ASTM D6400 Industrial Compostable Standard Explained
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ASTM D6400 is the primary U.S. standard used to determine whether plastic products and packaging are suitable for industrial composting.
It defines how compostable plastics must biodegrade, disintegrate, and remain environmentally safe under controlled composting conditions. The standard is widely referenced by certification bodies, regulators, retailers, and composting facilities across the United States.
This page explains what ASTM D6400 is, how testing works, what the standard covers, and how it fits into U.S. compostable packaging compliance.
What Is the ASTM D6400 Standard?
ASTM D6400 is a specification developed by ASTM International for plastics designed to be industrially compostable.
In simple terms, it confirms that a plastic product can:
Break down in commercial composting facilities
Fully disintegrate during composting
Leave no harmful residues in the final compost
ASTM D6400 applies to finished products, such as compostable bags, films, and packaging—not just raw materials.
In the U.S., ASTM D6400 is the technical foundation for most industrial compostability claims.
What Types of Products Does ASTM D6400 Apply To?
ASTM D6400 is commonly used for:
- Compostable trash bags and bin liners
- Compostable food waste bags
- Compostable packaging films
- Compostable mailers and flexible packaging
The standard is not intended for home composting. Products designed for backyard composting require different criteria.
Key Testing Requirements Under ASTM D6400
To comply with ASTM D6400, a product must pass several strict tests that evaluate both composting performance and environmental safety.
Biodegradation Performance
The material must demonstrate high levels of biodegradation under controlled industrial composting conditions.
Target: approximately 90% conversion to carbon dioxide, water, and biomass
Timeframe: within defined composting periods
This confirms that the product truly breaks down rather than fragmenting into microplastics.
Disintegration During Composting
The product must physically fall apart during composting.
After composting, no visible plastic fragments should remain
Remaining particles must be small enough not to contaminate compost
This ensures the product does not interfere with compost quality.
Ecotoxicity and Compost Quality
The resulting compost must be safe for the environment.
Testing verifies that compost:
- Supports normal plant growth
- Shows no toxic effects
- Meets strict limits for heavy metals
This protects soil health and agricultural use.
Finished Product Testing Matters
A key requirement of ASTM D6400 is that testing applies to the final product configuration.
Factors that affect compliance include:
- Film thickness
- Printing inks and pigments
- Adhesives and coatings
- Additives and fillers
- Multi-layer structures
A raw material may pass compostability tests, while the finished product fails once these variables are introduced.
👉 Related reading: Why material-level certification is not enough
ASTM D6400 and Industrial Composting Facilities
ASTM D6400 is designed around commercial composting systems, which typically operate at:
- Higher temperatures than home composting
- Controlled moisture and aeration
- Defined processing cycles
Composting facilities rely on ASTM D6400–based standards to prevent contamination and maintain compost quality.
ASTM D6400 vs Other Compostable Standards
ASTM D6400 is often compared with other international compostable standards.
In broad terms:
- ASTM D6400 : United States (industrial composting)
- EN 13432 : European Union (industrial composting)
- AS 4736 : Australia (industrial composting)
- AS 5810 : Home composting (Australia)
Although testing methods are similar, certification and acceptance are market-specific.
Related comparison: EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400 vs AS 4736
How ASTM D6400 Is Used in U.S. Compliance
ASTM D6400 plays an important role in U.S. compostable packaging compliance, including:
Certification programs (such as BPI)
Retailer sustainability requirements
Composting facility acceptance policies
State and local compostable labeling rules
Using ASTM D6400–based standards helps reduce greenwashing risks and supports consistent composting outcomes.
👉 For certification details, see: BPI certification
Common Compliance Risks and Misunderstandings
Common issues related to ASTM D6400 include:
Assuming material certification equals product certification
Using “biodegradable” claims without compostability testing
Ignoring product thickness or printing impacts
Failing to verify certification scope
These mistakes often lead to audit failures or product rejection.
👉 Practical tool: Compostable packaging compliance checklist
Limitations of ASTM D6400 in Real-World Systems
While ASTM D6400 confirms compostability under standardized conditions, real composting systems can vary.
Factors such as:
- Shorter processing times
- Lower operating temperatures
- Facility-specific acceptance rules
may affect actual performance. Certification confirms suitability, but final acceptance depends on local composting practices.
FAQ
No. “Biodegradable” is a vague term. ASTM D6400 is a defined industrial compostable standard based on testing.
No. Home composting requires separate standards.
It is primarily used in the U.S., though some international buyers reference it for comparison.
No. Acceptance depends on local composting facilities and regulations.
