water

Fresh water degradation

Specific consumer products, such as detergents or flushable wipes and refills, can inevitably end up in a fresh water environment. Biodegradability of these products helps to prevent any kind of damage to the ecosystem. Normec OWS offers different types of fresh water degradation testing to determine the degradation and chemical characteristics of materials in accordance with the available standards.

Testing purposes

The outcome of our test can be used for different purposes, such as certification, making marketing or legal claims, or for supporting research & development.

The main certificate for fresh water degradation is the European OK Biodegradable WATER certificate, issued by TÜV AUSTRIA, which requires testing for biodegradation and heavy metals and fluor.

The latter is to ensure that the threshold values stipulated in the EN 13432 standard are not surpassed as this could negatively affect water quality.

Do you have a biodegradation related question?
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Certification requirement

The certification requirement for biodegradation in fresh water, in accordance with the ISO 14851 test method, is 90% carbon to CO2 conversion to be reached within eight weeks.

We also offer biodegradation testing according to the OECD 301F (MITI) and OECD 301B (Sturm) standards. These can be used to prove ready (>60%) or inherent (20 – 60%) biodegradation within 28 days.

Besides certification conditions, we also offer testing under screening conditions for research & development purposes.

Optionally, we offer dispersibility/solubility testing for our clients, in accordance with the EN 14987 standards, which show how well a material is dispersed or solubilized in fresh water. We also offer optional quantitative and qualitative disintegration testing.

reactor water

Latest news

Meet us at the European Bioplastics Conference 2023

Meet us at the European Bioplastics Conference 2023

The European Bioplastics Conference 2023 will take place on 12 – 13 December 2023, at the Titanic Hotel in Berlin, Germany.

Normec OWS receives renewal of DIN CERTCO certification

Normec OWS receives renewal of DIN CERTCO certification

Normec OWS has successfully renewed its DIN CERTCO certificates, solidifying its position as an esteemed independent testing laboratory.

Normec OWS helping to tackle pollution(s)

Normec OWS helping to tackle pollution(s)

Recently, Bruno De Wilde had the privilege of sitting down with PortNews, the leading magazine for all things North Sea Port.

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