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Product / service
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Date
Absorbants
Advanced
December 2010
Scope:
The scope of the following requirements applies to solid absorption material1 for
liquids to help cleaning of wet spillage on industrial or road soils.
The absorption material is in the bulk form and is sprinkled over the spillage prior to
brushing or collection. It allows an easier disposal of the spillage and an easier drying
of the spilled surface by catching and holding the liquid.
They are dedicated to all sorts of liquids:
- polar (water, acids, bases …) solvents/fluids
- non-polar (oils, hydrocarbons…) solvents/fluids
Typical examples are:
Mineral absorbents
Synthetic absorbents
Absorbents for road use
Wood based absorbents
Absorbents for hydrocarbons
Absorbents compostable after use
Are excluded of this scope:
- Products claiming a chemical or biochemical remediation (decay) of
hydrocarbon spillages.
- Products that are not loose bulk, not shapeless or without bonds between its
constituting particles.
- Products used for emergency intervention in natural environment.
(1)
Note: “Absorbent material” refers in fact to “a sorbent material” that can be an adsorbent, an
absorbent or the two at the same time!
By definition:
Adsorption: retention of the fluid on the surface of the sorbent particles.
Absorption: retention of the fluid within the sorbent itself (into the pores of a porous substance
via capillarity)
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1) Subject matter
Liquid absorption material produced with environmentally friendly materials and
processes and produced in a socially responsible way.
1.1. The subject matter in the framework of the organizations policy.
“For <…..> (name of the public authority), the care for the environment and social
aspects is important. It is stated in her <strategic policies>, <mission>, <vision>,
<procurement policy>, …”
1.2.
“Reserved contracts”
This category of contract is handled separately in Article 19 of Directive 2004/18/EC.
This article permits the member states to “reserve” the right to participate in public
contract award procedures. It includes contracts awarded to sheltered workshops or
awarded in the context of sheltered employment programmes restricted to
handicapped persons who cannot conduct professional activities under normal
conditions. Paragraph 2 of Article 18a of the Law of 24 December 1993 has already
taken a step in this direction by enabling, within the European thresholds, an
identical strategy.
2) Exclusion criteria
2.1. Social aspects:
Buyers can take account of social aspects in there procurement. For more
information about the different possibilities see:
http://www.gidsvoorduurzameaankopen.be/en/node/108
3) Technical capacity
/
4) Market information
/
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5) Technical specifications
For this product group there is, at present (December 2010), just one eco-label
available which forms the basis for formulating environmental compliance criteria.
A list showing the criteria taken from the specifications document for this eco-label
is given below. Buyers may include these criteria in the technical specifications of
their own tender documents. Alternatively, they may give them a more optional
character by incorporating them as awarding criteria in the tender, all this
depending on the procedure that’s chosen.
In addition, the PODDO has divided a list (see below) into key criteria and other
criteria. The first group is definitely recommended when ordering green and
sustainable products in the case of public procurement contracts.
KEY-CRITERIA
a) Laws and EU Rules (NF – Environnement)

Sorption media must respect national and European law
b) Origin of raw materials (NF – Environnement)
- The sorbent must contain at least 95% of material from recycled or from
renewable source.
c) Product safety (NF – Environnement)
- In relation to classification, packing and labeling of the dangerous substance
(Directive 67/548/EEC1); the following danger symbols must not be permitted:
 E (explosive),
 O (comburant),
 F+ (extremely flammable),
 F (easily flammable),
 T+ (very toxic),
 T (toxic)
 Xn (nocive),
 C (corrosive)
 Xi (irritant)
 N (harmful to the environment)
(1)
Dangerous Substances Directive: http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31967L0548:en:NOT
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(For more information on R,S and H phrases, see annex 1 and annex 4)
d) Reduced ash residue (NF – Environnement)
- All sorbents must display a reduced ash residue of maximum 5% per weight (thus
< 50 g ash/kg sorbent) after incineration; in a way to reduce the amount of
wastes from incinerator into dump places/discharges.
This requirement of course applies to unused “virgin” sorbents.
e) Information to users-User manual (NF – Environnement)
- The producer will make product specific technical/user sheet and MSDS or PSDS
(Material/Product Safety Data Sheet) displaying all essential product and user
information.
A specific technical/user sheet (or a MSDS/PSDS) must be conforming to
Directive 2001/58/EC of 27 July 2001 en must display headings conforming to
norm ISO 11014-1(1).
This sheet must always and each time be provided with the sorbent media.
Mention must be made to which step each information is dedicated: prior to
sorbent use, during use or after use.
