Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Qualification & Compliance Testing for the Saudi Market
Every year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia imports and manufactures millions of disposable plastic bags, wraps, and films that are used for minutes and discarded for decades. To curb this, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) introduced Technical Regulation for Degradable Plastic Products (SASO 2879/2016), which requires most disposable polyolefin packaging placed on the Saudi market to be oxo-biodegradable and to carry the SASO “OXO” compliance logo. As a specialized plastics testing laboratory in the UAE, METS Lab performs the abiotic oxidation, biodegradation, and chemical compatibility testing that underpins SASO 2879 qualification files, supporting manufacturers, converters, and exporters across the region.
Our ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited laboratory evaluates polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) films and disposable articles under controlled thermal and photo-oxidative ageing, followed by tensile property retention testing and aerobic biodegradation assessment, in line with ASTM D6954 and the SASO ISO biodegradability series. In parallel, we conduct elemental analysis to verify that heavy metal content remains within the limits set for degradable plastic products, and we support film thickness and physical/dimensional verification against the product-specific requirements of the regulation.
We deliver clear, standard-referenced test reports covering degradation rate, molecular weight and mechanical property loss, biodegradation percentage, and elemental composition — the technical data needed to compile a SASO 2879 qualification file, respond to a market surveillance query, or support an application for the SASO OXO logo.
Our Core SASO 2879 Testing Services Include
- Abiotic (Thermal & Photo-) Oxidative Degradation Testing
- Tensile Property Retention & Degradation Endpoint Determination
- Aerobic Biodegradation Testing (Respirometric / COâ‚‚ Evolution Method)
- Ecotoxicity Assessment (Earthworm & Terrestrial Plant Bioassays)
- Heavy Metal & Elemental Content Analysis
- Gel Content & pH Value Determination of Residual Material
- Film Thickness & Physical/Dimensional Verification
Why SASO 2879 Testing is Important?
Abiotic Oxidative Degradation Testing
The first stage of qualification measures how quickly a PE or PP film loses molecular weight and mechanical integrity under accelerated thermal or UV exposure, replicating the heat and sunlight a bag or wrap will encounter in landfill, soil, or open-air disposal. Samples formulated with pro-oxidant additives are aged in laboratory ovens or xenon/fluorescent UV chambers, and degradation progress is tracked until the material is embrittled and its molecular weight has fallen enough to become accessible to microorganisms. METS Lab performs abiotic degradation testing with reference to the following standards:
- Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation — ASTM D6954
- Practice for Heat Aging of Oxidatively Degradable Plastics — ASTM D5510
- Practice for Fluorescent UV / Xenon-Arc Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics — ASTM D5208 / ASTM D5071
Tensile Property Retention & Degradation Endpoint Testing
Loss of tensile strength and elongation is one of the clearest indicators that a plastic film has reached its degradation endpoint. METS Lab measures tensile properties before and after accelerated ageing to establish the rate of mechanical property loss and confirm that the material has degraded to the point required before biodegradation testing begins, in accordance with:- Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in Degradable Polyethylene and Polypropylene Using a Tensile Test — ASTM D3826
- Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting — ASTM D882
Aerobic Biodegradation Testing
Once a film has been sufficiently degraded by oxidation, its ultimate biodegradability must be demonstrated. METS Lab conducts aerobic biodegradation testing in aqueous and compost-like media, quantifying the conversion of degraded polymer residue into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass relative to a reference material. Biodegradation testing is performed with reference to the following standards:
- Determination of the Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in an Aqueous Medium — Closed Respirometer Method — SASO ISO 14851:2009
- Determination of the Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in an Aqueous Medium — Analysis of Evolved Carbon Dioxide — SASO ISO 14852:2009
- Determination of the Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in Soil — Method by Measuring Oxygen Demand or Evolved Carbon Dioxide — SASO ISO 17556:2014
Ecotoxicity Assessment
Beyond confirming that a plastic degrades and biodegrades, SASO 2879 qualification requires evidence that the residual material does not harm soil organisms or plant life. METS Lab evaluates the ecotoxicity of degraded residue using terrestrial bioassays, screening for effects on survival, growth, and reproduction before a formulation is cleared as non-toxic. Ecotoxicity testing is performed with reference to the following standards:
- Earthworm, Acute Toxicity Tests — OECD Test Guideline 207
- Terrestrial Plants, Growth Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test — OECD Test Guideline 208
- Shake Extraction of Solid Waste with Water (Toxicity Characterization of Residue) — ASTM D3987
Gel Content Determination
The residual material left after degradation is also characterized for gel content, an indicator of cross-linked, non-biodegradable polymer fraction. This parameter form part of the pass/fail criteria applied alongside abiotic degradation, metal content, ecotoxicity, and biodegradation results.
Heavy Metal & Elemental Content Testing
SASO 2879 sets maximum permissible concentrations for a defined list of metals and elements in the finished degradable plastic product, ensuring that the additive package used to accelerate degradation does not introduce ecotoxicological risk. METS Lab performs elemental analysis of resin and finished-article samples and reports results against the following product-specific limits:
| Element | Max. mg/kg (dry basis) | Element | Max. mg/kg (dry basis) |
| Zinc (Zn) | 150 | Chromium (Cr) | 50 |
| Copper (Cu) | 50 | Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 25 | Selenium (Se) | 0.75 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0.5 | Arsenic (As) | 5 |
| Lead (Pb) | 50 | Fluorine (F) | 100 |
| Mercury (Hg) | 0.5 | Cobalt (Co) | 38 |
Film Thickness & Physical/Dimensional Verification
The regulation’s scope applies specifically to PE and PP films and disposable articles with a thickness of 250 microns or less. METS Lab verifies film gauge and other physical dimensions against the declared product specification, confirming applicability of the regulation and supporting the technical documentation required in a SASO OXO logo application.
