Biodegradability & Compostability Testing

Substantiate compostable or biodegradable claims on plastics and packaging with tests to the standards Indian regulators and buyers recognise.

4.9/5Rated by 28 clients

How Biodegradability & Compostability Testing works

1Assessment of requirement
2Sample collection
3Right lab assigned
4Testing
5Test report

Each step explained

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Overview of Biodegradability & Compostability Testing

Tested by: NABL-accredited partner lab
Regulation: PWM Rules & IS/ISO 17088
Typical turnaround: 3–6 months
Sample needed: 1–2 kg of material or film

India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules ban many single-use plastic items, but allow compostable and biodegradable alternatives that meet BIS standards. Makers and sellers of compostable plastics need a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board, based on test results to IS/ISO 17088, and must mark their products accordingly.

Compostability is shown by four things together: biodegradation into carbon dioxide (ISO 14855, which takes up to six months), disintegration in compost, absence of ecotoxic effects on plant growth, and limits on heavy metals. Biodegradable plastic claims for soil or other environments use different standards and timeframes.

What we do for you

Lab and parameter list chosen for your purpose: licence, export, buyer or internal QC
Sampling guidance, and pickup or on-site sampling where needed
One contact who follows up with the lab until the report is issued
Report explained in plain language, with next steps if a result fails

What to send

The lab confirms the exact quantity and packing for your product when we book the test.

Sample

Quantity: 1–2 kg of material or film
Sealed and labelled with the product name, batch number and date
Packed so that it cannot leak or be contaminated in transit

Details to share

Product name, material or grade and intended use
Drawings or specifications, where relevant
The standard or buyer specification to test against
Markets where the product will be sold

How we handle Biodegradability & Compostability Testing

1
Assessment of requirement
We confirm the standard, the list of tests and how many samples your product needs.
2
Sample collection
We collect the samples from your factory or warehouse, or tell you exactly where to send them.
3
Right lab assigned
We choose an accredited lab (NABL, BIS-recognised or ILAC) that covers your standard and can start soonest.
4
Testing
The lab tests your samples against the standard. We follow up and tell you at once if a test fails.
5
Test report
You receive the signed test report, ready to use for BIS, WPC, CE or your buyer.

What the lab tests

Parameter	Why it is checked
Biodegradation (ISO 14855)	Conversion to CO2 under composting conditions
Disintegration (ISO 16929 / ISO 20200)	Breakdown into small fragments in compost
Ecotoxicity	Plant growth in compost made with the material
Heavy metals	Limits for compost quality
Polymer identification (FTIR)	Confirms the resin, such as PLA or PBAT

The final list depends on your product, its standard and the purpose of testing. We confirm it with you before the sample goes to the lab.

Frequently asked questions

Why does compostability testing take months?

Biodegradation is measured by tracking carbon dioxide released as microbes break the material down, and the standard allows up to six months. There is no shortcut for this part.

Which standard is the product tested against?

The Indian Standard, international standard or buyer specification that applies to your product and market. We confirm it with you before testing, and the report states the method used for each parameter.

Who carries out the testing?

Instacertify’s partner laboratories, accredited by NABL to ISO/IEC 17025 for the parameters on your report. We choose the lab, arrange the sample, follow up until the report is issued and explain the results to you.

What our clients say

“Instacertify helped us get BIS CRS certification for our entire product range within just 6 weeks. Their team handled everything from documentation to lab coordination. Highly professional service.”

Akash GuptaBIS CRS · Electronics brand

“They handled complete certification for us, from ISO 9001 to BIS for PVC cables and plugs. Thorough, professional and always available — they knew what needed to be done and when.”

Shivank VishnoiISO 9001 & BIS · Cables

“Getting TEC approvals for our access-control products seemed confusing and complex, but Instacertify made it simple.”

Jiten ShahTEC approval · Access control

Not sure which certification you need?

Send us the product name and the countries you sell in. A specialist replies with the standards that apply, the documents to prepare, the lab cost and the timeline. The assessment is free.

The list of approvals comes to you in writing
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Testing, certification and registrations handled by one team

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