ASTM D6400-26: stricter biodegradation requirements for compostable plastics
ASTM International has revised standard D6400 on labelling plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities. The allowance for incidental constituents fell from 5 % to 3 %, and the requirement for separate biodegradation testing now covers more constituents.
- Incidental constituents — inks, adhesives, coatings, colorants, processing aids and residuals — may now account for up to 3 % instead of 5 %, a 40 % reduction developed in collaboration with the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).
- Independent biodegradation testing now covers constituents present at 1–15 % of dry mass (previously 1–10 %); constituents above that threshold are addressed through the compostability requirements for the finished product.
- The standard covers plastics and products made from plastics, including packaging, designed to be composted under thermophilic conditions; the changes were developed by subcommittee D20.96, and the new edition has 4 pages.
- According to ASTM, the revision affects certification bodies and manufacturers and retailers claiming compliance, and gives composters a stronger technical baseline for evaluating certified products.
Source: ASTM International — Compostable Products Standard Revised