Compostable Packaging Certifications Decoded: EN 13432, ASTM D6400, BPI, and OK Compost
Your supplier says their packaging is “compostable.” Your customer in Germany wants “EN 13432 certified” containers. A California restaurant chain requires “BPI listed” products. And you’ve seen “OK Compost” logos on competitors’ websites. Are these all the same thing? Do you need all of them? And what happens if your “compostable” packaging isn’t actually certified?
The compostable packaging certification landscape is confusing by design — different standards exist for different markets, and the terminology is used loosely by many suppliers who don’t actually hold certifications. This guide cuts through the noise and explains exactly what each certification means, which markets require which certifications, and how to verify that your supplier’s claims are legitimate.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable: The Critical Distinction
Before diving into certifications, this distinction must be clear because getting it wrong can result in regulatory violations and greenwashing penalties.
Biodegradable means the material will eventually break down in natural conditions. Every organic material is technically biodegradable — including conventional paper, wood, and even some plastics. The problem is that “eventually” might mean 5 years, 50 years, or 500 years. “Biodegradable” alone is a nearly meaningless claim for packaging because it specifies no timeframe and no conditions.
Compostable means the material breaks down into natural elements (water, CO2, and biomass) within a specific timeframe under specific conditions — typically within 12 weeks for disintegration and 6 months for full biodegradation in an industrial composting facility operating at 58°C or higher. This is a measurable, testable, certifiable claim.
In the EU, using the word “biodegradable” on packaging without a certified composting claim is increasingly considered greenwashing and can result in fines. Several EU member states already restrict the use of “biodegradable” on product labels unless the product meets EN 13432 or equivalent standards. Always use “compostable” with the specific certification referenced — never just “biodegradable.”
The Four Major Certifications
EN 13432 (European Standard)
EN 13432 is the foundational European standard for compostable packaging. It defines the requirements for packaging to be labeled as “compostable” or “industrially compostable” in the European Union. This is the standard referenced by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), making it the de facto requirement for any packaging sold as compostable in Europe.
What it tests: Chemical composition (heavy metals must be below specified limits), biodegradation (90% within 6 months in industrial composting conditions at 58°C), disintegration (90% fragmentation within 12 weeks), and ecotoxicity (the resulting compost must not negatively affect plant growth). All four criteria must be passed for certification.
Who needs it: Any company selling compostable food packaging in the EU. Even if a product passes ASTM D6400 (the US equivalent), it must be separately tested and certified to EN 13432 for the European market. The standards are similar but not identical — EN 13432 includes ecotoxicity testing that ASTM D6400 does not require.
How to verify: Products certified to EN 13432 should carry the “Seedling” logo (issued by European Bioplastics) or a TÜV Austria OK Compost Industrial certification mark. You can verify specific products on the European Bioplastics website or TÜV Austria’s certificate database.
ASTM D6400 (US Standard)
ASTM D6400 is the American standard for labeling plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities. It’s the US equivalent of EN 13432 and is the standard referenced by most US composting facilities, waste management companies, and state regulations.
What it tests: Biodegradation (60% within 180 days for homopolymers, 90% for copolymers), disintegration (90% fragmentation in 12 weeks), and ecotoxicity (plant germination and biomass tests). The biodegradation threshold is lower than EN 13432 (60% vs. 90%), making ASTM D6400 slightly less stringent in some respects.
Who needs it: Any company selling compostable packaging in the United States, particularly in states with composting mandates or single-use plastic bans (California, Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Colorado). Many institutional buyers (university campuses, hospital cafeterias, corporate dining) require ASTM D6400 certification as a procurement standard.
How to verify: Products meeting ASTM D6400 are typically listed in the BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) database — see below.
BPI Certification (US Verification)
BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) is not a standard itself — it’s a third-party certification body that verifies products against ASTM D6400 (for plastics) and ASTM D6868 (for paper/fiber products with plastic coatings or additives). BPI certification is the most widely recognized compostable verification in North America.
Why it matters: Many US cities and states that mandate compostable food service ware specifically reference BPI certification. San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and the entire state of California accept BPI-listed products as meeting their composting requirements. If your packaging isn’t BPI-listed, it may not be accepted at commercial composting facilities in these markets — even if the material is technically compostable.
