Packaging. Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging
The Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) defines requirements for packaging to be considered recoverable. BS EN 13432:2000 amplifies these requirements with respect to organic recovery.
BS EN 13427:2000 provides a framework within which this and four other standards (BS EN 13429, BS EN 13430, BS EN 13431, and BS EN 13432) may be used together to support a claim that packaging is in compliance with the essential requirements for it to be placed on the market as required by the Directive.
The purpose of packaging is the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of products. Organic recovery of used packaging is one of several recovery options within the overall life cycle of packaging.
In order to save resources and minimize waste, the whole system in which the packaging takes part should be optimized. This includes prevention as well as reuse and recovery of packaging waste.
This standard presents a framework for self-assessment to determine whether the requirements of this standard have been met. Its approach is similar to that of systems standards such as the BS EN ISO 9000 and BS EN ISO 14000 series.
Organic recovery of packaging and packaging materials, which includes aerobic composting and anaerobic biogasification of packaging in municipal or industrial biological waste treatment facilities is an option for reducing and recycling packaging waste.
Using these biological technologies, the aims of the Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on Packaging and Packaging Waste (Brussels 5 December 1994) in this respect can be met.
BS EN 13432:2000 specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability and anaerobic treatability of packaging and packaging materials by addressing four characteristics:
- biodegradability
- disintegration during biological treatment
- effect on the biological treatment process
- effect on the quality of the resulting compost.
In case of packaging formed by different components, some of which are compostable and some other not, the packaging itself, as a whole is not compostable.
However, if the components can be easily separated by hand before disposal, the compostable components can be effectively considered and treated as such, once separated from the non compostable components.
This European Standard covers the compostability of packaging itself but does not address regulations that may exist regarding the compostability of any residual contents.
It makes provision for obtaining information on the processing of packaging in controlled waste treatment plants but does not take into account packaging waste which may end up in the environment, through uncontrolled means, i.e. as litter.
The essential relationship between this standard and the four other (mandated) European Packaging Standards and one (mandated) CEN Report is specified in BS EN 13427:2000.
ISBN 0 580 36765 7
