Although various standardization working groups have been working for many years on the issues of biodegradability and compostability, some people often are still confused about what these terms really entail. Yet, the European norm EN 13432 as well as the comparable ASTM specifications D6400 and D6868 have strict procedures with clear criteria and have been used successfully for several years now. Based on this experience also, an ISO norm was published in 2008 : ISO 17088 and another one is moving to ISO stage (ISO DIS 18606).

This presentation starts with a discussion on the European norm EN 13432 on compostability of packaging and making the distinction between biodegradability and compostability. Compostable materials must meet certain requirements with regard to composition (mainly heavy metal limits). Full biodegradation is required within a period of 6 months. Also disintegration must be achieved according to strict limits for a test material at a maximum thickness (more than 90% of input material must pass 2 mm). Finally, compost quality is evaluated via physical-chemical analyses and plant toxicity tests. The various requirements are discussed in detail.

Further, a description is given of systems to put this norm into practice (certification and logos), experiences obtained after 10 years of usage of this norm in various European countries, future outlook, and finally a comparison with similar norms in North America and Japan.

In the last part of the presentation, other environments are discussed, sketching the similarities and the differences that are mostly related to temperature but also microbial population that is present. More in particular, biodegradation in home composting, in soil and in water is discussed with again focus on test methods as well as criteria. Also a brief overview will be given on the standards existing in these different fields.