News

Statement: PAS 9017 - Plastics. Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment. Specification

25 February 2021

BSI, in its role as the UK’s National Standards Body, published the first stakeholder consensus standard for measuring the biodegradability of polyolefins, PAS 9017 - Plastics. Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment. Specification, in October 2020.

As with all Publicly Available Specifications (PAS), PAS 9017 was developed using the PAS model of standards development, which provides standardization for new or emerging technologies, services or business performance issues. It is a voluntary document that is available for use by innovators looking to verify biodegradation of polyolefins in the open environment.

PAS 9017 has been developed in line with the governance principles in PAS 0 and followed the 7-step PAS development process. Process and technical queries have been raised since publication and these have been investigated and addressed. Questions on process or technical feedback are always welcome in standards development and BSI takes all reasonable measures to address these following due process. When technical comments on a PAS are submitted, BSI consults with the Steering Group in order to agree if a formal revision cycle, including public consultation, should be triggered. In line with PAS 0 process, a formal revision will be considered no later than two years after publication.

Technology and innovation in this area is fast-moving and further academic work is ongoing. BSI will therefore continue to monitor this space as evidence-based knowledge and testing methods evolve and will continue to share proposed changes with the Steering Group for their consideration.