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SGS Biodegradable Services: Our Approach to Sustainability

24 Sep 2020
orig modern chemistry medical chromatographic analysis test

Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Biodegradable plastic can be used in consumer electronics, packaging, textile and etc.

In Europe, the European Committee for Normalization (CEN) had published EN 13432 for determining whether a material can be considered "compostable".  In USA, the ASTM D6400 standard was published for those who want to label their products as “compostable in municipal and industrial composting facilities”.  Moreover, countries around the world, such as Australia, Japan, Rwanda, Kenya, etc., are also establishing their own corresponding requirements.

In January 2020, China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Treatment of Plastic Pollution", had established a timetable for the prohibition and limit the use of traditional plastics, and required the introduction of a provincial implementation plan by August 2020.  By the end of the year, some regions and areas will be the first to ban and restrict the production, sale and use of non-degradable plastic products, which will have a dramatic effect on the plastic industry.

To cope with this trend, SGS offers various services to determine the compliance of biodegradable plastics in accordance to different markets.

TYPE OF DEGRADABLE PLASTICREQUIREMENT GB/T 20197TEST STANDARDS
ChinaInternational
Biodegradable PlasticBiodegradation rate ≥60%GB/T 19277

EN 13432, ASTM D6400 & ISO 17088

Compostable PlasticBiodegradability ≥60%GB/T 19277, GB/T 19811 & CJ/T 3059ISO 14855-1 & ASTM D5338
Disintegration ≥90%

Xeon Arc - Photodegradable Plastic

Retention ratio of tensile elongation at break ≤5%GB/T 16422.2, GB/T 1040, GPCISO 4892-2, ISO 527 & GPC
Declining ratio of molecular weight ≥70%
Over 10% Molecules with molecular weight less than 10000 after photodegradation
Heat- and/or Oxide-Degradable Plastic Retention ratio of tensile elongation at break ≤5%GB/T 7141, GB/T 1040 & GPCASTM D5510, ISO 572 & GPC
Declining ratio of molecular weight ≥70%
Over 20% Molecules with molecular weight less than 10000 after pyrolysis


SGS’s extensive global network could offer strong technical support and effective customer service from our local experts reducing your time and efforts on administrative and project management activities regarding global compliance, and thus enhance product acceptance in the global market.



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