SIST EN 14995:2007
(Main)Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications
Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications
This European Standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability or anaerobic treatability of plastic materials by addressing four characteristics:
I) biodegradability,
II) disintegration during biological treatment,
III) effect on the biological treatment process and
IV) effect on the quality of the resulting compost.
NOTE For packaging EN 13432 applies.
Kunststoffe - Bewertung der Kompostierbarkeit - Prüfschema und Spezifikationen
Diese Europäische Norm legt Anforderungen und Verfahren fest zum Bestimmen der Kompostierbarkeit oder anaeroben Behandelbarkeit von Kunststoffmaterialien mit Hilfe folgender vier Eigenschaften:
1) biologische Abbaubarkeit;
2) Desintegration während der biologischen Behandlung;
3) Auswirkung auf den biologischen Behandlungsprozess;
Auswirkung auf die Qualität des entstandenen Komposts.
Matieres plastiques - Evaluation de la compostabilité - Programme d'essais et spécifications
Polimerni materiali - Vrednotenje primernosti za kompostiranje - Preskusna shema in specifikacije
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Mar-2007
- Technical Committee
- IPMA - Polimer materials and products
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Apr-2007
- Due Date
- 01-Apr-2007
- Completion Date
- 01-Apr-2007
- Directive
- Slovenian Regulation2013-01-3557 - Uredba o predelavi biološko razgradljivih odpadkov in uporabi komposta ali digestata
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
SIST EN 14995:2007 is a European standard that defines the requirements and test processes for evaluating the compostability and anaerobic treatability of plastic materials. Developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST), this standard guides manufacturers, testing laboratories, and regulatory bodies in determining whether plastics can be safely recovered through biological treatment processes, such as composting or anaerobic digestion. The standard establishes clear assessment methods for biodegradability, disintegration, impact on the biological treatment process, and effects on the quality of the resulting compost.
Key Topics
- Biodegradability: The standard requires that plastics must be inherently and ultimately biodegradable under controlled conditions. Laboratory testing using internationally recognized methods ensures plastics break down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass (aerobic) or methane (anaerobic), without leaving persistent residues.
- Disintegration: Disintegration of plastics during the composting process must reach a defined threshold, ensuring that plastic fragments do not visually or physically contaminate the compost after treatment.
- Impact on Biological Treatment: The biological treatment process (e.g., composting) must remain unaffected when compostable plastics are present, with no negative influence on process parameters.
- Compost Quality: Plastics evaluated under this standard must not compromise the quality or safety of the final compost. This includes checks for heavy metals, hazardous substances, and ecotoxicity using plant growth tests.
- Assessment Scheme: SIST EN 14995:2007 provides a structured process for assessment and documentation, using checklists, supporting technical data, and formal evaluation criteria.
Applications
SIST EN 14995:2007 is essential for:
- Plastic Material Design: Manufacturers developing plastics intended for organic recovery must use this standard to ensure product claims for compostability or biodegradability are valid and testable.
- Quality Assurance: Testing organizations use the standard’s specified test methods to verify compliance, supporting eco-label claims and regulatory requirements.
- Waste Management: Municipal and industrial composting facilities can use the standard to identify suitable plastic inputs that will not impact compost quality or processing efficiency.
- Sustainability Programs: Organizations implementing circular economy and environmental stewardship initiatives rely on compliance with this standard to support responsible end-of-life management of plastic materials.
Importantly, SIST EN 14995:2007 is not intended for packaging materials, where EN 13432 applies.
Related Standards
- EN 13432: Focuses on compostability of packaging; should be referred to for packaging applications.
- ISO 14851, ISO 14852, ISO 14855: Methods for determining the aerobic biodegradability of plastics.
- ISO 16929: Provides test methods for determining the disintegration of plastic materials under composting conditions.
- OECD 208: Used for ecotoxicity testing with terrestrial plants, referenced for assessing impact on compost quality.
- ISO 15985, ISO 14853, EN ISO 11734: Additional methods related to anaerobic biodegradability and treatment.
Adhering to SIST EN 14995:2007 helps ensure plastics marketed as compostable contribute positively to sustainable waste management, minimizing environmental impact and supporting regulatory compliance across the European Union. By establishing rigorous assessment and test schemes, the standard underpins confidence in the organic recoverability of plastic materials and the production of high-quality compost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 14995:2007 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability or anaerobic treatability of plastic materials by addressing four characteristics: I) biodegradability, II) disintegration during biological treatment, III) effect on the biological treatment process and IV) effect on the quality of the resulting compost. NOTE For packaging EN 13432 applies.
This European Standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability or anaerobic treatability of plastic materials by addressing four characteristics: I) biodegradability, II) disintegration during biological treatment, III) effect on the biological treatment process and IV) effect on the quality of the resulting compost. NOTE For packaging EN 13432 applies.
SIST EN 14995:2007 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.030.99 - Other standards related to wastes; 83.080.01 - Plastics in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 14995:2007 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN ISO 14852:2021, SIST EN 934-3:2009, SIST EN ISO 14851:2019, SIST EN ISO 14855-1:2013, SIST-TS CEN/TS 16398:2014. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 14995:2007 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2013-01-3557, 2014-01-4040. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
SIST EN 14995:2007 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specificationsPolimerni materiali - Vrednotenje primernosti za kompostiranje - Preskusna shema in specifikacijeMatieres plastiques - Evaluation de la compostabilité - Programme d'essais et spécificationsKunststoffe - Bewertung der Kompostierbarkeit - Prüfschema und SpezifikationenTa slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14995:2006SIST EN 14995:2007en;fr;de83.080.01Polimerni materiali na splošnoPlastics in general13.030.99Drugi standardi v zvezi z odpadkiOther standards related to wastesICS:SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 14995:200701-april-2007
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14995December 2006ICS 13.030.99; 83.080.01 English VersionPlastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme andspecificationsMatières plastiques - Evaluation de la compostabilité -Programme d'essais et spécificationsKunststoffe - Bewertung der Kompostierbarkeit -Prüfschema und SpezifikationenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 9 November 2006.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2006 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14995:2006: E
Evaluation criteria.11 Annex B (informative)
Flow chart of evaluation of organic recoverability of plastic materials.13 Annex C (informative)
Prerequisites and quality of compost for evaluating composting of plastic materials.17 Annex D (normative)
Determination of ecotoxic effects to higher plants.18 Bibliography.20
biodegradability, II)
disintegration during biological treatment, III)
effect on the biological treatment process and IV)
effect on the quality of the resulting compost. NOTE For packaging EN 13432 applies. 2 Normative references The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN ISO 14851, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium - Method by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer (ISO 14851:1999)
EN ISO 14852, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide (ISO 14852:1999) EN ISO 14855, Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability and disintegration of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide (ISO 14855:1999) ISO 16929, Plastics — Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under defined composting conditions in a pilot-scale test OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals 208: Terrestrial Plants, Growth Test; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2 rue André Pascal, F - 75775 Paris
Control of constituents Constituents known to be, or expected to become, harmful to the environment during the biological treatment process (see Clause 8), in excess of the limits given in A.1, shall not be deliberately introduced into plastic materials intended to be designated as suitable for organic recovery. 4.2
Assessment 4.2.1 General Except as identified in 4.3, assessment of the biological treatability of plastic materials shall include the following 5 assessment procedures as a minimum: characterization (4.2.2); biodegradability (4.2.3); disintegration including effects on the biological treatment process (4.2.4); compost quality (4.2.5); recognizability (4.2.6).
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