When using carbon dating, also known as C14, one can accurately measure and differentiate between biomass content and fossil content. This established testing method was developed in 2004 as ASTM 6866 (US standard), or CEN/TS 16137 (EU standard) is widely used today.
Certification labels that spell out the biobased content of a material or product are available, and are strongly recommended as a way to determine legitimacy and transparency between competing materials.
ASTM 6866 standard does not test for biodegradability, only organic carbon content.
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