(1)
ISO 11014-1:1994
Chemical Safety data sheet for products. Part 1: Content and order of sections
Presents information for the compilation and completion of a safety data sheet. Defines
specifically the general layout of the SDS, the 16 standard headings, the numbering and the
sequence of these 16 standard headings, the items necessary to fill in an SDS and the
conditions of their applicability or utilization.
For the specific technical/user sheet:
Producer will mention:
 The absorbing power (in weight %), the capacity of conditioning (in l-Liters),
for gasoil, and for water.
 The conditioning content will be expressed in kilograms (kg), or in liters (l),
with indication of the mass per volume (or density).
 The producer will give advices for optimal use of the product and will
inform users about needed equipment to use the product.
 A specific info will be provided when the sorbent display the ability to
neutralize acids (or to neutralize bases).
For the safety data sheet :
The producer will follow the instructions regarding the writing for the 16
standard headings of the norm ISO 11014-1, with in particular :
 In heading 7 “Handling and storage” :
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

Amongst other things, product packaging must specify the specific
storage conditions for a good conservation and the fabrication date.
In heading 12 “Ecological Informations” :
Information must be conforming to criterion 12 on ecological
declarations.
In heading 13 “ Considerations relative to the disposal of the substance or
of the preparation (residue or waste form the foreseeable use)” :
o Mention must be made that “sorbents contaminated by polluting
stuffs might display the very same dangers as the adsorbed
pollutants. They must be handled and stored with the very same
precautions. Their recollection, their labeling and their disposal
must follow the regulation in force for waste disposal” and that
“Ecological and use properties of the product does not disclose
the contractual responsibilities in the field of service like those of
the holder of the contaminated absorbent”.
o Biological elimination ways must be chosen when the nature and
the concentration of the absorbent do allow it.
o The fabricant must give indications regarding the eventual release
of toxic gases linked to the chemical nature of the sorbent
material, the lower calorific value LCV (Solid fuels – Determination
of the calorific value and calculation of the lower calorific value)
(and higher calorific value (HCV) when known (1) and the ashes
rest/residue of the sorbent material. The fabricant must
recommend the user to transfer those information’s to the
director of the disposal installation/center.
(1) See Annex 3 for details.
o For used sorbents with the ability to decay or decompose part of
the adsorbed pollutants, following info must be specified:
Storage in Center for technical burial of class 2 of used sorbent
products depends on the adsorbed pollutants and on the related
decay/degradation capacity. It is needed to provide to the director
of the disposal installation/center (storage area of CET class 2), the
following analytical results of a representative sample :
i. PCB and PCT (polychloro-biphenyls and terphenyls) –
maximum admissible content of raw waste material 1
mg/kg.
ii. Total PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) –
maximum admissible content of the raw waste
material 40 mg/kg.
iii. TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons – maximum
admissible content of the raw waste material 2000
mg/kg.
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f) Product composition and treatment (NF – Environnement)
- To limit polluting emission when wasted, ingredients (ingoing stuffs and
preparations) entering the composition of the sorbent material:
 must not contain heavy metals (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent
chromium (Cr(VI)), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) …) or make use of those
elements within the limits of the lawful thresholds of the directive
67/548/EEC1 of the Council (June 27, 1967) and its amendments, and
Directive 99/45/EC2 of the Council, of May 31, 1999 on the dangerous
substances and preparations.
Those requirements of course apply to unused sorbents!
(1)
Dangerous Substances Directive: http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31967L0548:en:NOT
(2)
Dangerous Preparation Directive: http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31999L0045:en:NOT
-
To limit polluting emission when wasted, ingredients (ingoing stuffs and
preparations) entering the composition of the sorbent material:
 must satisfy to the requirements regarding admission procedures for
wastes in discharges according to decision 2003/33/EC, chapter 2.2.2.
(Ratio L/S = 10 L/kg (with exception of sulphates)).
g) Characteristics for compostable sorbents (NF – Environnement)
- A sorbent can only claim its compostability if:
 respecting requirements as mentioned under “Product composition and
treatment”
 User info printed on the packaging must clearly display a warning of the
following type:
« Even if this sorbents, in itself, is biodegradable, you are obliged to
collect it and to follow a specific treatment procedure; because used
material is a waste possibly contaminated by the absorbed liquids and it
must be handled and discarded according to the local and national waste
regulation in force».
