141 V1 Criteria

Eco Mark Product Category No. 141“Biodegradable Plastic Products Version 1.4”
Certification Criteria―Applicable Scope―

A．Materials for agriculture and forestry
B．Materials for horticulture and plantation
C．Materials for composting

Established: July 2, 2007

Japan Environment Association

Revised: April 1, 2019

Eco Mark Office

Expiration date: June 30, 2027
NOTE: This document is a translation of the criteria written in Japanese. In the eventof dispute, the original document should be taken as authoritative.

141 V1 Criteria

Eco Mark Product Category No.141 “Biodegradable Plastic Products Version 1.4”
Japan Environment Association
Eco Mark Office
1. Purpose of Establishing Criteria
Omitted.
2. Applicable scope
A．Materials for agriculture and forestry
Mulching film for agriculture, seeding raising pot, seeding pot, seeding raisingmat/ sheet, root protecting tape/ rope guide string/net for climbing plants, net
for agriculture and forestry (including animal net, bird net, insect screen),
forestry tape
B．Materials for horticulture and plantation
Vegetation sheet, bracing (anchor pin, etc.)
C．Materials for composting
Compost bag (including those for business and for household), net for kitchensink
3. Terminology
Omitted.
4. Certification Criteria and Certification Procedures
4-1.Environmental Criteria and Certification Procedures(1) The Product shall consist solely of biodegradable materials and metals or othermaterials shall not be used. In addition, for biodegradable materials, biodegradable
plastic (including additives, fillers and the like) shall be used 50% and over.
[Certification Procedures]
The compositions of the product by materials and their respective weights shall beshown in the Attached Certificate.
(2) If the Product uses as its raw material any plant-derived biodegradable plastic, thefarmland and the mode of production of the raw material shall not be such that would
adversely affect the local ecological system.
[Certification Procedures]
The Attached Certificate shall indicate that the farmland in which the raw material1141 V1 Criteria

is cultivated was not converted from natural landscape in less than ten years prior to
the date of application.
(3) The Product shall have biodegradability of 60% and over within six months according
to JIS K 6950/6951/6953 or ISO 14851/14852/14855. In the event the biodegradability
test is conducted for each material, however, every material shall satisfy the above
criterion independently. Furthermore, organic additives shall have a biodegradability of
60% and over within 28 days according to OECD 301C (modified MITI method). Any
material that accounts for less than 1% by weight shall be exempted frombiodegradability test, and the aggregate total weights of such materials shall not exceed
5% by weight of the Product.

For inorganic additives, biodegradability tests are notapplicable.
[Certification Procedures]
The grouping of materials for each of which the degradability test was conductedshall be clarified and the test results showing conformance to the above criterion shallbe submitted. The grouping of materials shall be at the discretion of the applicant.
The names, respective weights and the ratios to the total weight of the Product oforganic materials exempted from the biodegradability test shall be shown.
(4) Regarding “C. Materials for composting”, it shall be certified that the productdoes not disturb composting.
[Certification Procedures]
It shall be indicated that the degradability of the product does not disturb
composting. Methods for confirmation are according to ISO 16929, ISO 20200 or
ASTM D6002, etc.
(5) The Product shall conform to the standard values (weight, thickness, etc.) perfunctional unit that are shown in Attached Table 1.
[Certification Procedures]
The standard value of Product per functional unit shall be indicated in theAttachment to show conformance to the standard value.
(6) In manufacturing the applied product, related environmental laws and regulations
and pollution control agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Environmental Laws,etc.”) must be followed with respect to air pollution, water contamination, noise, offensiveodor, and emission of hazardous substances in the area where the plant performing thefinal manufacturing process is located.
In addition, the state of compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. for the past five2

141 V1 Criteria

years from the date of application (whether there is any violation) must be reported. If
there is any violation, proper remedies and preventive measures shall have been alreadytaken, and the related Environmental Laws, etc. must thereafter be followed
appropriately.
[Certification Procedures]With respect to the compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. in the area wherethe plant performing the final manufacturing process is located, a certificate issued
by the representative of the business of manufacturing the applied product or therelevant plant manager (entry or attachment of a list of names of the Environmental
Laws, etc.) must be submitted.
In addition, the applicants shall report whether there is any violation in the past fiveyears, including a violation subject to administrative punishment or administrative
guidance, and if there is, the following documents in a and b must be submitted:
a. With respect to the fact of violation, guidance documents from administrative
agencies (including order of correction and warning) and copies of written answers(including those reporting causes and results of correction) to such documents(clearly indicating a series of communication);b. Following materials (copies of recording documents, etc.) concerning themanagement system for compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. in 1)-5):
1) List of the Environmental Laws, etc. related to the area where the plant islocated;
2) Implementation system (organizational chart with roles, etc.);
3) Bylaws stipulating retention of recording documents;
4) Recurrence prevention measures (future preventive measures);5) State of implementation based on recurrence prevention measures (result ofchecking of the state of compliance, including the result of onsite inspection).
(7) The Product shall meet the upper limit value of heavy metal contents listed in
Attached Table 2.
[Certification Procedures]
Test results on heavy metal contents or a certificate certifying that the heavy metals
listed in Attached Table 2 are not contained in any of the materials used in theProduct shall be submitted.
(8) “A. Materials for agriculture and forestry” and “C. Materials for composting” shall not
produce environmental toxicity (harm to plants) caused by the biodegradation. In specificterms, the Product shall be mixed with compost or soil (“sample fertilizer”), which shallbe mixed with two or more kinds of blank soil (“sample soil”). Tests shall be conductedaccording to the Notice by the Director General of the Bureau of Agriculture, Sericulture3141 V1 Criteriaand Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (59 Nosan
No.1943) “Method of Cultivation Test on Harm to Plants.”

