Biodegradability and Certifi cation Procedures
1) Material characteristics: identifi cation of and information on different constituents;
5.4 Certifi cation
5.4.2 Different Certifi cation Systems
5.4.2.1 DIN-Certco
Probably the best-known and most used certification system is the DIN-Certco compostability certifi cation scheme [77]. This system is managed by DIN-Certco which is a quality control organisation based in Berlin (Germany) and linked to DIN. Products that are certifi ed can carry a compostability logo (see Figure 5.9). The property rights on the logo belong to Interessengemeinschaft Biologisch Abbaubare Werkstoffe, an industry association of bioplastic producers (IBAW); DIN-Certco however is responsible for the usage rights.
At the start in 1997 the system was based on the DIN V 54900 [4] prenorm on compostability of plastics. In addition to the norm a certifi cation scheme was published in which some further (technical) rules for certifi cation were specifi ed. These can considered to be a kind of by-law. At the third revision of this certifi cation scheme published in July 2001 [14], the EN 13432 [5] and ASTM D6400-99 [54] norms are also mentioned besides the DIN V 54900 as standards along which the compostability can be evaluated. On a few matters of confl ict, e.g., heavy metals and test duration of radiolabelled biodegradation tests, the scheme is giving the ultimate guideline for the certifi cation to follow.
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171 Testing must be done in test laboratories that are approved by DIN-Certco. The approval is based on the EN ISO/IEC 17025-1 standard [78] for quality control and assurance in test laboratories.
The applicant for the compostability logo must submit the completed forms to DIN-Certco. After a quick review for completeness, the dossier is further distributed amongst a certifi cation committee for a defi nite evaluation and eventual agreement for certifi cation.
The certifi cation committee is composed of representatives of different professional interest groups, e.g., waste management industry, compost quality organisation, retailers, farmers, bioplastic industry, environmental group, and university. After approval the material or product receives a certifi cate and is allowed to carry the compostability logo.
A distinction is made between polymeric materials, compostable materials, intermediates and additives on one hand and products and product ranges on the other hand. Whereas new, basic polymeric materials have to go through the complete testing programme, other categories or products only have to be submitted to a reduced testing programme, e.g., checking of disintegration only or just an administrative review to check if all constituents are compostable and the dimensions (thickness) are within the approved range.
If a packaging material is to be certifi ed the content of it or product which is going to be packed in it, also needs to be evaluated on its suitability for composting.
For the initial approval a sample of the material or product must also be delivered for archiving and an infrared (IR) spectrum. The latter can considered being a kind of fi ngerprint analysis for identifi cation. After certain time intervals, (e.g., once in the fi rst year of certifi cation), samples are retrieved from the market for conformity checks. These new samples are submitted to IR analyses, which are used to check the similarity between the retrieved material and the originally certifi ed material.
Figure 5.9 DIN-Certco compostability logo
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More information on the DIN-Certco labelling and certifi cation system can be found on their website [79]. In October 2004 about 45 plastics were certifi ed as well as about 40 product families. The system is mainly used in Germany.
5.4.2.2 OK Compost
In Belgium, the OK Compost compostability certifi cation and labelling system was launched in 1994 by the quality control organisation AIB-Vinçotte International (AVI).
The initiative was stimulated by the request of local governments who wanted to use compostable biowaste collection bags. Instead of collection bins some local governments prefer plastic bags because it forms the basis of a tax collection system applying ‘the polluter pays principle’. Only waste bags with the imprint of the city can be used.
The OK Compost label has played an important role in the development of the market for compostable biowaste collection bags, which is now well established in Belgium (several million bags sold per year). The biowaste collection bags are now state-of-the-art technology and functionality and true compostability has been proven.
Originally, the OK Compost system was based on the draft proposals for the European norm on compostability completed with some further technical specifi cations by AVI. Since the defi nite publication of EN 13432 [5], this norm is the principal guideline for the OK Compost system. Producers of basic materials or defi nite products must submit a dossier to AVI, which is making an evaluation and eventually granting the OK Compost certifi cate.
