This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6400 − 23

Standard Specification for

Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted
in Municipal or Industrial Facilities1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6400; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers plastics and products made 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
from plastics that are designed to be composted under aerobic D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
conditions in municipal and industrial aerobic composting D5338 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegrada-
facilities, where thermophilic conditions are achieved. tion of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting
1.2 This specification is intended to establish the require- Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
ments for labeling of materials and products, including pack- D6866 Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content
aging made from plastics, as “compostable in aerobic munici- of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocar-
pal and industrial composting facilities.” bon Analysis
D6868 Specification for Labeling of End Items that Incor-
1.3 The properties in this specification are those required to porate Plastics and Polymers as Coatings or Additives
determine if end items (including packaging), which use with Paper and Other Substrates Designed to be Aerobi-
plastics and polymers as coatings or binders will compost cally Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities
satisfactorily, in large scale aerobic municipal or industrial
2.2 Organization for Economic Development (OECD) Stan-
composting facilities. Maximum throughput is a high priority
dard:3
to composters and the intermediate stages of plastic disintegra-
OECD Guideline 208 Terrestrial Plant Test: Seedling Emer-
tion and biodegradation not be visible to the end user for
gence and Seedling Growth Test
aesthetic reasons.
2.3 Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN):4
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains to the test EN 13432: 2000, 2000 CEN/TC 261/SC 4 N 99 Packag-
methods portion of this standard: This standard does not ing—Requirements for Packaging Recoverable through
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated Composting and Biodegradation—Test Scheme and
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard Evaluation Criteria for the Final Acceptance of Packaging
to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental (EN 13432)
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
2.4 ISO Standard:4
tions prior to use.
ISO 14855–1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biode-
NOTE 1—This test method is equivalent to ISO 17088. gradability of plastic materials under controlled compost-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- ing conditions—Method by analysis of evolved carbon
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- dioxide—Part 1: General method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the ISO 14855–2 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biode-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- gradability of plastic materials under controlled compost-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical ing conditions—Method by analysis of evolved carbon
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmen- the ASTM website.
3
tally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products. Available from Organization for Economic Development, Director of
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally Information, 2 rue Andre' Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France.
4
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as D6400 - 22. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D6400-23. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D6400 − 23
dioxide—Part 2: Gravimetric measurement of carbon 3.1.5 plastic—a material that contains as an essential ingre-
dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test dient one or more organic polymeric substances of large
ISO 16929 Plastics—Determination of the Degree of Disin- molecular weight, is solid in its finished state, and, at some
tegration of Plastic Materials under Defined Composting stage in its manufacture or processing into finished articles, can
Conditions in a Pilot-Scale Test be shaped by flow.
ISO 17088 Specifications for Compostable Plastics 3.1.6 polymer—a substance consisting of molecules charac-
ISO 20200 Determination of the degree of disintegration of terized by the repetition (neglecting ends, branch junctions,
plastic materials under simulated composting conditions other minor irregularities) of one or more types of monomeric
in a laboratory-scale test units.
