BS EN ISO 14853:2017

Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Reagents and materials
6 Apparatus
7 Procedure
8 Calculation and expression of results
9 Validity of results
10 Test report
Annex A (informative) - Example of apparatus
        for determining the amount of biogas produced
        by measuring the increase in gas pressure
Annex B (informative) - Example of apparatus for
        determining volumetrically the amount of
        biogas produced
Annex C (informative) - Example of a biodegradation curve
Annex D (informative) - Examples of data sheets for
        anaerobic biodegradability tests
Annex E (informative) - Table of water vapour pressures
        at various temperatures
Annex F (informative) - Calculation of theoretical carbon
dioxide (ThCO[2]) and theoretical methane (ThCH[4])
        production
Annex G (informative) - Example of determination of recovery rate
Annex H (informative) - Example of a workflow scheme
Bibliography

Defines a method for the determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradability of plastics by anaerobic microorganisms.

This International Standard specifies a method for the determination of the ultimate anaerobic biodegradability of plastics by anaerobic microorganisms. The conditions described in this International Standard do not necessarily correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation to occur. The test calls for exposure of the test material to sludge for a period of up to 90 d, which is longer than the normal sludge retention time (25 to 30 d) in anaerobic digesters, although digesters at industrial sites can have much longer retention times.

The method applies to the following materials:

• natural and/or synthetic polymers, copolymers or mixtures thereof;

• plastic materials which contain additives such as plasticizers, colorants or other compounds;

• water-soluble polymers;

• materials which, under the test conditions, do not inhibit the microorganisms present in the inoculum. Inhibitory effects can be determined using an inhibition control or by another appropriate method (see e.g. ISO 13641). If the test material is inhibitory to the inoculum, a lower test concentration, another inoculum or a pre-exposed inoculum can be used.