Eco Mark Product Category No. 125“Garbage Disposer Version1.6”
Certification Criteria- Applicable ScopeA. Compost containers
B. Home garbage disposers
Containers designed to decompose organic wastes with biological treatment at home andthose which do not use energy such as electricity are classified into A.Compost

containers, and garbage disposers of biological type or dry type designed for theabove purpose which use energy such as electricity are classified into B. Home
garbage disposers.

Established:

December 18, 2002

Last revised:February 1, 2023

Expiration date

March 31, 2031

Japan Environment Association
Eco Mark Office

NOTE: This document is a translation of the criteria written in Japanese. In the event ofdispute, the original document should be taken as authoritative.

125A V1 Criteria
Eco Mark Product Category No.125 “Garbage Disposer Version1.6” Certification Criteria

A. Compost containers
Japan Environment Association
Eco Mark Office
1. Purpose of Establishing Criteria
The Certification Criteria of Eco Mark Product Category “Composting Containers,”
established in 1989, was intended to disseminate the use of systems to compost organic
wastes, mainly with the functions of microorganisms. In 1994, electric systems wereadded to this product category to further spread these systems.
In the certification criteria of this product category, composting systems are defined,"(1) The product shall be a device for composting garbage mainly through the action of
microorganism," and therefore have eliminating systems intended for drying or reducing
organic wastes from the scope of applicable products. However, due to an increasing needfor the reduction of household wastes in recent years, it was decided in the Eco Mark
Committee for Product Certification meeting held in May 2000 that the scope of
applicable products and certification criteria would be reviewed, and submitted to the Eco
Mark Committee for Establishing Category and Criteria.
Organic wastes are referred to as food waste in documents released by the Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, disposed by food manufacturers, food distributors,
restaurant industry, and households. According to estimates by the Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in documents released by the former Ministry of
Health and Welfare in 1996, of the 19,400,000 tons of food waste that were disposed of,
91% or 17,720,000 tons were incinerated and buried. Because it is important to control
the generation of a massive volume of food waste and to reuse it, the Law Concerning
Promoting to Recover and Utilize Food Resources was enforced. In this product category,the environmental load resulting from organic wastes against this background wasreviewed. The results confirmed that organic wastes disposed of by general composting
systems are able to serve as the raw material of composting, etc. instead of fertilizers andcompost. To reuse as compost, it needs to be processed an additional time. Consequently,
in order to reduce the volume of organic wastes, it is important to reduce wastes as wellas perform interim process for effective reuse. In addition, since the composting system
may reduce energy consumption during garbage incineration, it was decided that thescope of application of composting systems would be reset, the reduction and reuse oforganic wastes promoted, and the supply of information on organic waste volume
reduction enhanced. To evaluate the product life cycle, the environment load resulting in
the manufacture and usage of the composting system was reviewed and the appropriate
certification criteria were established

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125A V1 Criteria

2. Applicable Scope
Container designed to decompose organic wastes at home with biological treatment
and those which do not use energy such as electricity. Collective compost containers usedin housing complexes are excluded.
3. Terminology
Biological type

Method of decomposing organic wastes using microorganisms inaerobic conditions to reduce volume.

Dry type

Method of drying organic wastes using energy such as electricity
to reduce volume.

CompostingContainer designed to decompose organic wastes at home using

container:

microorganisms. These do not use energy such as electricity andexcludecollective

compostcontainers

found

in

housingcomplexes
Base material

Made of multi-porous wood, pulp, or other similar materials.
Used for the purpose of maintaining aerobic decomposition
conditions.

4. Certification Criteria and Certification Procedure
4-1. Environmental Criteria and Certification Procedure(1) The compost container shall not use plastics containing halogens in the polymer
backbone .
[Certification Procedure]
Whether or not plastics containing halogens in the polymer backbone shall be statedin the Attached Certificates(2) Plastics additives shall conform to the positive list system of food utensils,
containers and packaging, etc. In case of using color materials or the plastic additives
which are not listed in the positive list for products other than food utensils, containers
and packaging, those color materials or plastic additives shall meet the requirements
described / prescribed in ISO 8124-3, laws or voluntary standards in the industry etc.
[Certification Procedure]
The Applicant shall submit certificates that the plastic additives such as color
materials, plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants and other additives used in the plastic
materials conform to the Positive List system of food utensils, containers andpackaging, etc. With respect to color materials and plastic additives not listed in the

