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TÜV Austria India > Solution > Sustainability > OK biodegradable Solution: OK biodegradable Audit & Certification Solution: OK biodegradable TÜV AUSTRIA INDIA – Pune TÜV AUSTRIA INDIA – Pune TÜV AUSTRIA \| India No.102, Karan Tej Bonita, Vasantrao Deshmukh Path, CTS No.1187/16, Plot No.549, Ghole Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411005 Pune India +912046354691 Send email No.102, Karan Tej Bonita, Vasantrao Deshmukh Path, CTS No.1187/16, Plot No.549, Ghole Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411005 Pune India TÜV AUSTRIA INDIA – Pune TÜV AUSTRIA is a Member in Good Standing of TIC Council \| TÜV (R) "TÜV AUSTRIA offers a product certification for biodegradable products with the certification scheme "OK biodegradable"." TÜV AUSTRIA Certification Scheme: OK biodegradable Biodegration There is more than meets the eye in “biodegradation”! An entire army of microorganisms attacks the material to be broken down and the army differs according to the environment (the specific temperature, moisture content, pH, supply of oxygen, etc.) where biodegradation occurs. A product’s application determines the ideal biodegradation environment. Accordingly, Belgium has already introduced a law to decide that packaging may not be presented as biodegradable. After all, the idea is not to have packaging spread around on a massive scale like litter because it is “biodegradable”. TUV AUSTRIA’s specialists support the idea of this legislation – applied only in Belgium for the time being – and are able to specify the correct biodegradation environment for your products thanks to their verification marks. In order to avoid any misleading communication, the Certification Committee analyzes each application to verify if the certification of this product is acceptable. OK biodegradable MARINE In view of the fact that the majority of marine debris is land-based, marine biodegradability is an added value to any product or packaging, regardless of where it is consumed. There will always be a chance that it will eventually end up at sea. Any supplier who invests in adding this functionality to his product or packaging should have the opportunity of having this information verified according to international standards – though without encouraging the consumer to litter at sea or anywhere else. OK biodegradable SOIL Biodegradability in the soil offers huge benefits for agricultural and horticultural products because they can be left to break down in situ after use. The OK biodegradable SOIL label guarantees that a product is completely biodegradable in the soil with no adverse effects on the environment. OK biodegradable WATER Products certified for OK Biodegradable WATER guarantee biodegradation in a natural, freshwater environment, and thus make a substantial contribution to the reduction of waste in rivers, lakes or any natural freshwater. Please note that this does not automatically guarantee biodegradation in marine waters. Biodegradable vs. Compostable: What Is the Difference? People often confuse “biodegradable” and “compostable”, but the terms do not mean the same thing. A biodegradable product can break down through the action of microorganisms. However, this process does not necessarily produce usable compost or happen within a defined time. Compostable products, on the other hand, must break down under specific conditions and turn into compost that supports plant growth. Compostability always requires controlled testing and clear performance criteria. Why the Environment Matters? Biodegradation and compostability depend strongly on the environment. Conditions such as temperature, humidity, oxygen level, and microorganisms differ between compost, soil, and water. As a result, the breakdown process may occur faster in one environment and much slower in another. For example, some bioplastics break down in industrial composting plants, where high temperatures accelerate the process. However, those same materials may not biodegrade in soil, water, or home composting systems due to lower temperatures. OK biodegradable SOIL Certification – Required Tests To qualify for an OK biodegradable SOIL certificate, manufacturers must provide a clear and detailed product description. In addition, the following tests are required: Biodegradation test Evaluates the chemical breakdown of the polymer in soil. Ecotoxicity test Confirms that the degraded material does not harm plant growth. Heavy metals analysis Verifies that heavy metal content remains within safe limits. These tests ensure the product biodegrades safely in soil without negative environmental effects. OK biodegradable WATER Certification – Required Tests To obtain an OK biodegradable WATER certificate, applicants must submit a detailed product description and complete the following test: Biodegradation test Measures the chemical breakdown of the polymer in water. Important Note on Heavy Metals Heavy metals fall under local regulatory requirements. Therefore, manufacturers must ensure that the heavy metal content of certified products meets the legal limits in the region where the product is sold. More Tags: OKcert - OK certification Audit & Certification Agriculture Trade & Commerce Certification Sustainability Foodstuffs Freshwater environment Water Soil Ocean Marine Biodegradation system Related solutions from the same sector: Sustainability Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Sustainability Show more OK biobased Sustainability Show more REAL CMCS – Compostable Material Certification Scheme Sustainability Show more ISO 14046 Water Footprint and Sustainability Sustainability Show more All Solutions Discover more sectors: Industry Automotive Municipalities Machinery Communications Technology Trade & Commerce Agriculture Tourism Foodstuffs Transport & Traffic Certification Construction & Real Estate Electronics Leisure & Entertainment Health & Medicine Energy TÜV AUSTRIA INDIA – Pune +912046354691 \| mailto:info.certification.india@tuvaustria.com
TÜV AUSTRIA INDIA – Pune +912046354691 \| mailto:info.certification.india@tuvaustria.com

