DANSK DSF/ISO/DIS 23977-2 PDF

This proposal specifies a laboratory test method for determining the degree and rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials. Biodegradation of plastic materials is determined by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer when exposed to seawater sampled from coastal areas under laboratory conditions. The test is performed with either seawater only (“pelagic seawater test”) or with seawater to which little sediment was added (“suspended sediment seawater test”). The pelagic seawater test simulates the conditions found in offshore areas with low water currents and low tidal movements, whereas the suspended sediment seawater test simulates conditions which might be found in coastal areas with stronger water currents and tidal movements. The conditions described in this proposal may not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation, but this test method is designed to give an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials. NOTE – This document is addressing plastic materials but can also be used for other materials.