What Does BPI Compostable Mean?
Table of Contents
Quick Answer
“BPI compostable” means that an eligible product has been independently evaluated and certified under BPI’s compostability certification program for a defined composting environment.
For Commercial Compostability Certification, BPI uses ASTM D6400 as the base assessment standard. ASTM D6868 may also be used as an additional assessment for eligible product constructions.
BPI also offers Commercial & Home Certification for eligible products that meet its home-compostability requirements. Buyers should therefore verify the exact product, SKU and certification type rather than relying only on a compostable material certificate or a BPI Certification Mark shown by a supplier.
This guide explains what BPI certification means, how ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 apply, and how buyers can verify whether a finished product is actually covered.
What Is BPI Certification?
BPI operates third-party certification programs for compostable products and packaging.
Its Commercial Compostability Certification evaluates eligible products intended for commercial composting conditions. ASTM D6400 is the base assessment standard used in this program.
BPI also offers Commercial & Home Certification for eligible products that meet additional home-compostability requirements.
Certification applies to specific approved products and configurations. It does not automatically apply to every product manufactured by the same company or every finished product made from a compostable resin.
For buyers who need to check ORIZON’s current certificate, product listings and certified scope, see our BPI Certification Verification page.
What Does BPI Certified Mean for a Finished Product?
BPI certification is product-specific.
A manufacturer using compostable resin does not automatically make every finished product BPI certified.
Depending on the certification scope, buyers may need to confirm that the actual finished item—including its formulation, thickness or grammage, color, printing and other relevant specifications—matches the approved product configuration.
BPI certification may consider factors such as:
- finished-product formulation
- biodegradation
- disintegration
- compost quality
- regulated substances
- thickness or grammage
- labeling and Certification Mark requirements
This distinction is especially important for OEM and private-label projects, where changes to printing, formulation, dimensions or other product specifications may require additional review.
If you are purchasing finished compostable bags, see our BPI Certified Compostable Bags page for available B2B product formats.
BPI vs ASTM D6400: What’s the Difference?
BPI certification and ASTM D6400 are closely related, but they are not the same thing.
| ASTM D6400 | BPI Certification | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Technical compostability specification | Third-party certification program |
| Main role | Defines commercial compostability requirements | Evaluates and certifies eligible products |
| Role in BPI | Base assessment standard | Uses ASTM D6400 plus BPI program requirements |
| Public product listing | No ASTM certified-product catalog | BPI Online Product Catalog |
| Certification Mark | No ASTM product certification mark | BPI Certification Mark |
ASTM D6400 provides technical requirements for plastics intended for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial facilities.
BPI uses ASTM D6400 as the base standard for its Commercial Compostability Certification, but passing relevant ASTM testing does not automatically make a product BPI certified.
BPI also applies its own product-eligibility, formulation, labeling and certification-program requirements.
For detailed ASTM D6400 requirements, testing terminology and finished-product considerations, see our ASTM D6400 Compostable Standard Guide.
If you are sourcing finished ASTM D6400 compostable bags rather than researching the standard itself, see our ASTM D6400 Compostable Bags page.
What Is ASTM D6868?
ASTM D6868 is a compostability specification for certain end items in which plastics or polymers are incorporated as coatings or additives with paper or other substrates.
Typical applications may include:
- polymer-coated paper packaging
- fiber-based food-service items with compostable coatings
- certain laminated paper or fiber products
- other eligible paper/polymer composite constructions
Like ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868 relates to products designed for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial facilities.
However, ASTM D6868 is not simply another name for ASTM D6400.
Within BPI’s Commercial Compostability Certification program, ASTM D6400 is the base assessment standard. ASTM D6868 may be used as an additional assessment for eligible product constructions.
Note: BPI may also use ASTM D8410 as an optional additional assessment for eligible cellulosic-fiber-based substrates. BPI states that assessment to ASTM D8410 is limited to cellulosic-fiber-based substrates and excludes items where thermoplastic polymer is laminated to the cellulosic-fiber-based substrate. The applicable assessment route depends on the actual product construction and BPI’s technical review.
ASTM D6400 vs ASTM D6868: Which One Applies?
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at the finished product construction.
| Question | ASTM D6400 | ASTM D6868 |
| Main focus | Compostable plastics and plastic products | End items combining polymers with paper or other substrates |
| Typical example | Compostable plastic bag | Polymer-coated paper or fiber packaging |
| Composting environment | Municipal / industrial aerobic composting | Municipal / industrial aerobic composting |
| Role in BPI Commercial Certification | Base assessment standard | Additional assessment for eligible items |
| Does it equal BPI certification? | No | No |
For a compostable plastic bag, ASTM D6400 is normally the key technical standard.
For eligible paper or fiber items that incorporate polymer coatings, additives or other qualifying constructions, ASTM D6868 may also become relevant.
The final assessment route depends on the finished-product construction and BPI’s technical review.
For a deeper explanation of ASTM D6400 itself, see our ASTM D6400 Compostable Standard Guide.
BPI Commercial vs Home Compostability Certification
BPI offers both Commercial Only and Commercial & Home compostability certification.
Commercial certification evaluates eligible products for commercial composting conditions and uses ASTM D6400 as its base assessment standard.
BPI Home Compostability Certification is a separate program based on NF T 51-800. Commercial certification is a prerequisite for BPI Home Compostability Certification.
Therefore, a product with BPI Commercial Only Certification should not automatically be described as home compostable.
Buyers should verify the exact item in BPI’s Online Product Catalog. All items listed in the catalog have commercial compostability certification, while only items specifically identified for home compostability have BPI Home Compostability Certification.
For a broader explanation of the two composting environments, see our Home vs Industrial Composting Guide.
