Standard tests, such as ASTM 5071 -06, should be carried out on the products made up of photo-degradables in order to verify and fully understand the biodegradation process.  Due to the various catalytic additives added to plastics, the rate of degradation and how well it will degrade depends on the environment and if the correct factors are present.

ASTM D5071 – 06 test method involves the conditioning of the photo-degradable (oxo-degradable) plastics in a xenon-arc weathering chamber for a period of time and periodically assess the degradation process compared with conventional plastics.

The degradation endpoint of the plastics can be determined by a tensile test revealing the change of tensile strength and elongation.  Other properties that can be measured are molecular weight, using Gel permeation chromatography techniques.