2.5 U.S. Government Standard:5
3.1.7 volatile organic solids—amount of organic matter
40 CFR Part 503.13 Standards for the Use or Disposal of
present determined as the ratio of the difference between the
Sewage Sludge
dry mass of test sample and the mass remaining after incin-
2.6 Canadian Government Standard:6 eration at 550 °C by the dry mass of test sample.
Guidelines for Compost Quality, Canadian Council of
Ministers of the Environment (CCME), and Ontario Com- 4. Classification
post Quality Standards, Ontario Ministry of the Environ- 4.1 The purpose of this specification is to establish require-
ment ments for identifying items made from plastics or polymers so
2.7 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and that they do not interfere with their satisfactorily composting in
Wastewater:7 commercial and municipal aerobic composting facilities. Prod-
2540G Total, Fixed, and Volatile Solids in Solid and Semi- ucts meeting the requirements outlined below be labeled as
solid Samples “compostable in municipal or industrial aerobic facilities” in
accordance with the guidelines issued by the Federal Trade
3. Terminology
Commission9 as long as proper qualifications as to the avail-
3.1 Definitions: Definitions appearing in this specification ability of such facilities are included on the label.
are found in Terminology D883, unless otherwise noted.
3.1.1 biodegradable plastic—a degradable plastic in which 5. Basic Requirements
the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring 5.1 In order to compost satisfactorily, a product or material
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. must demonstrate each of the characteristics found in 5.1.1 –
3.1.2 compostable plastic—a plastic that undergoes degra- 5.1.3, and which are quantified in Section 6.
dation by biological processes during composting to yield CO2, 5.1.1 Disintegration During Composting—A plastic product
water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent or material will disintegrate during composting such that any
with other known compostable materials and leave no visible, remaining plastic residuals are not readily distinguishable from
distinguishable or toxic residue. the other organic materials in the finished product.
3.1.3 composting8—a managed process that controls the Additionally, the material or product must not be found in
biological decomposition and transformation of biodegradable significant quantities during screening prior to final distribution
materials into a humus-like substance called compost: the of the compost.
aerobic mesophilic and thermophilic degradation of organic 5.1.2 Biodegradation—A level of biodegradation for the
matter to make compost; the transformation of biologically plastic products shall be established by tests under controlled
decomposable material through a controlled process of biooxi- conditions.
dation that proceed through mesophilic and thermophilic 5.1.3 No Adverse Impacts on Ability of Compost to Support
phases and results in the production of carbon dioxide, water, Plant Growth—The tested materials shall not adversely impact
minerals, and stabilized organic matter (compost or humus). on the ability of composts to support plant growth, when
compared to composts derived from biowaste without any
3.1.4 degradable plastic—a plastic designed to undergo a
addition of tested products or reference materials. Additionally,
significant change in its chemical structure under specific
the polymeric products or materials must not introduce unac-
environmental conditions, resulting in a loss of properties as
ceptable levels of regulated metals or hazardous substances
measured by standard test methods appropriate to the plastic
into the environment, upon sample decomposition.
and the application in a period of time that determines its
classification. NOTE 2—For a better understanding of why these criteria are important,
consult the Compost Facility Operating Guide,8 and CEN/TC 261/SC 4 N
99.
5
Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. 6. Detailed Requirements
6
Available from the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, and the 6.1 In order to be identified as compostable in municipal or
Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
7
Available from Standard Methods, http://www.standardmethods.org, (877) industrial aerobic facilities, products must pass the require-
574-1233 or American Public Health Association (APHA), P.O. Box 933019, 6 ments of 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 using the appropriate laboratory tests,
Atlanta, GA 31193-3019, (888) 320-APHA (2742), http://www.apha.org/
publications/pubscontact.
8 9
Compost Facility Operating Guide, Composting Council, Alexandria, VA, Guidelines for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, Federal Trade
1995. Commission, Washington, DC, 1992.

