How to Choose the Right Compostable Packaging Certification
Compostable packaging is covered by multiple standards and certification programs rather than one universal global certification.
The correct choice depends on where the product will be sold, whether it is intended for industrial or home composting, and whether the certification covers the actual finished-product configuration.
This guide explains the major compostability standards and certification programs, how they differ, and what buyers should verify before sourcing compostable bags or packaging.
Quick Answer: Which Compostability Standard or Certification Route Do I Need?
There is no single certification that applies to every compostable product or market.
As a general starting point:
| Target Use | Common Technical Standard | Certification Route / Scheme Example |
|---|---|---|
| European industrial composting | EN 13432 | OK compost INDUSTRIAL by TÜV AUSTRIA or another applicable certification route |
| North American commercial composting | ASTM D6400 | BPI Commercial Compostability Certification |
| North American home composting | NF T 51-800 may form part of the applicable certification framework | BPI Commercial & Home Compostability Certification, where applicable |
| Australian commercial composting | AS 4736 | ABA certification where applicable |
| Australian home composting | AS 5810 | ABA certification where applicable |
| Home composting in other markets | Depends on the applicable market and scheme | OK compost HOME by TÜV AUSTRIA or another applicable home-compost certification |
| Coated or certain fiber-based structures | Product-specific ASTM or other applicable requirements may apply | Confirm the certification route for the exact finished-product structure |
The certification should match the intended composting environment, target market and exact finished product.
Certification also does not automatically mean that every municipal program, organics collector or composting facility will accept the product. Local acceptance requirements should be checked separately.
BPI currently operates separate commercial and home-compostability certification schemes; its home program is built on top of commercial certification, so commercial BPI certification alone should not be interpreted as proof of home compostability.
Why Compostable Certifications Exist
Terms such as biodegradable, plant based or eco-friendly do not by themselves define the conditions under which a product will break down.
Compostability standards and certification programs provide a more structured way to evaluate questions such as:
- Under what composting conditions is the product intended to break down?
- Does the product biodegrade and physically disintegrate within the applicable test framework?
- Are ecotoxicity and regulated-element requirements addressed?
- Does the assessment apply to the material or to the finished product?
- Can the certification claim be independently verified?
For industrial compostability, major standards typically address biodegradation, disintegration, ecotoxicity and regulated substances, although exact test requirements and scope differ between standards.
Compostability Standard vs Certification: What Is the Difference?
A standard defines technical requirements, test methods or acceptance criteria.
A certification program evaluates eligible products against applicable requirements and may authorize the use of a certification mark.
For example:
| Type | Example | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | EN 13432 | Defines requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation |
| Standard | ASTM D6400 | Used for assessing commercially compostable plastics |
| Standard | AS 4736 | Australian standard for commercial compostability |
| Standard | AS 5810 | Australian standard for home compostability |
| Certification program | BPI Certification | Third-party certification using applicable compostability requirements |
| Certification scheme | OK compost INDUSTRIAL | TÜV AUSTRIA certification for industrial compostability |
| Certification scheme | OK compost HOME | TÜV AUSTRIA certification for home compostability |
EN 13432 is specifically a packaging standard, while ASTM D6400 applies to plastics; their scopes should not be treated as identical simply because both concern industrial compostability.
Buyers should therefore ask two separate questions: Which standard applies to this product?
and Which certification or official listing verifies the product being purchased?
Industrial vs Home Composting: The Core Distinction
One of the most important certification decisions is whether the product is intended for industrial/commercial composting or home composting.
Industrial Composting
Industrial composting systems operate under managed processing conditions, including controlled temperature, moisture, aeration and processing cycles.
Common standards and certification schemes include:
- EN 13432
- ASTM D6400
- AS 4736
- OK compost INDUSTRIAL
- BPI Commercial Compostability Certification
Home Composting
Home composting normally operates at lower and less consistent temperatures than industrial composting.
Common home-compost certification routes include:
- OK compost HOME
- AS 5810
- BPI Commercial & Home Compostability Certification, where applicable
TÜV AUSTRIA explicitly treats OK compost INDUSTRIAL and OK compost HOME as separate schemes; a product certified only for industrial composting should not automatically be treated as suitable for garden or home composting.
Industrial compostable does not automatically mean home compostable.
Major Compostability Standards & Certification Programs
| Standard / Program | Main Market / Use | Composting Environment | What Buyers Should Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 13432 | Europe / packaging | Industrial | European standard covering packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation |
| OK compost INDUSTRIAL | Europe / international | Industrial | TÜV AUSTRIA certification scheme based on industrial-compostability requirements |
| OK compost HOME | International | Home | Separate TÜV AUSTRIA home-compost certification scheme |
| ASTM D6400 | North America | Commercial / industrial | Base ASTM standard used by BPI for commercial certification |
| ASTM D6868 | North America | Commercial / industrial | May apply to eligible products incorporating compostable coatings or additives with substrates |
| BPI Certification | North America | Commercial; separate home program available | Third-party certification with searchable product listings |
| AS 4736 | Australia | Commercial / industrial | Australian commercial-compostability standard |
| AS 5810 | Australia | Home | Australian home-compostability standard |
BPI currently uses ASTM D6400 as the base assessment standard for its Commercial Compostability Certification Program. Optional assessment to ASTM D6868 and/or ASTM D8410 is available for eligible product structures under BPI’s current certification scheme.
ASTM D8410 assessment is limited to eligible cellulosic-fiber-based substrates under BPI’s current requirements.
BPI’s separate Home Compostability Certification Program is based on NF T 51-800, and commercial compostability certification is a prerequisite for home certification.
For detailed technical differences between EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and AS 4736, see our EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400 vs AS 4736 comparison.
