Oxo-biodegradable Plastics – Standards Development
OPI is a member of ASTM and strongly supports the efforts of ASTM, CEN and similar groups that develop science based standard measurement methods and specifications and make them available to the consuming public as means of assessing the performance of products that are offered for sale. The ASTM process is driven by the need of the consumer for an objective way to assess the ability of products to meet his requirements and to compare their performance with that of other competing products.

OPI is working at ASTM with OPI member companies to develop standards that are applicable to degradable plastics and the products made from them. The ASTM process is based on achieving consensus of leading experts in the relevant field through consultation. By its very nature it is a slow process that can often take several years from initiation to publication of a standard. It is OPI’s hope that this process can be expedited by acting as a catalyst and focal point to build consensus in our industry.

OPI strongly encourages its members to join ASTM, CEN and/or other international standards making bodies and to actively participate in the development of standards relevant to our industry. We are in the process of drafting the framework for standard specifications for degradable plastics in a number of disposal environments.

The specific actions that we ask you to consider are as follows:

  • Join ASTM. This costs $US 75 and accords you a vote in the standards making process. This can be done online at www.astm.org 
  • Visit OPI website frequently and register your interest in receiving bulletins regarding standards. Read and respond to the bulletins promptly. Provide your comments to info@oxobio.org
  • Consider adopting the measures discussed in your own products and with your own customers. Ultimately, we would hope to include these performance measures as criteria for a recognized “logo” program.
  • Consider whether other objective measures will be useful. For example, should an OPI logo require functional performance beyond its ability to degrade – e.g. shelf life, wet strength, etc.

January 25, 2005

 

 Foundations for the Development of Standard Methods and Standard Specifications for Oxo-Biodegradable Polymers

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