If you are buying compostable packaging for the EU, you may already know the name EN 13432.
You may also have heard much more about PPWR, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
This creates a common question:
If my compostable bag has EN 13432 certification, does that mean it is PPWR compliant?
The short answer is no—not by itself.
EN 13432 and PPWR are connected, but they do different jobs.
EN 13432 is a technical standard used to assess whether packaging can break down under controlled industrial composting conditions.
PPWR is a much wider EU regulation. It covers areas such as packaging design, recyclability, compostability, labelling, technical documentation, traceability and other requirements for packaging placed on the EU market.
This difference matters when you are choosing a supplier.
A certificate can answer one question.
It may not answer the whole compliance question.
In this guide, I will explain PPWR vs EN 13432 from a practical sourcing point of view: what each one means, how they work together, and what EU buyers should check before approving compostable packaging.
If you first need a wider overview of the new EU rules, read our PPWR compostable packaging guide.
PPWR vs EN 13432 at a Glance
The easiest way to understand EN 13432 vs PPWR is to separate a regulation from a technical standard.
| Question | PPWR | EN 13432 |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | EU Regulation | European technical standard |
| Full name | Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation | Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation |
| Main role | Regulates packaging placed on the EU market | Tests industrial compostability |
| Covers compostability? | Yes, for relevant packaging | Yes |
| Covers biodegradation testing? | Through technical standards and evidence | Yes |
| Covers disintegration? | Through relevant technical requirements | Yes |
| Covers recyclability? | Yes | No |
| Covers packaging minimisation? | Yes | No |
| Covers labelling requirements? | Yes | Not the full PPWR labelling framework |
| Covers technical documentation? | Yes | No |
| Requires an EU Declaration of Conformity? | Yes, where PPWR requirements apply | No |
| Does EN 13432 prove full PPWR compliance? | — | No |
A simple way to remember it is:
EN 13432 asks whether packaging can meet defined industrial composting criteria.
PPWR asks whether packaging meets the wider EU rules that apply to placing that packaging on the market.
That is the main difference.
What Is PPWR?
PPWR stands for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, formally Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
The Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and generally applies from 12 August 2026.
It replaces the old Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and creates a more harmonised framework for packaging across the EU.
PPWR covers much more than compostability.
Depending on the packaging, it may address:
- substances in packaging;
- recyclability;
- recycled content;
- biobased feedstock;
- compostability;
- packaging minimisation;
- reusable packaging;
- labelling;
- technical documentation;
- traceability;
- conformity assessment.
For compostable packaging buyers, Article 9 of PPWR is especially important.
But Article 9 does not say that all packaging should become compostable.
It creates specific pathways for different types of packaging.
That distinction is important.
You can read our full PPWR compostable packaging guide if you need a broader explanation of Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
External source: Regulation (EU) 2025/40 — EUR-Lex
What Is EN 13432?
EN 13432 is a European standard used to assess packaging intended for industrial composting.
In practical terms, it looks at whether packaging can break down under defined composting conditions without leaving unacceptable effects on the final compost.
The standard covers areas such as:
- biodegradation;
- disintegration;
- limits for certain substances and heavy metals;
- effects on compost quality.
This is why EN 13432 has become an important reference for industrial compostable packaging in Europe.
But there is an important limit.
EN 13432 is not a complete packaging regulation.
It does not, by itself, determine every requirement related to recyclability, PPWR labelling, packaging minimisation, technical documentation or EU market responsibilities.
If you want the detailed testing requirements behind the standard, see our EN 13432 standard guide for compostable packaging.
You can also review our EN 13432 certification iformation when checking certification scope and product coverage.
What Is the Difference Between PPWR and EN 13432?
This is where many sourcing discussions become confusing.
A buyer may say:
“My supplier has EN 13432, so the packaging is PPWR compliant.”
That conclusion is too broad.
Think of the relationship this way.
EN 13432 is a test framework for compostability
It helps answer questions such as:
- Does the packaging biodegrade under industrial composting conditions?
- Does it disintegrate as required?
- Does it meet relevant limits?
- Does it have an unacceptable effect on compost quality?
PPWR is a legal framework for packaging
PPWR asks wider questions:
- What type of packaging is this?
