What is ISO/TR 21960 about?
ISO/TR 21960 summarizes current scientific literature on the occurrence of macroplastics and
microplastics, in the environment and biota. ISO/TR 21960 gives an overview of testing methods, including sampling from various environmental matrix, sample preparation and analysis. Further, chemical and physical testing methods for the identification and quantification of plastics are described.
ISO/TR 21960 gives recommendations for three steps necessary for the standardization of methods towards harmonized procedures for sampling, sample preparation and analysis.
Note- ISO/TR 21960 does not apply indoor and health related aspects.
Who is ISO/TR 21960 for?
ISO/TR 21960 on plastics-environmental aspects-state of knowledge and methodologies is useful for:
- Environmental scientists
- Plastic manufacturers
- Climate bodies
- Government regulatory bodies
- Testing laboratories
Why should you use ISO/TR 21960?
ISO/TR 21960 with its primary focus on plastics, rather than all the other materials, in the environment intends to provide a survey on the international situation of plastics and plastics in the environment with special attention to microplastics in the marine environment, its detection and determination. For this purpose, ISO/TR 21960 describes the state-of-the art testing methods as well as assessment approaches.
ISO/TR 21960 is a contribution towards harmonized procedures and measures in order to provide a sound basis for a reliable and verifiable evaluation of the impact of plastics and microplastic in the environment.
ISO/TR 21960 describes the status of plastics products and plastics in the environment: Facts about plastics use and proven findings of the occurrence of macroplastics and microplastics in the environmental matrix, be it on land and water bodies including the sea.
ISO/TR 21960 covers the terminology: The terms “plastic particles”, “plastic microparticles”, “microplastics”, “plastic nanoparticles” or “solid microparticle” are currently not defined in a consistent way and are, especially in an international context, being used differently. ISO/TR 21960 makes an attempt towards a globally harmonized terminology.
ISO/TR 21960 covers test methods: Methods for the detection, analysis, and assessment of plastic particles present in the environment, such as aquatic litter, are neither harmonized nor standardized. Simple visual tests, in particular, have proved to be insufficient. ISO/TR 21960 will describe the sampling, its preparation of samples, and further analytics, especially in waters as the main task of ISO/TR 21960, since reproducible and verifiable procedures are indispensable to derive valid data for the environmental assessment and on this basis concluding appropriate measures to improve the environmental situation.