Biodegradable Foil Balloon Manufacturer: Testing & EU Compliance Guide
Environmental claims in the US and EU are subject to increasing scrutiny. This page is the verification framework for B2B buyers: what third-party testing covers, what a test report does and does not prove, and the three red flags that should end a supplier conversation.
I. The Compliance Pressure Map: US and EU Are Moving in the Same Direction.
Environmental claims in the EU and US are subject to applicable legal requirements and increasing scrutiny. In the United States, the FTC Green Guides provide guidance on environmental marketing claims. Businesses should verify the legislation and requirements currently in force in each target market before making biodegradability or compostability claims.
Buyers and suppliers should ensure that environmental claims are accurate, appropriately qualified, and supported by evidence relevant to the product and the market in which it is sold. Contractual responsibilities and legal obligations may differ by jurisdiction and commercial arrangement.
The practical consequence for buyers: a supplier's marketing statement that their balloons are "eco-friendly" or "biodegradable" is not sufficient. The test report should be relevant to the current production material, supported by appropriate records, and available for review if requested by a buyer, regulator, or platform. Buyers should check whether changes in formulation, processing, applicable standards, or regulatory requirements call for additional testing.
II. What Third-Party Testing Actually Verifies for a Biodegradable Balloon.
The applicable tests depend on the product, intended use, target market, and relevant standards. Biodegradation, disintegration, ecotoxicity, and chemical safety address different aspects of product performance. No single test report should be presented as proof of overall product compliance. For material-level analysis, see our biodegradable balloons page.
What FAIR Holds — The Report Behind This Page
Here is the actual test report behind the biodegradable line, with the report number, the tested sample, and the measured result:
Biodegradation — SGS report number SHMR220700361301, test method ISO 14855-1:2012. Sample as stated in the report: PLA degrading balloon. Test conditions: (58 ± 2) °C, 3.8 L composting vessels, 45-day test period (2022-08-18 to 2022-10-02). Result: test material average biodegradation 77.8%, reference material (cellulose) average 76.7%, average biodegradation relative to the reference 101.4%. The report conclusion is Pass against the validity criteria of the ISO 14855-1:2012 method. This is a measurement report under a specific test method, not a certification scheme — FAIR does not claim EN 13432 or ASTM D6400 compliance on the basis of this report.
Scope note: This report does not display a CMA logo. Buyers should independently confirm the report's accreditation scope and whether it is acceptable for their intended regulatory, certification, or purchasing purpose. The report should not be represented as a product certification or market-entry approval. The applicability of this report to the current production formulation and specific SKU should be verified before the report is used to substantiate a product claim.
Restricted substances — SGS RoHS (EU) 2015/863, report number SHAHG2207652301. Sample as stated in the report: DEGRADING BALLOON. Cadmium, lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, PBDEs, and certain phthalate plasticizers — all Not Detected. This report supports the tested restricted substances only. It does not establish biodegradability and does not replace other applicable chemical-safety testing.
Toy safety — SGS EN71, report number SHTY130500007975-01 (issued 2013). Coverage: foil balloon sample, EN71 Parts 1, 2, and 3. FAIR can provide available product safety test documentation for buyer review. The applicability of each report depends on the tested sample, product formulation, intended use, and the standards currently required in the target market. Buyers should confirm whether additional or updated testing is needed for the specific product.
Industry membership — PEBA (Pro Environment Balloon Alliance) member. See our PEBA alliance member page for the alliance framework.
These are separate documents, not a single combined environmental certification. Each covers a different scope: SHMR220700361301 covers biodegradation of the tested PLA degrading balloon sample under ISO 14855-1:2012; SHAHG2207652301 covers specified restricted substances on the tested sample; SHTY130500007975-01 covers toy safety on the tested 2013 sample; PEBA is an industry membership. Coverage of a specific SKU by each report is confirmed at quotation stage. Full report PDFs are available for download at the bottom of this page. For the material-level analysis behind the compostable line, see are balloons biodegradable on our material science site.