- Is compostability required for this application?
- Should this packaging instead follow a material-recycling pathway?
- What technical evidence is required?
- How should it be labelled?
- What information must the manufacturer keep?
- What must an importer verify before placing it on the EU market?
This is why PPWR EN 13432 compliance should not be treated as one simple certificate check.
The standard is one part of the picture.
The Regulation is the wider frame around it.
Does EN 13432 Certification Mean PPWR Compliant?
No. EN 13432 certification alone does not prove full PPWR compliance.
This is probably the most important point on this page.
The European Commission’s 2026 PPWR Guidance explains that the existing EN 13432 standard can continue to be used as guidance until the new standard is adopted.
However, the Commission also explains that a presumption of conformity with the new harmonised compostability requirements will only be available once the relevant harmonised standards are formally listed in the Official Journal of the European Union.
In simple words:
EN 13432 still matters.
But:
EN 13432 certificate ≠ complete PPWR approval.
PPWR Article 9(6) requires European standardisation organisations to prepare or update harmonised standards that provide detailed technical specifications for compostable packaging. It also requires work on home-compostability standards.
So when you see a supplier say:
“Our bags are EN 13432 certified, therefore fully PPWR compliant.”
ask for more detail.
A better question is:
Which PPWR requirements apply to this finished packaging, and what evidence supports each one?
That is a much safer purchasing question.
External source: European Commission PPWR Guidance, 2026
How EN 13432 Fits Into PPWR Article 9
Article 9 is the PPWR section dealing with compostable packaging.
It is important because it separates packaging into different paths.
Some packaging must meet compostability requirements
By 12 February 2028, packaging referred to in Article 3(1)(1)(f), together with sticky labels attached to fruit and vegetables, must be compatible with industrially controlled composting in bio-waste treatment facilities.
This includes certain permeable tea, coffee and other beverage bags and certain soft single-serve units intended to be used and disposed of together with the product.
Member States may require some additional packaging to be compostable
Where suitable bio-waste collection and treatment systems exist, Member States may require certain additional packaging to be compostable.
This can include certain non-metal beverage-system packaging as well as very lightweight and lightweight plastic carrier bags.
This matters for buyers of compostable shopping bags and some produce bag formats.
The exact answer can depend on the target Member State.
Other biodegradable packaging follows a different path
This is the part buyers should not miss.
Article 9(3) states that by 12 February 2028, packaging outside the Article 9(1) and Article 9(2) cases—including packaging made from biodegradable plastic polymers and other biodegradable materials—must be designed for material recycling in accordance with Article 6, without affecting other recycling streams.
So PPWR does not say:
“If a package is compostable, it is automatically the preferred option.”
Instead, you first need to identify which regulatory pathway applies.
That is especially important for compostable mailers and other packaging that does not normally enter a bio-waste collection stream.
Does PPWR Replace EN 13432?
No.
PPWR and EN 13432 are not direct replacements for each other.
PPWR is legislation.
EN 13432 is a technical standard.
However, the relationship is changing.
The European Commission has asked European standardisation organisations to prepare or update harmonised standards for compostable packaging under Article 9(6).
Until the new standard is adopted, the Commission’s PPWR Guidance says the existing EN 13432 can be used as guidance.
For an EU buyer in 2026, that means you should still take EN 13432 evidence seriously.
But do not stop there.
Check the wider PPWR requirements as well.
EN 13432 Certificate: Raw Material vs Finished Packaging
This is where I see one of the most common sourcing mistakes.
A buyer asks:
“Do you have EN 13432?”
The supplier sends a certificate for a resin or base material.
The buyer sees the certificate and thinks the finished printed bag is covered.
That may not be true.
A compostable bag is more than its main resin.
A finished product may include:
- PBAT;
- PLA;
- starch;
- additives;
- colour masterbatch;
- printing ink;
- adhesive;
- labels;
- closures;
- different film thicknesses.
Changing one part of the finished construction may change the certification question.
A simple example
Imagine you are buying a 20 μm green compostable shopping bag with black logo printing.
Your supplier gives you an EN 13432 document for the base resin.
You should not stop there.
Ask:
- Does the certificate cover the finished film?
