UNE-EN 13655:2018

This European Standard specifies the requirements related to dimensional, mechanical, optical and thermal characteristics of thermoplastic films for mulching applications in agriculture and horticulture.

These mulching films are intended to be removed after use and not incorporated in the soil.

It specifies a classification for durability of mulching films and the test methods referred to in this document.

This European Standard is applicable to thermoplastic mulching films, used for agriculture and horticulture in Europe, based on polyethylene and/or ethylene copolymers, of the following types:

transparent films;

black films;

reflective films (e.g. white films, black/white films and black/silver films);

films of other colour(s) for weed control (e.g. green, brown).

This European Standard also defines installation, use and removal conditions of mulching films.

NOTE Mulch films are considered as highly contaminated by soil and vegetal residues: the observed rates (or levels) of contamination of mulch films can vary from 70 % to 90 %. Therefore the film thickness is a key factor on the rate of contamination, the thinnest films (e.g. less than 25 ¼m) will be the mostly contaminated, difficult, expensive to remove, recover and recycle.