No adverse effect upon thegermination ratio or growth of Brassica rapa var. peruviridis (“sample crop”) shall beobserved. For the item which is different from the conditions of “Method of Cultivation
Test on Harm to Plants” on the above, such as the mixed amount of biodegradable plastics,
the type of blank soil, etc., it shall follow the Attached Table 3.
[Certification Procedures]
A test shall be conducted according to 59 Nosan No.1943, and test results shall besubmitted.
(9) Attention shall have been paid to the weight reduction and recycling of the Productpackaging. If plastic materials are used for packaging, the polymer skeleton shall notinclude any halogens as formulation ingredient.
[Certification Procedures]
A detailed description of the Product packaging as well as the packaging materials
and their raw materials shall be made in the Attachment. It may be supplemented byphotographs and illustrations.
(10) The Product for Applicable scope “C. Materials for composting --- net for kitchensink” shall be 1.5mm or smaller mesh and shall not be of a design that would besubstantially detrimental to its dehydrating function (such as an excessively small
number of mesh openings).
[Certification Procedures]
The size of mesh openings and the results of mesh size test shown in Attached Table 4
shall be mentioned in the Attached Certificate.
(11) The user handbook or catalog shall contain descriptions about the items (a) through(d) below with respect to the method to store and use the Product. In the event theProduct is packaged, the package shall contain descriptions about the items (a), (c) and(d) below.
(a) This is a product made of biodegradable plastic and will biodegrade itself if theplace and method of use referred to in (c) below is observed;(b) The minimum duration during which the Product can display its intended
performance if properly used;(c) The proper place and use method of the Product (the method of construction as
well, if the Product is a material for horticulture and plantation). In addition, incase that storing method has conditions, they shall be included.;(d) That non-compliance with the use method referred to in above (c) could constituteillegal dumping and other violations of laws, resulting in penalties.

4

141 V1 Criteria[Certification Procedures]
Users handbook (or its photocopy) that describes the use method of the Product shallbe submitted.
4-2．Quality Criteria and Certification Procedures(12) The Product quality shall conform to any applicable JIS standard, voluntarystandards of the industry or the like.
manufacturing step.

Sufficient quality control shall be made during theBased on the in-house standards of “B. Materials for horticulture

and plantation - vegetation sheet,” the quality and safety of the Product shall have been
confirmed by a public test organization using a publicly accepted test method.
[Certification Procedures]
A certificate certifying conformance to the applicable quality standards shall besubmitted. In addition, a certificate issued by the general manager of the plant inwhich the Product is manufactured shall be submitted certifying that sufficientquality control has been made during the manufacturing step and no violations havebeen committed.

5. Product Classification, Indication and Others(1) Product classification (application unit) shall be by sub-category in the applicable
scope or by brand name. Classification by size or color is not performed.
(2) In principle, Eco Mark shown as below shall be indicated on the product. Regarding
licensee of Eco Mark Utilization Contract who already own Eco Mark products, theindication of the logo and certification number that have been used is also acceptable.

(Note for the indication)*For indicating the logo, Eco Mark certification number (eight-digit number) or thename of the licensee using the logo shall be appeared.
* Such expression as “Eco Mark product” can be used following the 2.(2) of the Guide to
Eco Mark Usage.
“Eco Mark product”, “#Eco Mark”, “www.ecomark.jp”, “Eco Mark Certificate”* If a licensee makes an environmental claim of the Eco Mark certified productsassociating with the Eco Mark logo, please comply with the “Environmental LabelingGuidelines” of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.

