How to Verify an EN 13432 Certificate
Table of Contents
An EN 13432-related certificate should be verified before a buyer approves compostable packaging, supplier documentation, retail artwork or certification claims.
A valid-looking logo or PDF alone is not enough.
To verify a certificate properly, check the certificate holder, certification body, certificate or registration number, validity status, official database record, certified scope and permitted certification-mark use.
Most importantly, confirm that the certificate actually applies to the material or finished product you are purchasing.
For technical EN 13432 testing requirements, biodegradation and disintegration criteria, see:
For ORIZON’s current certificate references and validity information:
EN 13432 Certificate Verification at a Glance
Before accepting an EN 13432-related certification document, verify these key points:
| Verification Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Certificate holder | Legal entity named on the certificate |
| Certification body | Independent organisation operating the certification scheme |
| Certificate/reference number | Unique, traceable reference |
| Validity | Current and not expired, withdrawn or suspended |
| Official record | Matches the issuing body’s database or verification records where available |
| Certified scope | Material, intermediate or finished product actually covered |
| Technical limits | Thickness, formulation, additives or construction restrictions |
| Composting environment | Industrial composting, not confused with home compostability |
| Logo use | Certification mark is authorised for the relevant product and brand arrangement |
A certificate can be genuine and still be irrelevant to the exact product being purchased if the certified scope does not match the specification.
Step 1: Confirm the Certificate Holder
The certification document should clearly identify the certificate or registration holder.
Check the legal company name carefully.
The holder shown on the certificate may be:
- the material manufacturer;
- film producer;
- packaging manufacturer;
- converter;
- product manufacturer; or
- another company responsible for the certified product.
The name should be consistent with the supplier’s legal company information or there should be a documented relationship between the certificate holder and the company supplying the product.
Why this matters
A supplier may show a valid certificate belonging to another company without clearly explaining the relationship.
That does not automatically prove that the supplier’s finished product is covered.
For B2B purchasing, ask:
Who is the certificate holder, and what is the documented relationship between that holder and the product I am buying?
Step 2: Identify the Certification Body and Scheme
EN 13432 is a technical European standard.
It is not one single certification programme operated by one central authority.
Independent certification bodies operate certification schemes based on EN 13432 and related testing requirements.
Examples of commonly recognised industrial-compostability schemes include:
- DIN CERTCO certification associated with EN 13432;
- Seedling certification;
- TÜV Austria OK compost INDUSTRIAL.
The certificate should therefore identify not only EN 13432, but also the certification body or scheme responsible for the assessment.
Do not confuse:
EN 13432 = technical standard
with:
Seedling / DIN CERTCO / OK compost INDUSTRIAL = certification schemes or marks associated with industrial compostability assessment.
Step 3: Check the Certificate Number and Validity
A certification document should contain a traceable certificate, registration or licence reference.
Check:
- certificate or registration number;
- issue date where applicable;
- expiry or validity date;
- current certification status.
A certificate that has expired, been withdrawn or been suspended should not be treated as current evidence.
Do not rely on the PDF filename
A document named:
does not prove anything by itself.
The important information is the certificate reference, holder, scheme, status and certified scope shown in the document and, where available, in the certification body’s own records.
Step 4: Verify the Certificate in the Official Database
Where the certification body provides an online directory, certificate search or product database, cross-check the supplier’s documentation against that official source.
Compare:
- certificate holder;
- certificate/reference number;
- product or material name;
- certification scheme;
- validity;
- certified scope.
If the database information and supplier PDF do not match, ask the supplier or certification body for clarification before approving the product.
What if no public database record is available?
Some certification information may not be fully searchable online.
In that case, buyers can request:
- the latest certificate copy;
- supporting certification documentation;
- written confirmation from the certification body where necessary; or
- additional scope documents from the supplier.
A missing public search result does not automatically prove that a certificate is invalid, but it means additional verification may be required.
Step 5: Confirm What the Certificate Actually Covers
This is one of the most important steps.
Do not assume that a certificate for a compostable raw material automatically certifies every finished packaging product made from that material.
Depending on the certification scheme, documentation may apply to:
- raw materials;
- additives;
- intermediates;
- films;
- components; or
- finished products.
The certified scope may also contain technical restrictions.
Check whether the certificate or related scope documentation specifies:
- material formulation;
- product type;
- thickness;
- grammage;
- colour or pigment limitations;
- printing;
- adhesives;
- coatings;
- multilayer construction;
- permitted additives.
For an OEM or private-label project, the real question is:
Does the certified scope match the exact product specification I intend to purchase?
Step 6: Check the Composting Environment
An industrial-compostability certificate should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of home compostability.
EN 13432 is associated with packaging intended for industrial composting and biodegradation under controlled conditions.
Therefore, verify whether the certification relates to:
- industrial composting; or
- home composting.
These are different environments and should not be treated as interchangeable claims.
A product carrying industrial-compostability certification should not be marketed as home compostable unless it also has appropriate home-compostability evidence.
