Overview
ISO 16620-5:2017 - Plastics - Biobased content - Part 5 provides standardized requirements for declarations and labels of biobased content in plastics. The standard covers three distinct biobased metrics: biobased carbon content, biobased synthetic polymer content, and biobased mass content. It applies to plastic products and materials, including polymer resins, monomers and additives composed of biobased and/or fossil-based constituents. ISO 16620-5 is part of the ISO 16620 series and aligns with general environmental labeling principles (ISO 14020 / ISO 14021).
Key topics and requirements
- Declaration formats: Each declared value must follow the precise format defined in ISO 16620-5:
- Include product identification.
- State the biobased value as a percentage (%) (rounded to the nearest integer).
- Include the statement: “this declaration is in agreement with ISO 16620-5”.
- Metric-specific rules:
- Biobased carbon content: declared as % of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and/or % of Total Carbon (TC), determined per ISO 16620‑2.
- Biobased synthetic polymer content: declared as % of total mass, determined per ISO 16620‑3.
- Biobased mass content: declared as % of total mass, determined per ISO 16620‑4.
- General principles: Declarations must be accurate, verifiable, relevant and not misleading; based on robust scientific methodology; and avoid creating unnecessary trade barriers (aligned with ISO 14020 principles).
- Consumer communication: Manufacturers should assess and mitigate risk of consumer misinterpretation (e.g., equating “biobased” with compostability) and provide additional guidance where needed.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers and brand owners: to prepare compliant, auditable biobased content labels for packaging, components and finished plastic products.
- Certification bodies and labs: to verify declarations using ISO 16620‑2/3/4 test methods and to issue conformity marks.
- Procurement and sustainability teams: to compare biobased content claims for green procurement and regulatory compliance.
- Regulators and ecolabel programs: to harmonize labeling rules and prevent misleading claims.
Practical uses include marketing transparency, public procurement, product registration, and supply-chain communication of biobased content.
Related standards
- ISO 16620 series (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4)
- ISO 14020 / ISO 14021 (environmental labels and declarations)
- ISO 18606 (organic recycling - composting/anaerobic digestion)
- ASTM D6866 and CEN/TS 16137 (related test methods and protocols)
Examples of existing labeling schemes referenced in the standard include USDA BioPreferred, JBPA BiomassPla, DIN‑CERTCO, OK Biobased and ACDV Biobased Indicator - useful references for practical label design and certification.
Open preview (PDF)Plastics — Biobased content — Part 5: Declaration of biobased carbon content, biobased synthetic polymer content and biobased mass content
