BS EN 17428:2023
Packaging. Determination of the degree of disintegration under simulated home composting conditions

Standard No.

BS EN 17428:2023

Release Date

2023

Published By

British Standards Institution (BSI)  GB  /  BSI

Latest

BS EN 17428:2023

Introduction

Analysis of the core content of the standard

Key elements	Technical specifications	Test requirements
Test principle	Determination of the mass of undecomposed residues by 2mm sieving method	Test period of up to 180 days at 25±5°C
Test matrix	Mature compost + starch/rabbit feed or organic waste mixture	Total solid content 50%±5%, pH≥6
Validity criteria	Parallel sample difference ≤20%, temperature ≤30°C	Temperature fluctuations and corrective measures need to be recorded

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Key points of technical implementation

1. Preparation of test samples

The samples need to maintain the final use shape, and large-sized materials should be cut into 2.5×2.5cm to 5×5cm fragments. Thickness measurement needs to select the corresponding ISO method according to the material type:

• Plastics: ISO 4591/4593
• Paper products: EN ISO 534/536
• Non-woven fabrics: EN ISO 9073 series

2. Reactor operation specifications

It is recommended to use 5-10 liter polypropylene containers. The key control points include:

1. Sample dry weight accounts for 0.5%-2%
2. Manual composting and ventilation every 2 weeks
3. Supplement substrate (starch or organic waste) for 60 days/120 days
4. Maintain humidity at a squeezed micro-permeable state

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Background of standard evolution

This standard is developed based on the EN ISO 20200 laboratory composting test method. The main innovations include:

• Introduction of Home compostingSpecific temperature curve (25±5°C)
• Use dual matrix system to verify test universality
• Define the Rottegrad V standard for mature compost (Tmax≤30°C)

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Application suggestions

Enterprise implementation path

1. Pre-test phase: Test the compatibility of material thickness and matrix
2. Formal test: At least 3 parallel reactors, it is recommended to add a blank control group
3. Data recording: Detailed records of temperature fluctuations, pH changes and abnormal phenomena

Certification notes

This standard only determines the degree of physical decomposition. Complete composting certification also requires the following:

• EN 13432 biodegradability test
• Ecotoxicity assessment
• Heavy metal content detection

BS EN 17428:2023 Referenced Document

• EN 16087-1 Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological activity - Part 1: Oxygen uptake rate (OUR)
• EN 16087-2 Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of the aerobic biological activity - Part 2: Self heating test for compost*， 2026-04-17 Update
• EN ISO 12625-6 Tissue paper and tissue products - Part 6: Determination of grammage (ISO 12625-6:2016)
• EN ISO 5084 Textiles - Determination of Thickness of Textiles and Textile Products ISO 5084 : 1996
• EN ISO 534 Paper and board - Determination of thickness, density and specific volume*， 2026-04-17 Update
• EN ISO 536 Paper and board - Determination of grammage (ISO 536:2019)
• EN ISO 9073-1 Nonwovens - Test methods - Part 1: Determination of mass per unit area (ISO 9073-1:2023)*， 2023-06-14 Update
• EN ISO 9073-2 Textiles - Test Methods for Nonwovens - Part 2: Determination of Thickness Supersedes EN 29073-2 : 1992; ISO 9073-2 : 1995
• ISO 3310-1 Test sieves - Technical requirements and testing - Part 1: Test sieves of metal wire cloth
• ISO 4591 Plastics; film and sheeting; determination of average thickness of a sample, and average thickness and yield of a roll, by gravimetric techniques (gravimetric thickness)
• ISO 4593 Plastics; film and sheeting; determination of thickness by mechanical scanning

BS EN 17428:2023 history

• 2023 BS EN 17428:2023 Packaging. Determination of the degree of disintegration under simulated home composting conditions

Standard and Specification