SIST EN 13655:2025

Plastics - Thermoplastic mulch films recoverable after use, for use in agriculture and horticulture

This document specifies the requirements related to dimensional, mechanical, optical and thermal characteristics of thermoplastic films for mulching applications in agriculture and horticulture.
These mulch films are intended to be removed after use and not incorporated in the soil.
These mulch films are not intended to be used for soil disinfection by fumigation. Films for soil disinfection are in the scope of EN 17098-1 [1] and EN 17098-2 [2].
The biodegradable mulch films intended to be incorporated in the soil after used are also not in the scope of this document. They are in the scope of EN 17033 [3].
This document specifies a classification for durability of mulching films and the test methods referred to in this document.
This document is applicable to thermoplastic mulch films, used for agriculture and horticulture in Europe, based on polyethylene and/or ethylene copolymers, of the following types:
-   transparent films;
-   black films;
-   reflective films (e.g. white films, black/white films and black/silver films);
-   films of other colour(s) for weed control (e.g. green, brown).
This document defines the criteria for design for recycling of mulch films and refer to EN 18109 for the product lifecycle, including installation, use, removal and collection for end of life for management of the product after its usage.
NOTE   Mulch films can be highly soiled by organic and mineral residues at the end of their use life: the observed rates (or levels) of soilage of mulch films can vary from 70 % to 90 %, therefore the film thickness is a key factor on the rate of soilage, the thinnest films (e.g. less than 20 micron) will be the mostly soiled, difficult, expensive to remove, recover and recycle.

Kunststoffe - Nach Gebrauch rückbaubare thermoplastische Mulchfolien für den Einsatz in Landwirtschaft und im Gartenbau

Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen in Bezug auf Maßeigenschaften sowie die mechanischen, optischen und thermischen Merkmale thermoplastischer Folien für Mulchanwendungen in der Landwirtschaft und im Gartenbau fest.
Diese Mulchfolien sind dazu bestimmt, nach Gebrauch entfernt und nicht in den Boden eingearbeitet zu werden.
Diese Mulchfolien sind nicht für eine Nutzung im Rahmen einer Bodendesinfektion durch Begasung vorgesehen. Folien zur Desinfektion von Böden fallen in den Anwendungsbereich von EN 17098 1 [1] und EN 17098 2 [2].
Die biologisch abbaubaren Mulchfolien, die dafür vorgesehen sind, nach ihrer Verwendung in den Boden eingearbeitet zu werden, fallen ebenfalls nicht in den Anwendungsbereich dieses Dokuments. Sie fallen in den Anwendungsbereich von EN 17033 [3].
Dieses Dokument legt eine Klassifikation bezüglich der Beständigkeit von Mulchfolien und der in diesem Dokument in Bezug genommenen Prüfverfahren fest.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für thermoplastische Mulchfolien der folgenden Typen, die aus Polyethylen und/oder Ethylen-Copolymeren bestehen und in Europa in der Landwirtschaft und im Gartenbau angewendet werden:
   transparente Folien;
   schwarze Folien;
   reflektierende Folien (z. B. weiße Folien, schwarz/weiße Folien und schwarz/silberne Folien);
   Folien in einer anderen Farbe bzw. in anderen Farben zur Unkrautbekämpfung (z. B. grün, braun).
Dieses Dokument definiert die Kriterien für das recyclinggerechte Design von Mulchfolien und verweist auf EN 18109 für den Produktlebenszyklus, einschließlich Installation, Nutzung, Entsorgung und Sammlung am Ende des Lebenszyklus für das Management des Produkts nach seiner Nutzung.
ANMERKUNG   Mulchfolien können durch organische und mineralische Rückstände stark kontaminiert sein: Die beobachteten Grade (oder Niveaus) können von 70 % bis 90 % variieren. Daher ist die Foliendicke ein wichtiger Faktor für den Kontaminationsgrad, wobei die dünnsten Folien (z. B. weniger als 20 Mikron) am höchsten kontaminiert, schwierig und teuer zu entfernen, zu verwerten und zu recyceln sind.

