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Certifications

The best way to verify the validity of a claim is to rely on third-party certification and approval programs.

Third-party verification can be an extremely helpful tool when determining whether a product or service has the benefits it claims to have. It is particularly useful for single-use packaging, as pressure from consumers, regulators, and others has created expectations for product categories that not all manufacturers can meet.

There are important differences between standards, certifications, and labeling programs.

We use all three to verify and communicate the different attributes of our products.

Two coffee cups on a pink surface, one with latte art.

Standards

Standards are what certifications verify to.

Eg: EN 13432

Certifications

Certifications help consumers and other audiences trust that products meet standards.

Eg: TUV, OK Compost

Labeling Programs

Designed to simplify messaging on products and packaging.

May be tied to independent standards or recognized certifications.

Eg: Seedling logo

Standards

EN 13432

The EN 13432 standard is a European standard for packaging and packaging materials to be considered compostable and biodegradable. Essentially, it sets the criteria for packaging to break down into natural elements like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under specific composting conditions. This ensures the packaging doesn't harm the environment. 

Here's a breakdown of what the EN 13432 standard entails:

  • Scope: The standard specifies requirements and procedures to determine the compostability and anaerobic treatability of packaging and packaging materials.

  • Key Characteristics: It addresses four key characteristics that packaging must meet to be considered compostable:

    1. Biodegradability: The ability of the material to be broken down by microorganisms.

    2. Disintegration during biological treatment: The material must fragment into small pieces during the composting process.

    3. Effect on the biological treatment process: It must not have a negative impact on the composting process itself.

    4. Effect on the quality of the resulting compost: The compost produced from the packaging must meet certain quality standards and not be harmful to the environment.

  • Requirements and Testing: To meet these requirements, packaging materials undergo several tests:

Chemical Characterisation

To investigate potential harm from the material's constituents and identify their natural origin.

Biodegradability Testing

Measures the rate at which the material breaks down into natural elements under composting conditions, typically needing to achieve at least 90% biodegradation within 6 months.

Disintegration Testing

Evaluates the material's ability to fragment into small pieces within a specific timeframe; no more than 10% of the material should be larger than 2 mm after 12 weeks of composting.

Heavy Metal Limits

Strict limits are placed on heavy metal content to prevent contamination of the compost.

Plant Toxicity and Ecotoxicity Tests

Assess the effect of the composted material on plant growth and ensure no harmful toxins are present.

 

Certifications

 

In Europe, products are certified to EN 13432 by two European certification bodies Din Certco (Germany) and Vinçotte (Belgium). Both organisations operate two individual schemes and have adopted separate logos for recognition of compostability.

 

Din Certco - Certification

 

Din Certco

As a certification organisation it has been operating for more than 30 years. They are licensed to use and supply the Seedling Logo from European bioplastics which is internationally recognised and denotes certification to EN 13432.

Din Certco operate a testing, assessment and surveillance service and can accommodate manufacturers wanting their material, intermediate and/or additive registered and products certified.

More information on Din Certco can be obtained from:   www.dincertco.de/en/

 

TÜV Austria logo featuring black and red text.

 

TUV Austria

TÜV Austria's OK Compost Industrial certification scheme is a globally recognized program for assessing and certifying the compostability of products in industrial composting facilities. This certification assures that certified materials, including all their components, inks, and additives, will biodegrade within a specified timeframe and temperature range, transforming into usable compost without leaving harmful residues.

More information on Vinçotte‟s OK Compost can be obtained from:   tuv.at/ok-compost-industrial-en/

Labeling programs

 

Seedling logo

Products meeting the EN 13432 standard for industrially compostable packaging can be identified by the Seedling logo.

This means the product has undergone testing and met the standard's requirements, ensuring it will fully degrade in industrial composting facilities. The updated Seedling logo now includes the phrase "industrially compostable" to clarify the composting conditions and minimize confusion.

The logo signifies industrial compostability and does not guarantee home compostability. It is always recommended to check local biowaste disposal guidelines.

Green certification logo for compostable materials from TÜV Austria.

OK Compost - Industrial

Indicates that a product can be composted in industrial composting facilities (operating at higher temperatures).  It guarantees that a product (including its components, inks, and additives) is compostable.

Products bearing the OK Compost logo are also compliant with the EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EEC).

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