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<DIV><BR></DIV>pts20190514012<BR>Science/Technology, Environment/Energy<BR><!--DOM created eMail (DF)-->
<H2 style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><A
href="http://www.pressetext.com/news/20190514012">http://www.pressetext.com/news/20190514012</A></H2>
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<H2 style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><BR>Biodegradable plastic
bags: TÜV AUSTRIA responds to the University of Plymouth study</H2><B>Plymouth
study in line with TÜV AUSTRIA approach</B> <BR><BR>
<DIV width="100%">
<DIV
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 3px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ededed; PADDING-LEFT: 3px; WIDTH: 306px; PADDING-RIGHT: 3px; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 3px"><IMG
title="TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost"
alt="TÜV AUSTRIA stresses that none of the bags evaluated by the Plymouth study have been evaluated or certified by an independent third party. Nor do these bags bear a mark of conformity, such as OK compost or OK biodegradable. The results of the Plymouth study are in line with expectations. Most of the bags are almost intact after three years. Either the claims made by the manufacturers are false or the samples have been exposed to an environment they were not designed for."
src="http://www.pressetext.com/news/photo/medium/20190514012/1">
<P>TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost</P>
<P><A href="http://www.pressetext.com/news/media/20190514012">[ Foto, PDF ]</A>
</P></DIV>Belgium (pts/14.05.2019/08:30) <B>A study by the University of
Plymouth (UK) has raised concerns over the viability of biodegradable plastics.
As the world market leader in certification of biodegradable plastics, TÜV
AUSTRIA has reviewed said paper to clarify its findings and prevent
misconceptions about biodegradability in general.</B>
<P><B>Executive Summary</B> </P>
<P>TÜV AUSTRIA stresses that none of the bags evaluated by the Plymouth study
have been evaluated or certified by an independent third party. Nor do these
bags bear a mark of conformity, such as OK compost or OK biodegradable.</P>
<P>The results of the Plymouth study are in line with expectations. Most of the
bags are almost intact after three years. Either the claims made by the
manufacturers are false or the samples have been exposed to an environment they
were not designed for.</P>
<P>Unlike the study itself, media reviewing the study are far less nuanced to
the point of instilling mistrust in genuinely biodegradable products.</P>
<P><B>The Plymouth study´s conclusions are in line with the TÜV AUSTRIA
approach:</B> <BR>- only an assessment sanctioned by a certificate issued by a
competent and independent certification body guarantees the biodegradability /
compostability of a product;<BR>- controlled use of appropriate logos allows
consumers to properly sort products at end of life.</P>
<P>Learn more about TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost at <A
href="http://www.okcompost.org">http://www.okcompost.org</A> and on You Tube <A
href="http://www.tuv.at/okcompost-video">http://www.tuv.at/okcompost-video</A>
</P>
<P><B>The University of Plymouth study</B> </P>
<P>Five types of carrier bags were tested. One was made of polyethylene (PE),
one was referred to as "biodegradable", another as "compostable", while the last
two were made from oxo-fragmentable material. Oxo-fragmentable material is by
its very definition not biodegradable and only erroneously described as
such.</P>
<P>Following an exposure of these bags to different environments (soil, sea
water and air) for a period of 3 years, the University of Plymouth analysed
their mechanical characteristics, in particular tensile strength.</P>
<P>This method determines the degradation of the bags, even if that degradation
is not due to bio organisms as it is in case of biodegradation. The title of the
study is therefore perfectly correct: "Environmental Deterioration of
Biodegradable, Oxo-biodegradable, Compostable, and Conventional Plastic Carrier
Bags in the Sea, Soil, and Open-Air Over a 3 Year Period "</P>
<P><B>Superficial media reports</B> </P>
<P>The results the study provides are in line with expectations: most of the
bags are almost intact after three years, either because the claims made by the
manufacturers are false, or the bags have been exposed to an environment they
were not designed for.</P>
<P>However, it is unfortunate that the articles feature headlines that are less
nuanced than the study itself. The superficial discussion of a complex and
important matter creates confusion to the point of instilling distrust in
genuinely biodegradable products.</P>
<P>It should be noted that none of these bags have been evaluated or certified
by an independent third party, nor do they bear a mark of conformity (such as OK
compost, OK biodegradable or other).</P>
<P>All our certification schemes are developed for a specific environment and
the associated logo clearly mentions this environment to help the consumer in
his sorting process.</P>
<P>The "compostable" bag tested during the study shows a marking referring to
the European standard EN 13432, which is of no help for citizens.</P>
<P>For example, our OK compost HOME logo, which is only allowed on certified
bags, clearly indicates that the bags are certified and intended for home
composting.</P>
<P><B>Plymouth study in line with TÜV AUSTRIA approach</B> </P>
<P><B>The conclusions the Plymouth study arrives at are perfectly in line with
the TÜV AUSTRIA approach:</B> <BR>- only an assessment sanctioned by a
certificate issued by a competent and independent certification body guarantees
the biodegradability / compostability of a product;<BR>- controlled use of
appropriate logos allows consumers to properly sort products at end of life.</P>
<P>These are the two missions that we have been pursuing for almost 25 years via
our OK compost and OK biodegradable conformity marks, adapted for different
environments (industrial or domestic compost, biodegradation in soil, in water
or at sea) and combined with permanent market monitoring.</P>
<P><B>Biodegradability requires careful and responsible presentation</B> </P>
<P>TÜV AUSTRIA underlines that biodegradability must never be an excuse for
littering. Biodegradability is an important subject matter that requires careful
and responsible presentation to be implemented for the intended benefit of our
environment. </P>
<P>Learn more about TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost at <A
href="http://www.okcompost.org">http://www.okcompost.org</A> and on You Tube <A
href="http://www.tuv.at/okcompost-video">http://www.tuv.at/okcompost-video</A>
</P></DIV>
<P>Video: <A
href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcSIigrOA0g">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcSIigrOA0g</A>
</P>(Ende)
<DIV>
<DIV style="FLOAT: right"><IMG title=Logo alt="TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium"
src="http://www.pressetext.com/news/logo/20190514012"> </DIV>
<P>emitter: TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium<BR>contact person: Philippe Dewolfs<BR>e-mail:
<A href="mailto:philippe.dewolfs@tuv-a.com">philippe.dewolfs@tuv-a.com</A>
<BR>phone: +32 2 532 29 11<BR>website: <A
href="http://www.tuv-at.be">www.tuv-at.be</A> <BR></P></DIV>
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<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, May 14, 2019 10:33 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Biodegradable plastic bags: TÜV AUSTRIA responds to the
University of Plymouth study</DIV>
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