OVERVIEW OF EU REGULATIONS ON BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

  1. EUROPEAN UNION REGULATIONS IMPACTING THE BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS MARKET

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 94/62/EC

•This directive aims at harmonization of measures to be taken by member states in management of packaging and packaging waste
•All member nations are required to take measures to reduce the production and use of packaging and packaging waste and as per the EU standard EN 13432, and use appropriate labelling to ensure biodegradable plastic identification
•The directive also defines target deadlines to be achieved by member nations with respect to recovery and recycling of packaging waste
•There was also a provision to introduce a law regarding labelling of biodegradable plastic carrier bags by 2017, which has not been introduced yet
•All member states were required to introduce laws in their countries to implement directive 94/62/EC and all its provisions by 27th November 2016

EU DIRECTIVE 2015/720 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

•This directive was passed on 29th April, 2015 with regards to reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags
•All member states were to take measures to reduce the usage of plastic bags by employing instruments such as pricing, taxes, levies and/or, a complete ban on the usage of plastic bags, other than very light weight plastic bags
•The member nations were required to pass laws pertaining to it by 27th November, 2016
•Individual measures or a combination of these measures are to be put into place by 31st December, 2018
•The aim is to reduce the consumption of a maximum of 90 light plastic bags per person per year, by December 31, 2019; and a maximum 40 light plastic bags per person per year, by December 31st, 2025

EU PLASTICS REGULATION 10/2011 (AMENDED BY 1282/2011)

•The EU regulation 10/2011, establishes a Union list of monomers, which may be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles, intended to come into contact with food
•The directive states the maximum limit of polyglycolic acid (PGA) that can be used in the production of Polylactic acid (PLA) to 3% (w/w)

EUROPEAN STANDARDS FOR BIODEGRADATION

EN 13432 / •The European standard EN 13432 “Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation” requires at least 90% disintegration of the bioplastic after twelve weeks, 90% biodegradation in six months, and includes tests on ecotoxicity and heavy metal content
EN 14995 / •The European standard EN 14995 describes the same requirements and tests as mentioned in EN 13432, for all plastics in general for being considered biodegradable
EN 17033 / •The standard EN 17033 “Biodegradable mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture requires a degradation of the bioplastic, at least 90% in two years, preferably at 25°C
•The label OK biodegradable Soil is certified by Vinçotte in case a product meets the requirements
Certifications / •The certification scheme “Bio products – degradation in soil” developed by Vinçotte is based on EN13432/EN14995 (Standards for the industrial composting of packaging/plastics) and adapted for the degradation in soil
•The test demands at least 90% biodegradation in two years

EUROPEAN UNION REGULATIONS IMPACTING THE BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS MARKET

DRAFTS / PROPOSALS / PROGRAMS OF EU IMPACTING THE BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS MARKET