G/TBT/N/TTO/126  
5 November 2020  
(20-7868) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:  Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if dif ferent from above:   
Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards  
1-2 Century Drive, Trincity Industrial Estate  
Macoya, Tunapuna  
Trinidad and Tobago  
1(868) 662 -8827 
ttbs@ttbs.org.tt  or publiccomments@gmail.com   
www.gottbs.com  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  
Compostable and biodegradable food -contact, single -use tableware, packaging, products 
and materials, inclusive of cutlery, plates, straws, cups, and other disposable food and 
beverage con tainers and associated lids.; PACKAGING AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS 
(ICS 55)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  TTCS 9:20XX 
BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS – FOOD -CONTACT SINGLE -USE PRODUCTS AND 
PACKAGING – COMPULSORY REQUIREMENTS ( 13 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  This draft Trinidad and Tobago standard applies to imported 
and locally manufactured compostable and biodegradable food -contact, single -use 
tableware, packaging, products and materials, inclusive of cutle ry, plates, straws, cups, 
and other disposable food and beverage containers and associated lids.  
It outlines the compulsory requirements for the aforementioned products and packaging 
as well as the mechanisms to demonstrate compliance to these requirements  and also 
includes measures to be taken in the event of non -compliance.  
This standard does not apply to secondary packaging, that is, outer wrappers or cartons 
or non -food contact products. It also does not apply to packing material used as stuffing 
to prevent damage to products.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nat ure of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Consumer information, labelling; Prevention of deceptive practices and 
consumer protection; Protection of the environment  G/TBT/N/TTO/126  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:   
• ASTM D5338, Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic 
Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic 
Temperatures  
• ASTM D6400, Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be 
Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities  
• ASTM D6868, Standard Specification for Labeling of End Items that Incorporate 
Plastics and Polymers as Coatings or Additives with Paper and Other Substrates 
Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities  
• CR 13695 -1, Packaging - Requi rements for measuring and verifying the four h -
avy metals and other dangerous substances present in packaging and their 
release into the environment - Part 1: Requirements for measuring and 
verifying the four heavy metals present in packaging  
• EN 13432, Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through 
composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the 
final acceptance of packaging  
• EN 14995 , Plastics -Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and 
specifications    
9. Proposed date of adoption:  7 May 2021  
Proposed date of entry into force:  4 March 2022 ; Upon declaration as compulsory by 
the Minister for Trade and Industry and publication of Notice of Declaration  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
WTO/TBT Enquiry Point  
P.O. Box 467  
Port of Spain  
 
+(868) 662 88 27; Ext: 2531  
+(868) 663 43 35 (Fax)  
enquiry.point@ttbs.org.tt  or ttbs@ttbs.org.tt  
http://www.gottbs.com  
 
https://gottbs.com/2020/11/04/for -public -comment -pcttcs -920xx -biodegradable -
materials -food-contact -single -use-products -and-packaging -compulsory -requirements