OECD 301A – Biodegradation Test – DOC

OECD 301A is an aerobic biodegradation test used for non-volatile and soluble (100mg/L) substances.

In the OECD 301A test method, the degree of biodegradation is measured by the change in Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) over a 28-Day period.  It is similar to the OECD 301E, but higher microbial cell densities can be used in the OECD 301A.

OECD 301A tests for ready or ultimate biodegradation.  Ready biodegradability is achieved if the material meets requirements set by the method for ready biodegradability.  Ultimate biodegradation can be measured if the sample meets the requirements for ultimate biodegradation and provides the nearest approximation for the total amount of the material that will biodegrade.

Although different degrees of biodegradability can be determined by testing, for customers that intend to make product claims, it is highly recommended that testing requirements are reviewed with the appropriate regulatory agency to determine which biodegradation testing is required to make performance claims about a material’s biodegradability.

Additionally, many chemical and physical properties can impact biodegradability testing and it is important to communicate these properties with the testing laboratory prior to beginning a biodegradation test. For more information on biodegradability testing and how a material’s chemical or physical properties can affect biodegradability testing, please visit our Biodegradability Testing – Chemical Impacts page.

Customers commonly request Biodegradability, Toxicology and Bioaccumulation testing simultaneously to perform an Environmental Fate Analysis on the test material to meet regulatory or third party labeling requirements for different product applications.

For more information about OECD 301A and biodegradability testing, contact the lab at 847-483-9950 or info@situtest.com.