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BioBag products are BPI certified to meet the ASTM D 6400 specification.
When it comes to making marketing claims regarding a product's biodegradable or compostable attributes,
the ASTM D 6400 is the industry's gold standard. The ASTM D 6400 is the North American equivalent of
the European EN 13432. Both specifications require that biodegradable products completely decompose in
a composting setting in a specific time frame, leaving no harmful residues behind.
It is important to note that the ASTM D 6400 is an ASTM specification, meaning specific results must be
attained to receive certification. Some manufacturers, who have not met the ASTM D 6400 specification,
may reference other ASTM standards to promote their products. Usually, these companies will reference
the ASTM 6954 or the ISO 14855 as proof that they have surpassed some standard for biodegradation. In
fact, the ASTM 6954 and the ISO 14855 are standard procedures to be followed for conducting tests and
have no pass/fail requirements for heavy metal content or a product's ability to disintegrate.
The ASTM D 6400 is currently the ultimate test for a biodegradable product's ability to decompose in ideal
composting conditions. Think about it. if a product can't "go away" after being ground up, tumbled, heated
to 165 degrees, and placed in the optimum setting for decomposition . a well-run composting site. would
it meet most consumers beliefs of what a biodegradable product should be? Because of the number of unsubstantiated claims in the marketplace, the State of California (see California
Law) enacted into law a requirement that products sold in California must meet the ASTM D 6400
specification to claim any "biodegradable qualities." In fact, the state now requires the word "compostable"
to be used to define a product's ability to decompose.
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If your company is conducting business in California, the California Law (SB 1972) should be of great
interest. Even if your company does not do business in the state, the law may reinforce the trend nationally for
greater clarification for the average consumer regarding biodegradable and compostable product claims.
SEC. 4. Section 42357 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
42357. (a) (1) A person shall not sell a plastic bag in this
state that is labeled with the term "compostable" or "marine
degradable," unless, at the time of sale, the plastic bag meets the
applicable ASTM standard specification( ASTM D 6400-04), as specified
in paragraph (1)of subdivision (b) of Section 42356.
(2) Compliance with only a section or a portion of a section of an
applicable ASTM standard specification does not constitute
compliance with paragraph (1).
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a), a person shall not sell
a plastic bag in this state that is labeled with the term
"biodegradable," "degradable," or "decomposable," or any form of
those terms, or in any way imply that the bag will break down,
fragment, biodegrade, or decompose in a landfill or other
environment.
SECTION 1. Section 42358 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:
42358. (a) A city, a county, or the state may impose civil
liability in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first
violation of this chapter, one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the
second violation, and two thousand dollars ($2,000) for the third and
any subsequent violation. |
