What Makes a Compostable Bag Compliant?
Table of Contents
Understanding what makes a compostable bag compliant is important for buyers, importers, distributors, and waste system operators working in regulated markets.
A compostable bag is not considered compliant because of its material, color, or marketing claims.
Compliance is defined by recognized standards, third-party certification, and verified performance in a specific composting environment.
This page explains how compostable bag compliance is defined, what requirements must be met, and why compliance does not always mean a product will be accepted in every waste system.
Compliance Is Not a Marketing Claim
Many products use words like biodegradable, eco-friendly, or plant-based.
These terms may describe materials, but they do not define compliance.
From a regulatory and procurement point of view, a compostable bag is compliant only when:
- It follows a recognized compostable standard
- Claims are verified by third-party certification
- Performance can be checked and traced
Using unclear or unverified claims often creates compliance risks for buyers and importers.
Unclear terms such as “biodegradable” often create biodegradable vs compostable compliance risks for buyers and importers.
What Compliance Means in Practice
In practice, compostable bag compliance is based on four core requirements.
All four must be met.
1. A Recognized Compostable Standard
A compostable bag must be tested against a recognized compostable standard.
- In Australia, industrial compostable products are commonly specified as AS4736 certified compostable liners for FOGO and council programs.
- In European markets, compostable packaging is typically assessed against EN 13432 certified compostable bags for food waste applications.
These standards define how a bag should break down under controlled composting conditions.
Without a recognized standard, compostability claims cannot be verified.
2. Third-Party Certification and Testing
Self-declared claims are not enough. A compliant compostable bag must be:
Tested by independent laboratories
Certified by a recognized third-party organization
Supported by valid and traceable documentation
Third-party certification allows councils, waste operators, and buyers to trust the claim without relying on supplier statements alone.
Buyers should always verify claims against recognized compostable certification standards rather than relying on material descriptions.
3. A Defined Composting Environment
Compliance always applies to a specific composting environment.
A bag may be certified for:
Industrial or commercial composting
Home composting (under different conditions)
Compliance does not automatically apply to soil, landfill, or unmanaged environments.
This is why compliance alone does not guarantee acceptance in organics bins.
4. Verifiable Documentation and Traceability
Compliance must be supported by clear documentation, including:
The certification standard
Certification scope (industrial or home composting)
Valid certification status
Proper labeling or certification logos
Without traceable documentation, compliance claims are difficult to defend during audits or procurement reviews.
Recognized Compostable Standards
There is no single global compostable standard.
Compliance depends on the target market.
Commonly recognized standards include:
EN 13432 (Europe)
ASTM D6400 (United States)
AS 4736 (Australia – industrial composting)
AS 5810 (Australia – home composting)
Each standard applies to specific composting conditions and should be evaluated separately.
Defined Composting Environment Matters
A compostable bag can be compliant in one environment and non-compliant in another.
For example:
Industrial composting uses higher temperatures and controlled cycles
Home composting is slower and less consistent
Landfill conditions are not composting environments
Compliance should always be checked against the intended disposal system, not assumed based on material type.
Compliance alone does not guarantee acceptance in waste systems, especially when products are evaluated for accepted in organics bins.
Compliance vs Acceptance: Not the Same Thing
Compliance and acceptance are not the same.
A compostable bag may meet a standard but still be rejected by a local program due to:
Council rules
Facility processing limits
Approved product lists
Acceptance is decided by waste system operators, not by manufacturers.
This distinction is especially important when supplying compostable bags for FOGO systems , where acceptance rules are strictly enforced.
Labeling and Claims Compliance
Compliance also affects how compostable claims are communicated.
Compostable claims should:
Be supported by certification
Match the certified composting environment
Avoid misleading or general statements
In some markets, guidance such as the FTC Green Guides recommends using clear limits when industrial composting facilities are required.
Unclear labeling increases the risk of regulatory issues and product rejection.
Regional Differences Buyers Must Understand
Compostable bag compliance is market-specific.
A bag that is compliant in one region may not be compliant in another due to:
Different standards
Different composting systems
Different labeling expectations
Buyers supplying multiple markets must evaluate compliance for each target region, not assume universal approval.
Common Compliance Mistakes Importers Make
Common mistakes include:
Relying on biodegradable claims instead of certification
Assuming one compostable standard works globally
Using expired or incomplete certification documents
Confusing compliance with local acceptance
These mistakes often lead to rejected shipments or delayed approvals.
How Buyers Should Evaluate Compostable Bag Compliance
Before sourcing compostable bags, buyers should confirm:
Which standard the bag is certified to
Whether certification is current and traceable
The composting environment covered
Whether the product aligns with local acceptance rules
Compliance checks should happen before samples or volume orders, not after.
Key Takeaways
Compostable bag compliance is defined by standards, not materials
Third-party certification is required for verification
Compliance depends on the composting environment
Compliance does not guarantee acceptance in every system
Market-specific rules always apply
Related Resources
Need Compliance-Ready Compostable Bags?
Before supplying compostable bags into regulated markets, make sure compliance is checked against the correct standard, environment, and region.
Explore applicable certifications or contact our technical team for compliance-focused guidance aligned with your target market.
Buyers sourcing certified compostable bin liners should confirm compliance before requesting samples or placing orders.
