Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

The substances erucamide and stearmide, witch are structurally and composition related to oleamide, were tested (Guideline Study conducted to GLP). Based on the analogy it can be concluded that oleamide is also readily biodegradable.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Two studies investigating the ready biodegradability of the structural related substances erucamide and stearmide were available. The tests were carried out according to the OECD Guideline No. 301B: Ready Biodegradability: CO2 Evolution Test (1992), under GLP conditions. Both substances reached a biodegradation value of > 60% after 28 days. However, the degradation values of 62 % and 64 % were not reached within the 10-d window, but as the substances are a mixture of constituents with different chain-lengths, sequential biodegradation of the individual structures is taking place. Due to a degradation of > 60% within 28 days erucamide and stearmide can be regarded as readily biodegradable. The 10 -day window should not be applied to interpret the test results (Annex I, OECD Guideline for The Testing of Chemicals 'Revised introduction to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals, section 3', OECD, March 2006). An additional calculation was used to investigate the biodegradation of oleamide. A QSAR prediction with SRC BIOWIN v4.10 also indicate that the substance is readily biodegradable. The calculation is scientifically accepted and reliable, further information will not be required for the assessment and based on read across to the structural related substances erucamide and stearmide and the ready biodegradability prediction from QSAR, oleamide can be regarded as readily biodegradable.