Plastiques - Films de paillage thermoplastiques récupérables après usage, pour utilisation en agriculture et horticulture

Le présent document spécifie les exigences relatives aux caractéristiques dimensionnelles, mécaniques, optiques et thermiques des films thermoplastiques à utiliser pour les applications de paillage en agriculture et en horticulture.
Ces films de paillage sont destinés à être retirés après utilisation et ne sont pas incorporés dans le sol.
Ces films de paillage ne sont pas destinés à être utilisés pour la désinfection du sol par fumigation. Les films pour la désinfection du sol font partie du domaine d’application de l’EN 17098-1 [1] et de l’EN 17098-2 [2].
Les films de paillage biodégradables destinés à être incorporés dans le sol après utilisation ne sont également pas dans le domaine d’application du présent document. Ils sont couverts par l’EN 17033 [3].
Le présent document spécifie une classification pour la durabilité des films de paillage et les méthodes d’essai auxquelles il est fait référence dans le présent document.
Le présent document est applicable aux films de paillage thermoplastiques utilisés en agriculture et en horticulture en Europe, à base de polyéthylène et/ou de copolymères d’éthylène, des types suivants :
-   films transparents ;
-   films noirs ;
-   films réfléchissants (par exemple films blancs, films noirs/blancs et films noirs/argentés) ;
-   films d’autre(s) couleur(s) pour le contrôle des mauvaises herbes (par exemple verts, marrons).
Le présent document définit les critères pour la conception en vue du recyclage des films de paillage et fait référence à l’EN 18109 pour le cycle de vie du produit, incluant la mise en œuvre, l’utilisation, la dépose et la collecte pour la gestion en fin de vie du produit après usage.
NOTE   Les films de paillage peuvent être fortement souillés par des résidus organiques et minéraux à la fin de leur vie : les taux (ou niveaux) de souillure observés sur les films de paillage peuvent varier de 70 % à 90 %. Par conséquent, l’épaisseur du film est un facteur clé pour le taux de souillure. Plus les films sont minces (par exemple moins de 20 microns), plus ils seront souillés et plus il sera difficile et coûteux de les éliminer, valoriser et recycler.

Polimerni materiali - Termoplastične folije za mulčenje, primerne za nadaljnjo predelavo, za uporabo v kmetijstvu in vrtnarstvu

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 15-Oct-2024
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2025
• ICS: 65.040.30 - Greenhouses and other installations
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: IPMA - Polimer materials and products
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 29-Sep-2025
• Due Date: 04-Dec-2025
• Completion Date: 01-Oct-2025
• Mandate: M/584 - Plastics recycling and recycled plastics
• Ref Project: EN 13655:2025 - Plastics - Thermoplastic mulch films recoverable after use, for use in agriculture and horticulture

Relations

• Revises: SIST EN 13655:2018 - Plastics - Thermoplastic mulch films recoverable after use, for use in agriculture and horticulture
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2025
Polimerni materiali - Termoplastične folije za mulčenje, primerne za nadaljnjo
predelavo, za uporabo v kmetijstvu in vrtnarstvu
Plastics - Thermoplastic mulch films recoverable after use, for use in agriculture and
horticulture
Kunststoffe - Nach Gebrauch rückbaubare thermoplastische Mulchfolien für den Einsatz
in Landwirtschaft und im Gartenbau
Plastiques - Films de paillage thermoplastiques récupérables après usage, pour
utilisation en agriculture et horticulture
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13655:2025
ICS:
65.040.30 Rastlinjaki in druge naprave Greenhouses and other
installations
83.140.10 Filmi in folije Films and sheets
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 13655
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 83.140.10 Supersedes EN 13655:2018
English Version
Plastics - Thermoplastic mulch films recoverable after use,
for use in agriculture and horticulture
Plastiques - Films de paillage thermoplastiques Kunststoffe - Nach Gebrauch rückbaubare
récupérables après usage, pour utilisation en thermoplastische Mulchfolien für den Einsatz in
agriculture et horticulture Landwirtschaft und im Gartenbau
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 June 2025.

