Eco compatibility evaluations: biodegradability and compostability

CSI is accredited by ACCREDIA also for the biodegradability and compostability tests of packaging according to UNI EN 13432, the standard that defines the characteristics that packaging must have in order to be considered biodegradable and compostable.

An accreditation that further strengthens the role of CSI, already recognized in the packaging sector as an authoritative center of reference for testing activities on packaging materials, those in contact with food and those for the pharmaceutical and food.

According to the UNI EN 13432 standard, a material to be defined as "compostable" must have the following characteristics:

• biodegradability: that is the ability of the material to be converted into carbon dioxide under the action of microorganisms. The test conditions to be adopted are those provided for by UNI EN ISO 14855-1: 2013 and UNI EN 10046: 2003, which indicates that the material must be able to degrade by at least 90% within 6 months.
• degree of disintegration: the packaging disintegration test takes place according to the ISO16929: 2013 standard. In contact with a standard waste for a period of 3 months, the resulting mass of the tested material, after screening on a 2 mm sieve, must have a weight of less than 10%
• absence of negative effects on the composting process: the compost resulting from the composting process must not have ecotoxic effects on higher plants and the compost must be of good quality
• the material to be composted must have a concentration of heavy metals lower than that required by the standard.

Compliance with the UNI EN 13432 standard, we remind you, meets one of the requirements of the European Packaging Directive (94/62 / EE) and the requirements for the marketing of light and ultralight bags (shoppers) provided for by Law no. 123 of 3 August 2017.

Biodegradability and compostability are key elements in a circular economy process. Having the certainty of relying on an accredited, reliable, competent structure, with a team of technicians constantly updated on technological and regulatory developments, is an added value for that social and environmental responsibility to which packaging producers are increasingly drawn, by consumers and the market in general.

CSI database allows you to know the Organizations / companies with a certified management system.