Biodegradability
Biodegradability is the ability of a substance to be broken down by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, mineral salts and biomass.
It is measured with standardised laboratory tests. The OECD ready biodegradability tests (301 series) consider a substance readily biodegradable if, within 28 days and under aerobic conditions, it reaches at least 60 % degradation measured as oxygen consumption or CO2 production, or 70 % measured as dissolved organic carbon. A distinction is made between primary biodegradation, when the molecule loses its properties (a surfactant stops foaming), and ultimate biodegradation, when it is completely mineralised.
For detergents, Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 requires surfactants to meet a criterion of ultimate aerobic biodegradability. It is a legal requirement for every detergent placed on the market in the EU, not a distinguishing feature. The EU Ecolabel adds stricter criteria on ingredients, including biodegradability and aquatic toxicity. An ingredient being biodegradable does not mean the product is harmless: it may be corrosive or toxic to aquatic organisms before it degrades, and degradation depends on the discharge reaching a wastewater treatment plant. That is why a biodegradability claim should state which ingredients it refers to and by what criterion.
Instaquim products with information on biodegradability, according to their technical data sheet:
- Enzi NF (pH 8.3; 1 to 3 % in CIP): enzymatic detergent for preventing and removing biofilms in the food industry; «its surfactants meet the biodegradability criterion of Regulation 648/2004/EC on detergents».
- Eco Wash and Eco Soft: detergent and fabric softener for self-service laundries with EU Ecolabel licence ES-CAT/039/002.
- Eco Gras: kitchen degreaser with EU Ecolabel licence ES-CAT/020/026.