TÜV Austria India > Solution > Sustainability > OK biodegradable

Solution: OK biodegradable

TÜV AUSTRIA INDIA – Pune

TÜV AUSTRIA | India

No.102, Karan Tej Bonita, Vasantrao Deshmukh Path, CTS No.1187/16, Plot No.549, Ghole Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411005 Pune India

+912046354691

Send email

TÜV AUSTRIA is a Member in Good Standing of TIC Council | TÜV (R)

"TÜV AUSTRIA offers a product certification for biodegradable products with the certification scheme "OK biodegradable"."

TÜV AUSTRIA Certification Scheme: OK biodegradable

Biodegration

There is more than meets the eye in “biodegradation”! An entire army of microorganisms attacks the material to be broken down and the army differs according to the environment (the specific temperature, moisture content, pH, supply of oxygen, etc.) where biodegradation occurs.

A product’s application determines the ideal biodegradation environment. Accordingly, Belgium has already introduced a law to decide that packaging may not be presented as biodegradable. After all, the idea is not to have packaging spread around on a massive scale like litter because it is “biodegradable”. TUV AUSTRIA’s specialists support the idea of this legislation – applied only in Belgium for the time being – and are able to specify the correct biodegradation environment for your products thanks to their verification marks.

In order to avoid any misleading communication, the Certification Committee analyzes each application to verify if the certification of this product is acceptable.

OK biodegradable MARINE

In view of the fact that the majority of marine debris is land-based, marine biodegradability is an added value to any product or packaging, regardless of where it is consumed. There will always be a chance that it will eventually end up at sea. Any supplier who invests in adding this functionality to his product or packaging should have the opportunity of having this information verified according to international standards – though without encouraging the consumer to litter at sea or anywhere else.

OK biodegradable SOIL

Biodegradability in the soil offers huge benefits for agricultural and horticultural products because they can be left to break down in situ after use. The OK biodegradable SOIL label guarantees that a product is completely biodegradable in the soil with no adverse effects on the environment.

OK biodegradable WATER

Products certified for OK Biodegradable WATER guarantee biodegradation in a natural, freshwater environment, and thus make a substantial contribution to the reduction of waste in rivers, lakes or any natural freshwater. Please note that this does not automatically guarantee biodegradation in marine waters.

Biodegradable vs. Compostable: What Is the Difference?

People often confuse “biodegradable” and “compostable”, but the terms do not mean the same thing. A biodegradable product can break down through the action of microorganisms. However, this process does not necessarily produce usable compost or happen within a defined time.

Compostable products, on the other hand, must break down under specific conditions and turn into compost that supports plant growth. Compostability always requires controlled testing and clear performance criteria.

Why the Environment Matters?

Biodegradation and compostability depend strongly on the environment. Conditions such as temperature, humidity, oxygen level, and microorganisms differ between compost, soil, and water. As a result, the breakdown process may occur faster in one environment and much slower in another.

For example, some bioplastics break down in industrial composting plants, where high temperatures accelerate the process. However, those same materials may not biodegrade in soil, water, or home composting systems due to lower temperatures.

OK biodegradable SOIL Certification – Required Tests

To qualify for an OK biodegradable SOIL certificate, manufacturers must provide a clear and detailed product description. In addition, the following tests are required:

Biodegradation test
Evaluates the chemical breakdown of the polymer in soil.
Ecotoxicity test
Confirms that the degraded material does not harm plant growth.
Heavy metals analysis
Verifies that heavy metal content remains within safe limits.

These tests ensure the product biodegrades safely in soil without negative environmental effects.

OK biodegradable WATER Certification – Required Tests

To obtain an OK biodegradable WATER certificate, applicants must submit a detailed product description and complete the following test:

Biodegradation test
Measures the chemical breakdown of the polymer in water.

Important Note on Heavy Metals

Heavy metals fall under local regulatory requirements. Therefore, manufacturers must ensure that the heavy metal content of certified products meets the legal limits in the region where the product is sold.