For the technical distinction, see:
Step 7: Verify Certification Logo Use
Seeing a Seedling, OK compost or similar logo on packaging does not by itself prove that the logo is being used correctly.
Certification marks are normally subject to:
- approved certification scope;
- trademark rules;
- registration or licence requirements;
- artwork requirements;
- identification-number requirements; and
- rules concerning private-label or brand use.
Before printing a certification mark on custom packaging, confirm that the proposed product and branding arrangement are eligible.
For private-label projects, ask:
Can this exact brand and finished-product specification use the certification mark, and does any additional registration or approval apply?
This should be confirmed before printing plates, bags or retail boxes are approved.
Step 8: Match the Certificate to the Purchase Specification
The final verification step is not simply:
“Does the supplier have a certificate?”
It is:
“Does the certificate support the exact product I am purchasing?”
Compare the approved specification against the certification scope.
For example:
| Product Detail | Buyer Should Confirm |
|---|---|
| Bag size | Whether size affects the certified construction |
| Film thickness | Within any applicable certified limit |
| Material formulation | Matches the approved formulation |
| Colour | Approved pigment/masterbatch where relevant |
| Printing | Ink system falls within applicable scope |
| Adhesive | Approved where applicable |
| Labels | Included or separately assessed |
| Multilayer construction | All relevant layers accounted for |
| End-of-life claim | Industrial vs home compostability correctly stated |
If the product has been modified after certification, additional review may be necessary.
Material Certification vs Finished-Product Certification
One of the most common procurement mistakes is assuming:
Certified raw material = certified finished packaging
That conclusion is not automatically valid.
A finished package may introduce additional components and variables such as:
- printing ink;
- colour masterbatch;
- additives;
- adhesives;
- labels;
- coatings;
- thickness changes; and
- multilayer structures.
Certification schemes may treat materials, intermediates and finished products differently.
Therefore, buyers should ask the supplier to explain exactly which level of the packaging system the certificate covers.
Common EN 13432 Certificate Verification Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- checking only the EN 13432 logo or claim;
- failing to confirm the certificate holder;
- accepting an expired certificate;
- not checking the certificate number;
- relying only on a supplier-hosted PDF;
- assuming certified resin means certified finished packaging;
- ignoring thickness or formulation restrictions;
- changing printing or additives without checking the scope;
- confusing industrial compostability with home compostability;
- printing a certification mark before confirming logo-use rights.
Certificate verification should therefore form part of the supplier qualification and specification-approval process.
EN 13432 Verification Checklist for Buyers
Use this checklist before approving compostable packaging:
| Check | Pass Condition |
|---|---|
| Legal holder | Identifiable and relevant to the supplier/product |
| Certification body | Recognised independent certification body or scheme |
| Certificate number | Present and traceable |
| Validity | Current |
| Official verification | Record matches where a public database is available |
| Certified scope | Relevant to the product being purchased |
| Material level | Clearly identified as material, intermediate or finished product |
| Thickness/formulation | Within applicable limits |
| Ink/additives | Within applicable scope |
| Composting environment | Correctly identified |
| Logo use | Permitted for the proposed product and brand |
| Supplier documentation | Current certificate and supporting scope information available |
A strong supplier should be able to explain these points clearly rather than simply sending a certification logo.
How ORIZON Provides Certification Verification
For ORIZON projects, certification applicability is reviewed against the proposed product specification rather than assumed from the product category alone.
Buyers may request current supporting documentation for supplier qualification, retailer audits, tenders and private-label development.
Useful information to provide includes:
- product type;
- dimensions;
- film thickness;
- material specification;
- colour;
- printing;
- packaging configuration;
- intended certification mark;
- destination market.
For ORIZON’s current certificate references, validity and verification information, visit:
FAQ – EN 13432 Certificate Verification
Check the certificate holder, certification body, certificate or registration number, validity, official database record where available, certified scope and permitted certification-mark use. Then confirm that the scope matches the exact product you intend to purchase.
No. A valid certificate number is only one part of the verification process. Buyers should also confirm the certificate holder, current status, product or material scope and technical restrictions.
Often, yes. Some certification bodies maintain searchable certificate or product databases. Where no public record is available, request the latest certification documentation from the supplier or certification body.
Not automatically. Finished packaging may include printing, pigments, additives, adhesives, labels, coatings or other components that affect the applicable certification scope.
No. EN 13432 relates to industrial compostability. Home compostability requires evidence appropriate to home-composting conditions.
Yes. A certificate may be genuine and current but cover a different material, thickness, formulation, product construction or certification scope.
Not automatically. Certification-mark use depends on the applicable product scope, certification scheme and trademark requirements. Private-label brands should confirm eligibility before artwork approval.
Yes. Certification applicability should ideally be confirmed during specification development, before final artwork, printing and mass production.
Related EN 13432 Resources
Verify Certification Before Sourcing Compostable Packaging
For B2B sourcing, certification verification should be completed against the exact product specification, not only against a general supplier claim.
If you are evaluating ORIZON compostable packaging for an OEM, private-label, distributor or tender project, our team can provide applicable certification documentation for review.