The products can carry the OK Compost logo (see Figure 5.10). More information can be found on their website [80]. In October 2004 about 40 materials, products or additives are certifi ed according to OK Compost.
Figure 5.10 OK Compost logo
Reproduced with kind permission of AIB Vinçotte
•
OK Biodegradable
AVI has introduced a second certifi cation and labelling system besides OK Compost. This is OK Biodegradable with further specifi cations according to whether the applications are for soil
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173 or water. These environmental conditions are different from composting and can show very different biodegradation characteristics as explained previously in the paragraphs on standards for biodegradation tests, e.g., it is perfectly possible that a biodegradable plastic needs a thermal (abiotic) trigger to start hydrolysis and continue biological mineralisation afterwards and is a perfect candidate for OK Compost certifi cation. Yet, the same bioplastic will not start hydrolysis in a soil at ambient temperature and in this situation the OK Compost logo is of little use.
Extrapolating this reasoning further to certifi cation, AVI thought it useful to start a separate OK Biodegradable logo (see Figure 5.11) guaranteeing biodegradation in the specifi ed environment.
Because international standards in this fi eld have not yet been developed, the specifi cations and pass levels to be met are defi ned by a certifi cation scheme prepared by AVI itself.
Figure 5.11 OK Biodegradable logo Reproduced with kind permission of AIB-Vinçotte
5.4.2.3 BPI Logo
In the USA, a compostability certifi cation and logo (see Figure 5.12) programme was started in 2000 by a joint effort of International Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the US Composting Council (USCC). BPI is an industry organisation of bioplastic producers [81]. The USCC represents the interests of the composting industry. The certifi cation program is based on the ASTM D6400 [54] and ASTM D6868 [82]. Applicants have to submit a dossier, which is reviewed by the Scientifi c Review Committee. In May 2001 the fi rst series of products offi cially received the certifi cate.
Figure 5.12 BPI-USCC logo
Reproduced with kind permission of the BPI
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5.4.2.4 GreenPla Certifi cation System
In Japan a certifi cation system has been started by the Biodegradable Plastics Society (BPS), an industry association on biodegradable plastics, which in many aspects is different from the European and American systems. The main focus of the system is biodegradability and environmental safety. Compatibility with a typical biological waste treatment system or disintegration within a specifi c time period is not an issue at this stage.
The material must be biodegradable which is defined by a minimum of 60% of mineralisation. A time frame to achieve this is not specifi ed. Further criteria are related to maximum levels of heavy metals (same 11 metals as for EN 13432 [5]) and a minimum concentration of organic matter.
The major difference with the other certifi cation systems lies in the need for toxicological safety data on the material itself (not to be confused with ecotoxicity tests after a preceding composting cycle). In the GreenPla system, the proof of toxicological safety is given by either oral acute toxicity tests with rats or environmental safety tests with algae, Daphnia or fi sh. Alternatively, the approval as a food additive is also suffi cient.
More information on the Japanese GreenPla system can be found on the website [83]. A visual representation of the logo is given in Figure 5.13.
Figure 5.13 GreenPla logo
5.4.2.5 Other Certifi cation and Logo Systems
In various other, mainly European, countries’ initiatives have also been taken to launch compostability logo’s.
In Finland, the Jätelaitosyhdistys (Finnish solid waste association, organisation co-ordinating activities of composting facilities) has launched the apple-logo (see Figure 5.14)
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175 for compostable products. The prerequisites for the logo are identical to EN 13432 [5].
A few products, mainly biowaste bags, have been certifi ed.
Other initiatives have been started in Austria, The Netherlands (by the certifi cation institute ‘Stichting Milieukeur’), Spain and Italy but very little information is known about these systems. The relevance of these systems to market development seems rather limited until now. Nevertheless it is possible that these systems might play an important role in the near future.
Figure 5.14 Finnish compostability logo
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