UNI EN 13432 Italy: Compostable Packaging Requirements
Italy has a well-established system for biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging, organic-waste collection and packaging producer responsibility.
For B2B buyers, importers and packaging suppliers, entering the Italian market requires more than choosing a compostable material. The final packaging specification, applicable technical standard, labeling requirements, waste-collection route and producer-responsibility obligations should all be reviewed together.
This guide explains the role of UNI EN 13432, current EU packaging rules, Italian labeling requirements and key B2B compliance considerations.
What Is UNI EN 13432?
EN 13432 is the European standard covering requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation under controlled industrial conditions.
In Italy, the standard is adopted as UNI EN 13432.
It provides technical criteria for evaluating compostability, including biodegradation, disintegration and the effect of the finished packaging on the composting process.
EN 13432 is a technical standard, not a certification body or conformity mark.
A finished packaging product may be tested or certified against applicable requirements by an accredited third-party certification body.
Italian legislation and waste-management systems have historically referenced UNI EN 13432 for specific biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging applications. Italian legal texts also define biodegradable and compostable plastic carrier bags by reference to EN 13432 as adopted nationally through UNI EN 13432.
For a deeper explanation of the technical requirements, testing criteria and the difference between the standard and certification, see our EN 13432 Standard: Requirements & Testing guide.
EN 13432 Does Not Mean Home Compostable
EN 13432 addresses compostability under industrially controlled composting conditions.
It should not be presented as a home-composting standard.
A claim that packaging is home compostable requires separate supporting evidence under the applicable home-composting requirements.
This distinction is increasingly important under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which distinguishes industrial compostability from home compostability.
Current EU Packaging Framework: PPWR
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation — Regulation (EU) 2025/40 — applies from 12 August 2026 and is now the central EU regulatory framework for packaging and packaging waste.
Its requirements cover areas including:
packaging design, compostability for specified packaging formats, recyclability, labeling, producer responsibilities and environmental claims.
Article 9 of the PPWR establishes compostability requirements for specified packaging formats. In particular, certain packaging covered by Article 9(1), including specified tea, coffee and other beverage-related formats and sticky labels affixed to fruit and vegetables, must meet the applicable industrial-compostability requirements by 12 February 2028.
Member States may also maintain or introduce compostability requirements for certain additional packaging formats where the conditions set out in Article 9 are satisfied.
It should therefore not be assumed that every compostable packaging format is subject to the same EU requirement or disposal route.
For B2B sourcing, the correct approach is to review the specific packaging format, intended use, Italian market requirements and applicable technical documentation.
Compostable Packaging in the Italian Market
Italy has a dedicated system for the organic recycling of biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging.
Within the CONAI system, Biorepack is the dedicated consortium for the end-of-life management and organic recycling of compostable bioplastic packaging falling within its applicable scope. Biorepack identifies compostable bioplastic packaging by reference to certification of conformity with UNI EN 13432 and, where applicable, related requirements.
This makes Italy an important market for compostable packaging, but it does not mean that every compostable product or packaging format can automatically enter the organic-waste stream.
Market acceptance depends on factors such as:
the packaging category, final product specification, applicable legislation, certification or supporting documentation, labeling and the intended waste-management route.
Packaging Labeling Requirements in Italy
Italy currently requires environmental labeling for packaging.
CONAI explains that Legislative Decree 116/2020 introduced mandatory environmental labeling requirements for packaging and provides official tools and guidance for companies placing packaging on the Italian market.
For consumer packaging, current Italian rules include information such as material identification and collection instructions.
Under the current transition framework, Italy’s existing environmental-labeling rules may continue to apply until 11 August 2028.
Under Article 12 of the PPWR, harmonized EU packaging-labeling requirements are expected to apply from 12 August 2028, or, where applicable, 24 months after the relevant implementing acts enter into force.
Companies should therefore verify the labeling rules in force at the time the packaging is placed on the Italian market rather than relying on a fixed artwork template prepared years in advance.
Compostable Claims and Certification Marks
Environmental claims should accurately describe the finished packaging and the evidence supporting the claim.
Terms such as “biodegradable,” “compostable,” “industrially compostable” and “home compostable” should not be treated as interchangeable.
A certification or conformity mark should only be used where the actual finished product falls within the applicable current certificate scope and all applicable authorization and mark-use requirements have been satisfied.
