Choosing the right compostability certification is the difference between a product that clears customs and one that gets pulled from shelves. If you sell compostable packaging into North America, Europe, or both, you will quickly meet three names: BPI, EN 13432, and TÜV OK Compost. Each governs a different region and a different set of rules, and buying the wrong one is an expensive mistake. This guide explains what each certification actually proves, how they compare, and which one your target market requires.
The stakes are rising as regulators tighten what counts as compostable. In 2026, buyers are moving beyond vague “biodegradable” claims and demanding third-party proof backed by recognized standards. Get the certification wrong and your shipment can be rejected, your listing flagged for greenwashing, or your product caught by a growing wave of single-use plastic rules. Get it right and the certification mark becomes the sales advantage procurement teams actively look for.
What Is Compostability Certification and Why It Matters
A compostability certification is a third-party guarantee that a product will fully biodegrade and disintegrate in a specific composting environment within a defined time, leaving no toxic residue. Certification is not a claim you can self-declare; it requires independent laboratory testing against a recognized standard, followed by ongoing audits of the material and the production facility.
The core tests are the same everywhere: biodegradation (microbes convert the material into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass), disintegration (the material physically breaks into fragments small enough to screen out of the finished compost), ecotoxicity (the resulting compost supports plant growth), and chemical analysis (limits on heavy metals and other contaminants). What changes from region to region is which standard governs the tests, which body issues the mark, and whether the product must degrade in an industrial facility or in a home compost pile.
BPI: The North American Compostable Certification Standard
BPI (the Biodegradable Products Institute) is the dominant compostability certification for the United States and Canada. BPI certification is built on ASTM D6400 for compostable plastics and ASTM D6868 for compostable coatings and additives. Both standards target industrial composting facilities, which operate at sustained temperatures of roughly 55–60°C.
A BPI mark tells a North American buyer that the product has passed biodegradation, disintegration, and ecotoxicity testing, and that its chemical composition — including screening for total fluorine, the PFAS family — meets the program’s limits. That PFAS screening matters more than ever, because several U.S. states now restrict PFAS in food packaging and retailers increasingly refuse products that fail it.
The key limitation: BPI covers industrial composting only. A BPI-certified item is not guaranteed to break down in a backyard pile. If your customer serves regions where curbside collection of compostables is inconsistent, BPI alone may not be enough.
EN 13432: Europe’s Industrial Compostability Baseline
EN 13432 is not a certifier — it is the harmonized European standard that defines what “compostable packaging” means across the EU single market. Compostability certification against EN 13432 is issued by accredited bodies such as TÜV Austria and DIN CERTCO, and it is the reference most EU buyers and regulators cite.
The standard sets concrete thresholds: at least 90 percent of the material must biodegrade into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass within 180 days (six months); at least 90 percent must disintegrate into fragments smaller than 2 mm within 12 weeks; and the resulting compost must pass ecotoxicity and heavy-metal limits.
One important nuance: EN 13432 describes industrial composting only. It is a powerful signal for the European market, but it does not by itself mean a product will degrade in a low-temperature home compost environment. That is where the TÜV home-compost mark enters the picture.
TÜV OK Compost and OK Compost HOME: The Global Flexibility Option
TÜV Austria’s OK Compost program is the most globally recognized compostability certification family, and it solves the industrial-versus-home problem with two distinct marks. OK Compost INDUSTRIAL is tested to EN 13432 and confirms the product degrades in industrial facilities at 55–60°C.
OK Compost HOME is tested to a stricter, lower-temperature protocol and confirms the product degrades in a home compost pile, where temperatures are lower and conditions less controlled.
For a brand or distributor selling into markets with a strong home-composting culture — much of Europe, Australia, and increasingly North America — OK Compost HOME is a genuine differentiator. It lets you claim home compostability with third-party backing rather than a vague “biodegradable” label. Many compostable tableware and flexible packaging lines now pair both marks to cover the widest range of end-of-life scenarios.
BPI vs. EN 13432 vs. TÜV OK Compost: A Head-to-Head Comparison
The three are often spoken about as rivals, but they are better understood as overlapping tools. EN 13432 is a standard; BPI and TÜV OK Compost are certification programs built on standards. The table below summarizes how each compostability certification lines up.
| Dimension | BPI | EN 13432 | TÜV OK Compost |
| Primary market | United States and Canada | European Union | Global (Europe-led) |
| What it is | Certification program | Harmonized standard | Certification mark (two levels) |
| Base standard | ASTM D6400 / D6868 | EN 13432 | EN 13432 (Industrial) + home-compost protocol (HOME) |
| Compost environment | Industrial only | Industrial only | Industrial + HOME |
| Biodegradation | ≥90% in 180 days | ≥90% in 180 days | ≥90% in 180 days (Industrial) |
| Distinctive extra | Total fluorine (PFAS) screening | Harmonized EU-wide recognition | Home compost mark |
How to Choose the Right Certification for Your Target Market
Start with where your buyers actually are — the right compostability certification depends on geography, not on which mark sounds best. If you sell primarily into the United States or Canada, BPI is the default, and it is the mark most North American retailers and composters expect. If you sell into the EU, EN 13432 — carried on a certificate from TÜV Austria, DIN CERTCO, or another accredited body — is the baseline, and it is increasingly tied to the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which pushes packaging toward genuinely recyclable or compostable designs.
If you sell across multiple regions, or if home compostability is part of your value proposition, the pragmatic move is to combine: BPI for North America plus TÜV OK Compost INDUSTRIAL and OK Compost HOME for Europe and flexible global accounts. One material family can often carry several marks, which lets a single SKU serve several markets without re-engineering the product — the same logic behind the material selection in our bioplastics comparison.
What Buyers Should Know About Testing, Time, and Cost
Compostability certification is not a quick or free process. A full program typically spans several months of laboratory testing — biodegradation alone runs up to six months — and involves multiple test phases plus facility audits. Costs run into the thousands of dollars per material family, and higher when you certify many colors, thicknesses, or product configurations.
The practical lesson for sourcing teams: start the certification conversation early, and buy from a supplier that already holds the relevant marks. Re-certifying a new material or formulation from scratch can add months to your launch timeline. Verify the certificate is current, matches your exact product (including additives and inks), and is issued by an accredited, recognized body rather than a self-declared label.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EN 13432 the same as OK Compost?
No. EN 13432 is the standard; OK Compost INDUSTRIAL is TÜV Austria’s mark confirming a product meets that standard. Think of EN 13432 as the rulebook and OK Compost as the referee’s stamp.
Does BPI certification mean home compostable?
No. BPI covers industrial composting only. For home compostability, look for TÜV OK Compost HOME or an equivalent home-compost standard.
Can one product hold both BPI and EN 13432 or OK Compost marks?
Yes. Many products are dual- or triple-certified to serve North America and Europe from a single SKU.
How long does compostability certification take?
Typically several months, driven by the six-month biodegradation test, plus additional time for audits and administration.
Do I need certification if my product is made from PLA or bagasse?
The material alone is not enough. Compostability certification confirms the finished product — with its additives, coatings, and inks — actually degrades. Even well-known compostable materials should carry a recognized mark for your target market.
Partner with a Certified Compostable Packaging Supplier
Securing the right compostability certification is far easier when your supplier already holds it. Work with a manufacturer that can provide BPI, EN 13432, and TÜV OK Compost certificates for the exact product you plan to buy, and that can guide you toward the mark your target market requires. Contact Naturepoly to review certified material options, request current certificates, and map your product to the correct certification before you commit to a purchase.