本欧洲标准规定了通过在测试结束时测量释放的二氧化碳来评估基于受控堆肥条件下的有机化合物的包装材料的最终需氧生物降解性的方法。该方法的设计类似于混合城市固体废物的有机部分的典型有氧堆肥条件。包装材料在实验室测试中暴露于从堆肥得到的接种物。有氧堆肥发生在特别温度，通风和湿度受到严密监测和控制的环境中。测试方法设计为产生测试材料的碳转化为释放的二氧化碳的百分比和速率。 本欧洲标准中描述的条件不一定总是对应于允许发生最大程度的生物降解的最佳条件

This European Standard specifies a method for the evaluation of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of packaging materials based on organic compounds under controlled composting conditions by measurement of released carbon dioxide at the end of the test. This method is designed to resemble typical aerobic composting conditions for the organic fraction of mixed municipal solid waste. The packaging material is exposed in a laboratory test to an inoculum which is derived from compost. The aerobic composting takes place in an environment where especially temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled. The test method is designed to yield a percentage and rate of conversion of carbon of the test material to released carbon dioxide. The conditions described in this European Standard do not necessarily always correspond to the optimal conditions allowing the maximum degree of biodegradation to occur.