How to Choose the Right Compostable Certification
Instead of choosing certification based only on material type, buyers should work through four questions.
Step 1 — Identify the Target Market
Start with where the finished product will actually be sold or used.
Requirements and commonly recognized certification schemes differ between Europe, North America, Australia and other markets.
A product intended for several markets may require more than one certification route or separate market-specific configurations.
Step 2 — Identify the Intended Composting Environment
Determine whether the product is intended for:
- commercial or industrial composting;
- municipal organics collection;
- food-waste or organics programs;
- home composting; or
- another defined disposal route.
Do not select a home-compost certification simply because the material is compostable, and do not assume an industrial certification proves home-compostability.
Step 3 — Confirm the Finished-Product Configuration
Certification should be checked against the product buyers will actually receive.
Relevant variables can include:
- material formulation;
- bag thickness;
- dimensions;
- film color;
- masterbatch;
- printing inks;
- coatings;
- adhesives;
- labels; and
- finished-product structure.
Changing one or more of these variables may affect certification scope.
Step 4 — Confirm Local Acceptance and Marking Requirements
Certification and local acceptance are separate questions.
Before procurement, also check requirements from:
- composting facilities;
- councils or municipalities;
- organics collection programs;
- waste contractors;
- retailers;
- distributors; and
- tender specifications.
A technically certified product should not automatically be described as accepted by every waste system.
Does Certified Raw Material Mean the Finished Bag Is Certified?
No.
Certification of a resin or raw material does not automatically mean every finished product manufactured from that material is covered by the same certification.
The finished bag may differ because of:
- formulation;
- thickness;
- pigments or masterbatch;
- printing inks;
- additives;
- coatings;
- adhesives or labels; and
- final construction.
For example, TÜV AUSTRIA’s industrial-compostability information specifically notes that final-product characteristics such as shape affect disintegration and that components, inks and additives are relevant to certification.
Before purchasing, buyers should confirm that the relevant certificate or official listing covers the finished-product configuration being supplied.
What Certification Evidence Should Buyers Request?
Before approving a compostable packaging supplier, request enough information to verify the certification claim independently.
Check:
- Current certificate or official product listing
- Certificate holder or licensed company name
- Certification or license number
- Product Type, product family, SKU or other certified scope covered, as applicable
- Applicable thickness, color and printed configuration
- Permitted certification-mark use where relevant
- Current certification status
- Target-market and local acceptance requirements
Where an official searchable database exists, use it.
For example, BPI’s public product catalog can be searched by company, product, SKU or keyword, and it distinguishes products with home-compostability certification from commercial-only listings. BPIWorld TÜV AUSTRIA likewise provides a certified-product database and certificate checking resources.
Common Compostable Certification Mistakes
“Biodegradable means compostable.”
No.
A generic biodegradable claim does not by itself specify a defined composting environment, certification standard or disposal route.
“Industrial compostable means home compostable.”
No.
Home compostability requires separate evaluation under applicable home-compost requirements.
“One certification works everywhere.”
No.
Standards, certification schemes, labeling rules and organics-collection requirements differ between markets.
“A certification means every composter accepts the product.”
No.
Certification verifies product characteristics against a defined scheme or standard. Acceptance remains dependent on the receiving composting or waste-management system.
Can One Product Be Certified for Multiple Markets?
Potentially, but it should not be assumed.
A product intended for several markets may need to satisfy different standards, certification programs, marking rules and finished-product requirements.
For example, a manufacturer developing one bag for European, North American and Australian buyers may need to consider:
- EN 13432-related requirements;
- ASTM / BPI requirements;
- AS 4736 requirements;
- the same finished thickness and formulation;
- printing and color limitations;
- permitted certification marks; and
- local organics-program acceptance.
In some projects, one configuration may support several certification requirements. In others, separate market-specific SKUs may be more practical.
Compostable Certification Buyer Checklist
Before approving a compostable bag or packaging project, confirm:
| Check | Buyer Question |
|---|---|
| Target market | Where will the finished product be sold or used? |
| Composting environment | Industrial/commercial or home composting? |
| Applicable standard | Which technical standard applies? |
| Certification program | Which third party verifies the product? |
| Finished-product scope | Does the listing cover the actual bag specification? |
| Printing / color | Are the required inks and colors within scope? |
| Mark use | Can the required certification logo be used on this product? |
| Local acceptance | Will the target collection or composting system accept it? |
| Documentation | Is the current certificate or official listing available? |
This checklist should be completed before artwork, certification marks or disposal claims are finalized.
Related Compostability Standards & Certification Pages
Use the following pages when you need technical details about a specific standard or certification rather than general certification-selection guidance.
FAQ
No. BPI currently offers Commercial Only certification as well as a Commercial & Home certification route. Home compostability should be verified specifically and should not be assumed from a commercial-only BPI listing.
No. EN 13432 is a European standard for compostable packaging, while OK compost INDUSTRIAL is a TÜV AUSTRIA certification scheme that uses industrial-compostability requirements including EN 13432.
No. AS 4736 addresses commercial compostability, while AS 5810 addresses home compostability. They represent different composting environments.
Not automatically. Buyers should verify that the exact finished-product configuration is within the applicable certificate or official product listing.
No. Certification and facility acceptance are separate. Local collection and processing requirements should also be confirmed.
Key Takeaway
There is no single global compostable packaging certification.
The correct certification depends on:
Target market + composting environment + finished-product scope + local acceptance
Buyers should identify the applicable standard, verify the finished product through the appropriate certification program, and confirm local disposal requirements before approving packaging claims or certification marks.
For a broader reference to major certification programs and official verification resources, visit our Compostable Certifications Guide & Verification page.
