EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400 vs AS 4736 Compostable Standards
Table of Contents
Last updated: October 5, 2026
Compostable packaging does not use one universal global standard.
EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and AS 4736 are major standards used to evaluate compostability in different markets, but they are not interchangeable.
This guide compares their market scope, product scope, composting environment, certification routes and buyer implications so brands, importers and distributors can identify the appropriate standard for their target market.
Quick Answer: EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400 vs AS 4736
EN 13432 is a European standard for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation.
ASTM D6400 is a U.S. standard for plastics designed for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial facilities and is the base standard used by BPI for commercial compostability certification.
AS 4736 is the Australian standard used for verification of biodegradable plastics suitable for commercial composting and other microbial treatment.
All three address controlled composting environments, but certification or conformity under one standard should not automatically be treated as equivalent to the others.
Buyers should select the applicable standard according to the target market, intended composting environment, finished-product configuration and local acceptance requirements.
EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400 vs AS 4736: Key Differences
| Factor | EN 13432 | ASTM D6400 | AS 4736 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main market | Europe | United States / North American certification programs | Australia |
| Main scope | Packaging | Plastics and products made from plastics, including packaging | Biodegradable plastics |
| Composting environment | Industrial / controlled composting | Municipal / commercial / industrial composting | Commercial / industrial composting |
| Common certification route | TÜV, DIN CERTCO and other applicable schemes | BPI and other applicable certification routes | ABA Commercial Compostable Verification |
| Home compostable by itself? | No | No | No — AS 5810 is separate |
| Finished-product scope | Must be checked | Must be checked | Must be checked |
| Local acceptance | Confirm separately | Confirm separately | Confirm separately |
| Common buyer mistake | Assuming EU conformity applies globally | Treating ASTM compliance as the same as certification | Treating AS 4736 and AS 5810 as interchangeable |
EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400: Direct Comparison
EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 both address compostability under controlled composting conditions, but they are separate technical standards and should not be treated as interchangeable.
EN 13432 was developed for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation and is widely referenced in Europe.
ASTM D6400 covers plastics and products made from plastics designed for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial facilities. The current active edition is ASTM D6400-26. It is widely used in North American compostability programs, including as the technical basis for BPI Commercial Compostability Certification.
| Factor | EN 13432 | ASTM D6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Main market context | Europe | United States / North America |
| Main product scope | Packaging | Plastics and products made from plastics |
| Composting environment | Controlled industrial composting | Aerobic municipal and industrial composting |
| Biodegradation evaluated | Yes | Yes |
| Disintegration evaluated | Yes | Yes |
| Compost quality / environmental effects evaluated | Yes | Yes |
| Home compostability | Not established by EN 13432 alone | Not established by ASTM D6400 alone |
| Typical certification relationship | Third-party schemes such as TÜV or DIN CERTCO | BPI and other applicable certification programs |
| Automatically equivalent? | No | No |
| Does compliance with one prove compliance with the other? | No | No |
The standards have similar goals, but differences in scope, test framework, certification route and market requirements mean that conformity with one should not automatically be used as evidence of conformity with the other.
For multi-market products, buyers should review the exact finished-product specification against the requirements and certification route for each intended market.
Does Meeting ASTM D6400 Mean a Product Meets EN 13432?
No.
Test results or conformity evidence against ASTM D6400 should not automatically be treated as proof of conformity with EN 13432. The standards have different scopes, technical frameworks and market contexts.
The same principle applies in the other direction: EN 13432 conformity does not automatically establish ASTM D6400 conformity.
For products intended for both European and U.S. markets, the finished product should be reviewed against the requirements and certification route relevant to each target market.
For detailed testing requirements, see our:
What Is EN 13432?
EN 13432 is a European standard covering packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation.
It is primarily associated with controlled industrial composting rather than home composting.
Key points:
- Main market: Europe
- Product scope: packaging
- Composting environment: controlled / industrial composting
- Evaluation areas include biodegradation, disintegration and effects on compost quality
EN 13432 is a technical standard, not itself a certification logo. Products may be certified through applicable third-party certification schemes.
Learn more: EN 13432 Testing & Certification
EN 13432 and the EU PPWR
EN 13432 remains an important technical reference for industrially compostable packaging in Europe, but EN 13432 conformity alone should not be treated as proof that a package meets every EU regulatory requirement.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on Packaging and Packaging Waste, commonly known as the PPWR, applies from 12 August 2026. Article 9 introduces specific rules for compostable packaging and distinguishes packaging that must be compostable from other packaging that is generally expected to follow material-recycling requirements.
The European Commission has also requested updated harmonised European standards to support the PPWR, including an update of EN 13432 for industrial compostability and a new standard for home compostability for the relevant packaging formats.
For EU projects, buyers should therefore check:
- Whether the packaging falls within the PPWR compostability requirements.
- Whether industrial or home compostability is relevant.
- Which technical standard applies to the packaging.
- Whether the finished product falls within the applicable certification scope.
- Whether additional national requirements apply in the destination market.
The practical point is simple: EN 13432 remains highly relevant, but “EN 13432 compliant” should not be used as a blanket synonym for “fully EU compliant.”
What Is ASTM D6400?
ASTM D6400 is a U.S. standard specification for plastics designed for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial facilities.
