverse effect of compost on terrestrial organisms . 4
5.5 Control of constituents . 5
6 Detailed requirements . 5
6.1 General . 5
6.2 Disintegration during composting . 5
6.2.1 General. 5
6.2.2 Variation in permitted thickness . 6
6.3 Ultimate biodegradation . 6
6.3.1 Aerobic biodegradation . 6
6.3.2 Potential for biogas production . 7
6.4 No adverse effects of compost on terrestrial organisms . 8
6.4.1 General. 8
6.4.2 Ecotoxicity test scheme . 8
6.4.3 Plant growth test (mandatory) . 8
6.4.4 Acute earthworm toxicity test (mandatory) . 9
6.4.5 Chronic earthworm toxicity test (mandatory) . 9
6.4.6 Nitrification inhibition test with soil microorganisms (optional) . 9
6.5 Control of constituents . 9
6.5.1 General. 9
6.5.2 Regulated metals and other elements . 9
6.5.3 Per- and poly-fluorinated compounds (PFCs) .10
6.5.4 Other hazardous substances .10
6.5.5 Volatile solids .10
7 Declaration of results .10
8 Test report .10
Annex A (informative) Examples of maximum concentrations of regulated metals and other
elements .12
Annex B (normative) Detection of per- and poly-fluorinated compounds and maximum
concentrations of other hazardous substances .13
Annex C (normative) Determination of ecotoxic effects on higher plants .14
Annex D (normative) Determination of acute ecotoxic effects to earthworm .16
Annex E (normative) Determination of chronic ecotoxic effects to earthworm .18
Annex F (informative) Determination of nitrification activity of soil microorganisms .20
Bibliography .22
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.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 17088:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— in Clause 3:
— the following terms have been added: organic recycling, anaerobic digestion, per- and poly-
fluorinated compound, well-managed industrial composting process, industrial composting,
organic constituents, home composting;
— the term catalyst has been deleted;
— 6.1.4 has been deleted;
— a new subclause, 6.2.2, on variation in permitted thickness has been added;
— in 6.3, requirements regarding biodegradability of constituents have been revised;
— in 6.3.1.1, the following references have been added as additional laboratory test methods for
biodegradation testing: ISO 14851, ISO 14852, ISO 17556;
— a new subclause, 6.3.2, on potential for biogas production has been added;
— 6.4 has been extended covering ecotoxicity tests with representative species from three trophic
levels;
— in 6.5, new requirements regarding control of constituents with respect to per- and poly-fluorinated
compounds (PFCs) and hazardous substances (as specified in Annex B) have been included;
— the list of regulated metals in EU + EFTA countries has been revised;
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
— new annexes, Annex B, Annex C, Annex E and Annex F, have been added.
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.
Introduction
Management of solid wastes is a problem of growing interest around the world. Cities, towns and
countries are attempting to divert more materials from disposal (landfills and incineration without
energy recovery) by performing different recovery options in order to transform waste into usable
products. Plastics recovery technologies include material recovery (mechanical recycling, chemical
or feedstock recycling, and biological or organic recycling) and the recovery of energy in the form of
usable heat under controlled combustion conditions.
This document intends to correctly identify compostable plastics, and compostable products made
from plastics, which can be recovered by organic recycling, i.e. will disintegrate and biodegrade
satisfactorily together with biowaste producing compost as an outcome, in composting or in anaerobic
digestion followed by composting, and will not leave any persistent or hazardous residues.
vi © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17088:2021(E)
Plastics — Organic recycling — Specifications for
compostable plastics
WARNING — Sewage, activated sludge, soil and compost might contain potentially pathogenic
organisms. Therefore, appropriate precautions should be taken when handling them. Toxic test,
compounds and those whose properties are unknown should be handled with care.
1 Scope
This document specifies procedures and requirements for plastics, and products made from plastics,
that are suitable for recovery through organic recycling. The four following aspects are addressed:
a) disintegration during composting;
b) ultimate aerobic biodegradation;
c) no adverse effects of compost on terrestrial organisms;
d) control of constituents.
These four aspects are suitable to assess the effects on the industrial composting process.
This document is intended to be used as the basis for systems of labelling and claims for compostable
plastics materials and products.
