This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6400 − 12

Standard Specification for

Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted
in Municipal or Industrial Facilities 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6400; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of 
original
original adoption or, in the case of revis
revision,
ion, the year of last revision.
revision. A number in paren
parenthese
thesess indicates the year of last reappr
reapproval.
oval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Sco
Scope*
pe* Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
1.1 Thi
Thiss spe
specific
cificatio
ation
n cov
covers
ers plas
plastics
tics and pro
produc
ducts
ts mad
madee 2.2  Organization for Economic Development (OECD) Stan-
from plastics that are designed to be composted under aerobic dard:3
condit
con dition
ionss in mun
municip
icipal
al and ind
indust
ustria
riall aer
aerobi
obicc com
compos
posting
ting OECD Guideline 208 Terrestrial
208  Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emer-
facilities, where thermophilic conditions are achieved. gence and Seedling Growth Test
2.3  Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN): 4
1.2 This specification
specification is intend
intended
ed to establ
establish
ish the requir
require-
e-
EN 13 1343
432:
2: 20
2000
00,, 20
2000
00 CEN
CEN/TC
/TC 261/SC
261/SC 4 N 99 99 Packag-
 Packag-
ments for labeling of materials and products, including pack-
ing—Requireme
ing—Req uirements
nts for Packag
Packaging
ing Recove
Recoverable
rable throu
through
gh
aging made from plastics, as “compostable in aerobic munici-
Compostin
Comp osting g and Biode
Biodegrad
gradation
ation—T
—Testest Sche
Scheme
me and
pal and industrial composting facilities.”
Evaluation Criteria for the Final Acceptance of Packaging
1.3 The properties
properties in this specification
specification are those required to (EN 13432)
determi
deter mine
ne if en end
d ite
items
ms (i
(inc
nclu
ludi
ding
ng papack
ckag
agin
ing)
g),, wh
which
ich us
usee 2.4   ISO Standard:4
plastics
plas tics and polpolyme
ymersrs as coa
coating
tingss or bin
binder
derss will com
compos
postt ISO 14855–1 
14855–1   Determination of the ultimate aerobic biode-
satisfa
satisfactor
ctorily
ily,, in lar
large
ge sca
scale
le aer
aerobi
obicc mun
municip
icipal
al or ind
indust
ustria
riall gradability
gradab ility of plastic materials under contro
controlled
lled compo
compost-
st-
composting facilities. Maximum throughput is a high priority ing condi
conditions—
tions—Method
Method by analys
analysis
is of evolv
evolved
ed carbo
carbon
n
to composters and the intermediate stages of plastic disintegra- dioxide—Part 1: General method
tion
tion an
andd bi
biod
odegegra
rada
datio
tion
n no
nott be vivisi
sibl
blee to th
thee en
endd us
user
er fo
forr ISO 14855–2 
14855–2   Determination of the ultimate aerobic biode-
aesthetic reasons. gradability
gradab ility of plastic materials under contro
controlled
lled compo
compost-
st-
1.4 The following
following safety hazards
hazards caveat pertains
pertains to the test ing condi
conditions—
tions—Method
Method by analys
analysis
is of evolv
evolved
ed carbo
carbon
n
methods
meth ods porportio
tion
n of this sta
standa rd:   This
ndard: This sta
standa
ndard
rd doe
doess not  dioxid
dio xide—Pa
e—Part rt 2: Gra
Gravim
vimetr
etric
ic meas
measure
uremen
mentt of car
carbon
bon
 purport to
t o address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated  dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard  ISO 16929 Plastics—
16929  Plastics—Determi
Determination
nation of the Degre
Degreee of Disin-
to est
establ
ablish
ish app
approropri
priate
ate hea
health
lth and safsafety
ety pra
practic
ctices
es and to tegration of Plastic Materials under Defined Composting
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to Conditions in a Pilot-Scale Test
use. ISO 17088 Specifica
17088  Specifications
tions for Compos
Compostable
table Plastics
NOTE  1—This test method is equivalent to ISO 17088. ISO 20200 Determination
20200  Determination of the degree of disintegration of 
plastic materials under simulated composting conditions
2. Referenc
Referenced
ed Documents
Documents in a laboratory-scale test
2.1   ASTM Standards:2 2.5   U.S. Government Standard: 5
D883   Terminology Relating to Plastics
D883 40 CFR Part 503.13 Standards
503.13  Standards for the Use or Disposal of 
D5338   Test
D5338 Test Metho
Method
d for Determ
Determining
ining Aerobic Biodeg
Biodegrada-
rada- Sewage Sludge
tion of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting
Composting 2.6   Canadian Government Standard:6
Trade Memorandum T-4-93  Standards for Metals in Fertil-
izers and Supplements
1
This specification
specification is under the jurisd
jurisdiction
iction of ASTM Committee
Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96
Subcommittee  D20.96   on Environmen-
3
tally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products. Availa
vailable
ble from Orga
Organizat
nization
ion for Econo
Economic
mic Deve
Developmen
lopment,t, Direc
Director
tor of 
Curren
Cur rentt edi
editio
tion
n app
approv
roved
ed May 15, 201 2012.
2. Pub
Publis
lished
hed May 201
2012.2. Ori
Origin
ginall
ally
y Information, 2 rue Andre' Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, Franc
Information, France.
e.
4
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D6400 - 04. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D6400-12. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
2 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For  Annual Book of ASTM  Washington, DC 20402.
6
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Availab
vailable
le from the Canad
Canadian
ian Food Inspe
Inspections
ctions Agency,
Agency, Ferti
Fertilizer
lizer Secti
Section,
on,
the ASTM website. Ottawa, Canada

