ISO 16620-5:2017

Overview

ISO 16620-5:2017 - Plastics - Biobased content - Part 5 provides standardized requirements for declarations and labels of biobased content in plastics. The standard covers three distinct biobased metrics: biobased carbon content, biobased synthetic polymer content, and biobased mass content. It applies to plastic products and materials, including polymer resins, monomers and additives composed of biobased and/or fossil-based constituents. ISO 16620-5 is part of the ISO 16620 series and aligns with general environmental labeling principles (ISO 14020 / ISO 14021).

Key topics and requirements

• Declaration formats: Each declared value must follow the precise format defined in ISO 16620-5:
  • Include product identification.
  • State the biobased value as a percentage (%) (rounded to the nearest integer).
  • Include the statement: “this declaration is in agreement with ISO 16620-5”.
• Metric-specific rules:
  • Biobased carbon content: declared as % of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and/or % of Total Carbon (TC), determined per ISO 16620‑2.
  • Biobased synthetic polymer content: declared as % of total mass, determined per ISO 16620‑3.
  • Biobased mass content: declared as % of total mass, determined per ISO 16620‑4.
• General principles: Declarations must be accurate, verifiable, relevant and not misleading; based on robust scientific methodology; and avoid creating unnecessary trade barriers (aligned with ISO 14020 principles).
• Consumer communication: Manufacturers should assess and mitigate risk of consumer misinterpretation (e.g., equating “biobased” with compostability) and provide additional guidance where needed.

Applications and who uses it

• Manufacturers and brand owners: to prepare compliant, auditable biobased content labels for packaging, components and finished plastic products.
• Certification bodies and labs: to verify declarations using ISO 16620‑2/3/4 test methods and to issue conformity marks.
• Procurement and sustainability teams: to compare biobased content claims for green procurement and regulatory compliance.
• Regulators and ecolabel programs: to harmonize labeling rules and prevent misleading claims. Practical uses include marketing transparency, public procurement, product registration, and supply-chain communication of biobased content.

Related standards

• ISO 16620 series (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4)
• ISO 14020 / ISO 14021 (environmental labels and declarations)
• ISO 18606 (organic recycling - composting/anaerobic digestion)
• ASTM D6866 and CEN/TS 16137 (related test methods and protocols)

Examples of existing labeling schemes referenced in the standard include USDA BioPreferred, JBPA BiomassPla, DIN‑CERTCO, OK Biobased and ACDV Biobased Indicator - useful references for practical label design and certification.