🌿 ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited · OECD · ASTM · ISO · IRAM · FTC · EU 2024/825

Biodegradability & Compostability Testing

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited — the highest level of confidence for biodegradability certification worldwide.

Biogroup is an internationally recognised laboratory that helps manufacturers, brands and importers assess the biodegradation potential of plastics, papers, coatings and consumer products. We work with ASTM, ISO, IRAM, EPA and REACH methodologies and align our protocols with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Green Guides and the EU Directive 2024/825 on substantiating environmental claims.

Many of the products Biogroup has certified as biodegradable have been successfully commercialised not only in Argentina but also in export markets. We guide clients through method selection and advise on how to substantiate biodegradability claims that will withstand regulatory and market scrutiny.

ISO/IEC 17025
Accredited laboratory
OECD · ASTM · ISO
International standards
IRAM 29421:2019
Argentine standard
+35 years
Analytical expertise
Why biodegradability certification matters more than ever
Regulators worldwide are cracking down on unsubstantiated environmental claims
"Biodegradable", "compostable", "eco-friendly" — without laboratory evidence, these claims are becoming legally untenable.
🇪🇺 EU Directive 2024/825
Prohibits generic environmental claims ("eco-friendly", "green", "natural", "biodegradable") without substantiation. Requires documented evidence aligned with recognised standards. In force 2026.
🇺🇸 FTC Green Guides
The US Federal Trade Commission requires that biodegradability claims be substantiated with competent and reliable scientific evidence. Claims must specify the disposal environment and timeframe.
🇦🇷 IRAM 29421:2019
Argentine national standard for biodegradable and compostable plastics and products. Sets specific thresholds for disintegration, biodegradation and ecotoxicity for the Argentine and regional market.
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ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation
The only accreditation that provides formal, third-party-verified proof of technical competence. Results from an accredited laboratory carry the highest evidentiary weight in regulatory, legal and commercial contexts worldwide.
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Expert method selection guidance
Choosing the wrong method is the most common mistake in biodegradability testing. Biogroup guides clients through the correct method based on end-of-life scenario, target market and regulatory framework — before testing begins.
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Global market access
Results aligned with FTC Green Guides (USA), EU Directive 2024/825 (Europe), IRAM 29421:2019 (Argentina) and international OECD/ISO standards — opening the broadest possible range of markets.
Method selection — matching the test to the end-of-life scenario
The most important question: where will this product end up at end of life?
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Wastewater treatment plant
Detergents · surfactants · chemicals · industrial wastewater
→ OECD 301 series · OECD 310
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Industrial composting
Packaging · films · bags · single-use items · cutlery
→ ASTM D5338 · D6400 · ISO 14855 · IRAM 29421
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Anaerobic digestion
Sludge-bound chemicals · organic solids · slurries
→ OECD 311 · ASTM D5210
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Soil / aquatic environment
Lubricants · agricultural films · residual compost material
→ ASTM D5864 · D5988 · ISO 14852
OECD 301 series — Ready / Ultimate Biodegradability (includes OECD 310)
The most widely used biodegradability test series worldwide
The OECD 301 series provides direct, explicit certification of biodegradability — the benchmark for products whose end-of-life destination is a wastewater treatment plant. A material is considered readily biodegradable if ≥60% (or 70% for some tests) of organic carbon is converted to CO₂ within the 10-day window, within 28 days total.
OECD 301A
28 days
DOC Die-Away Test
Dissolved Organic Carbon removal measured over 28 days. Simple and direct — DOC removal reflects mineralization of the test substance.
Typical use: Soluble organic chemicals · surfactants · detergents
OECD 301B
28 days
CO₂ Evolution Test (Modified Sturm)
Biodegradation measured as CO₂ produced relative to theoretical maximum. The most common OECD 301 method globally — straightforward interpretation and widely accepted.
Typical use: Organic chemicals · surfactants · polymers
OECD 301C
28 days
Modified MITI Test (I)
Biodegradation measured as O₂ consumption using a closed respirometer. Also measures inhibition of activated sludge. Widely used in Japan and Asia-Pacific regulatory frameworks.
Typical use: Industrial chemicals · REACH registration
OECD 301D
28 days
Closed Bottle Test
Low inoculum concentration mimics oligotrophic aquatic environments. Particularly relevant for chemicals likely to reach low-nutrient surface waters.
Typical use: Chemicals · fuels · natural waters
OECD 301E
28 days
Modified OECD Screening Test
Measures DOC removal with a pre-adapted inoculum. Less stringent than other 301 tests — used for screening purposes.
Typical use: Screening · initial assessment
OECD 301F
28 days
