The EN 16640 standard and radiocarbon analysis of biobased products
The French and European standard NF EN 16640 explains the method to be used to measure the biobased carbon content of materials.
In compliance with this standard, we use radiocarbon (also known as carbon-14) analysis through analytical testing techniques used to determine the age of carbon containing objects.
Please note that biobased content does not define the environmental impact or sustainability of a product. It is possible to measure this impact through a life cycle analysis according to defined sustainability criteria.
RADIOCARBON ANALYSIS OF BIO-BASED PRODUCTS
The radiocarbon analysis of biobased products must comply with the EN 16640 standard using one of the three regulatory methods.
CIRAM laboratories explain in detail the carbon 14 analysis by AMS.
What is a biobased product?
The term biobased means derived from biomass”. A biobased product can be entirely or partially derived from biomass. Thanks to our laboratory analyses, it is possible to characterise the quantity of biomass contained in a product (paint, solvent polymers, etc.).