Key Parameters in SASO 2879 Testing
METS Lab provides comprehensive SASO 2879 and ASTM D6954 testing across all major evaluation categories. Qualification follows a three-tier structure — Tier 1 Degradability, Tier 2 Biodegradability, and Tier 3 Ecotoxicity — and is assessed against five pass/fail parameters, summarized below. We strictly control exposure temperature, humidity, UV dosage, and test duration to ensure repeatable, standard-referenced qualification data.
| Pass/Fail Parameter | Acceptance Criterion | Reference Standard |
| 1. Abiotic Degradation | Reduction in elongation at break to ≤5% of original, and molecular weight reduced to ≤5,000 Da | ASTM D6954 (Tier 1) / ASTM D3826 |
| 2. Heavy Metal & Elemental    Content | Concentration of restricted metals/elements within prescribed limits (see table below) | ASTM D6954 / SASO 2879 Annex |
| 3. Gel Content | Non-biodegradable, cross-linked fraction of residue within prescribed limit | ASTM D6954 |
| 4. Ecotoxicity | No adverse effect on earthworm survival or terrestrial plant growth vs. control | OECD 207 / OECD 208 |
| 5. Biodegradation | ≥60% of organic carbon converted to CO₂ relative to reference material | SASO ISO 14851 / 14852 / 17556 |
Products & Applications We Test
Our SASO 2879 testing programme covers the disposable PE and PP articles named in the technical regulation’s product list, as well as related packaging films used across the GCC retail, e-commerce, agricultural, and food-adjacent packaging sectors:
- Carrier Bags & Retail Shopping Bags
- Courier Bags & Parcel Mailers
- Mail Order Bags for Periodicals, Magazines & Newspapers
- Agricultural & Horticultural Plastic Bags (e.g. Banana Bags, Soil Covers)
- Bubble Wrap & Protective Cushioning Films
- Flower Wraps & Secondary Packaging Covers
- Bakery, Bread, Nut & Confectionery Packaging Bags
- Cling Films, Elastic Wrap Rolls & Heat-Shrinkable Films
Industries We Serve
Our facility provides specialized degradable plastics testing across the packaging and converting sector. By supporting compliance with SASO 2879 and ASTM D6954, we help partners qualify formulations, prepare OXO logo application files, and meet Saudi and wider GCC regulatory requirements. We regularly serve the following industries for SASO 2879 testing services:
- Plastic Bag & Film Manufacturers
- Masterbatch & Pro-Oxidant Additive Producers
- Retail & E-Commerce Packaging Suppliers
- Agricultural Film & Mulch Producers
- Bakery & Food Packaging Converters
- Importers & Exporters Supplying the Saudi Market
Why Choose METS Lab?
With extensive experience across the region’s plastics and packaging industry, Middle East Testing Services (METS Lab) supports manufacturers and exporters preparing degradable plastic products for the Saudi market. We combine accredited testing infrastructure with clear, standard-referenced reporting to support your qualification, compliance, and market-access goals:
Comprehensive Reporting:
Our detailed reports present degradation and biodegradation results, tensile property retention data, and elemental analysis in a format ready to support SASO 2879 qualification files and OXO logo applications.
Expert Technical Team:
Our scientists are experienced in interpreting ASTM D6954 and the SASO ISO biodegradability standards, and can advise on test matrix selection and standard applicability for your product and formulation.
FAQ Section
What is SASO 2879 and who does it apply to?
SASO 2879 is the Saudi Technical Regulation for Degradable Plastic Products. It requires disposable packaging articles made from PE or PP film with a thickness of 250 microns or less — such as carrier bags, courier bags, and bakery packaging — to be oxo-biodegradable and to carry the SASO OXO logo before being imported into or manufactured in Saudi Arabia.
What is the difference between oxo-biodegradable and biodegradable/compostable plastics?
Oxo-biodegradable (OBD) plastics are conventional PE or PP compounded with pro-oxidant additives that trigger oxidative breakdown under heat and UV exposure, after which the reduced-molecular-weight residue is consumed by microorganisms. This differs from compostable plastics (e.g. those meeting ASTM D6400), which are typically distinct polymer chemistries designed to biodegrade under industrial composting conditions within a defined timeframe.
What testing is required to demonstrate compliance with SASO 2879?
Qualification is assessed against five pass/fail parameters: abiotic degradation (elongation and molecular weight loss), heavy metal/elemental content, gel content, ecotoxicity, and biodegradation percentage. A typical qualification file therefore includes an abiotic degradation test report (thermal/UV ageing with tensile property tracking per ASTM D6954), an ecotoxicity report (earthworm and terrestrial plant bioassays), elemental and gel content analysis, and a final aerobic biodegradation test report. METS Lab performs these tests and provides the supporting technical data; the SASO OXO logo licence itself is applied for separately through SASO using an accredited laboratory’s test report.
Is toxicity testing part of SASO 2879 qualification?
Yes. Ecotoxicity is one of the five pass/fail parameters and cannot be omitted from a qualification file. The degraded residue must be shown not to harm soil organisms or plant life, which METS Lab evaluates using earthworm acute toxicity (OECD 207) and terrestrial plant seedling emergence and growth (OECD 208) bioassays, alongside the shake-extraction characterization in ASTM D3987.
How long does SASO 2879 / ASTM D6954 testing take?
Turnaround depends on the ageing conditions and biodegradation medium selected. Abiotic oxidation and tensile retention testing typically takes several weeks, while aerobic biodegradation testing can run for a period of months to reach a defined biodegradation percentage. We provide a realistic timeline at project initiation based on your test matrix and target disposal environment.