Laboratory Testing and Natural Environmental Degradation
Laboratory biodegradation testing and degradation under natural environmental conditions involve different processes and should not be directly compared.
SGS report SHMR220700361301 records an average biodegradation result of 77.8% after 45 days under controlled composting conditions at 58 ± 2°C, in accordance with ISO 14855-1:2012. The report records a Pass conclusion for the tested sample.
Under natural environmental conditions, the rate and extent of degradation may vary depending on temperature, moisture, microbial activity, soil conditions, and the surrounding environment. The 45-day laboratory result reported above should not be interpreted as a prediction of degradation time or performance in natural environments. For the material comparison behind the compostable line, see our biodegradable foil balloons vs latex guide.
III. Three Red Flags That Should End the Supplier Conversation.
Environmental claims are an important area of due diligence in the balloon supply chain. Buyers should look for specific, documented evidence rather than relying solely on broad marketing terms such as "eco-friendly" or "degradable." Three specific patterns show up consistently on suppliers who cannot substantiate their claims.
Applying those three checks to our own file: report SHMR220700361301 was run on a PLA degrading balloon sample as described in the report, not on raw polymer pellets. The report shows a 45-day test period ending in October 2022. We do not market an oxo-degradable additive, and the compostable line uses a co-extruded PLA-PBAT film rather than a fragmenting polyethylene base. The applicability of this report to the current production formulation and specific SKU should be verified before the report is used to substantiate a product claim.
IV. Production Model, Stock Policy & What We Supply
FAIR produces biodegradable foil balloons using material formulations and production processes specified for the relevant product. The applicable material composition, production process, and supporting test documentation are confirmed for each SKU at quotation stage. What we supply with an order covers the compliance chain relevant to the target market, not just the headline biodegradation report. For our factory capability on this line, see the biodegradable foil balloon factory page.
Biodegradation test reports with the specific test standard cited — ASTM D5338, ISO 14855, or EN 13432 — plus the laboratory name. Our own biodegradation report is SGS ISO 14855-1:2012 (SHMR220700361301) — see the SGS biodegradation test report page for the report structure and what it does and does not cover. For custom orders, see the biodegradable mylar balloon OEM page.
Product safety test documentation that FAIR can provide for buyer review — EN71, RoHS, CE — where applicable to the product and the target market. The applicability of each report depends on the tested sample, product formulation, intended use, and the standards currently required in the target market. Chemical safety and end-of-life behavior are independent assessments. The applicable documentation for a specific order is confirmed at quotation stage against the destination market.
Material specifications and safety data sheets for the substrate and the accessory components. Where applicable requirements cover the complete product or its components, a compliant balloon body does not automatically make the finished product compliant. Accessories such as ribbons, stickers, and adhesive tapes should be assessed against the relevant requirements for the destination market.
Sample balloons for your own testing if required. The buyer's own lab can verify the report against the physical product before the bulk order is committed.
Stock policy. We do not maintain finished goods inventory — all orders are produced after receipt of the purchase order. This is what allows us to ship material that is fresh from the line. Storage life depends on the material formulation, packaging, and storage conditions. Contact FAIR for the applicable shelf-life specifications and recommended storage conditions for the selected product. Shelf-life claims should be supported by appropriate stability testing.
For the full factory capability behind this line, see the foil balloon manufacturer page.
V. Buyer FAQ: Biodegradable Foil Balloon Test Reports
PLA+PBAT raw materials typically cost more than standard polyester film. The premium depends on material formulation, order volume, and specifications. Contact FAIR for a quotation against a specific design and quantity.
Storage life depends on the material formulation, packaging, and storage conditions. Contact FAIR for the applicable shelf-life specifications and recommended storage conditions for the selected product. Shelf-life claims should be supported by appropriate stability testing. We do not maintain finished goods inventory — all orders are produced after receipt of the purchase order, which is how we ship material fresh from the line.
