Overview
SIST-TP CEN ISO/TR 21960:2020 - Plastics - Environmental aspects - State of knowledge and methodologies offers a comprehensive review of the current scientific understanding and methodologies related to the occurrence of macroplastics and microplastics in the environment and biota. Developed collaboratively by CEN and ISO, this technical report provides an extensive summary of relevant literature, testing methods, and recommendations for the standardization of procedures in sampling, sample preparation, and analysis of plastics in various environmental matrices. The scope notably excludes indoor and health-related aspects and does not address citizen science monitoring projects.
Key Topics
-
Occurrence of Macroplastics and Microplastics
The document reviews how plastics, including both macroplastics (greater than 5 mm) and microplastics (1 µm to 1 mm), are found across different environmental matrices such as water (marine and fresh), sediments, soils, air, and living organisms (biota).
-
Testing Methods Overview
SIST-TP CEN ISO/TR 21960:2020 details state-of-the-art methodologies for:
- Sampling from water, sediment, soil, air, and biota
- Sample preparation via physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods
- Analytical techniques for identification and quantification, including physical and chemical approaches
-
Harmonized Standardization Steps
The report provides recommendations for harmonizing global practices in:
- Environmental sampling
- Sample preparation procedures
- Analytical methods
These steps aim to ensure reliability, comparability, and scientific rigour in data used for environmental assessments.
-
Terminology and Definitions
Uniform definitions for terms such as polymers, plastics, macroplastics, microplastics, nanoplastics, and related environmental terms are included to foster clear communication and reduce ambiguities in international studies.
Applications
This standard has practical relevance for diverse stakeholders seeking reliable environmental data on plastics. Application areas include:
-
Environmental Monitoring and Research
Institutions and laboratories benefit by adopting harmonized procedures for collecting and analyzing environmental samples for plastics content, ensuring robust and comparable results across regions.
-
Policy and Regulatory Development
Regulatory bodies can reference this standard to establish guidelines for monitoring plastic pollution, supporting policymaking and regulatory compliance.
-
Plastics Manufacturing and Waste Management
Industry stakeholders use these harmonized methods to improve their practices, track environmental releases, and demonstrate compliance with environmental management systems (e.g., ISO 14000).
-
Development of New Standards
Recommendations in SIST-TP CEN ISO/TR 21960:2020 provide a foundation for the future creation of standardized testing protocols, supporting ongoing efforts to manage plastic pollution more effectively.
Related Standards
To ensure comprehensive coverage and integration with existing frameworks, consider these related standards:
- ISO 472: Plastics – Vocabulary
Provides essential terminology used in plastics-related standards.
- ISO 14000 Series: Environmental Management
Focuses on environmental management systems, including aspects relevant to plastics in the environment.
- ISO 15270: Plastics – Guidelines for the Recovery and Recycling of Plastics Waste
Addresses management and processing of end-of-life plastic materials.
- Other sector-specific ISO/TC standards
Related to textiles, rubber, and cosmetics, referenced for harmonized terminology and methodologies across materials.
By providing a solid foundation of knowledge and harmonized methodologies, SIST-TP CEN ISO/TR 21960:2020 supports the development of effective solutions to monitor, analyze, and ultimately reduce the environmental impact of plastics. This standard is an essential tool for researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers committed to sustainable plastics management and environmental protection.