Compostable Packaging Certifications: EN 13432 vs BPI vs OK Compost

Compostable Packaging Certification Guide: BPI, EN 13432 and OK Compost

A supplier says its molded pulp tableware is “biodegradable.” Your customer asks for certification. Then the real question starts: does the product need EN 13432, BPI certified documentation, OK Compost, or a home compostable standard?

For B2B buyers, compostable packaging certification is not a marketing label. It decides whether your packaging can enter the target market, pass customer audits, and support legal compostability claims. This guide explains the major certification systems for molded fiber tableware and how buyers should verify supplier claims before placing orders.

Compostable Packaging Certification Comparison: EN 13432, BPI Certified, and Home Compostable

The three certification systems buyers meet most often are EN 13432, BPI certified compostable, and OK Compost Home. They serve different markets and composting environments.

The key difference is not only the logo. EN 13432 and BPI certified programs mainly focus on industrial composting, while home compostable certification checks whether the product can break down under lower-temperature home composting conditions.

EN 13432: Industrial Composting Standard for the
Market

EN 13432 is the main European standard for packaging recoverable through industrial composting and biodegradation. It applies to controlled industrial composting facilities, typically operating at higher temperatures and moisture levels than home composting.

If a product is sold in the EU as compostable packaging, EN 13432 is the baseline standard buyers should look for. For paper pulp tableware and molded fiber certification, the certificate should cover the actual product, not only the raw material.

EN 13432 Test Requirement 1: Biodegradation

The biodegradation test is usually based on ISO 14855. The product must show that at least 90% of the organic material converts into CO₂ within the required test period.

This proves that the material can be broken down by microorganisms. For molded pulp tableware, this result depends on fiber composition, coating system, ink, and additive control.

EN 13432 Test Requirement 2: Disintegration

The disintegration test is commonly linked to ISO 16929. After composting, at least 90% of the material should pass through a 2 mm sieve within the required period.

This test checks physical breakdown. A product may be bio-based but still fail if it remains in large visible fragments after composting.

EN 13432 Test Requirement 3: Ecotoxicity

Ecotoxicity testing checks whether the final compost harms plant growth. The composted material should not inhibit germination or plant development.

This is where coatings, inks, heavy metals, and chemical additives become critical. A molded pulp product can be fiber-based and still fail if its surface treatment creates toxic residues.

EN 13432 Test Requirement 4: Heavy Metal Content

EN 13432 also requires heavy metal content to stay below defined limits. This helps ensure that the final compost does not introduce harmful contaminants into soil.

For printed molded pulp packaging, buyers should confirm whether inks, adhesives, and coatings are included in the certified scope. A certificate that covers only blank material may not cover the final printed SKU.

BPI Certified Compostable: North American Industrial Composting Certification

BPI certified compostable products are widely recognized in North America. The Biodegradable Products Institute verifies compostable products against relevant ASTM standards, commonly ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868, depending on the product type.

For buyers selling into the U.S. and Canadian markets, BPI certified documentation is often the most practical proof for industrial composting claims. It also helps composting facilities and foodservice operators identify acceptable products.

What BPI Certification Usually Involves

The BPI process includes product review, third-party laboratory testing, documentation checks, and certification mark approval. Certified products may be listed in BPI’s public database and can use the BPI certification mark according to program rules.

For procurement teams, BPI certified status should be verified by product name, company name, SKU, and current certificate validity. Do not accept a logo file alone as proof.

Labeling Requirements for BPI Certified Products

BPI certified products must follow certification mark and labeling rules. In many cases, products should clearly communicate that they are intended for industrial composting, not backyard composting.

This distinction protects buyers from consumer confusion. Industrial composting is not the same as home compostable disposal.

OK Compost and OK Compost Home: What Buyers Need to Know

OK Compost and OK Compost Home are two different certification directions. OK Compost generally refers to industrial composting, while OK Compost Home verifies performance under lower-temperature home composting conditions.

Home compostable certification is harder because home compost piles are cooler and less controlled. The microbial activity is weaker, and degradation takes longer.

How to Verify a Compostable Packaging Certificate

A certificate should be treated like a compliance document, not a brochure. Before using a compostability, PFAS-free, FDA, LFGB, or food-contact claim on a website, quotation, catalog, or product page, buyers should check the certificate holder, certificate number, issuing body, product scope, validity date, and whether the document covers the finished product being purchased.

Do not write only “BPI certified” or “OK Compost certified.” The safer claim is scope-based: name the certificate system, the holder, the certificate or company ID, the product families or SKUs covered, the material/color/printing limits, and the current validity status.

Compostable Packaging Certification Requirements by Market

Different markets ask for different certification systems. Before selecting a supplier, buyers should match the certification to the target market and sales claim.

If a product is marketed as home compostable, buyers should not rely on industrial composting certificates alone. Home compostable claims require dedicated certification.

FAQ

Which is harder to pass, EN 13432 or BPI certification?

EN 13432 and BPI certification use similar industrial composting logic, but they serve different markets. EN 13432 is the European standard, while BPI certified status is mainly used in North America. The technical difficulty is similar, but buyers must choose based on the destination market.

Can molded pulp tableware fully degrade in industrial composting?

Yes, properly designed molded pulp tableware can degrade in industrial composting conditions. Pure sugarcane bagasse fiber can break down under high temperature and moisture. The key requirement is that coatings, inks, and grease-resistant treatments must also meet compostability and ecotoxicity requirements.

What is the difference between home compostable and industrial composting?

Home compostable products break down under lower-temperature home composting conditions, usually around 25-30°C. Industrial composting uses controlled facilities at much higher temperatures, often 55-70°C. Because home composting is slower and less controlled, home compostable certification is generally harder to obtain.

Does BPI certified compostable packaging need annual renewal?

Yes, BPI certification generally requires ongoing renewal and monitoring. If the product formula, supplier, coating, or production process changes, retesting may be required. Buyers should define certification renewal responsibility and cost sharing in the purchase contract.

Is EN 13432 required for exporting compostable packaging to Europe?

If packaging is marketed as compostable in the EU, EN 13432 is the key standard buyers should require. Without valid certification, a compostability claim may create regulatory and advertising risk. Buyers should verify the certificate before export, especially for private-label packaging.

Does OK Compost Home mean the product also works in industrial composting?

Usually, a home compostable product can also degrade under industrial composting conditions because industrial facilities are hotter and more active. However, buyers should still check the certificate scope. The safest approach is to request both OK Compost Home and industrial composting documentation.

Can printed molded pulp packaging pass compostable certification?

Yes, printed molded pulp packaging can pass certification if the ink is included in the testing scope. Food-grade soy-based inks are commonly used to reduce risk. Buyers should confirm that printing ink, coating, and adhesive are covered by the certificate, not only the blank product.

How do I verify whether a supplier’s compostable certificate is real?

Ask for the original certificate, certificate number, covered SKU list, validity period, and issuing body. Then verify the certificate through the official database of BPI, TÜV AUSTRIA, or the relevant certification body. The certificate must match the product you are buying.

Buyer next steps

Before approving a compostable packaging supplier, match the certificate to the final product, target market, material, coating, and SKU. Do not rely only on broad material claims when placing bulk foodservice orders.

• Check Zhong Xin Ecoware’s food packaging certifications.
• Review PFAS documentation with our
  .
• Request certification documents for your target product and market.