- Does it cover the 20 μm thickness?
- Is the green colour masterbatch within the approved scope?
- Is the printing ink covered or separately assessed?
- Does the certification apply to the finished bag?
- Is the certificate still valid?
- Which certification body issued it?
This is a much stronger review than asking only:
“Do you use compostable material?”
Our EN 13432 certification page explains why certification scope should be checked against the actual finished product.
Why the Finished Packaging Matters
PPWR itself places emphasis on packaging as the product being placed on the market.
Under Article 15, manufacturers must ensure that packaging placed on the market conforms with the applicable requirements in Articles 5 to 12.
Before placing packaging on the market, manufacturers must carry out the applicable conformity assessment and prepare the technical documentation required under Annex VII.
This means a material certificate can be useful evidence.
But it is not the same thing as the complete technical file for the finished packaging.
For an importer, this distinction matters too.
Article 18 requires importers to check that the conformity assessment has been carried out, that the manufacturer has prepared the required technical documentation, that required labelling is present and that the packaging is accompanied by the necessary documents.
For B2B sourcing, I would therefore separate two questions:
Question 1: Is the material compostable?
and
Question 2: Is the finished packaging correctly documented for its intended EU application?
You need both answers.
What Buyers Should Check Beyond an EN 13432 Certificate
An EN 13432 certificate is useful.
But your supplier review should go further.
1. Intended use
Start with the application.
Is the product:
- a produce bag;
- a supermarket carrier bag;
- a food packaging bag;
- an e-commerce mailer;
- a garment bag;
- another packaging format?
The PPWR pathway may change with the application.
2. Target market
Do not write only:
“EU market”
in your RFQ.
Tell the supplier the actual country.
France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands may share PPWR, but Member States can still have national rules in areas where PPWR gives them options.
This is particularly important for some compostable carrier bags.
3. Certificate scope
Check:
- certificate holder;
- certification body;
- certificate number;
- validity date;
- product type;
- thickness range;
- colour;
- printing;
- additives;
- other conditions.
A certificate should match the product you plan to buy.
4. Printing ink
Printing is easy to overlook.
Your plain film may be within an approved compostability system.
Your final bag may have one, two or more printed colours.
Ask whether the ink system is covered by the certification or assessment used for the finished packaging.
5. Colour masterbatch and additives
A custom Pantone colour is not just a visual change.
Colour masterbatch becomes part of the finished product.
The same applies to other additives.
Ask before mass production, not after your artwork is approved.
6. Industrial vs home composting
These are not the same claim.
EN 13432 is linked to industrial compostability.
If you want to print a home compostable claim, you need evidence that supports home composting under the relevant standard or certification scheme.
Our compostable certification uide compares industrial and home-composting certifications for different markets.
7. Waste-management route
A compostability certificate does not guarantee that every city will collect the packaging through its bio-waste system.
Local acceptance still matters.
This is why I recommend checking the target waste route before the bag artwork is final.
What PPWR Documents Should EU Buyers Ask Suppliers For?
This is where PPWR vs EN 13432 becomes a practical purchasing issue.
EN 13432 evidence answers part of the compostability question.
PPWR introduces a wider documentation framework.
Article 15 requires manufacturers to prepare technical documentation under Annex VII and, when conformity with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated, prepare an EU Declaration of Conformity under Article 39.
For single-use packaging, the manufacturer generally keeps the technical documentation and EU Declaration of Conformity for five years after the packaging is placed on the market.
As a buyer or importer, you may therefore need to discuss documents such as:
Compostability evidence
- EN 13432 certificate or test evidence;
- certification scope;
- industrial-compostability information;
- relevant finished-product test reports.
Product documents
- material specification;
- finished-bag specification;
- thickness;
- dimensions;
- printing specification;
- colour-masterbatch information;
- ink information where relevant.
PPWR documentation
- applicable Annex VII technical documentation;
- conformity-assessment information;
- EU Declaration of Conformity;
- product identification;
- traceability information;
- required packaging information and labelling.
Other application-specific documents
For example:
- food-contact documents for applicable produce or food packaging;
- national market documentation;
- retailer-specific requirements;
- tender documentation.