- A sorbent can only claim its compostability if:
 qualifying at compostability test (following norm CEN EN 13432 (1))
(1)
CEN EN 13432:“Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and
biodegradation – Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of
packaging” (See Annex 2)
OTHER CRITERIA:
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h) Product composition and treatment (NF – Environnement)
-
To limit polluting emission when wasted:
 Bio-remediations ways must be favored when possible.
i) Absorbing power (NF – Environnement)
- Absorbing power must be over the 250 % by weight, with as reference liquid
gasoil. (Thus 250g liquid picked up for every 100g of product!)
For the file, proofs must be provided on the Respect of Westinghouse protocol!
Note:
Kind of pending because waiting for the publication of norm EN 15366, and so meanwhile
sorbents for industrial places must comply with the requirements for road use.
j) Origin of raw materials (NF – Environnement)
- The producer must register the origin of the raw materials to guarantee they
were not subjected upstream to treatments like:
 conservation (fungicides, pesticides…).
 glue or finition
k) Free of GMO raw materials (NF – Environnement)
- Virgin vegetal originated raw materials for sorbent media preparation must be
GMO-free (thus excluding GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seeds in their
process).
Evidence:
The compliance with all the criteria mentioned above can be proved with the
following label:
NF - ENVIRONNEMENT
In case that the tendering company can present this label, any further proof is not
necessary. Any other suitable evidence from a recognized body can also be used.
6) Awarding the contract:
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Criteria --- For example --1
Price
Weight
e.g. 60%
Calculation (e.g.): Lowest offered price/ stated price x 0,60
2
Environmental criteria
e.g. 35%
(The public authority formulates the points it wants to assign to the below
mentioned criteria )
Calculation (e.g.): Total scored points / maximum number of points x 0,35
3
4
…
…
e.g. 5 %
e.g. ….
In above mentioned table, the weight of the environmental criteria shall be
stated by the buyer in function of its particular procurement. Representatives of
several sectors federations mention often to not underestimate this weight to
give sustainability in the awarding phase a chance at all.
The environmental criteria in the above mentioned table concern the following
issues: see point 5
-
7) Performance clauses:
7.1. Environmental aspects:
a)Packaging (NF – Environnement)
-
Packaging must be made out of recyclable material or out of material from a
renewable source.
To promote recycling, the sorbents users are informed on the nature of the
packaging material via an identification symbol and by the Moebius loop on the
packaging.
Like for example
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Identification example in the case of a HDPE (high density poly-ethylene).
b) Validity and Lifetime (NF – Env)
- Producer must guarantee validity of use for at least 2 years; and thus sorbent
product must keep its physico-chemical properties for at least 2 years.
c) Storage conditions (NF – Env)
- Producer must guarantee that, under storage conditions of pressure under a
column of 3m of product (thus under its own weight) for 2 years, no
agglomeration will occur.
d) Ecological declaration (NF – Env)
- For all the products, a precise user warning information is printed on the
packaging with a text of the type :
« Beware! Once used, this sorbent media will display an equivalent danger to the
absorbed products: waste disposal and handling of the used sorbent must be
done in conformity with the rules in force like those about dangerous waste
disposal».
- Declarations about recycled content displayed on the technical note or on the
package must comply to the following requirements:
 Recycled content:
o Weight percentage of the recycled material into the product.
o Only pre-consumer and post-consumer materials must be taken into
account as recycled material, with respect of the following definitions:
i. Pre-consumer material: materials taken out of the main
waste stream during the fabrication process. Excluded is the
reuse of materials form retreatment and from rebreaking or
the reuse of residues generated from the very same process
that generates them.
ii. Post-consumer material: materials generated by domestic
household, by commercial installations, by industries, or by
institutions - all taken as end-users- and that can no more be
used for the initial aim they were made for. This includes
material returns from the distribution chain.
- Declarations about biodegradability… displayed on the technical note or on the
package must comply to the following requirements:
 Degradability (related to all types of degradations included bio- and
photo-degradation):
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o Terminology use: characteristic of a product or packaging allowing
self-decomposition under specific conditions to a certain point in a
given time.
o Conditions of use:
i. Degradability declaration must only be done in relation
with specific test methods ; those must include the
maximum level of degradation and the necessary delay to
achieve them ; and they must be pertinent with regards to
the circumstances under which the product or packaging
might be disposed of as waste,
ii. Degradability declaration must not be done for a product,
a packaging or a part of those if it releases substances at
concentrations harmful for the environment.
