OECD 301E – Modified Biodegradation Test – DOC

OECD 301E is a modified aerobic biodegradation test that predominantly measures biodegradation of a material by the evaluation of dissolved organic carbon.

OECD 301E is a minimum 28- day test that can be used with samples known to be absorbing materials. OECD 301E is similar to OECD 301 A (DOC Die-Away), but 301E uses a lower concentration of microorganisms.

OECD 301E 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.

When performing biodegradation texting, many chemical and physical properties of a material 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, and Toxicology & Bioaccumulation testing simultaneously to meet regulatory or third party labeling requirements.

It is highly recommended that testing requirements are reviewed with the appropriate agency to determine which biodegradation testing is required to make performance claims about a material’s biodegradability.

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