Do not ask every supplier for a random folder full of certificates.
Ask for documents that match the actual product and market.
External source: PPWR Articles 15, 18, 38 and 39 — EU-Lex
PPWR vs EN 13432 for Different Compostable Bag Applications
The relationship between EN 13432 certification and PPWR becomes easier to understand when we look at real products.
Compostable Produce Bags
A produce bag may be used for loose fruit and vegetables in supermarkets.
Article 9 specifically refers to sticky labels attached to fruit and vegetables. This does not mean every produce bag must automatically be compostable.
Some produce bag formats may also fall within rules for very lightweight or lightweight plastic carrier bags, depending on their design, thickness and use.
For a produce bag project, review:
- country;
- bag thickness;
- intended use;
- food-contact requirements;
- compostability evidence;
- local carrier-bag rules.
If you are sourcing this format, see our compostable produce bags wholesale page.
Compostable Shopping Bags
Carrier bags require close attention to Member State rules.
PPWR Article 9 allows Member States, under defined waste-management conditions, to require very lightweight and lightweight plastic carrier bags to be compostable.
That means you should not assume that one bag specification works for the whole EU.
Confirm the country first.
Then confirm:
- thickness;
- handle type;
- compostability claim;
- certification scope;
- printing;
- disposal wording.
Our compostable shopping bags guide explains the main formats and sourcing questions.
Compostable Mailer Bags
Compostable mailers need a different review.
E-commerce mailers are not among the packaging types specifically required to be compostable under Article 9(1).
And Article 9(3) says other biodegradable packaging must move toward material-recycling design by 12 February 2028.
So an EN 13432 certificate does not automatically make a compostable mailer PPWR compliant.
For an EU e-commerce project, review:
- material-recycling pathway;
- target country;
- packaging design;
- labelling;
- environmental claims;
- technical documentation;
- end-of-life route.
You can view our compostable mailer bags for available B2B formats, but the regulatory path should be checked for the intended market before finalising the specification.
Compostable Food-Waste Liners
A separate point is worth making here.
Not every compostable bag is necessarily “packaging” under PPWR.
A standalone food-waste liner may need to be assessed first to determine whether it falls within the PPWR packaging definition.
Local bio-waste collection rules and compostability standards can still be very important even where PPWR is not the main framework.
This is why product classification should come before claims.
Buyer Checklist Before Ordering Compostable Packaging
Before approving a compostable packaging supplier for an EU project, I suggest checking the following.
Product
- What exactly is the packaging used for?
- Is it packaging under PPWR?
- Which Article 9 pathway applies?
- What country will it enter?
Certification
- Is the certificate for raw material or finished packaging?
- Does the certificate cover the film thickness?
- Does it cover the colour?
- Does it cover printing?
- Is the certificate current?
- Can it be independently verified?
Technical specification
- Film structure
- Thickness
- Size
- Colour
- Printing
- Ink
- Additives
- Packaging format
PPWR documents
- Technical documentation
- Conformity-assessment information
- EU Declaration of Conformity
- Traceability information
- Applicable labelling information
Local requirements
- Waste collection route
- Member State requirements
- Retailer requirements
- Food-contact requirements, if relevant
- Local environmental-claim rules
One certificate should not replace this review.
A Practical Example: Two Suppliers With the Same EN 13432 Claim
Imagine you receive quotations from two factories.
Both say:
EN 13432 compostable bags available.
Supplier A sends one raw-material certificate and a price.
Supplier B sends:
- certificate details;
- product specification;
- thickness range;
- printing information;
- certificate-scope explanation;
- material information;
- traceability information;
- documentation relevant to your target market.
The bags may even use similar materials.
But from a B2B purchasing point of view, these are not the same offer.
The second supplier gives you more information to review before making a claim or placing the product on the market.
That does not mean more paperwork is always better.
It means the paperwork should match the product.
How ORIZON Supports EU Compostable Bag Buyers
At ORIZON, we manufacture compostable bags for B2B buyers, including importers, distributors, private-label brands and packaging companies.
We have worked in compostable bag manufacturing for more than 16 years.
Our production facility covers about 20,000 m², with 16 automatic production lines and monthly production capacity of around 500 tons.