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125A V1 Criteria
Positive List, the results of tests to show the conformance to the requirements
described in ISO 8124-3, laws or voluntary standards in the industry, etc. shall be
submitted.
(3) Preservatives used in wooden containers shall have been certified by the Japan
Wood Preserving Association. However, chemicals containing chromium, arsenic, andpyrethroid agents shall not be used.
[Certification Procedure]
The reasons for conformity to this criteria item shall be described specifically in the
Attached Certificates. If antiseptic agents are used, a copy of certificate issued by theJapan Wood Preserving Association shall be submitted.
(4) Compost containers shall be designed with consideration to facilitating the recyclingof containers.
[Certification Procedure]
Explanatory documents for the recycle design shall be submitted.
(5) Compost containers should be collected by the manufacturer after use, upon request
by the user.
[Certification Procedure]
Explanatory documents for the collection of containers shall be submitted.
(6) The User's Manual shall provide information pertaining to the above that usedcompost containers will be picked up by the manufacturer upon request by the user.
[Certification Procedure]
The corresponding sections of the User's Manual shall be submitted.
(7) The User's Manual shall provide the information listed in table 1.
[Certification Procedure]
The corresponding sections of the User's Manual shall be submitted.
(8) 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,
offensive odor, and emission of hazardous materials in the area where the plant
performing the final manufacturing process is located.
In addition, the state of compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. for the last five
years from the date of application (whether there is any violation) must be reported. If

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125A V1 Criteria
there is any violation, it is necessary that proper remedies and preventive measures
have been already taken, and the related Environmental Laws, etc. must thereafter befollowed appropriately.
[Certification Procedure]With respect to the compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. in the area where
the plant performing the final manufacturing process is located, a certificate issued
by the representative of the business of manufacturing the applied product or the
manager of the relevant plant (entry or attachment of the list of names of theEnvironmental Laws, etc.) must be submitted.
In addition, it is necessary to report whether there is any violation during the last
five years, including a violation subject to administrative punishment oradministrative 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 (making a series of progress clear);b. Following materials (copies of recording documents, and so on) 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 entry of roles, etc.);
3) Document 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).
(9) Base materials shall be carefully kept from containing hazardous chemicals.
[Certification Procedure]
Raw materials of the base material shall be specified in the Attached Certificates.

4-2. Quality Criteria and Certification Procedure(10) Product quality shall conform to any criteria prescribed per purpose. Quality
control should also be implemented adequately at the manufacturing stage.
[Certification Procedure]
A certificate indicating conformity to the corresponding quality criteria shall be
submitted. At the same time, a certificate issued by the manager of the plant

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125A V1 Criteria
manufacturing the product, stating that quality control is being implemented
adequately and no laws have been violated in the manufacturing stage, shall be
submitted.

5. Product Classification, Indication and Others(1) Product classification (application unit) shall be by model or by series of model. In caseof product classification by series of model, several models may be placed under the same
application, however, each model in the series shall conform to the relevant criteria.
(2) In principle, the Eco Mark shown as below shall be indicated on the product, etc. The
licensees of Eco Mark Utilization Contract who own the Eco Mark products shall also beallowed to use the indication and the certification number as before.

(Note for the indication)*For indicating the logo, Eco Mark certification number (eight-digit number) or the nameof 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”* In accordance with “Environmental Labeling Guidelines” of the Ministry of theEnvironment of Japan, etc., the environmental claims of certified products may be
indicated in association with Eco Mark
(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/)(3) Environmental claims such as advertisements should be based on verifiable data(claims such as complete disappearance should be avoided). Brochures or otheradvertisements should be submitted for this item.
December 18, 2002

EstablishedDec. 26, 2003

Revised (Eco Mark Usage)

February 12, 2004

Revised (addition of criteria regarding to flame

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125A V1 Criteria
retardants)
July 1, 2004

Revised (indication below Eco Mark Version1.1）

November 1, 2004

RevisedAugust 3, 2006

Revised

October 19, 2006

Revised Version1.2

October 5, 2007

RevisedAugust 21, 2008

Revised Version1.3

March 1, 2011

Revised Version1.4

July 13, 2012

Revised Version1.5

April 1, 2015

Extension of Expiration date

January 7, 2019

Extension of Expiration date

April 1, 2019

Revised (Eco Mark indication)

February 1, 2023

Revised (Category A 4-1.(1),(2) Version1.6)

March 15, 2024

Extension of Expiration date

March 31, 2031

Expiration date

The Certification Criteria for the Product Category will be revised when necessary.