No. These balloons are designed and tested as celebration and decorative products under toy safety standards, not as food contact materials. The EN71-3 chemical migration test is a toy safety protocol, not a food contact protocol — passing EN71-3 does not certify the material as food-safe. Do not use biodegradable balloons in direct contact with food or in any application where the balloon surface would touch consumable items.
Five questions. One — can you provide the original test report PDF from a laboratory, not a marketing certificate? Two — was the test conducted on the finished balloon product or on the raw polymer pellets? Three — what specific standard was used, and by which laboratory? Four — has the material formulation changed since the test was conducted? Five — can you also provide relevant EN71, CE, and RoHS documentation where applicable to the product and target market? If a supplier cannot provide relevant test documentation or explain how the reports apply to the current product, buyers should request clarification before relying on the biodegradability claim. Additional safety and compliance documents should be assessed according to the product, intended use, and target market.
In marketing language the two are often used interchangeably. In regulatory language they are different claims. "Biodegradable" means the material breaks down through biological action, but it does not specify a timeline or an environment. "Compostable" means that a material meets the requirements of a specified compostability standard, such as EN 13432 or ASTM D6400, where applicable. Testing is conducted under the conditions specified by the relevant standard, which may include controlled temperature, moisture, disintegration, biodegradation, and other applicable criteria. Where such a standard is required, "compostable" is the stronger claim because it points to a specific standard and a specific disposal pathway. "Biodegradable" without a standard behind it is the claim most likely to be challenged.
Four steps. One — request the original test report PDF from the laboratory, not a summary from the supplier. Two — verify the report number against the laboratory's database where possible. Three — check that the test standard cited is a recognized one — ASTM D5338, ISO 14855, or EN 13432. Four — confirm whether the finished balloon was tested or just the raw polymer pellets. Buyers with their own lab capability can also request sample balloons and run an independent verification against the report. The report and the physical product have to match — a report on a formulation that is not the current production is not a valid substantiation.
FAIR holds three SGS test reports for the biodegradable foil balloon line. Biodegradation: SGS report number SHMR220700361301, test method ISO 14855-1:2012, tested on a PLA degrading balloon sample as stated in the report. Test conditions: 58 ± 2 °C, 3.8 L composting vessels, 45-day test period from 2022-08-18 to 2022-10-02. Result: test material average biodegradation 77.8%, reference material average 76.7%, average biodegradation relative to the reference 101.4%. Report conclusion: Pass against the validity criteria of the ISO 14855-1:2012 method. Restricted substances: SGS RoHS (EU) 2015/863, report number SHAHG2207652301. This report supports the tested restricted substances only. Toy safety: SGS EN71 Parts 1, 2, and 3, report number SHTY130500007975-01, issued 2013. FAIR can provide available product safety test documentation for buyer review; the applicability of each report depends on the tested sample, product formulation, intended use, and the standards currently required in the target market. FAIR is also a PEBA (Pro Environment Balloon Alliance) member. We do NOT hold EN 13432 or ASTM D6400. The biodegradation report we hold is a measurement report under a specific test method, not a certification scheme. Coverage of a specific SKU by these reports is confirmed at quotation stage.
Download the SGS Test Reports
SGS test reports for the biodegradable foil balloon line. These are the same documents we share with importers at quotation stage.
Sample: PLA degrading balloon
Result: 77.8% in 45 days on tested sample Download PDF → SGS RoHS (EU) 2015/863 Restricted Substances Test Report Report No. SHAHG2207652301
Sample: Degrading balloon
Result: Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, phthalates — all Not Detected Download PDF →
Specific SKU coverage confirmed at quotation stage · These are laboratory test reports under specific test methods. They are not EN 13432 or ASTM D6400 certification, and are not a product certification or market-entry approval.
Talk to the Line, Not a Trading Desk
For SGS test reports, specifications, and market-specific compliance documentation for biodegradable foil balloons, contact us at xia@foilballoon.cn. We answer with documents, not brochures.
Kunshan Fair Craft Products Co., Ltd. · Foil Balloon Manufacturer · 20 Years Export Experience · www.foilballoon.cn/en/home/