scope:

This standard specifies a method, by analysis of released carbon dioxide, for the evaluation in an aquaeous medium of the "ultimate" biodegradability of organic compounds at a given concentration by aerobic micro-organisms. The method applies to organic compounds which are a) soluble in the test conditions; b) insoluble in the test conditions, in which case special measures may be necessary to achieve good dispersion of the compound; c) non-volatile or which have a negligible vapour pressure under the conditions of the test; d) not inhibitory to the test micro-organisms at the concentration chosen for the test. The presence of an inhibitory effect can be determined as specified in 8.3, or by using any other method for determining the inhibitory effect of a compound on bacteria.