For bio-degradable products, an additional mention is made (cf ash residue of
incineration).
e) Information to user-Labelling (NF – Env)
- Sorbent product labeling must be format A5 or bigger and in conformity with
“Labeling of sorbent products” and with the following special specifications
mentioned:
 product nature under the form of a list of essential components.
 the «belonging to class» of the product
 the content of the packing, expressed of in kilograms (kg), of in liter with
in both cases indication of the mass per volume (or density).
 the absorbing power (in weight %) for gasoil, water, and, if possible for
other referenced substances
 the maximum absorbing capacity (in l/kg) en that of the entire package (in
l), for gasoil, water , and, if possible for other referenced substances
 the field of use: « sorbent to use for industrial or road environment».
 the essential information’s out of heading (1) :
7 "Handling and Storage",
8 "Exposure control/Individual protection"
9 "Physico-chemical properties"
11 "Toxicological Information’s",
12 "Ecological Information’s" conforming to norm ISO 11014-1 and to
criterion 12
13 "About waste disposal/elimination" conforming to norm ISO
11014-1 and to crit.12
(1)
ISO 11014-1:1994 (Rules for the writing of MSDS and PSDS- Material and
Product Safety Data Sheets)
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Chemical Safety data sheet for products. Part 1: Content and order of
sections
Presents information for the compilation and completion of a safety data
sheet. Defines specifically the general layout of the SDS, the 16 standard
headings, the numbering and the sequence of these 16 standard headings,
the items necessary to fill in an SDS and the conditions of their applicability
or utilization.


Extra information’s about use precautions can be written on that label.
The following must be specified : "For more information’s, please refer to
the Material/Product Safety Data Sheet of the sorbent product"
7.2. Social aspects:
Buyers can take account of social aspects in there procurement. For more
information about the different possibilities see:
http://www.gidsvoorduurzameaankopen.be/en/node/108
7.3. Ethical aspects:
“The tenderer undertakes, until the contract has been executed in full, to respect the
8 Basic Conventions of the ILO:
1. The prohibition of forced labour (C29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930, and
C105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957);
2. The right to freedom of association (C87 Freedom of Association and
Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948);
3. The right to organise and collective bargaining (C98 Right to Organise and
Collective bargaining, 1949);
4. The prohibition of any discrimination in terms of labour and remuneration
(C100 Equal Remuneration, 1951 and C111 Discrimination (Employment and
Occupation), 1958);
5. The minimum age for child labour (C138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973),
together with the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour (C182 Worst
Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999).
The non-respect of this undertaking may, by virtue of Article 20, §1, 4° of the general
specifications annexed to the Royal Decree of 26 September 1996, give rise to the
application of the official measures described in § 6 of the same article, including
unilateral termination of the contract.”
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References
[Information of the public authority that used these clauses in a procurement case]
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Annex 1: R-PHRASES:
(R-phrases are mentioned on product labels and in product safety datasheets. It
can be a useful tool for verification-procedures.)
R1:
Explosive when dry.
R2:
Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R3:
Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R4:
Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.
R5:
Heating may cause an explosion.
R6:
Explosive with or without contact with air.
R7:
May cause fire.
R8:
Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
R9:
Explosive when mixed with combustible material.
R10:
Flammable
R11:
Highly flammable
R12:
Extremely flammable
R13 (obsolete):
Extremely flammable liquid gas
(This R-phrase is no longer designated by the version of the GefStoffV published on 26.10.93.)
R14:
Reacts violently with water.
R15:
Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
Merck R15.1
Contact with acid liberates extremely flammable gases.
R16:
Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
R17:
Spontaneously flammable in air.
R18:
In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture.
R19:
May form explosive peroxides.
R20:
Harmful by inhalation.
R21:
Harmful in contact with skin.
R22:
Harmful if swallowed.
R23:
Toxic by inhalation.
Riedel-de Haen
R23K:
Also toxic by inhalation.
R24:
Toxic in contact with skin.
Riedel-de Haen
R24K:
Also toxic in contact with skin.
R25:
Toxic if swallowed.
Riedel-de Haen
R25K:
Also toxic if swallowed.
R26:
Very toxic by inhalation.
Riedel-de Haen
R26K:
Also very toxic by inhalation.
R27:
Very toxic in contact with skin
Riedel-de Haen
R27A:
Very toxic in contact with eyes.
Riedel-de Haen
R27K:
Also very toxic in contact with skin.
Riedel-de Haen
Also very toxic in contact with eyes.
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R27AK:
R28:
Very toxic if swallowed.
Riedel-de Haen
R28K:
Also very toxic if swallowed.
R29:
Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
R30:
Can become highly flammable in use.
R31:
Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
Merck R31.1
Contact with alkalies liberates toxic gas.
