Compostable Packaging Certification FAQ

Published: 2026-09-08

What certifications prove a package is compostable?

The recognized programs are BPI certification in North America (against ASTM D6400) and the EN 13432 standard in Europe, verified by bodies such as DIN Certco and TÜV Austria. Certification proves the package biodegrades, disintegrates, and passes eco-toxicity limits within a defined industrial composting window.

Is certification required to call packaging compostable?

Not legally required, but commercially essential. Uncertified 'compostable' claims risk FTC Green Guide scrutiny in the US, and compost facilities and buyers increasingly demand third-party certification before accepting packaging into their streams. Certification is the defensible form of the claim.

What does EN 13432 actually test?

EN 13432 tests four outcomes: biodegradation (90% within 6 months under industrial conditions), disintegration (90% through a 2mm sieve within 12 weeks), eco-toxicity (plant germination and earthworm survival), and chemical limits for heavy metals. Passing all four earns the certified-compostable claim.

What is the difference between BPI and EN 13432?

BPI certifies against ASTM D6400 for the North American market and licenses its logo; EN 13432 is the European standard verified by bodies like DIN Certco. Both test the same four outcomes — biodegradation, disintegration, eco-toxicity, and heavy-metal limits — but the certification is market-specific, so choose by where you sell.

Does 'home compostable' require separate certification?

Yes. Industrial and home composting are different conditions — home composting runs cooler and slower — so a home-compostable claim needs certification against a home-composting standard or specification, not the industrial standard. The claim must name the condition to be accurate.

How should a brand claim certified compostability?

Scope the claim precisely: say which component is certified, name the condition (industrial composting), and keep the certificate on file behind every logo. Avoid vague terms like 'eco-friendly' or 'green,' which draw scrutiny — specific, substantiated, certified claims are the defensible form.