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 D6400 − 23
representative of the conditions found in aerobic composting 6.4.1 The plastic or product shall have concentrations of
facilities, which reach thermophilic temperatures. Finished regulated metals less than 50 % of those prescribed for sludges
articles and products shall be tested in the same form as they or composts in the country where the product is sold. Specifi-
are intended to be used. For products that are made in multiple cally in the United States, the regulated metal concentrations
thicknesses or densities, such as films, containers and foams, are found in Table 3 of 40 CFR Part 503.13. In Canada, the
only the thickest or most dense products need to be tested as regulated metals concentrations are found in Table 1 for
long as the chemical composition and structure remains other- Compost Category A in Guidelines for Compost Quality
wise the same. It is assumed that thinner gages and lower published by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Envi-
densities will also compost satisfactorily. Similarly, if additives ronment (CCME), and Category AA of the Ontario Compost
are present in test samples that pass testing, lower levels of the Quality Standards, published by Ontario Ministry of the
same additives are similarly passed. Environment.
6.2 Disintegration During Composting—A plastic product 6.4.2 The germination rate and the plant biomass of the
is considered to have demonstrated satisfactory disintegration sample composts shall be no less than 90% that of the
if after twelve weeks (84 days) in a controlled composting test, corresponding blank composts for two different plant species
no more than 10 % of its original dry weight remains after following OECD Guideline 208 with the modifications found
sieving on a 2.0-mm sieve. The test shall be carried out in in Annex E of EN 13432.
accordance with ISO 16929 with a minimum vessel volume of NOTE 4—Sample composts generated in accordance with ISO 20200
35 L, or ISO 20200 under thermophilic aerobic composting should not be used for ecotoxicity testing unless the concentration of the
conditions. test items at the start of testing is in accordance with the requirements of
ISO 16929.
6.3 Biodegradation—A plastic product must demonstrate a
6.4.3 The plastic or product must contain at least 50 %
satisfactory rate of biodegradation by achieving the following
volatile organic solids content. This is determined by subtract-
ratio of conversion to carbon dioxide found in 6.3.1 and 6.3.1.1
ing the residue of a known mass of test sample after incinera-
within 180 days using Test Method D5338, ISO 14855–1, or
tion at 550 °C from the total dry solids of the same sample,
ISO 14855–2.
according to Standard Method 2540G:
6.3.1 Ninety percent (90 %) of the organic carbon in the
whole item or for each organic constituent, which is present in % volatile organic solids5 (1)
the material at a concentration of more than 1 % (by dry mass),
Mass of dried residue 2 Mass of residue after ignition
shall be converted to carbon dioxide by the end of the test × 100
Mass of dried residue
period when compared to the positive control or in the
absolute. Where: “Mass of dried residue” (in milligrams) is the dry
6.3.1.1 Organic constituents present at levels between 1 to mass of the test sample used in the incineration test and “Mass
10 % shall be tested individually for compliance to 6.3.1. of residue after ignition” (in milligrams) is the mass of the test
6.3.2 Organic constituents which are present at concentra- sample or material remaining after incineration.
tions of less than 1 % do not need to demonstrate biodegrad-
NOTE 5—For a better understanding of why it is important that the
ability. However, the sum of such unproven constituents shall majority of the product adds compostable material and not just inert
not exceed 5 %. matter, consult The Composting Handbook.10
6.3.3 Ligno-cellulosic substrates are permitted to fulfill the
requirements of 6.3 by demonstrating that they are “materials 7. Sampling
of natural origin” as defined in Specification D6868, and 7.1 Sampling shall be conducted as indicated in the speci-
therefore assumed to be biodegradable by showing that over fied test method.
95 % of their carbon comes from biobased resources, using
Test Methods D6866. Any polymers or additives derived from 8. Specimen Preparation
biobased sources that are blended with ligno-cellulosic sub- 8.1 Specimen preparation shall be in accordance with the
strates shall separately demonstrate that they meet the require- specified test method.
ments of 6.3 if they are more than 1 % of the dry weight of the
end item. 9. Marking and Labeling
6.3.4 Plastic product test samples shall not be subjected to 9.1 Marking and labeling shall conform to national and
conditions designed to accelerate biodegradation, prior to local regulations.
testing in 6.3.
10. Keywords
NOTE 3—While the end points of biodegradation include incorporation
into biomass or humic substances as well as carbon dioxide, no recognized 10.1 biodegradable; compostable plastic; composting; de-
standard test methods and specifications exist to quantify these outcomes. gradable plastics; labeling
When these tests and specifications become available, this standard will be
revised.
10
The Composting Handbook, Compost Research & Education Foundation,
6.4 A plastic or product demonstrates satisfactory terrestrial Elsevier Inc., Editors: Robert Rynk, Ginny Black, Jane Gilbert, Johannes Biala, Jean
safety if it fulfills all the requirements in 6.4.1, 6.4.2, and 6.4.3: Bonhotal, Mary Schwarz, Leslie Cooperband, 2021, ISBN: 9780323856027.

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 D6400 − 23

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D6400 - 22)
that may impact the use of this standard. (February 1, 2023)

(1) Added 2.7. (3) Revised 6.4.

(2) Added term “volatile organic solids” to Section 3.

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D6400 - 21)
that may impact the use of this standard. (December 1, 2022)

(1) Added D6866 and D6868 to Section 2. (2) Revised 6.3.3.

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D6400 - 19)
that may impact the use of this standard. (December 1, 2021)

(1) Replaced standard in 2.6. (2) Revised 6.4.1.

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