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, Türkiye 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
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13655:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Types and use . 8
5 Materials . 8
6 Durability . 9
7 Requirements . 9
7.1 General requirements . 9
7.2 Requirement for appearance .14
8 Test methods .14
8.1 Thickness .14
8.2 Width .14
8.3 Film length .14
8.4 Tensile characteristics .15
8.5 Impact resistance.15
8.5.1 General .15
8.5.2 Flat area .15
8.5.3 Fold area .15
8.6 Total luminous transmittance (transparent films) .16
8.7 Solar radiation in PAR and NIR region .16
8.7.1 Principle .16
8.7.2 Apparatus .16
8.7.3 Procedure .17
8.7.4 Expression of results .17
8.8 Solar reflectance .17
8.9 Relative light transmission .17
8.10 Resistance to artificial weathering .17
8.10.1 Principle .17
8.10.2 Exposure to xenon-arc lamps .17
8.10.3 Procedure .18
8.10.4 Calculation and expression of results .18
9 Roll acceptance, storage and handling .18
9.1 Delivery checking .18
9.2 Storage and handling of rolls .18
10 Designation .18
11 Marking .19
11.1 Generalities .19
11.2 Marking of the film .19
11.3 Marking on the packaging or label .20
12 Instructions for storage, installation and use of mulch films. 20
13 Design for mechanical recycling and end of life of mulch films . 21
14 Removal and collection instructions of used mulch films . 22
15 Functions and factors of degradability of mulch films . 22
Annex A (informative) Exposure to other light sources . 23
Annex B (informative) Numerical correlation between durations of mulching films exposed to
artificial weathering and natural exposure . 27
Annex C (normative) Determination of solar reflectance . 30
Annex D (normative) Determination of the relative light transmission . 32
Annex E (informative) Guidance main functions of mulch films factors influencing degradability
........................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Bibliography . 34

European foreword
This document (EN 13655:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”, the
secretariat of which is held by SIS.
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 February 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by February 2026.
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.
This document supersedes EN 13655:2018.
— Clause 5 on materials has been extended;
— Clause 10, Clause 11 and Clause 12 on designation, marking and instructions for storage, installation
and use of mulch films, respectively, have been modified;
— Clause 13 on the design-for-recycling of end of life of mulch films has been added;
— Clause 14 on removal and collection instructions of used mulch films has been modified, referring to
EN 18109 for additional information;
— the informative Annex E has been modified, and previous Clauses E.3 and E.4 have been transferred
to EN 18109;
— Details on functions and factors of degradability of mulch films have been transferred to Clause 15 in
this document;
— the previous Annex E on the guidance for conditions for installation, use and removal of mulch films
has been transferred to EN 18109.
This document (EN 13655) has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the
European Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these
requests for its Member States.
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, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Under preparation
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements related to dimensional, mechanical, optical and thermal
characteristics of thermoplastic films for mulching applications in agriculture and horticulture.
These mulch films are intended to be removed after use and not incorporated in the soil.
These mulch films are not intended to be used for soil disinfection by fumigation. Films for soil

[1] and EN 17098-2 [2].
disinfection are in the scope of EN 17098-1
The biodegradable mulch films intended to be incorporated in the soil after used are also not in the scope
of this document. They are in the scope of EN 17033 [3].
This document specifies a classification for durability of mulching films and the test methods referred to
in this document.
This document is applicable to thermoplastic mulch films, used for agriculture and horticulture in Europe,
based on polyethylene and/or ethylene copolymers, of the following types:
— transparent films;
— black fi
...