5141 V1 Criteria(https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hozen/green/ecolabel/guideline/)* The Guide to Eco Mark Usage shall be followed for any cases not listed above.
(https://www.ecomark.jp/office/guideline/guide/)

July 2, 2007

Established

August 21, 2009

Revised: (2-1.(6) Version1.1)

November 4, 2009

Revised: (4-1.(5), (11) Version1.2)

March 1,2011

Revised: (5.(2) Version1.3)

July 13, 2012

Revised: (5 Version1.4)

April 1, 2019

Revised: (Mark indication)

March 1,2021

Extension of expiration

June 30, 2027

Expiration date

The present Certification Criteria for the Product Category will be revised whennecessary.

6141 V1 Criteria

Attached Table 1
Large classification

The standard value of product per functional unit

Small classification

Functional unit

Standard value per unit

Mulching film for agriculture

Average thickness

30［μ］or lessSeedling raising pot, seedingpot
Seeding raising mat/ sheet

Not available

Not available

Weight per length

1.7［g/m］or less

NetLength on a side of amesh
Weight180-240［mm］Explanation not to use large
amountofmaterials
comparedtothenon-biodegradable
conventional productInsect net

Length on a side of amesh

0.3-9［mm］

Bird net

Length on a side of amesh

4-75［mm］

Animal net

Length on a side of amesh

4-150［mm］

WeightExplanation not to use large
amountofmaterials
comparedtothenon-biodegradable
conventional product

Forestry tape

Not available

Not available

Vegetation sheet

Not available

Not available

Bracing

Not available

Not available

Compost bag

Average thickness perbag

Net for kitchen sink

Not available

root protecting tape/ ropeString

Guide string/net
for climbing plants
Materials for
agriculture andforestry
Net foragriculture

Net foragriculture
and forestry

Materialsforhorticulture

andplantation

Materials forcomposting

Insect net
Bird net
Animal net

7

A［μ/bag］or less
A = 0.8×B＋17
A： Average thickness（μ）
B： Capacity of bag（L）
Not available

141 V1 Criteria

Attached Table 2

Upper limit value of contained amount of heavy metals

Heavy metal

Contained

Heavy metal

Containedamountamount［mg/kg］［mg/kg］

Arsenic

3.5

Nickel25

Lead30

Zink

150

Cadmium

0.5

Molybdenum1Mercury

0.5

Selenium

0.75

Chromium50

Fluorine

100

Copper

37.5

Attached Table 3

Items which are different from the conditions of “Method of Cultivation
Test on Harm to Plants”

Applicable item
1 Container fortesting(1) Container* Three or more consecutive containers per testing plot(2)Testfertilizer, etc.

* No use of test fertilizer, but use soil/compost mixed withbiodegradable plastic(product)* The mixing ratio of the product shall be 5% to the weight ofsoil or compost.
* Regarding materials for agriculture and forestry, theproduct shall be mixed with the same soil as test soil.
* Regarding materials for compost, the product shall bemixed with compost（JIS K 6953）.
* Use two types of soil (Kuroboku-soil, non Kuroboku-soil).

(3) Test soil
2. Procedurefor testing

3. Survey item

Remarks in this Product Category(2) Fertilizer
adjusting(3)
Fertilizer
application
Attached table*Soil or compost mixed with biodegradable plastic shall be
crushed to the size going through 2 mm-sand strainer.
* For application, standard amount only
* Leaf color（SPAD value）shall also be surveyed.

8141 V1 Criteria

Attached Table 4 Test method for mesh size of net for kitchen sink
① Appliance used for test
1）Beads used for test
・ Commercial glass beads (without hole)or abrasive glass beads (1.5mm diameter)
・ Choose beads which go through 1.6mm-mesh strainer and do not go through 1.4mm-meshstrainer, with use of the strainer (made by metal) prescribed in JIS Z 8801.
・ Beads shall wash before test and dry well (105℃/3hours in a drier).
2）Net for kitchen sink (applied product) and the container to use net for kitchen sink, etc.
* Containers, etc. shall be applicable size of the net for kitchen sink.
3）Beaker with 500mlor more capacity (or other containers with which 500ml can be measured)② Test method1）In a 500ml-beaker, add 50g of 1.5mm-beads and water to be 500ml in total.
2）Filter the mixed water in the beaker by a net for kitchen sink.
3）In case beads remain in the beaker, add additional 500ml of water, and repeat the procedure2) at least twice, and filter the all beads in the beaker.
4）Dry beads inside the net for kitchen sink, and measure their weight in room temperature.
③ Confirmation of test results
1）Repeat test and measurement five times, and take an average value of three measurements(excluding the maximum and minimum value). Test result refers to the average value.
2）If the product satisfies the following condition as a test result, it is regarded as corresponding
to the “Certification Criteria item (10)”: the total weight of beads remaining in the net for
kitchen sink is 95% or over to the total weight of all beads used for the test.

④ Others1）For a test, it is preferable to use laboratory-use glass beads with its specific gravity (2.5 to2.8).
2）JIS Z 8801 “Test strainer (1)-(3)9