ISO 14855-1:2012规定了在受控堆肥条件下，通过测量试验结束时释放的二氧化碳量和塑料的分解程度，测定基于有机化合物的塑料最终需氧生物降解性的方法。该方法旨在模拟混合城市固体废物有机部分的典型好氧堆肥条件。将试验材料暴露于来自堆肥的接种物中。堆肥发生在一个温度、通风和湿度受到密切监控的环境中。 试验方法旨在得出试验材料中的碳转化为逸出二氧化碳的百分比以及转化率。 还规定了该方法的一种变体，即使用矿物床（蛭石）接种从具有特定活化阶段的堆肥中获得的嗜热微生物，而不是成熟堆肥。该变体的设计目的是产生试验物质中转化为二氧化碳的碳百分比和转化率。

ISO 14855-1:2012 specifies a method for the determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastics, based on organic compounds, under controlled composting conditions by measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide evolved and the degree of disintegration of the plastic at the end of the test. This method is designed to simulate typical aerobic composting conditions for the organic fraction of solid mixed municipal waste. The test material is exposed to an inoculum which is derived from compost. The composting takes place in an environment wherein temperature, aeration and humidity are closely monitored and controlled. The test method is designed to yield the percentage conversion of the carbon in the test material to evolved carbon dioxide as well as the rate of conversion. Also specified is a variant of the method, using a mineral bed (vermiculite) inoculated with thermophilic microorganisms obtained from compost with a specific activation phase, instead of mature compost. This variant is designed to yield the percentage of carbon in the test substance converted to carbon dioxide and the rate of conversion.