What Does BPI Review Before Certification?
BPI certification involves more than submitting a single ASTM test report.
Depending on the product, BPI may review:
- product eligibility
- complete formulation information
- applicable ASTM assessment route
- thickness or grammage
- regulated metals, fluorine and cobalt requirements
- Ash (VOC), FTIR and other applicable compost-quality assessments
- disintegration and biodegradation testing
- verification samples
- labeling and Certification Mark requirements
The exact testing program is determined through a product-specific test scheme.
This is one reason two visually similar compostable products may not require exactly the same certification pathway.
Because the certification route is product-specific, buyers should avoid assuming that one certificate automatically covers every thickness, print configuration or finished product supplied by a manufacturer.
How to Get BPI Certified: The Certification Process
The certification process depends on the product, formulation and existing test data.
Companies seeking BPI certification normally begin by confirming product eligibility and submitting detailed product information. BPI then determines the applicable test scheme based on the item’s construction, formulation and existing test data.
Step 1 — Confirm Product Eligibility
The applicant first determines whether the product is eligible for BPI certification and whether the project requires new certification, modification, recertification or another route.
Step 2 — Submit Product Information
The applicant provides the required product, formulation, manufacturing and supporting documentation.
Step 3 — Receive a Test Scheme
BPI’s technical reviewer evaluates the submitted information and determines which laboratory tests are required for the product.
Step 4 — Complete Required Testing
Required testing is performed by BPI-approved independent laboratories.
Depending on the test scheme, this may include biodegradation, disintegration, compost quality, regulated-substance and other product-specific assessments.
Step 5 — Technical Review
BPI reviews the laboratory results, formulation, verification samples and other required information.
Step 6 — Licensing & Product Listing
After successful technical review and completion of the applicable licensing requirements, BPI-certified products are listed in BPI’s public Online Product Catalog. License holders also receive access to the applicable BPI Certification Mark files, subject to BPI’s Certification Mark usage requirements.
According to BPI, the complete certification process can take up to 12 months or more, depending on the required test scheme, laboratory capacity and applicant readiness.
For companies developing a new compostable product, certification should therefore be considered early in product development rather than after packaging, printing and artwork have already been finalized.
How to Verify BPI Certification and a Product Listing
BPI maintains a public Online Product Catalog where buyers can search certified companies, products, SKUs and item numbers.
Do not rely only on a supplier-provided logo, certificate screenshot or statement that a material is “BPI certified.”
Before approving a supplier or finished product, check:
- Company / license holder — confirm that the company licensed to sell the certified item matches the applicable BPI catalog listing.
- Exact product or SKU — verify that the item being purchased matches the listed product.
- Product description — compare the product type and construction with the quotation or specification.
- Certified specification — check the listed thickness, grammage or other relevant product details where applicable.
- Certification type — confirm whether the item is commercial-only or also certified for home compostability.
If the finished product being purchased does not clearly match the public listing, ask the supplier to explain the applicable certification scope before approving the order.
To check ORIZON’s current BPI certificate, certified item numbers and product scope, visit our BPI Certification Verification page.
For finished compostable bags available for B2B sourcing, visit our BPI Certified Compostable Bags page.
Common Misunderstandings About BPI Certification
“BPI certified” means the product biodegrades anywhere.
No.
Certified compostability relates to defined composting environments and conditions. It should not be interpreted as a claim that the product rapidly breaks down in landfills, soil, water or the natural environment.
BPI certification always means home compostable.
No.
BPI offers Commercial Only and Commercial & Home certification. A commercially certified product should not automatically be described as home compostable.
For more detail, see our Home vs Industrial Composting Guide.
A company with BPI certification can call all of its products BPI certified.
No.
Certification applies to approved products and configurations. Buyers should check the exact product or SKU.
An ASTM D6400 test report is the same as BPI certification.
No.
ASTM D6400 is a technical standard. BPI certification is a third-party certification program with additional product, testing, eligibility and licensing requirements.
FAQ
BPI compostable generally means that an eligible product has been independently evaluated and certified through BPI’s compostability certification program for the applicable composting environment.
Buyers should verify the exact product or SKU rather than relying only on a material claim or certification logo.
BPI certification is a third-party compostability certification program for eligible products and packaging.
Its Commercial Compostability Certification uses ASTM D6400 as the base assessment standard.
“BPI certified” means that a specific product or approved product configuration has completed the applicable BPI certification process.
It does not mean that every product made by the same manufacturer is automatically certified.
ASTM D6400 focuses on compostable plastics and plastic products.
ASTM D6868 applies to certain end items in which plastics or polymers are incorporated with paper or other substrates.
Within BPI Commercial Compostability Certification, ASTM D6400 is the base assessment standard, while ASTM D6868 may be used as an additional assessment for eligible products.
For detailed ASTM D6400 information, see our ASTM D6400 Compostable Standard Guide.
No.
ASTM D6400 is a technical standard, while BPI certification is a third-party certification program with additional eligibility, technical-review, labeling and licensing requirements.
Search the company, product or SKU in BPI’s official Online Product Catalog and compare the listed item with the product being purchased.
For ORIZON-specific certificate and product information, see our BPI Certification Verification page.
Need Bags for a BPI-Certified Project?
If you are sourcing compostable bags for a BPI-related project, confirm that the exact finished product or SKU falls within the applicable current BPI certification and product listing before sampling, artwork approval or mass production.
ORIZON supplies compostable bags for B2B buyers, including importers, distributors, private-label brands and commercial waste programs.
For certification details, current product scope and verification information, visit our BPI Certification Verification page.
For available bag formats, OEM options and B2B sourcing, visit our BPI Certified Compostable Bags page.
If your project requires a custom specification, contact ORIZON for a quotation.