How to verify: BPI maintains a searchable public database at bpiworld.org. You can search by product name, manufacturer, or certificate number. If your supplier claims BPI certification, you can verify it in minutes. If the product isn’t in the database, the claim is unsubstantiated.
OK Compost (TÜV Austria)
OK Compost is a family of certifications issued by TÜV Austria, covering different composting environments. The two most relevant for food packaging are:
OK Compost INDUSTRIAL: Equivalent to EN 13432 — the product composts in industrial facilities at 58°C+. This is the standard certification for commercial food packaging.
OK Compost HOME: A stricter standard requiring the product to compost in home composting conditions at lower temperatures (20–30°C). Home composting certification is increasingly demanded by environmentally conscious consumers and by regulations targeting household food waste. Fewer products can achieve this certification because lower temperatures slow biodegradation significantly.
Who needs it: OK Compost Industrial is widely accepted across Europe and is interchangeable with EN 13432 for regulatory purposes. OK Compost HOME is valuable for products marketed to environmentally conscious consumers and for markets like Belgium, where home composting infrastructure is more developed than industrial composting.
Which Certification Do You Need?
| Target Market | Required Certification | Additional Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | EN 13432 (Seedling logo or OK Compost Industrial) | OK Compost HOME for premium positioning |
| United States (general) | ASTM D6400 + BPI listing | Essential for CA, WA, OR, VT markets |
| California specifically | BPI-listed (mandatory for food service ware) | Non-BPI products may face fines |
| United Kingdom | EN 13432 (still accepted post-Brexit) | UK-specific standards under development |
| Australia / New Zealand | AS 4736 (industrial) / AS 5810 (home) | Often cross-referenced with EN 13432 |
| Multiple markets | EN 13432 + BPI | Covers both EU and US requirements |
Common Materials and Their Certification Status
Bagasse (sugarcane fiber): Naturally compostable. Most bagasse food containers from reputable manufacturers are certified to both EN 13432 and BPI/ASTM D6400. Bagasse is one of the easiest materials to certify because it’s a natural plant fiber with no synthetic additives. Always verify — some bagasse products use PFAS (forever chemicals) as grease barriers, which can compromise compostability and create health concerns.
PLA (Polylactic Acid): PLA is a bio-based plastic made from corn starch or sugarcane. It is industrially compostable (EN 13432, ASTM D6400) but NOT home compostable under standard conditions. PLA requires sustained temperatures of 58°C+ to break down, which only industrial composting facilities provide. PLA cups and containers that end up in home compost bins or landfills will not decompose in any meaningful timeframe.
Paper with PLA coating: Paper cups and boxes coated with PLA (instead of PE plastic) are compostable if the PLA coating meets certification standards. These products fall under ASTM D6868 (for coated fiber products) rather than ASTM D6400 (for plastics). BPI certifies both.
CPLA (Crystallized PLA): A heat-resistant version of PLA used for cutlery and lids. Same compostability profile as standard PLA — industrial only.
Paper / cardboard (uncoated): Naturally compostable without certification. However, if the paper is printed, the inks must be food-safe and compost-safe. Water-based and soy-based inks are standard for certified compostable paper packaging.
How to Verify Supplier Claims
The compostable packaging market has a significant greenwashing problem. Many suppliers use terms like “eco-friendly,” “biodegradable,” or “compostable” without holding any certification. Here’s how to verify claims:
Ask for the certificate number. Every certified product has a unique certificate number issued by the certification body. Ask your supplier to provide this number, then verify it directly with the issuing organization.
Check the databases. BPI maintains its product database at bpiworld.org. TÜV Austria publishes certified products at their OK Compost database. European Bioplastics lists Seedling-certified products. If the product isn’t in these databases, the certification claim is likely false.
Verify the scope of certification. A manufacturer might have one product line certified but apply the logo to their entire catalog. Certification applies to specific products, materials, and production processes — not to an entire company. Confirm that the specific product you’re ordering is covered by the certificate.
Watch for expired certifications. Certifications must be renewed periodically. A certificate from 2020 may no longer be valid in 2026 if the manufacturer hasn’t renewed it or if the standard has been updated. Check the validity dates on any certificates provided.
Need certified compostable packaging? GQ TH Pack supplies bagasse containers, PLA cups, and paper packaging with EN 13432 and BPI/ASTM D6400 certifications. We provide certificate copies with every order so you can verify compliance for your market. Contact us with your market requirements, and we’ll recommend the right certified products for your needs.