Biodegradable Glove Standard Withdrawn—Eagle Protect Warns Against Misleading Claims

As of 07 July 2025, any “biodegradable glove” claims referencing the standard ASTM D5526-18 are no longer valid. ASTM International has officially withdrawn D5526-18 (“Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastics Under Accelerated Landfill Conditions”), confirming there is no correlation between the test and actual landfill biodegradability.

Guidance for the use of ASTM D5511-18, the other biodegradation standard for nitrile gloves, is also under review to strengthen guidelines on biodegradable claims. The standard itself restricts use, stating: “Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified ‘biodegradable’ claims.”

Eagle Protect, a founding Certified B Corporation in the glove supply industry, cautions against misleading environmental claims. “Biodegradable gloves may sound good, but they’re not the solution,” says CEO Steve Ardagh. “Real impact comes from reducing the usage of gloves made from better-quality materials and with verified durability. Since most emissions occur during production, sourcing from responsibly managed factories using renewable energy, water conservation, and zero-waste practices is essential."

Distributors and customers seeking sustainable glove solutions are encouraged to review Eagle’s guidance on Sustainable Glove Solutions, including verified strategies to cut glove use, waste and emissions.

For further information on Eagle Protect, responsible sourcing and glove quality verification program (Delta Zero™) please visit https://eagleprotect.co.nz/

ASTM international standards are globally recognised, science-based guidelines that ensure products meet rigorous safety, quality, and performance criteria to “positively impact public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life.”

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