Manometric Respirometry Test
O₂ uptake measured manometrically. Suitable for poorly soluble and volatile substances. High-throughput potential.
Typical use: Poorly soluble substances · lubricants
OECD 310
28 days
Ready Biodegradability in Sealed Vessels (CO₂ Headspace)
Similar to OECD 301B but performed in sealed vessels — eliminates CO₂ absorption artefacts. Particularly well-suited for volatile and poorly water-soluble substances that would be lost in open systems.
Typical use: Volatile organics · solvents · fragrances
OECD 311
Variable
Anaerobic Biodegradability in Digested Sludge
Assesses biodegradability under anaerobic digestion conditions — the relevant scenario for chemicals or solids that pass through aerobic treatment and end up in anaerobic digesters. Useful for evaluating sludge-bound substances and digestible solids.
Typical use: Sludge-bound chemicals · organic solids
ASTM standards — compostability and environmental biodegradation
The reference standard suite for compostable packaging and environmental biodegradation
ASTM methods are the most widely referenced standards in North American and Latin American regulatory frameworks and form the technical basis for compostability certification under ASTM D6400, IRAM 29421:2019 and EN 13432.
ASTM D5210
Anaerobic Biodegradation in Municipal Sewage Sludge
28 days
Evaluates biodegradability under anaerobic digestion conditions — virtually identical to OECD 311. Simulates the anaerobic digester as the last treatment option for chemicals that survive aerobic treatment. Results expressed as % theoretical gas production (CO₂ + CH₄).
Typical applications:
Organic chemicals · plastics · polymers
ASTM D5338
Aerobic Biodegradation in Controlled Composting
Up to 180 days
The core biodegradation test for compostability claims. Evaluates plastic materials under thermophilic composting conditions (58°C ± 2°C) with controlled O₂, humidity and pH. Results expressed as % organic carbon converted to CO₂. This is the biodegradation method referenced by both ASTM D6400 and IRAM 29421:2019.
Typical applications:
Plastics · packaging · biopolymers · films
ASTM D5864
Aquatic Aerobic Biodegradation of Lubricants
28 days or to plateau
Evaluates aerobic biodegradation of lubricants and lubricant components in aqueous solution with low-concentration inocula from soil, surface water and similar matrices. Simulates environmental exposure of lubricants released outside wastewater treatment systems.
Typical applications:
Lubricants · hydraulic fluids · metalworking fluids
ASTM D5988
Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil
Up to 6 months
Evaluates aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in soil. Complementary to ASTM D5338 — determines whether residual non-degraded material after composting can further degrade when compost is incorporated into soil. Maximum test duration 6 months.
Typical applications:
Residual compost material · agricultural films · soil-applied plastics
ASTM D6400
Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics
Integrated (D5338 + sieve + OECD 208)
Not a test method — a specification that integrates three criteria for a compostable claim: (1) Disintegration (sieve test after composting), (2) Biodegradation (ASTM D5338), (3) Ecotoxicity / plant growth (OECD 208). Also includes heavy metal content limits. A plastic material is classified as compostable only if all threshold criteria are met.
Typical applications:
Packaging · bags · films · single-use items
ISO standards — regulatory and market-specific requirements
ISO standards are typically applied when driven by a specific regulatory authority or customer requirement. Unlike OECD and ASTM methods, many ISO standards do not explicitly define a threshold for biodegradability claims — results are reported as percentage biodegradation without a pass/fail threshold for certification purposes.
ISO 9439
Aerobic Biodegradability in Aqueous Medium
Evaluates aerobic ultimate biodegradability of organic compounds using activated sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Essentially equivalent in setup to OECD 301B. Biodegradation measured as % organic carbon converted to CO₂. 28-day duration.
Typical use: Soluble organic chemicals · equivalent to OECD 301B
ISO 14593
Aerobic Biodegradability — CO₂ Headspace Test
Aerobic ultimate biodegradability in aqueous medium using sealed headspace vessels — analogous to OECD 310. Particularly suited for volatile substances. 28-day duration.
Typical use: Volatile organics · similar to OECD 310
ISO 14852
Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in Aqueous Medium
Evaluates the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials using variable inoculum sources (compost, soil or activated sludge) depending on intended end-of-life. Results as % organic carbon converted to CO₂. Maximum 6 months.
Typical use: Plastic materials · biopolymers · films
ISO 14855
Aerobic Biodegradability under Controlled Composting
Nearly identical in execution to ASTM D5338 — thermophilic aerobic composting conditions, 180-day maximum. No explicit certification threshold permitted under ISO language, but provides quantitative data for regulatory submissions.
Typical use: Plastics · packaging under composting
IRAM 29421:2019 — Argentine standard for biodegradable and compostable products
The Argentine and regional compostability standard
IRAM 29421:2019 — Biodegradable and Compostable Plastic Materials and Products. Requirements for Assessment by Composting.

