As sustainability and regulatory pressures continue to increase, demonstrating that a product is biodegradable has become essential across various industries, including packaging, personal care, household cleaners, and industrial lubricants. At RespirTek, we provide a comprehensive range of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited biodegradability testing services. One significant standard for assessing biodegradability is OECD 310, a closed-bottle test designed for materials that may contain volatile components. In this blog, we will explain what OECD 310 biodegradability testing is, how it compares to some of the OECD 301 series of tests, and why it may be the right choice for your product.
What is OECD 310 biodegradability testing?
OECD 310 is part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) series of methods for assessing ready and ultimate biodegradability, meaning how quickly and completely a chemical compound breaks down under aerobic conditions. OECD 310 uses a closed bottle system to measure CO₂ evolution, making it ideal for high-throughput.
The OECD 310 and OECD 301 series of tests allow for direct, explicit classification of a material’s biodegradability. The methods establish threshold criteria for the direct classification of materials under the terms of ready or ultimate biodegradability according to OECD definitions.
Ready Biodegradability:
A material is readily biodegradable if 60% of the organic carbon in the material is converted to CO2 within a 10-day window during the 28-day test period. The 10-day window starts when 10% of the organic carbon has been converted to CO2 and lasts ten days (but must end before 28 full days of the test).
According to OECD guidelines, a classification of readily biodegradable can be considered as indicative of rapid and ultimate degradation in most environments.
Ultimate Biodegradability:
A material is ultimately biodegradable (a subclassification of inherent biodegradability) if 60% of the organic carbon in the material converts to CO2 throughout the test. In this case, the test can be extended beyond 28 days.
According to OECD guidelines, a classification of ultimately biodegradable indicates that the substance has a potential for degradation under favorable conditions, for example, in well-operated sewage treatment plants.
Key features of OECD 310:
- Measures aerobic biodegradation by tracking CO₂ production
- Uses a sealed-vessel system
- Ideal for substances with volatile compounds
- Used for both soluble and insoluble substances
- Designed to reduce human error and increase reproducibility
How Does It Compare to OECD 301?
OECD 301 is the traditional standard for ready and ultimate biodegradability testing and consists of several sub-methods (301A–301F). One of the most common sub-methods is:
- OECD 301B (CO₂ Evolution Test)
The OECD 301B test is similar in principle to OECD 310 biodegradability testing. However, OECD 310 is specifically designed for materials that contain volatile constituents. The OECD 301B method uses an “open to the atmosphere” approach, where air is continuously bubbled through the test reactors. This bubbling action can strip volatile components from the reactor, resulting in a reduced level of organic carbon available for biodegradation. As a consequence, the microbes have less carbon to consume, leading to a lower amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) being released. Therefore, using the OECD 301B test in such cases may yield inaccurately low results.
To address this issue, we employ a “closed bottle test,” such as OECD 310. This test is an aqueous, aerobic biodegradation method nearly identical to OECD 301B. The only significant difference is that OECD 310 uses sealed bottles that contain enough oxygen initially to support the complete degradation of the organic material present.
Why Choose OECD 310 for Your Product?
OECD 310 is especially well-suited for:
- Substances that have volatile compounds
- Products aimed at international certification or eco-labeling
- Clients requiring consistent and high-quality data output
Moreover, many regulatory agencies and certification bodies accept results from both OECD 301 and OECD 310, making either choice a viable path for environmental claims.
RespirTek’s Approach to OECD 310 Testing
At RespirTek, we offer OECD 310 testing through our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory. Our systems are optimized for accurate CO₂ tracking, and our technical team ensures full compliance with the method’s stringent requirements. Whether you are evaluating raw materials, formulations, or finished products, we can help you determine the most suitable testing method, be it OECD 310, 301B, or another protocol.
Final Thoughts
OECD 310 biodegradability testing represents a smart, data-rich, and regulatory-friendly way to demonstrate the biodegradability compatibility of your product. While OECD 301 remains widely used, OECD 310 offers another option for testing materials with volatile components without sacrificing scientific rigor.
If your company is interested in obtaining biodegradability certification, collaborating with an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and experienced laboratory can streamline the process, reduce uncertainty, and provide expert guidance at every stage. Our team provides comprehensive data progression updates throughout the entire testing process, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Contact RespirTek at (228) 392-7977 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our technical team to learn more about OECD 310 biodegradability testing and take the next step in ensuring your products meet the highest environmental standards.
