This document specifies a laboratory test method for determining in a closed system the degree and rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials, including those containing formulation additives. Biodegradation is determined by measuring the CO2 evolved from plastic materials when exposed in an aqueous medium to an inoculum from activated sludge under laboratory conditions.

If an unadapted activated sludge is used as the inoculum, the test simulates the biodegradation processes which occur in a natural aqueous environment; if a mixed or pre-exposed inoculum is used, the method can be used to investigate the potential biodegradability of a test material.

The conditions described in this document might not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation, however this test method is designed to give an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials.

NOTE    This document addresses plastic materials but can also be used for other materials (e.g. natural and/or synthetical polymers, copolymers or mixtures thereof; plastic materials which contain additives such as plasticizers, colorants or other compounds; water-soluble polymers).