Overview
ISO 16714:2008 specifies terminology and a calculation method to determine the recyclability and recoverability rates of earth-moving machinery (as defined in ISO 6165). Both rates are expressed as a mass fraction in percent of the machine that can potentially be recycled, reused or recovered (energy recovery). The method is intended for use by manufacturers from the time a machine is put on the market and supports lifecycle and end-of-life planning for heavy equipment.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Precise terms such as dismantlability, re-use/remanufacturing, recyclability, recoverability, and end-of-life machine are defined to ensure consistent calculations.
- Four-step calculation method:
- Pretreatment (mP) - remove fluids, batteries, oil filters, tyres, catalytic converters, etc.
- Dismantling (mD) - recover reusable/recyclable components (engine, hydraulic components, cab, boom, counterweight, suspension, etc.), subject to dismantlability (accessibility, fastening, proven techniques).
- Metals separation (mM) - account for remaining ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- Non-metallic residue treatment (mTr, mTe) - classify non-metallic residue as recyclable or energy-recoverable.
- Materials breakdown: Classify mass into metals, polymers (excl. elastomers), elastomers, glass, fluids, modified organic natural materials (MONM) and others.
- Calculation formulas:
- Recyclability rate R_cyc = (mP + mD + mM + mTr) / mS × 100
- Recoverability rate R_cov = (mP + mD + mM + mTr + mTe) / mS × 100
- where mS is total shipping mass per ISO 6016.
- Proven technologies requirement: Items are only considered recyclable/recoverable if linked to proven recycling, remanufacturing or energy recovery technologies.
- Normative references: ISO 6016 (mass measurement) and ISO 6165 (machine types/terms).
Applications and who uses this standard
- Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) - to quantify and improve machine recyclability during design and for product declarations.
- Sustainability and eco-design teams - benchmark environmental performance and guide material selection and assembly methods.
- Recyclers and dismantlers - align dismantling practices and acceptance criteria with manufacturer declarations.
- Regulators and procurement bodies - assess end-of-life performance for compliance or purchasing specifications.
- Industry analysts and CSR reporting - include standardized recyclability/recoverability metrics in sustainability reports.
Practical benefits include improved end-of-life planning, clearer material/component recovery paths, better design-for-recycling decisions, and consistent, auditable metrics for environmental claims.
Related standards
- ISO 22628:2002 - Recyclability and recoverability calculation method for road vehicles (comparable methodology)
- ISO 6016 - Methods for measuring masses of whole machines
- ISO 6165 - Earth-moving machinery basic types and terms
Keywords: ISO 16714, earth-moving machinery, recyclability, recoverability, calculation method, recyclability rate, recoverability rate, end-of-life, dismantlability, materials breakdown.