Material certification, manufacturer certification or certification of another product configuration should not be used as evidence that every finished packaging product is certified.
The PPWR also contains requirements intended to prevent packaging labeling and environmental claims from misleading users about sustainability characteristics or end-of-life treatment.
Italian Packaging EPR & CONAI
Companies placing packaging on the Italian market may have producer-responsibility obligations depending on their role in the supply chain.
Italy operates its packaging EPR system through CONAI and the relevant material consortia.
For biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging, Biorepack is the dedicated consortium within the CONAI system.
Businesses placing packaging on the Italian market should determine, according to their role in the supply chain, which CONAI, Biorepack, declaration, environmental-contribution and other EPR obligations apply to them.
These obligations should not be assumed solely from where the packaging was manufactured; they depend on the economic operator’s role in placing packaging on the Italian market.
For a broader overview of compostability standards, certification systems and market-specific compliance topics, see our Compostable Bags Compliance Center.
How Italian Buyers Should Review Compostable Packaging
For B2B procurement, buyers should review the finished packaging rather than relying only on the material description.
Important project information includes the packaging type, dimensions, thickness, material formulation, colour, printing, additives, intended use, waste-management route and target-market documentation.
Where an EN 13432-related claim is required, buyers should confirm that the supporting evidence applies to the actual finished packaging configuration.
A raw-material certificate should not automatically be treated as evidence that every finished packaging product manufactured from that material is certified.
Buyers comparing bag formats, specifications and B2B sourcing options can explore ORIZON’s compostable bag product range before defining the final Italian-market specification.
UNI EN 13432 vs Certification
A common sourcing mistake is to treat UNI EN 13432, certification bodies and certification marks as the same thing.
They are different:
UNI EN 13432 is the technical standard adopted in Italy.
An accredited certification body may assess a product against applicable requirements.
A certificate records the certified product and scope.
A conformity mark may only be used according to the applicable certification and mark-use rules.
For this reason, a buyer should not simply ask:
“Do you have EN 13432?”
A better procurement question is:
“Does the supporting certification or test documentation apply to this final packaging specification for the Italian market?”
Buyers who need to verify ORIZON’s current EN 13432-related certification references, product scope and validity can review our EN 13432 Certification & Certificate Verification page.
Product-Specific Review Is Important
Different compostable packaging categories may be subject to different technical, legal and waste-management requirements.
Do not assume that certification for one product category automatically extends to:
produce bags, mailer bags, garment bags, food packaging or another packaging format.
The applicable current documentation and the final finished-product specification should be reviewed separately.
Italy Market Entry Checklist
Before launching compostable packaging in Italy, B2B buyers should confirm:
- Product classification — What type of packaging is being placed on the market?
- Applicable EU and Italian rules — Does PPWR or a specific Italian rule apply to that packaging category?
- Technical standard — Is UNI EN 13432 or another requirement relevant?
- Finished-product documentation — Does the evidence apply to the actual packaging specification?
- Environmental labeling — Does the artwork meet current Italian requirements?
- Waste route — Is the intended disposal route supported by the local collection and treatment system?
- EPR obligations — What CONAI / Biorepack obligations apply to the economic operator placing the packaging on the Italian market?
- Certification marks — Is use of any third-party mark authorized for the final product?
Key Takeaways for Compostable Packaging in Italy
Italy is an important market for biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging, with established organic-waste infrastructure and a dedicated EPR stream through CONAI and Biorepack.
However, market entry should not be based on broad claims such as “EN 13432 certified material” or “EU-certified compostable packaging.”
The safer approach is to verify:
the applicable Italian and EU rules, the finished packaging specification, the relevant technical standard, product-specific documentation, labeling requirements and the intended waste-management route.
For certification-sensitive projects, certification applicability should be confirmed against the applicable current certificate and final finished-product specification before certification claims or conformity marks are used.
B2B Compostable Packaging for the Italian Market
ORIZON supports B2B buyers, importers, distributors and private-label brands sourcing compostable bag products for European markets.
If you are developing a project for Italy, send us your product type, dimensions, thickness, colour, printing requirements, estimated quantity, intended environmental claim and market use.
We can review the proposed manufacturing specification and available product-specific technical or certification documentation. Final Italian market-entry, labeling, EPR and waste-management obligations should be confirmed by the relevant economic operator against the applicable rules in force.
For custom sizes, printing, roll formats and private-label production, review our OEM compostable bag manufacturing capabilities.
