AS 5810 pdf download – Biodegradable plastics—Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting

AS 5810 pdf download – Biodegradable plastics—Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting
The test sample shall degrade at least 90% w/w (dry weight) in total or equal to the maximum degradation of a suitable reference substance (see Clause 3.9). The maximum percentage biodegradation of the reference substance shall only be obtained after a plateau has been reached in the rate of biodegradation. The ultimate aerobic biodegradability shall be determined for the whole material or for each organic constituent that is present in the material at a concentration of more than 1% (by dry mass). Constituents that are present at concentrations of less than 1% do not need to demonstrate biodegradability. However, the sum of such constituents shall not exceed 5%.
5.4.2.2 Test method The limit value for biodegradation is based on conversion of the carbon of the test material into carbon dioxide and biomass. The details of calculation depend on the test and analytical methods used. AS ISO 14855 shall be used as the standard test method, unless inappropriate for the type and properties of the plastic under test. When alternative methods are necessary, either ISO 14851 or AS ISO 14852 shall be used. For all test methods (AS ISO 14855, ISO 14851, and AS ISO 14852), the test environment shall be at an ambient temperature of 25 ±5°C. The temperature shall be kept below 30°C for the duration of the test. Information on how to handle materials having poor water solubility for use in aquatic biodegradation tests may be obtained from ISO 10634.
5.5 Disintegration
5.5.1 General When testing finished articles and products, testing shall be conducted starting with the articles and products in the same form as they are intended to be used. For products and materials that are made in several different thicknesses or densities, such as films, containers and foams, only the thickest or most dense products and materials need to be tested providing the chemical composition and structure remains otherwise the same. Due to the nature and analytical conditions of the disintegration test, the test results cannot differentiate between biodegradation and abiotic disintegration. It shall be demonstrated that a sufficient disintegration of the test material is achieved within the specified treatment time of 180 days. When tests on ecotoxicity are performed it is important to use compost from disintegration tests that have been run with and without the test material to compare the test results directly and to find out any relative ecotoxic effects. Special attention should be given to the visual aspects of compost.
NOTES:
1 The compost generated from the disintegration test may be used for assessment of compost quality (see Clause 5.6).
2 If the compost quality of the product has already been assessed under AS 4736, the result from AS 4736 can be used to meet ecotoxicity criteria, as outlined under Clause 5.6.3 of this Standard.
3 Two evaluative methods are available for assessment of disintegration. If a product is to be tested only for disintegration, either ISO 20200 or a slide frame test may be used. If a product is to be tested for disintegration and ecotoxicity in one test series (as per Clause 5.6) it is necessary to use the method as outlined in ISO 20200.
5.5.2 Criteria When tested to ISO 20200 as modified by Clause 5.5.3 below, a plastic product shall be considered to have demonstrated satisfactory disintegration if, after 180 days in a controlled composting test, no more than 10% w/w (dry weight) of the original dry weight of test material fails to pass through a 2 mm fraction sieve. Any remaining plastic residue shall not be distinguishable from the other material in the compost at 500 mm as observed by the naked eye. For the slide frame test as set out in Clause 5.5.3, the criterion for evaluation is that 90% of the film has disintegrated from the slide frame and any remaining plastic residue shall not be distinguishable from the other material in the compost at 500 mm as observed by the naked eye.