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Thu May 25 12:43:06 EDT 2017
1
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D6400 − 12

3. Terminology 5.1.1  Disintegration During Composting— A plastic product

3.1   Definitions:   Definitions appearing in this specification or material will disintegrate during composting such that any
are found in Terminology  D883, unless otherwise noted. remaining plastic residuals are not readily distinguishable from
3.1.1   biodegradable plastic— a degradable plastic in which the other organic materials in the finished product.
the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring Additionally, the material or product must not be found in
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. significant quantities during screening prior to final distribution
of the compost.
3.1.2   compostable plastic— a plastic that undergoes degra- 5.1.2   Biodegradation— A level of biodegradation for the
dation by biological processes during composting to yield CO 2, plastic products shall be established by tests under controlled
water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent
conditions.
with other known compostable materials and leave no visible, 5.1.3  No Adverse Impacts on Ability of Compost to Support 
distinguishable or toxic residue. Plant Growth— The tested materials shall not adversely impact
3.1.3   composting7 — a managed process that controls the on the ability of composts to support plant growth, when
biological decomposition and transformation of biodegradable compared to composts derived from biowaste without any
materials into a humus-like substance called compost: the addition of tested products or reference materials. Additionally,
aerobic mesophilic and thermophilic degradation of organic the polymeric products or materials must not introduce unac-
matter to make compost; the transformation of biologically ceptable levels of regulated metals or hazardous substances
decomposable material through a controlled process of biooxi- into the environment, upon sample decomposition.
dation that proceed through mesophilic and thermophilic
NOTE 2—For a better understanding of why these criteria are important,
phases and results in the production of carbon dioxide, water,
consult the Compost Facility Operating Guide,7 and CEN/TC 261/SC 4 N
minerals, and stabilized organic matter (compost or humus). 99.
3.1.4 degradable plastic— a plastic designed to undergo a
significant change in its chemical structure under specific 6. Detailed Requirements
environmental conditions, resulting in a loss of some properties 6.1 In order to be identified as compostable in municipal or
that may be measured by standard test methods appropriate to industrial aerobic facilities, products must pass the require-
the plastic and the application in a period of time that ments of  6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 using the appropriate laboratory tests,
determines its classification. representative of the conditions found in aerobic composting
3.1.5   plastic— a material that contains as an essential ingre- facilities, which reach thermophilic temperatures. Finished
dient one or more organic polymeric substances of large articles and products shall be tested in the same form as they
molecular weight, is solid in its finished state, and, at some are intended to be used. For products that are made in multiple
stage in its manufacture or processing into finished articles, can thicknesses or densities, such as films, containers and foams,
be shaped by flow. only the thickest or most dense products need to be tested as
long as the chemical composition and structure remains other-
3.1.6   polymer— a substance consisting of molecules charac-
wise the same. It is assumed that thinner gages and lower
terized by the repetition (neglecting ends, branch junctions,
densities will also compost satisfactorily. Similarly, if additives
other minor irregularities) of one or more types of monomeric
are present in test samples that pass testing, lower levels of the
units.
same additives are similarly passed.
4. Classification 6.2 Disintegration During Composting— A plastic product
is considered to have demonstrated satisfactory disintegration
4.1 The purpose of this specification is to establish require-
if after twelve weeks (84 days) in a controlled composting test,
ments for identifying items made from plastics or polymers so
no more than 10 % of its original dry weight remains after
that they do not interfere with their satisfactorily composting in
sieving on a 2.0-mm sieve. The test shall be carried out in
commercial and municipal aerobic composting facilities. Prod-
accordance with ISO 16929 with a minimum vessel volume of 
ucts meeting the requirements outlined below be labeled as
35 L, or ISO 20200 under thermophilic aerobic composting
“compostable in municipal or industrial aerobic facilities” in
conditions.
accordance with the guidelines issued by the Federal Trade
Commission8 as long as proper qualifications as to the avail- 6.3   Biodegradation— A plastic product must demonstrate a
ability of such facilities are included on the label. satisfactory rate of biodegradation by achieving the following
ratio of conversion to carbon dioxide found in  6.3.1 and 6.3.1.1
5. Basic Requirements within 180 days using Test Method  D5338,  ISO 14855–1, or
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D6400 − 12

