EN 13432

EN 13432 is a European standard that specifies the requirements for the compostability of packaging and packaging materials. It is titled "Packaging - Requirements for Packaging Recoverable through Composting and Biodegradation - Test Scheme and Evaluation Criteria for the Final Acceptance of Packaging" and was first published in 2000 by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The purpose of EN 13432 is to establish criteria and test methods to determine if packaging materials are compostable. Compostability refers to the ability of a material to break down in a composting environment and turn into compost, which is a valuable soil amendment. To comply with EN 13432, packaging materials must meet specific requirements in terms of biodegradability, disintegration, and ecotoxicity. The standard sets out the testing procedures to evaluate these properties and provides criteria for the final acceptance of packaging based on the test results. Here are some key requirements outlined in EN 13432: Biodegradability: The packaging material must be biodegradable, meaning it can be broken down by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. The standard specifies the minimum percentage of biodegradation that must be achieved within a specified time frame. Disintegration: The packaging material should disintegrate during the composting process. Disintegration refers to the physical breakdown of the material into small fragments that are not readily visible and can mix with the compost. Ecotoxicity: The compost produced from the packaging material should not have any negative effects on plant growth or soil quality. The standard requires testing for ecotoxicity to ensure that the compost is safe for use in agriculture and horticulture. EN 13432 provides detailed instructions on the test methods and conditions for conducting these assessments. It also specifies labeling requirements for packaging that complies with the standard, including the use of specific symbols or wording to indicate compostability. Complying with EN 13432 allows packaging manufacturers to demonstrate that their products are designed for recovery through composting and meet the necessary environmental criteria. This standard helps promote sustainable waste management practices and encourages the use of compostable materials in packaging to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.
About

About (EN 13432)

EN 13432 is a European standard that specifies the requirements for the compostability of packaging and packaging materials. It is titled "Packaging - Requirements for Packaging Recoverable through Composting and Biodegradation - Test Scheme and Evaluation Criteria for the Final Acceptance of Packaging" and was first published in 2000 by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

The purpose of EN 13432 is to establish criteria and test methods to determine if packaging materials are compostable. Compostability refers to the ability of a material to break down in a composting environment and turn into compost, which is a valuable soil amendment.

To comply with EN 13432, packaging materials must meet specific requirements in terms of biodegradability, disintegration, and ecotoxicity. The standard sets out the testing procedures to evaluate these properties and provides criteria for the final acceptance of packaging based on the test results.

Here are some key requirements outlined in EN 13432:

Biodegradability: The packaging material must be biodegradable, meaning it can be broken down by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. The standard specifies the minimum percentage of biodegradation that must be achieved within a specified time frame.

Disintegration: The packaging material should disintegrate during the composting process. Disintegration refers to the physical breakdown of the material into small fragments that are not readily visible and can mix with the compost.

Ecotoxicity: The compost produced from the packaging material should not have any negative effects on plant growth or soil quality. The standard requires testing for ecotoxicity to ensure that the compost is safe for use in agriculture and horticulture.

EN 13432 provides detailed instructions on the test methods and conditions for conducting these assessments. It also specifies labeling requirements for packaging that complies with the standard, including the use of specific symbols or wording to indicate compostability.

Complying with EN 13432 allows packaging manufacturers to demonstrate that their products are designed for recovery through composting and meet the necessary environmental criteria. This standard helps promote sustainable waste management practices and encourages the use of compostable materials in packaging to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.