R32:
Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
R33:
Danger of cumulative effects.
R34:
Causes burns.
R35:
Causes severe burns.
R36:
Irritating to eyes.
Riedel-de Haen
R36A:
Lacrimating
R37:
Irritating to respiratory system.
R38:
Irritating to skin.
R39:
Danger of very serious irreversible effects.
R40:
Possible risk of cancer.
CAUTION: Until 2001 this R-phrase was used for possible mutagenic or teratogenic risks as well. These
risks are now labelled with R68!
R41:
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
R42:
May cause sensitization by inhalation.
R43:
May cause sensitization by skin contact.
R44:
Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
R45:
May cause cancer.
R46:
May cause heritable genetic damage.
R47(obsolete):
May cause deformities.
(This R-phrase is no longer designated by the version of the GefStoffV published on 26.10.93.)
R48:
Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
R49:
May cause cancer by inhalation.
R50:
Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
R51:
Toxic to aquatic organisms.
R52:
Harmful to aquatic organisms.
R53:
May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R54:
Toxic to flora.
R55:
Toxic to fauna.
R56:
Toxic to soil organisms.
R57:
Toxic to bees.
R58:
May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.
R59:
Dangerous for the ozone layer.
R60:
May impair fertility.
R61:
May cause harm to the unborn child.
R62:
Possible risk of impaired fertility.
R63:
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R64:
May cause harm to breastfed babies.
R65:
Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
R66:
Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R67:
Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
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R68:
Possible risks of irreversible effects.
COMBINATIONS OF R-PHRASES:
R14/15:
Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases.
R15/29:
Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gas.
R20/21:
Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R21/22:
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R20/22:
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.
R20/21/22:
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R21/22:
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R23/24:
Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R24/25:
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R23/25:
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
R23/24/25:
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R24/25:
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R26/27:
Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R27/28:
Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R26/28:
Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
R26/27/28:
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R36/37:
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
R37/38:
Irritating to respiratory system and skin.
R36/38:
Irritating to eyes and skin.
R36/37/38:
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
R39/23:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation.
R39/24:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R39/25:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed.
R39/23/24:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R39/23/25:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R39/24/25:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/23/24/25: Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/26:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation.
R39/27:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R39/28:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed.
R39/26/27:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R39/26/28:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R39/27/28:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/26/27/28: Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R42/43:
May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact.
R48/20:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.
R48/21:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin.
R48/22:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
R48/20/21:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with
skin.
R48/20/22:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
R48/21/22:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/20/21/22: Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin
and if swallowed.
R48/23:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.
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R48/24:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin.
R48/25:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
R48/23/24:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R48/23/25:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
R48/24/25:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/23/24/25: Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if
swallowed.
R50/53:
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R51/53:
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R52/53:
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R68/20:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation.
R68/21:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R68/22:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed.
R68/20/21:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R68/20/22:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R68/21/22:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R68/20/21/22: Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
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Annex 2
The European Norm EN 13432, titled "Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting
and biodegradation. Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging,"
describes a standard set of criteria for determining whether a material can be considered
"compostable".
It was established by The European Committee for Normalisation (CEN) and is also published by (and
can be ordered from) the British Standards Institution.
This norm is a reference point for all European producers, authorities, facility managers and
consumers.
EN 13432 is the most strict of all of the standards for evaluating biodegradability and compostability.
Other related standards include ASTM D6400, DIN CERTCO 7P-0199, DIN V49000, DIN V54900, ISO
14855 and OECD 207, and many of others that describe tests that are included in the EN 13432
standard.
Summary
Nowadays, the terms "biodegradation", "biodegradable materials", "compostability" etc. are very
common but frequently misused and a source of misunderstanding. The European Norm EN 13432
resolves this problem by defining the characteristics a material must own in order to be claimed as
"compostable" and, therefore, recycled through composting of organic solid waste. The definition of
the compostability criteria is very important because materials not compatible with composting
(traditional plastics, glass, materials contaminated with heavy metals, etc.) can decrease the final
quality of compost and make it not suitable for agriculture and, therefore, commercially not
acceptable. This norm is a reference point for the producers, the public authorities, the composting
plant managers, and the consumers.
According to the EN 13432, the characteristics a compostable material must show are:
Biodegradability, namely the capability of the compostable material to be converted into CO2 under
the action of micro-organisms. This property is measured with a laboratory standard test method: the
EN 14046 (also published as ISO 14855: biodegradability under controlled composting conditions). In
order to show complete biodegradability, a biodegradation level of at least 90% must be reached in
less than 6 months.