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125A V1 Criteria
Attachment 1 Particulars Required in User's Manual on Compost Containers
 The following shall be taken into consideration when writing descriptions in the
User's Manual.
 Disposed wastes that have been reduced in volume (hereafter referred to as disposed
wastes) can serve as the raw material of compost, instead of compost itself.
 Each user should be individually responsible for the disposal of wastes.
 The User's Manual shall provide the following information for the compost container
to achieve sufficient performance.
1. Assembly
Drawings shall be used to describe how containers are assembled.
2. Purpose of use
The type of container (for example, outdoor or indoor.), volume of treatment (designed
for how many families and days) shall be specified.
3. What can be put in, what cannot be put in.
Samples of organic waste are listed on the container
4. Reduction process
The reduction process shall be indicated in the User's Manual. The following
information shall be included.
− Description of regulations, ordinances, and laws on the volume reduction oforganic wastes− General principles on volume reduction− Site suitable for installing containers or systems in terms of hygiene− Start of volume reduction− Addition of organic wastes and base material− Stirring− Temperature range and humidity suitable for volume reduction (decomposing
speeds in summer and winter)− Average number of days for normal volume reduction− Appraisal on whether volume reduction is achieved or not− Total weight of container− Height when container cover is moved (include this item only for containers with− removable covers)− What actions should be taken when volume reduction activity drops?
− General troubleshooting Prevention of sanitary insects (flies, horseflies (Ptecticus tenebrifer),
drosophilae, etc.), rats
 Odor of disposed wastes

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125A V1 Criteria Overflow of contents
5. List of Spare Parts
A list of consumables shall be provided.
6. Other Precautions
The following shall be specified.
− Precautions taken when filling container (recommended) Remove moisture (roll in newspaper, dry in windy place, dry inthe sun) Better to cut up large wastes into smaller parts− Be cautious about what to include (avoid including liquids (water), oil (do notinclude oil), fish/meat (protein), etc. in large amounts, because these cause odor)− Handling microorganisms
 Aim not at rotting but volume reduction.
 For biological composting, precautions on possibility of contamination by
microorganisms and population fluctuations in indoor use (sealed off space)shall be added.

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125A V1 Criteria
Home Garbage Disposer Performance Evaluation Criteria and Performance Guidelines
1. Product definition(1) System
A system that reduces the volume of organic waste efficiently using electric energy.
A secondary advantage of the system is that it can convert the disposed waste into
reusable resources such as raw materials for composts. There are biological and dry
systems.
(2) Processing object
Organic wastes disposed from households.
The approximate volume of wastes disposed per day is 300-3,000 grams.
(3) Rated voltage
The commercial AC power is 100 V or 200 V.
(4) Site
For installation in general households (apartments and houses). Indoor and outdoor
types are available.
2. Test conditions
The test conditions are as follows (the same for all items):
Temperature: 20±2 ℃
Humidity:

60±10％

Voltage:

100V or 200V (based on rated voltage)

Frequency:

50Ｈｚ, 60Ｈｚ

Applicable wastes:Standard test organic wastes of the standard quantity are filled

