The Bureau of Indian Standards on 23rd June 2022, has published the FAQ on IS 17899 T: 2022 Assessment of biodegradable of plastic in varied conditions. In draft Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWM) 2022 and EPR guidelines, it has been mentioned that Biodegradable Plastics to be certified as per the standard published by Bureau of Indian Standards. Therefore, to ensure the compliance of PWM Rules, the standard has been published urgently.
A Tentative/ Provisional Indian Standard are prepared when urgently needed but its technical accuracy cannot be established on account of technology being new or not having been proven commercially. This standard will be valid for 2 years for now, however, before its expiry period, the standard would be reviewed by the Sectional Committee and will be established as regular standard. However, if the Sectional Committee is of the opinion that such standard should not be established, with or without modification, as a regular Indian Standard, then this provisional Indian Standard shall lapse after its validity period of 2 years.
The Assessment of biodegradability of plastics in composting conditions is given in the standard, however if the assessment is done under composting conditions, the plastics will be certified as compostable plastics, as per IS/ISO 17088 : 2021
This standard is applicable for assessment of biodegradability of plastics in aqueous condition, soil condition, municipal solid waste condition and composting condition and it is not applicable for assessment of biodegradability of plastics in marine conditions.
