# Environment (GEN)

## Title 9. Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities

### Subtitle 21. Plastic Products

#### Section 9-2102

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on or after October 1, 2018, a person may not sell in the State a plastic product that is labeled as biodegradable, degradable, decomposable, or with any other term to imply that the product will break down, fragment, biodegrade, or decompose in a landfill or any other environment.

(b) On or after October 1, 2018, a person may not sell in the State a plastic product that is labeled as compostable or home compostable unless the plastic product meets the following standards:

  (1) For a plastic product labeled as compostable, the plastic product shall meet:

    (i)

      (1) The ASTM D6400 standard specification; or

      (2) The ASTM D6868 standard specification; and

    (ii) Any applicable labeling guidelines in the federal Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.

  (2) For a plastic product labeled as home compostable, the plastic product shall meet:

    (i) The OK Compost Home certification standard adopted by Vincotte; and

    (ii) Any applicable labeling guidelines in the federal Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.

(c) On or after October 1, 2018, a person may not sell in the State a film plastic product labeled as soil degradable ag mulch film or biodegradable mulch film unless the product:

  (1)

    (i) Meets the OK Biodegradable Soil certification standard adopted by Vincotte; or

    (ii) At ambient temperatures and in soil, shows at least 90% biodegradation absolute or relative to microcrystalline cellulose in less than 2 years' time, tested according to the ISO 17556 standard test method or ASTM D5988 standard test method; and

  (2) Fulfills the plant growth and regulated metals requirements under section 6.4 of the ASTM D6400 standard specification.

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Md. Code Ann., Envir. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)