RespirTek, Inc. conducts ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited OECD, ASTM, and ISO biodegradability test methods that are compliant with the following biodegradable testing regulations:
REACH
Understanding REACH – ECHA (europa.eu)
The REACH program was created by the European Union to promote the use of environmentally safe products, which applies to all chemical substances. It affects manufacturers, importers, and users involved with chemicals.
Cradle to Cradle
Home – Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (c2ccertified.org)
Cradle to Cradle Standard Version 4.1, Version 4.1 – Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (c2ccertified.org)
Cradle to Cradle Certified® is an internationally recognized standard used by manufacturers and other industries for producing sustainable products. This standard is recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.
Safer Choice
Safer Choice aids manufacturers, consumers, and businesses in locating and creating products that are safer and better for the environment. Safer Choice is an EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) program, that helps industries produce safer ingredients in products.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
Criteria for Biodegradability Claims on Products Registered under FIFRA | US EPA
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is a federal law in the United States that outlines the system for pesticide regulation to ensure the safety of applications and the environment.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) give the EPA the authority to regulate the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides. Before a pesticide may be sold or distributed in the United States, it must be registered (licensed) with the EPA and meet certain test requirements.
Vessel General Permit (VGP)
EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0141-0949_content.pdf
In 2018, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) (Title IX of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018)(175 pp, 567 K, About PDF) was signed, with VIDA requiring the EPA to develop new national standards of performance for commercial vessel incidental discharges and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to develop corresponding implementing regulations. VGP complies with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended (33 USC 1251 et seq.).
VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF VESSELS (VGP)1: AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL)
Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (epa.gov)
EAL was created to describe the range of environmentally preferable lubricants and oils that may be used by operators of vessels covered under the Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels (VGP)1. The term environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) is used to describe those lubricants that have been demonstrated to meet standards for biodegradability, toxicity, and bioaccumulation potential that minimize adverse consequences in aquatic environments.
ECHA Restriction
https://echa.europa.eu/substances-restricted-under-reach
The REACH program in Europe created restrictions for the ‘intentional’ use of microplastics in products. The guidelines provide exemptions for microplastics based on environmental testing results using the recommended testing standards.
Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO)
ةدﻮﺠﻟاو ﺲﯿﯾﺎﻘﻤﻟاو تﺎﻔﺻاﻮﻤﻠﻟ ﺔﯾدﻮﻌﺴﻟا ﺔﺌﯿﮭﻟا (saso.gov.sa) TR-Saudi-quality-mark.pdf (saso.gov.sa) ISO – SASO – Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization
The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) were established under Royal Decree No. M/10 dated 03/03/1392 H (17/4/1972 G) as a body of judicial personality and of an independent budget and obtained ISO membership the same year.
It is a government body that coordinates standardization activities and facilitates the development of Saudi Standards by working with the government and industry to ensure manufacturers are producing environmentally safe products.
Columbian Resolution 0689
res-0689-16(minsalud-minambiente).pdf (legisaldia.com)
This law was enacted to ensure anyone trying to manufacture or distribute products in biodegradability testing must produce environmentally friendly products that meet certain biodegradability criteria.
Blue Angel/Blauer Engel
https://www.blauer-engel.de/en/productworld/biodegradable-lubricants-and-hydraulic-fluids
The German federal government created this ecolabel to guide environmentally conscious decisions around purchasing products and services that are eco-friendly.
AGROCALIDAD/MIPRO
AGROCALIDAD, Agencia Ecuatoriana de Aseguramiento de la Calidad del Agro (Ecuadorian Agency for Quality Assurance in Agriculture), and Ministry of Industries and Productivity (MIPRO) are entities in Ecuador that focus on agricultural quality and safety. These agencies are responsible for regulating and ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products in Ecuador as it relates to the new law around restrictions on the use of plastic in Ecuador.
By adhering to biodegradability testing regulations, organizations can contribute to sustainable development goals, protect the environment, and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly products.
Contact RespirTek for assistance in selecting the most suitable biodegradability test methods for your specific needs, or to gain further insight into the listed biodegradable testing regulations.