This document does not provide information on requirements for the biodegradability of plastics which
end up in the environment as litter. It is also not applicable to biologica
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17088
Third edition
2021-04
Plastics — Organic recycling —
Specifications for compostable
plastics
Plastiques — Recyclage organique — Spécifications pour les
plastiques compostables
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 .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General . 4
5 Basic requirements . 4
5.1 General . 4
5.2 Disintegration during composting . 4
5.3 Ultimate aerobic biodegradability . 4
5.4 No adverse effect of compost on terrestrial organisms . 4
5.5 Control of constituents . 5
6 Detailed requirements . 5
6.1 General . 5
6.2 Disintegration during composting . 5
6.2.1 General. 5
6.2.2 Variation in permitted thickness . 6
6.3 Ultimate biodegradation . 6
6.3.1 Aerobic biodegradation . 6
6.3.2 Potential for biogas production . 7
6.4 No adverse effects of compost on terrestrial organisms . 8
6.4.1 General. 8
6.4.2 Ecotoxicity test scheme . 8
6.4.3 Plant growth test (mandatory) . 8
6.4.4 Acute earthworm toxicity test (mandatory) . 9
6.4.5 Chronic earthworm toxicity test (mandatory) . 9
6.4.6 Nitrification inhibition test with soil microorganisms (optional) . 9
6.5 Control of constituents . 9
6.5.1 General. 9
6.5.2 Regulated metals and other elements . 9
6.5.3 Per- and poly-fluorinated compounds (PFCs) .10
6.5.4 Other hazardous substances .10
6.5.5 Volatile solids .10
7 Declaration of results .10
8 Test report .10
Annex A (informative) Examples of maximum concentrations of regulated metals and other
elements .12
Annex B (normative) Detection of per- and poly-fluorinated compounds and maximum
concentrations of other hazardous substances .13
Annex C (normative) Determination of ecotoxic effects on higher plants .14
Annex D (normative) Determination of acute ecotoxic effects to earthworm .16
Annex E (normative) Determination of chronic ecotoxic effects to earthworm .18
Annex F (informative) Determination of nitrification activity of soil microorganisms .20
Bibliography .22
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.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 17088:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— in Clause 3:
— the following terms have been added: organic recycling, anaerobic digestion, per- and poly-
fluorinated compound, well-managed industrial composting process, industrial composting,
organic constituents, home composting;
— the term catalyst has been deleted;
— 6.1.4 has been deleted;
— a new subclause, 6.2.2, on variation in permitted thickness has been added;
— in 6.3, requirements regarding biodegradability of constituents have been revised;
— in 6.3.1.1, the following references have been added as additional laboratory test methods for
biodegradation testing: ISO 14851, ISO 14852, ISO 17556;
— a new subclause, 6.3.2, on potential for biogas production has been added;
— 6.4 has been extended covering ecotoxicity tests with representative species from three trophic
levels;
— in 6.5, new requirements regarding control of constituents with respect to per- and poly-fluorinated
compounds (PFCs) and hazardous substances (as specified in Annex B) have been included;
— the list of regulated metals in EU + EFTA countries has been revised;
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
— new annexes, Annex B, Annex C, Annex E and Annex F, have been added.
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.
Introduction
Management of solid wastes is a problem of growing interest around the world. Cities, towns and
countries are attempting to divert more materials from disposal (landfills and incineration without
energy recovery) by performing different recovery options in order to transform waste into usable
products. Plastics recovery technologies include material recovery (mechanical recycling, chemical
or feedstock recycling, and biological or organic recycling) and the recovery of energy in the form of
usable heat under controlled combustion conditions.
This document intends to correctly identify compostable plastics, and compostable products made
from plastics, which can be recovered by organic recycling, i.e. will disintegrate and biodegrade
satisfactorily together with biowaste producing compost as an outcome, in composting or in anaerobic
digestion followed by composting, and will not leave any persistent or hazardous residues.
vi © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17088:2021(E)
Plastics — Organic recycling — Specifications for
compostable plastics
WARNING — Sewage, activated sludge, soil and compost might contain potentially pathogenic
organisms. Therefore, appropriate precautions should be taken when handling them. Toxic test,
compounds and those whose properties are unknown should be handled with care.
1 Scope
This document specifies procedures and requirements for plastics, and products made from plastics,
that are suitable for recovery through organic recycling. The four following aspects are addressed:
a) disintegration during composting;
b) ultimate aerobic biodegradation;
c) no adverse effects of compost on terrestrial organisms;
d) control of constituents.
These four aspects are suitable to assess the effects on the industrial composting process.
This document is intended to be used as the basis for systems of labelling and claims for compostable
plastics materials and products.
This document does not provide information on requirements for the biodegradability of plastics which
end up in the environment as litter. It is also not applicable to biologica
...
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