ISO 20200 – Determination of the Degree of Disintegration of Plastic Materials Under Simulated Composting Conditions 

When developing compostable materials, they must physically break down and disappear within the composting process. 

If materials fail to disintegrate properly, they can leave visible fragments in compost, leading to failed certification, rejected products, and loss of trust from regulators and customers. 

ISO 20200 testing addresses this by evaluating how well a material disintegrates under simulated composting conditions, giving you confidence that your product performs as expected in real composting environments. 

 

What ISO 20200 Testing Involves 

ISO 20200 specifies a method for determining the degree of disintegration of plastic materials when exposed to controlled composting conditions. 

Unlike biodegradation tests that measure CO₂, this standard focuses on physical breakdown, assessing how much of the material fragments and passes through a defined sieve after composting. 

The test evaluates: 

• The extent of disintegration of the material  

• The presence of visible residues  

• Whether the material meets thresholds required for compostability standards  

This makes ISO 20200 a key requirement for compostability certification schemes. 

 

Methodology 

At Impact Solutions, ISO 20200 testing is carried out using controlled composting systems designed to replicate industrial composting conditions. 

A typical ISO 20200 programme includes: 

1. Preparation of test samples to defined size and thickness.  
2. Mixing with synthetic compost under controlled conditions.  
3. Incubation at elevated temperatures 
4. Maintenance of moisture and aeration to support composting activity.  
5. Periodic mixing and monitoring throughout the test duration.  
6. Sieving of composted material at the end of the test to assess remaining fragments.  
7. Calculation of disintegration percentage based on material retained on a defined sieve.  
8. Comprehensive reporting with clear pass or fail criteria where applicable.  

 

Relevant Industry Applications 

ISO 20200 testing is widely used for: 

• Compostable packaging materials  

• Food service items and single use products  

• Compostable films and bags  

• Bioplastics and polymer development  

• Additives and masterbatches  

 

Benefits of ISO 20200 Testing 

• Confirms physical disintegration in composting conditions  

• Supports compostability certification requirements  

• Helps ensure no visible plastic residues remain in compost  

• Reduces risk of product rejection or non-compliance  

• Enables comparison of materials and formulations  

• Provides clear, standardised performance data  

 

Need to prove your material fully breaks down in compost?
 

Contact Impact Solutions to discuss ISO 20200 testing and build a compostability programme that supports certification and product success. 

 

FAQ 

Q: How is ISO 20200 different from ISO 14855?
ISO 20200 measures physical disintegration, while ISO 14855 measures biodegradation through CO₂ evolution. 

Q: What does ISO 20200 actually measure?
It measures how well a material physically breaks down in compost by assessing the percentage of material that disintegrates and passes through a defined sieve after testing. 

Q: What pass criteria are typically used?
Many certification schemes require a high level of disintegration, often around 90 percent or more passing through a 2 mm sieve, although exact criteria depend on the specification. 

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