Disintegrability, namely fragmentation and loss of visibility in the final compost (absence of visible
pollution), measured in a pilot scale composting test (EN 14045). Specimens of the test material are
composted with biowaste for 3 months. The final compost is then screened with a 2 mm sieve. The
mass of test material residues with dimensions >2 mm shall be less than 10% of the original mass.
Absence of negative effects on the composting process. Verified with the pilot scale composting test.
Low levels of heavy metals (below given max values) and absence of negative effects on the final
compost (i.e. reduction of the agronomic value and presence of ecotoxicological effects on the plant
growth). A plant growth test (modified OECD 208) and other physical-chemical analysis are applied on
compost where degradation of test material has happened.
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Each of these points is needed for the definition of compostability, but alone it is not sufficient. For
example, a biodegradable material is not necessarily compostable, because it must also disintegrate
during the composting cycle. On the other hand, a material that breaks during composting into
microscopic pieces which are then not fully biodegradable is also not compostable.
The norm EN 13432 is a harmonized norm. That is, it has been quoted in the Official Journal of the
European Communities, it has been implemented in Europe at a national level, and it provides the
presumption of conformity with the European Directive 94/62 EC on packaging and packaging waste.
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Annex 3: Heat of combustion, calorific values, etc
The heat of combustion (ΔHc0) is the energy released as heat when a compound undergoes complete
combustion with oxygen under standard conditions. The chemical reaction is typically a hydrocarbon
reacting with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water and heat. It may be expressed with the quantities:
 energy/mole of fuel (J/mol)
 energy/mass of fuel
 energy/volume of fuel
The heat of combustion is traditionally measured with a bomb calorimeter. It may also be calculated
as the difference between the heat of formation (ΔfH0) of the products and reactants.
Heating value
The heating value or calorific value of a substance, usually a fuel or food (see food energy), is the
amount of heat released during the combustion of a specified amount of it. The calorific value is a
characteristic for each substance. It is measured in units of energy per unit of the substance, usually
mass, such as: kcal/kg, kJ/kg, J/mol, Btu/m³. Heating value is commonly determined by use of a bomb
calorimeter.
The heat of combustion for fuels is expressed as the HHV, LHV, or GHV (Higher-, Lower- and GrossHeating Values)
Higher heating value
The quantity known as higher heating value (HHV) (or gross calorific value or gross energy or upper
heating value) is determined by bringing all the products of combustion back to the original precombustion temperature, and in particular condensing any vapor produced. Such measurements
often use a temperature of 25 °C. This is the same as the thermodynamic heat of combustion since
the enthalpy change for the reaction assumes a common temperature of the compounds before and
after combustion, in which case the water produced by combustion is liquid.
The higher heating value takes into account the latent heat of vaporization of water in the
combustion products, and is useful in calculating heating values for fuels where condensation of the
reaction products is practical (e.g., in a gas-fired boiler used for space heat). In other words, HHV
assumes all the water component is in liquid state at the end of combustion (in product of
combustion).
Lower heating value
The quantity known as lower heating value (LHV) (or net calorific value) is determined by subtracting
the heat of vaporization of the water vapor from the higher heating value. This treats any H 2O formed
as a vapor. The energy required to vaporize the water therefore is not realized as heat.
LHV calculations assume that the water component of a combustion process is in vapor state at the
end of combustion, as opposed to the higher heating value (HHV) (a.k.a. gross calorific value or gross
CV) which that assumes all of the water in a combustion process is in a liquid state after a combustion
process.
The LHV assumes that the latent heat of vaporization of water in the fuel and the reaction products is
not recovered. It is useful in comparing fuels where condensation of the combustion products is
impractical, or heat at a temperature below 150 °C cannot be put to use.
The above is but one definition of Lower heating value adopted by the American Petroleum Institute
(API) and they used a reference temperature of 60 °F (15.56 °C).
Another definition [used by GPSA - Gas Processors Suppliers Association and originally used by API
(data collected for API research project 44)] is that the lower heating value is the enthalpy of all
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combustion products; minus the enthalpy of the fuel at the reference temperature [API research
project 44 used 25 °C. GPSA currently uses 60 °F], minus the enthalpy of the stoechiometric oxygen
(O2) at the reference temperature, minus the heat of vaporization of the vapor content of the
combustion products.
The distinction between the two is that this second definition assumes that the combustion products
are all returned back down to the reference temperature but then the heat content from the
condensing vapor is considered to be not useful. This is more easily calculated from the higher heating
value than when using the previous definition and will in fact give a slightly different answer.