into the system. In addition, 700 grams (average weight of organic
wastes per day for a family of four.) can be measured separately forreference. Note that "standard quantity" is the rated weight (g or kg) oforganic wastes that can be treated smoothly every day in the standard
operating conditions of the system for the designated nominal term.
For the biological system using aerobic fermentation, "can be treatedsmoothly" requires the condition that the moisture content of the basematerial should be below 75% to control the anaerobic fermentation
state that occurs in high moisture levels. When the high moisture level
continues, the aerobic fermentation state usually shifts to anaerobic
fermentation state, and the emission from the base material changes
from the normal ammonia gas to malodorous acetic gas. For the dry type,the rated quantity of organic wastes shall be filled in the system toensure sufficient dryness.
Replacement of base material: Criteria for replacement of base materials of the
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125A V1 Criteria
biological type depend on the manufacturers’ decision.
3. Power load and power consumption
3-1. Power load
The maximum power load is the watt measured in operating conditions withmaximum load imposed. (Operating condition with the maximum load imposed is thecondition in which the system can demonstrate maximum performance within theoperating temperature range. In other words, it is the operating mode in which thesystem is filled with the maximum possible quantity of organic wastes, and where it candemonstrate other added functions the most <deodorize function, etc.>.)3-2. Power consumption(1) The power consumption is the electric energy consumed from start to end of treatmentof the standard test organic wastes (standard quantity) filled into the system in thestandard operation conditions of the system.
(2) The power consumption of the biological type is affected by the treatment state of thebase material and atmospheric temperature. Therefore, the standard test organic
materials of the standard quantity are filled into the system every day based on "2.
Test conditions" above to stabilize the treatment state. A watt-hour meter is used tomeasure the integral power for one week in the stable processing state. Electricenergy used daily, or power consumption, is calculated using the measurement.
The "stable processing state" for the biological system is nearly equivalent to the state
two weeks after continuous supply of organic wastes.
4. Reduced mass rate(1) The percentage that indicates how much the organic wastes filled into the system (g orkg) has been reduced after treating standard test organic wastes of standard quantity.
(2) The reduced mass rate is measured for the nominal time with the dry type and for 2
months with the biological type.
(3) With the biological type, measurement is done at two months when the reduced massrate stabilizes.
(4) Calculation equation
Reduced mass rate (%) = [total quantity of organic waste (kg) - {total mass at end oftest (kg) - total mass before test (kg)}] / total quantity of organic wastes (kg) x 100(5) As the performance of the biological system varies according to the measuringconditions such as region, season, and temperature and humidity of the operating
environment, the note "performance varies according to measuring conditions such as
region, season, and temperature and humidity of the operating environment" shall be
added.
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125A V1 Criteria(6) The reduced mass rate should be at least 70% in the above tests.
5. Treatment time
This is the index on the treatment speed of organic wastes. It is the time from thestart of processing after standard test organic wastes are filled into the system to the endof the process.
With the dry type, it is the time until the designed dry rate is achieved or theoperating time that can be preset using a timer.
With the biological type, it is the operating time until the "state in which the form of
the standard test organic waste is no longer identifiable" is achieved.
However, the treatment time of the biological composting varies diversely according
to the type of organic waste, composition, size, and freshness. In actual use, as theorganic waste can be filled into the system over a long period of time until the time of
replacement of the base material, the length of the treatment time is insignificant.
Consequently, the treatment time for standard test organic wastes is merely a reference
for processing speed and should be treated carefully.
If the length of the treatment time is at issue in the biological system, the type,composition, size, and freshness of the organic waste shall be clearly indicated: for
instance, "Treatment time of boiled cabbage center measuring 3 cm in size is threedays."
From these reasons, it is appropriate to indicate the processing speed per time for thedry type and the standard processing quantity per day for the biological type.
6. Noise(1) Noise generated during the operation of the composting system.
(2) Measuring conditions are based on characteristics A of JIS Z 8731 noise levelmeasuring method.
(3) Supposing the system is operated in the standard state, noise levels are measured 1 maway from the system at the front, right, and left sides, and the average value iscalculated. The height is the center of the system.
(4) Noise is measured for every operation when it changes due to operating states such as
stirring and ventilation. It is measured for every frequency when it changes due topower frequency, and the maximum value is indicated.
7. Measures taken for odor
The product shall be deodorized and left open to the extent that it does not affect the
peripheral environment and residents. To deal with the issue of odor, the following
methods can be used; catalytic deodorizing system, aerobic microorganism treatment,
microorganism deodorizing method using specified bacteria, dilution, duct emission,
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125A V1 Criteria
adsorption, electric discharge deodorization.
8. Safety
The system shall be designed with a safety structure conforming to the electric
equipment safety law, and appropriate warning notes and precautions shall be labeled on
the system or provided in the User's Manual to ensure safe use of the product.
(Equivalent to JEMA Anzen Hyoji Jissi Yoryosho (guidelines on safety signs andindications)

Types, Contents, and Processing methods of Foods Used for Standard Test Organic

Vegetable

WastesActual organic waste ratio
Waste Composition (weight ratio)

Vegetableskin/scrap/
center(leftover)Fruitskin/center
Sub Total

Method of cutting
Cut into pieces of less than 10 mm in
Cabbage
25 width (including center)Cut into quarters and then into small
Potato5 pieces of 5 mm (with skin)
Cut into halves and then into smallOnion
5 pieces of 5 mm (including skin)
Cut into quarters and then into small
Radish
5 pieces of 5 mm
Cut into eight pieces verticallyApple
15 (including center)Cut into eight pieces vertically (withOrange or tangerine 15 skin)70
Chopped into irregular pieces around 3
Raw meat
3 cm
Raw fish (sardine, etc.) 8 Cut into quarters
Chicken egg shell
2
13

Other

Meat

Meat
Fish
Egg shell
Sub Total
Vegetable and meat
total
83
Leftover food Rice or udon noodle 11
Tea dregs
Tea dregs
6 Used tea leaves
Sub Total
17
Total
100
*The composition of the organic wastes above is based on the following survey results, but
may be revised with lifestyle changes.

<References>
1. Survey Report of Sewerage and Sewage Purification Department, Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport
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125A V1 Criteria
2. Survey Report of Bureau of Sewerage, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
3. Kyoto City Household Waste Disposal Survey Report
4. Nara Women's University Household Waste Survey
5. Survey by Composting System Monitors

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