6.3.2 Organic constituents which are present at concentra- corresponding blank composts for two different plant species
tions of less than 1 % do not need to demonstrate biodegrad- following OECD Guideline 208 with the modifications found
ability. However, the sum of such unproven constituents shall in Annex E of EN 13432.
not exceed 5 %.
NOTE  4—Sample composts generated in accordance with ISO 20200
6.3.3 Plastic product test samples shall not be subjected to should not be used for ecotoxicity testing unless the concentration of the
conditions designed to accelerate biodegradation, prior to test items at the start of testing is in accordance with the requirements of 
testing in 6.3. ISO 16929.

NOTE  3—While the end points of biodegradation include incorporation 7. Sampling

into biomass or humic substances as well as carbon dioxide, no recognized
standard test methods and specifications exist to quantify these outcomes. 7.1 Sampling shall be conducted as indicated in the speci-
When these tests and specifications become available, this standard will be fied test method.
revised.
8. Specimen Preparation
6.4 A plastic product can demonstrate satisfactory terrestrial
safety if it fulfills the requirements in 6.4.1 and 6.4.2: 8.1 Specimen preparation shall be in accordance with the
6.4.1 The plastic or product shall have concentrations of  specified test method.
regulated metals less than 50 % of those prescribed for sludges
or composts in the country where the product is sold. Specifi- 9. Marking and Labeling
cally in the United States, the regulated metal concentrations 9.1 Marking and labeling shall conform to national and
are found in Table 3 of 40 CFR Part 503.13. In Canada, the local regulations.
regulated metals concentrations are found in Table II of the
Trade Memorandum T-4-93. 10. Keywords
6.4.2 The germination rate and the plant biomass of the 10.1 biodegradable; compostable plastic; composting; de-
sample composts shall be no less than 90% that of the gradable plastics; labeling

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D6400 - 04)
that may impact the use of this standard. (May 15, 2012)

(1)   Most of the proposed changes are designed to harmonize for homopolyers and other types of polymers is eliminated.
this specification with the wording used in the newer standard, Also, the language regarding the maximum number of items
Specification D6868 – 11 and the requirements in ISO 17088. exempt from biodegradation testing is clarified.
The distinction between the required level of biodegradation

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