Standardization of testing methods of polymer biodegradation and certification

Abstract

Many polymeric materials that are now used for a wide range of products and in different industries are often based on environmentally stable synthetic polymers derived from fossil fuels. Intensive use of products made of such polymers resulted in accumulation of large quantities of non-degradable waste in the environment. Increasingly stricter laws on waste management and ecological system protection have led to development of products made from biodegradable polymers, and thus to new product management opportunities at the end of its life cycle with the aim of contributing to sustainable development. However, to make these new polymers safe for the environment it is essential that their biodegradation is complete and that full biodegradability testing is based on standardized methods.