ÖNORM EN 13432

This European Standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability and anaerobic treatability of packaging and packaging materials by addressing four characteristics: 1) biodegradability, 2) disintegration during biological treatment, 3) effect on the biological treatment process and 4) effect on the quality of the resulting compost. In case of a packaging formed by different components, some of which are compostable and some other not, the packaging itself, as a whole is not compostable. However, if the components can be easily separated by hand before disposal, the compostable components can be effectively considered and treated as such, once separated from the non compostable components. This European Standard covers the compostability of packaging itself but does not address regulations that may exist regarding the compostability of any residual contents. This European Standard makes provision for obtaining information on the processing of packaging in controlled waste treatment plants but does not take into account packaging waste which may end up in the environment, through uncontrolled means, i.e. as litter. The essential relationship between this European Standard and the four other (mandated) European Packaging Standards and one (mandated) CEN Report is specified in EN 13427:2000.