We manufacture product formats including:
- compostable garbage bags;
- compostable shopping bags;
- compostable produce bags;
- compostable mailers;
- compostable garment bags;
- dog waste bags;
- custom OEM bag formats.
But I do not think a factory should answer every compliance question with:
“Yes, we have a certificate.”
A better process starts with your project.
We first need to know:
- What bag are you sourcing?
- Which country will you sell it in?
- What thickness do you need?
- Will the bag be printed?
- Which compostability claim do you want to make?
- What documents does your importer, retailer or distributor require?
Then the product specification and documentation can be reviewed together.
For private-label projects, you can see our OEM compostable bags manufacturing service.
For a wider view of available certified product categories, see our certified compostable bags.
Certification and regulatory suitability should always be confirmed for the specific finished product, intended use and target market.
FAQ
What is the difference between PPWR and EN 13432?
PPWR is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It sets wider legal requirements for packaging placed on the EU market.
EN 13432 is a technical standard used to assess industrial compostability.
EN 13432 can support a compostability claim, but it does not cover every PPWR requirement.
Does EN 13432 certification mean PPWR compliant?
No.
An EN 13432 certificate does not automatically prove full PPWR compliance.
The packaging must also be reviewed against the PPWR requirements that apply to its type, use, design, labelling and documentation.
Is EN 13432 mandatory under PPWR?
PPWR requires certain packaging under Article 9 to be compatible with industrial composting standards from 12 February 2028.
The Commission has requested new or updated harmonised compostability standards.
Until the new standard is adopted, the Commission’s 2026 Guidance says the existing EN 13432 can be used as guidance.
Does PPWR replace EN 13432?
No.
PPWR is legislation, while EN 13432 is a technical standard.
The Commission is updating the standards framework used to support PPWR compostability requirements.
Is EN 13432 for industrial or home composting?
EN 13432 is associated with industrial compostability.
Home composting takes place under different conditions and requires separate technical evidence or certification.
Do not use “home compostable” simply because a product has EN 13432 evidence.
Does a raw-material EN 13432 certificate cover the finished bag?
Not automatically.
You need to check the certificate scope.
Film thickness, inks, masterbatch, additives, adhesives and other components can matter when assessing the finished product.
Do printing inks matter for compostable packaging certification?
Yes, they can.
Printing ink becomes part of the finished package.
If a bag is printed, ask whether the certification or assessment used for the product covers the relevant ink system and printing conditions.
What documents should an EU buyer ask a compostable packaging supplier for?
Depending on the product, ask for relevant compostability evidence, finished-product specifications, material information, technical documentation, conformity information, traceability records and the EU Declaration of Conformity where applicable.
The required document set should match the actual packaging and target market.
Can an EN 13432 certified compostable mailer be called PPWR compliant?
Not automatically.
Compostable mailers are not specifically required to be compostable under Article 9(1), and Article 9(3) creates a material-recycling pathway for other biodegradable packaging by 12 February 2028.
The mailer’s complete PPWR position therefore needs to be assessed beyond its compostability certificate.
Does EN 13432 cover PPWR recyclability requirements?
No.
EN 13432 addresses compostability.
PPWR recyclability requirements are a separate part of the Regulation.
This is one reason why EN 13432 certification should not be treated as a complete PPWR compliance certificate.
Conclusion
The difference between PPWR vs EN 13432 is easier to understand when you stop treating them as two competing certificates.
They are not.
EN 13432 is a technical standard for industrial compostability.
PPWR is the wider EU legal framework for packaging.
For buyers, the practical lesson is simple.
Do not ask only:
“Does this material have EN 13432?”
Ask:
“What evidence applies to the finished packaging I am actually buying?”
Then check the product, certification scope, intended use, target market, PPWR pathway and required technical documents.
That gives you a much clearer basis for sourcing compostable packaging in Europe.
If you are reviewing a private-label or wholesale compostable bag project, you can send us your target country, bag type, size, thickness, printing requirements and expected order quantity.
We can then review the product specification and available certification documents with you before production.
This article provides general information for packaging buyers and does not constitute legal advice. Product requirements can depend on the packaging type, intended use, Member State and applicable EU rules.
