ISO 23517-2021 pdf free download – Plastics — Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture — Requirements and test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and control of constituents.
4.3Ultimate aerobic biodegradation
The ultimate level of aerobic biodegradation shall be established by testing under controlled conditionsas laid down in 5.2.1.
4.4 Negative effects on terrestrial organism
The mulch film or the material of the mulch film shall have no adverse effects on terrestrial organisms.
5Detailed requirements
5.1 Control of constituents
5.1.1 Regulated metals and other elements
The concentrations of regulated metals and other elements in a mulch film or material of the mulch filmshall be less than 50 % of those prescribed for sludges, fertilizers and composts in the country wherethe final product will be placed on the market or disposed of (see Annex A for examples).
Regulated metals and other elements shall be determined and reported.
5.1.2Organic and inorganic fluorine
5.1.2.1organic fluorine (PFAS)
From a precautionary perspective, poly- and perfluoroalkylsubstances(PFAS)shall not be intentionallyadded to the mulch film or to a material of the mulch film.
NOTE Most of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely persistent in the environment andin addition, certain PFAS are suspected to have bioaccumulative properties and adverse effects for environmentand human health.
5.1.2.2Inorganic fluorine
The concentration of inorganic fluorine in the mulch film or in a material of the mulch film shall be lessthan 100 mg fluorine/kg material (dry matter) (see Annex B).
5.1.3 Other hazardous substances
From a precautionary perspective, hazardous substances as specified in Annex B shall not beintentionally added to a mulch film or material of the mulch film.
Information on the use of hazardous substances shall be recorded and can be based on a self-declaration.5.1.4 Volatile solids
A mulch film or material of a mulch film shall contain a minimum of 60 % of volatile solids.Volatile solids shall be determined and reported.
5.2 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation5.2.1 Test method and evaluation criteria
The ultimate aerobic biodegradability shall be determined for the whole material or for each organicconstituent.
Test samples shall not be subjected to conditions or procedures, such as a pre-treatment by heat and oran exposure to radiation exposure, designed to accelerate biodegradation prior to testing according toISo 17556.
The material is considered to have demonstrated a satisfactory rate and level of biodegradation in soilif, when tested in accordance with ISO 17556, it achieves a minimum biodegradation percentage asspecified hereunder:
a) 90 % of the organic carbon shall have been converted to CO, by the end of the test period (relative
to a reference material).Both the reference material and the test item shall be tested for the samelength of time and the results compared at the same point in time;
b) as an alternative, 90 % (in absolute terms) of the organic carbon shall have been converted to
carbon dioxide by the end of the test period.
lf the level of biodegradation exceeds 90 % (relative to a reference material or in absolute terms), thenthe biodegradation test can be terminated.However, the test period shall be no longer than 2 years.The biodegradation test shall be performed at a temperature constant to within ±2 °C in the rangebetween 20 C and 28°C, preferably 25°C.
Use, as reference material, a well-defined biodegradable polymer(microcrystalline-cellulose powderor ashless cellulose filters). If possible, the physical form and size of the reference material should becomparable to that of the test material.
The validity criteria as stated in lSo 17556 shall be fulfilled.
NOTE Biodegradability is assessed by measuring the mineralization level, i.e.the conversion of the organiccarbon of a product or a material into CO, with the consumption of 0。 under aerobic conditions, or into CO,and CH, under anaerobic conditions. During biodegradation, part of the organic carbon is also assimilated asbiomass.T’his biomass yield typically ranges from 10 % to 40 %, depending on the substrate.As a consequence,the mineralization level rarely reaches 100 % also when the biodegradation is 100 %, because of biomassformation.Standard test methods for the accurate determination of product’s or material’s carbon assimilated inbiomass during biodegradation are not available yet.ISO 23517 pdf download.