Radiocarbon testing

Definition

Radiocarbon testing is an analytical method for distinguishing bio-based carbon from fossil carbon in a material, based on the isotope carbon-14. Living biomass contains contemporary levels of 14C, while fossil feedstocks — older than the isotope's roughly 5,730-year half-life by millions of years — contain effectively none, so the measured 14C content gives the bio-based carbon share directly. The method is standardised as ASTM D6866, EN 16640 and ISO 16620, and underpins EN 16785-1 bio-based content determination and the USDA BioPreferred programme's certified label. It is also used to apportion biogenic versus fossil CO2 in waste incineration and to verify bio-content in fuel blends.