To be classified as "compostable" under IRAM 29421:2019, a product must simultaneously satisfy three independent criteria. Failure to meet any one criterion means the product cannot carry the compostable claim under this standard.

Criterion 1
🔬 Disintegration
After a maximum of 12 weeks of composting, no more than 10% of original dry mass may be retained on a 2 mm sieve. The material must physically fragment and disappear within the compost matrix.
Criterion 2
🌱 Biodegradation
Minimum ≥90% biodegradation of total organic carbon, or ≥90% of the maximum degradation of a suitable reference substance, within a maximum of 6 months. Measured per ASTM D5338 / ISO 14855.
Criterion 3
🌾 Ecotoxicity & compost quality
Germination rate and plant biomass in the resulting compost must be ≥90% of blank compost (OECD 208 / EN 13432 Annex E). Heavy metal content must not exceed regional limits for healthy compost.
Materials and products we test
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Packaging & bags
Biopolymer films · bags · wraps · pouches
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Single-use items
Cutlery · cups · plates · straws
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Surfactants & detergents
Household · industrial · personal care
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Lubricants & fluids
Hydraulic oils · metalworking · bio-lubricants
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Coatings & adhesives
Paper coatings · water-based adhesives
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Agricultural films
Mulch films · crop protection · soil covers
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Industrial chemicals
REACH · OECD HPV · chemical registration
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Paper & board
Food packaging · coated papers · laminates
Method comparison — key parameters at a glance
Summary comparison of the most commonly requested methods
Method Conditions Endpoint Pass threshold Duration
OECD 301A–F Aerobic aqueous CO₂ or O₂ or DOC ≥60–70% in 10-day window 28 days
OECD 310 Aerobic aqueous (sealed) CO₂ headspace ≥60% in 10-day window 28 days
OECD 311 Anaerobic digestion Gas (CO₂+CH₄) No explicit threshold Variable
ASTM D5210 Anaerobic digestion Gas production No explicit threshold 28 days
ASTM D5338 Thermophilic composting CO₂ evolved ≥60% (for D6400/IRAM cert.) ≤180 days
ASTM D5864 Aerobic aqueous CO₂ evolved No explicit threshold 28 days–plateau
ASTM D5988 Aerobic soil CO₂ evolved No explicit threshold ≤6 months
ASTM D6400 Composting specification Disintegration+biodeg+ecotox Multi-criteria Integrated
ISO 14855 Thermophilic composting CO₂ evolved No explicit threshold ≤180 days
IRAM 29421:2019 Industrial composting Disintegration+biodeg+ecotox 90% biodeg · 90% plant growth ≤6 months
Why Biogroup for biodegradability and compostability testing
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ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation
The only globally recognised laboratory accreditation standard. Results carry maximum evidentiary weight for regulatory submissions, certification bodies and international buyers.
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Broadest method portfolio in Argentina
OECD 301 (A–F), 310, 311 · ASTM D5210, D5338, D5864, D5988, D6400 · ISO 9439, 14593, 14852, 14855 · IRAM 29421:2019 — all under one roof.
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Export-market experience
Many products Biogroup has certified are already commercialised in export markets. We understand what buyers and regulators in North America, Europe and Asia require.
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Advisory beyond the test report
We advise clients on how to position test results in the market — how to make compliant biodegradability claims that differentiate your product from untested competitors.
Related services
ISO/IEC 17025 · OECD · ASTM · ISO · IRAM · FTC · EU 2024/825
Ready to certify your product's biodegradability?
Biogroup guides you from method selection to market-ready claims — with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited results that meet the requirements of regulators, certification bodies and buyers worldwide.
Request a biodegradability test quote →
📞 +54 341 425-6431 ✉ biogroup@biogroup.com.ar 📍 3 de febrero 920 · Rosario, Argentina Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00