Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Japan

CERI offers comprehensive biodegradation test services designed to meet the specific requirements of industry, research institutions, and regulatory authorities. With a strong focus on scientific rigor and neutrality, we provide reliable data to support your product development and environmental compliance efforts.
Our team has extensive experience evaluating a wide variety of materials — including plastics, paper, packaging, consumer products, and chemical formulations — across diverse environmental conditions.
Biodegradation tests can be conducted under aerobic conditions, using inoculum such as activated sludge, compost, soil, seawater, and marine sediments. We are committed to delivering high-quality data that contributes to sustainable material innovation.
We are also an accredited testing laboratory under the Biodegradable Plastics Identification Labeling System (for biodegradable plastics and marine biodegradable plastics) established by the Japan BioPlastics Association.
In addition, we are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for testing in accordance with JIS K 6953-1, ensuring the provision of highly reliable and internationally recognized data.

Various methods have been explored for TRWP analysis. The ISO standard test method using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is specified as the official method.

Standards	ISO 14851 (JIS K 6950)	ISO 14855-1 (JIS K 6953-1)	ISO 17556 (JIS K 6955)
Standard title	Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium — Method by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer	Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide Part 1: General method	Plastics — Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in soil by measuring the oxygen demand in a respirometer or the amount of carbon dioxide evolved
Inoculum	Activated sludge	Compost	Soil
Incubation temperature	20~25℃	58℃	20~28℃
Form of test material	Powder, film, etc.^*1
Test items	Percentage of biodegradation(%)
Test period	~6 months ^*2	~6 months ^*2	~2 years ^*2

Standards	ASTM D6691	ISO 23977-1 ISO 23977-2	ISO 19679	ISO 22404
Standard title	Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum	Plastics — Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater Part 1: Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide Part 2: Method by measuring the oxygen demand in closed respirometer	Plastics — Determination of aerobic biodegradation of non-floating plastic materials in a seawater/sediment interface — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide	Plastics — Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of non-floating materials exposed to marine sediment — Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide
Inoculum	Natural seawater	Natural seawater	Natural seawater and sediment	Marine sediment
Incubation temperature	30℃	15~25℃	15~25℃	15~25℃
Form of test material	Powder	Powder or film^*1
Test items	Percentage of biodegradation(%)
Test period	~90 days^*2	~2 years^*2	~24 months^*2	~24 months^*2

*1 We can also carry out the crushing treatment of samples and make them into powder.

*2 If the percentage of biodegradation reaches a steady state, the test period can be shortened.


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