Current edition: ASTM International currently lists ASTM D6400-26 as the active edition. The standard covers plastics and products made from plastics designed for aerobic composting in municipal and industrial facilities.
Key points:
- Main market: United States; widely referenced in North American compostability certification
- Product scope: compostable plastics
- Composting environment: commercial / municipal / industrial composting
- Common certification relationship: BPI Commercial Compostability Certification
BPI currently uses ASTM D6400 as the base assessment standard for its commercial compostability certification program.
ASTM D6400 compliance and BPI certification should not be treated as identical concepts: the standard provides technical requirements, while BPI operates a third-party certification program.
Learn more: ASTM D6400 & BPI Certification
What Is AS 4736?
AS 4736 is the Australian standard covering biodegradable plastics suitable for commercial composting and other microbial treatment.
Key points:
- Main market: Australia
- Composting environment: commercial / industrial composting
- Verification route: ABA Commercial Compostable Verification Programme
- Home composting: AS 5810 is the separate Australian home-compostability standard
Where a FOGO or other organics program permits compostable plastic liners, buyers should confirm whether AS 4736 certification is required or accepted by that specific program.
An AS 4736 certificate should not automatically be interpreted as acceptance by every council, organics collector or composting facility.
Learn more: AS 4736 compostable certification for Australia
Can One Compostable Bag Meet EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and AS 4736?
Potentially, but buyers should not assume that certification or conformity under one standard automatically proves compliance with the others.
A multi-market compostable bag project may need to consider:
- finished material formulation;
- maximum certified thickness;
- film color and masterbatch;
- printing inks;
- additives;
- labels or adhesives;
- finished-product structure;
- certification-mark authorization; and
- separate certification or verification procedures.
In some projects, one finished-product specification can support several target markets. In others, separate market-specific SKUs may be more practical.
The correct approach should be determined by the target markets before artwork and certification marks are finalized.
Which Compostable Standard Should Buyers Choose?
The correct starting point depends primarily on the target market and intended composting environment.
| Target Market / Use | Starting Point |
|---|---|
| European compostable packaging | EN 13432 |
| U.S. commercially compostable plastics | ASTM D6400 + applicable third-party certification such as BPI |
| Australian commercial compostability | AS 4736 |
| Australian home compostability | AS 5810 — outside the scope of this three-standard comparison |
| Other home-compost applications | Review the applicable home-compost certification separately |
Do not choose a standard simply because it appears “stricter.” Choose the standard and certification route relevant to the intended market and end-of-life system.
Standards Are Not the Same as Certification Programs
EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and AS 4736 are technical standards.
Certification or verification programs such as BPI, TÜV/DIN certification schemes and the ABA verification programs assess eligible products against applicable requirements and may authorize certification marks.
Buyers should therefore distinguish between:
meeting a technical standard
and
holding a current third-party certification or official product listing.
If your question is not “How do these three standards differ?” but “Which certification does my product actually need?”, use our certification-selection guide.
How to Choose the Right Compostable Packaging Certification.
Common Buyer Mistakes When Comparing Compostable Standards
Assuming one standard provides global coverage
EN 13432, ASTM D6400 and AS 4736 are not automatically interchangeable.
Confusing a technical standard with certification
A test report or claim of compliance is not necessarily the same as a current third-party certificate or official listing.
Assuming industrial compostability means home compostability
Home compostability requires separate evaluation under applicable home-compost requirements.
Relying on certified material instead of the finished product
Buyers should verify that the finished bag configuration is within the applicable certification scope.
Assuming certification guarantees local acceptance
Councils, organics programs and composting facilities may apply their own acceptance rules.
FAQ
No. Both address controlled composting, but they have different product scopes, regional frameworks and certification routes. Compliance with one should not automatically be treated as compliance with the other.
No. ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 are separate technical standards. Evidence showing that a finished product meets ASTM D6400 should not automatically be treated as proof that it meets EN 13432, and vice versa.
For multi-market products, buyers should confirm the requirements and certification route for each destination market.
No. ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 are separate standards. Test reports, conformity evidence or certification based on ASTM D6400 should not automatically be presented as evidence of conformity with EN 13432, and the reverse is also true.
For products sold in multiple markets, review the finished-product specification against the requirements and certification route applicable to each market.
No. ASTM D6400 is a technical standard. BPI operates a third-party commercial compostability certification program that currently uses ASTM D6400 as its base assessment standard.
No. They have similarities, but ABA specifically states that European standards should not be assumed equivalent to AS 4736. Products making an AS 4736 claim must follow the applicable Australian verification requirements.
Potentially. However, the exact finished-product specification and certification procedures must be reviewed for each target market.
No. AS 5810 is the separate Australian standard for home compostability.
EN 13432 is a key starting point for European compostable packaging, ASTM D6400 for U.S. commercially compostable plastics, and AS 4736 for Australian commercial compostability. Buyers should also confirm the relevant certification program and local acceptance requirements.
Need to Match a Compostable Bag Specification to Your Target Market?
ORIZON supports B2B buyers developing compostable bags for European, North American and Australian markets.
Send us your:
- target market;
- bag type and dimensions;
- thickness;
- printing requirements;
- intended composting environment; and
- required certification or compliance scope.
We can review the project specification before quotation and production planning.