Gross heating value
It accounts for water in the exhaust leaving as vapor, and includes liquid water in the fuel prior to
combustion. This value is important for fuels like wood or coal, which will usually contain some
amount of water prior to burning.
Measuring heating values
The higher heating value is experimentally determined in a bomb calorimeter by concealing a
stoechiometric mixture of fuel and oxidizer (e.g., two moles of hydrogen and one mole of oxygen) in a
steel container at 25° is initiated by an ignition device and the combustion reactions completed.
When hydrogen and oxygen react during combustion, water vapor emerges. Subsequently, the vessel
and its content are cooled down to the original 25 °C and the higher heating value is determined as
the heat released between identical initial and final temperatures.
When the lower heating value (LHV) is determined, cooling is stopped at 150 °C and the reaction heat
is only partially recovered. The limit of 150 °C is an arbitrary choice.
Note:
Higher heating value (HHV) is calculated with the product of water being in liquid form while lower
heating value (LHV) is calculated with the product of water being in vapor form.
Relation between heating values
The difference between the two heating values depends on the chemical composition of the fuel. In
the case of pure carbon or carbon monoxide, both heating values are almost identical, the difference
being the sensible heat content of carbon dioxide between 150°C and 25°C (sensible heat exchange
causes a change of temperature. In contrast, latent heat is added or subtracted for phase changes at
constant temperature. Examples: heat of vaporization or heat of fusion). For hydrogen the difference
is much more significant as it includes the sensible heat of water vapor between 150°C and 100°C, the
latent heat of condensation at 100°C and the sensible heat of the condensed water between 100°C
and 25°C. All in all, the higher heating value of hydrogen is 18.2% above its lower heating value
(142 MJ/kg vs. 120 MJ/kg). For hydrocarbons the difference depends on the hydrogen content of the
fuel. For gasoline and diesel the higher heating value exceeds the lower heating value by about 10%
and 7%, respectively, for natural gas about 11%.
A common method of relating HHV to LHV is:
HHV = LHV + hv x (nH2O,out/nfuel,in)
where hv is the heat of vaporization of water, nH2O,out is the moles of water vaporized and
nfuel,in is the number of moles of fuel combusted.
Most applications which burn fuel produce water vapor which is not used and thus wasting its heat
content. In such applications, the lower heating value is the applicable measure. This is particularly
relevant for natural gas, whose high hydrogen content produces much water. The gross calorific value
is relevant for gas burnt in condensing boilers and power plants with flue gas condensation which
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condense the water vapor produced by combustion, recovering heat which would otherwise be
wasted.
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Annex 4: Translation between classification in accordance
with Directive 67/548/EEC and Directive 1272/2008/EEC.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:353:0001:1355:EN:PDF
Classification under
Directive 67/ 548/EEC
Physical state of
the substance
when rele-vant
Classification under 1272/2008/EEC
Hazard Class-andCategory
Hazard
statement
E; R2
No direct translation possible.
E; R3
No direct translation possible.
O; R7
Org. Perox. CD
H242
Org. Perox. EF
H242
H270
O; R8
gas
Ox. Gas 1
O; R8
liquid, solid
No direct translation possible.
O; R9
liquid
Ox. Liq. 1
H271
O; R9
solid
Ox. Sol. 1
H271
R10
liquid
No direct translation possible.
Note
Correct translation of R10, liquid is:
 Flam. Liq. 1, H224 if flashpoint < 23 °C and initial
boiling point ≤ 35 °C
 Flam. Liq. 2, H225 if flashpoint < 23 °C and initial
boiling point > 35 °C
 Flam. Liq. 3, H226 if flashpoint ≥ 23 °C
F; R11
liquid
No direct translation possible.
Correct translation of F; R11, liquid is:
 Flam. Liq. 1, H224 if initial boiling point ≤ 35 °C
 Flam. Liq. 2, H225 if initial boiling point > 35 °C
F; R11
solid
No direct translation possible.
F+; R12
gas
No direct translation possible.
Correct translation of F+; R12, gaseous results either
in Flam. Gas 1, H220 or Flam. Gas 2, H221.
F+; R12
liquid
Flam. Liq. 1
H224
F+; R12
liquid
Self-react. CD
H242
F; R15
Self-react. EF
H242
Self-react. G
none
No translation possible.
