National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 18109:2025, incorporating corrigendum September 2026.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee CB/0.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 August 2025.

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 June 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and United Kingdom.

European foreword

This document (EN 18109:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by February 2026.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its Member States.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

Introduction

In recent years, the use of plastic products in agriculture has become a subject of concern due to its impact on the environment. To address this issue, there is a growing need for a European standard that sets guidelines in agricultural practices.

The European standardization for agricultural products aims to promote sustainable practices, reduce plastic waste, and protect the environment. It emphasizes the importance of reducing plastic waste, improving recycling and reuse methods. Also, it takes into account the entire life cycle of plastic products, from production to end of use, and encourages the adoption of practices that contribute to a circular economy, primarily recycling.

One of the key aspects is to encourage farmers and producers to opt for the implementation of collection and recycling systems specifically designed for agricultural plastic waste.

The European standardization emphasizes the importance of proper waste management and disposal. It encourages the establishment of collection points and recycling facilities for agricultural plastic waste, ensuring that it is processed and recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. Additionally, it promotes awareness and education among farmers and producers regarding the proper handling and disposal of plastic products.

Furthermore, the European standardization encourages research and innovation in the field of sustainable materials. It calls for the development of new technologies and materials that are recyclable, reusable. This includes exploring options such as bio-based materials made from renewable resources or utilizing natural materials that have minimal impact on the environment.

By implementing these guidelines, farmers and producers will contribute to a more sustainable agricultural industry that balances the need for plastic products with the preservation of our natural resources.

1 Scope

This document specifies the integrated management of agricultural plastic products with agronomic performance.

This document gives guidance and requirements for their installation, use, removal, sorting, collection and preparation for recycling as well as general guidelines for design for recycling.

NOTE 1 EN 13206:2025, EN 13207:2025, EN 13655:2025, EN 14932:2025 and EN 17098‑1:2025 include a specific clause dedicated to design for recycling.

NOTE 2 Design for recycling for products not covered by a standard is detailed in this document.

This document first aims professional users and can be used also for domestic purposes.

This document is applicable to:

covering films that comply with EN 13206:2025 or with specifications laid out by the film manufacturer/supplier, used for covering greenhouses, small tunnels or livestock buildings, as well as to direct crop covers used for semi-forcing plants and seed;
silage films for horizontal silos that comply with EN 13207:2025 or with specifications laid out by the film manufacturer/supplier;
sheaths for horizontal silos (forage crop and grain storage) that comply with EN 13207:2025 or with specifications laid out by the sheath manufacturer/supplier;
stretch films for wrapping bales that comply with EN 14932:2025 or with specifications laid out by the film manufacturer/supplier;
thermoplastic mulching films that comply with EN 13655:2025 or with specifications laid out by the film manufacturer/supplier;
barrier films for agricultural and horticultural soil disinfection by fumigation that comply with EN 17098‑1:2025;
nets and twines for catling and horticulture that comply with the specifications laid out by EN ISO 4167 or by the manufacturer/supplier;
flexible ducts, semi-rigid and rigid pipes and fittings for irrigation that comply with ISO 8779, EN ISO 9261, ISO 13460‑1, ISO 16438, EN 14267, EN 12324‑2, EN 13635, EN 13997, EN 17176‑2:2019+A1:2022 or with specifications laid out by the manufacturer/supplier;
fabrics and non-woven nets and sheets for catling and horticulture that comply with ISO 9073 series or with specifications laid out by the manufacturer/supplier.

This document does not cover construction, packaging and food-contact products.

NOTE 3 For products non-suitable for recycling in the context of this document, specific procedures apply.

2 Normative references

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms

3.1 Terms and definitions

3.2 Abbreviated terms

4 Plastic products for agriculture: design for recycling, manufacture, use, removal, collection and preparation for recycling

4.1 Main characteristics of plastic products for agricultural and horticultural use

4.2 Consideration of the different impacts of design, manufacture, use and collection on the end-of-life recovery of plastics for agricultural and horticultural use

4.3 Extended producer responsibility and the role of the user

4.4 The integrated management methodology for plastics for agricultural and horticultural use

4.5 Criteria for eco-design (including design for recycling)

5 Films and tubes

5.1 Film preparation and storage

5.2 Covering films

5.3 Silage films and tubes for horizontal silos

5.4 Stretch film for bale wrapping

5.5 Mulch films and solarisation films

5.6 Fumigation films

6 Twines and nets

6.1 Horticultural twines and accessories

6.2 Baler twine for seasonal crops

6.3 Protective nets

6.4 Design for recycling of twines and nets

6.5 Baling nets for catling

7 Fabrics and nonwovens

7.1 Characterization of fabrics and nonwovens

7.2 Receipt and storage of fabrics and nonwovens

7.3 Canvas

7.4 Nonwoven veils

8 Pipes, fittings and accessories, rigid ducts for irrigation

8.1 General

8.2 Characterization of driplines, pipes and ducts

8.3 Thin wall driplines (TWD) or “Tapes”

8.4 Heavy wall driplines (HWD: semi-rigid irrigation pipes)

8.5 Irrigation ducts

8.6 Irrigation fittings and accessories (connectors, valves, filters, etc.)

8.7 Rain guns

Bibliography