F; R17
liquid
Pyr. Liq. 1
H250
F; R17
solid
Pyr. Sol. 1
H250
Xn; R20
gas
Acute Tox. 4
H332
(1)
Xn; R20
vapours
Acute Tox. 4
H332
(1)
Xn; R20
dust/mist
Acute Tox. 4
H332
Xn; R21
Acute Tox. 4
H312
(1)
Xn; R22
Acute Tox. 4
H302
(1)
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T;R23
gas
Acute Tox. 3
H331
(1)
T;R23
vapour
Acute Tox. 2
H330
T;R23
dust/mist
Acute Tox. 3
H331
(1)
T;R24
Acute Tox. 3
H311
(1)
T;R25
Acute Tox. 3
H301
(1)
(1)
T+; R26
gas
Acute Tox. 2
H330
T+; R26
vapour
Acute Tox. 1
H330
T+; R26
dust/mist
Acute Tox. 2
H330
T+; R27
Acute Tox. 1
H310
T+; R28
Acute Tox. 2
H300
(1)
R33
STOT RE 2
H373
(3)
C; R34
Skin Corr. 1B
H314
(2)
C; R35
Skin Corr. 1A
H314
Xi; R36
Eye Irrit. 2
H319
Xi; R37
STOT SE 3
H335
Xi; R38
Skin Irrit. 2
H315
T;R39/23
STOT SE 1
H370
(3)
T;R39/24
STOT SE 1
H370
(3)
T;R39/25
STOT SE 1
H370
(3)
T+; R39/26
STOT SE 1
H370
(3)
T+; R39/27
STOT SE 1
H370
(3)
T+; R39/28
STOT SE 1
H370
(3)
Xi; R41
Eye Dam. 1
H318
R42
Resp. Sens. 1
H334
R43
Skin Sens. 1
H317
Xn; R48/20
STOT RE 2
H373
(3)
Xn; R48/21
STOT RE 2
H373
(3)
Xn; R48/22
STOT RE 2
H373
(3)
T;R48/23
STOT RE 1
H372
(3)
T;R48/24
STOT RE 1
H372
(3)
T;R48/25
STOT RE 1
H372
(3)
R64
Lact.
H362
Xn; R65
Asp. Tox. 1
H304
R67
STOT SE 3
H336
Xn; R68/20
STOT SE 2
H371
(3)
Xn; R68/21
STOT SE 2
H371
(3)
Xn; R68/22
STOT SE 2
H371
(3)
Carc. Cat. 1; R45
Carc. 1A
H350
(1)
Finance Tower, 8th floor · Kruidtuinlaan 50 / 8 · 1000 Brussels - T + 32 2 524 88 54 · F + 32 2 524 88 70
contact@poddo.belgium.be · www.poddo.belgium.be
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Carc. Cat. 2; R45
Carc. 1B
H350
Carc. Cat. 1; R49
Carc. 1A
H350i
Carc. Cat. 2; R49
Carc. 1B
H350i
Carc. Cat. 3; R40
Carc. 2
H351
Muta. Cat. 2; R46
Muta. 1B
H340
Muta. Cat. 3; R68
Muta. 2
H341
Repr. Cat. 1; R60
Repr. 1A
H360F
(4)
Repr. Cat. 2; R60
Repr. 1B
H360F
(4)
Repr. Cat. 1; R61
Repr. 1A
H360D
(4)
Repr. Cat. 2; R61
Repr. 1B
H360D
(4)
Repr. Cat. 3; R62
Repr. 2
H361f
(4)
Repr. Cat. 3; R63
Repr. 2
H361d
(4)
Repr. Cat. 1; R60-61
Repr. 1A
H360FD
Repr. Cat. 1; R60 Repr.
Cat. 2; R61
Repr. Cat. 2; R60 Repr.
Cat. 1; R61
Repr. 1A
H360FD
Repr. 1A
H360FD
Repr. Cat. 2; R60-61
Repr. 1B
H360FD
Repr. Cat. 3; R62-63
Repr. 2
H361fd
Repr. Cat. 1; R60 Repr.
Cat. 3; R63
Repr. Cat. 2; R60 Repr.
Cat. 3; R63
Repr. Cat. 1; R61 Repr.
Cat. 3; R62
Repr. Cat. 2; R61 Repr.
Cat. 3; R62
Repr. 1A
H360Fd
Repr. 1B
H360Fd
Repr. 1A
H360Df
Repr. 1B
H360Df
N; R50
Aquatic. Acute 1
H400
N; R50-53
Aquatic Acute 1
Aquatic Chronic 1
H400 H410
N; R51-53
Aquatic Chronic 2
H411
R52-53
Aquatic Chronic 3
H412
R53
Aquatic Chronic 4
H413
N; R59
Ozone
EUH059
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