The word compostable gets thrown around a lot, and a buyer who trusts the label without checking it is taking a real risk. If your packaging says compostable but the certificate does not back it up, you end up with rejected shipments, unhappy customers, and in some markets a compliance problem. This guide explains the major compostability marks, what they actually prove, and how to verify a supplier’s claim before you commit to an order.
Why a certificate is different from a label
A printed claim on a product is marketing. A certificate is evidence. Companies can put the word compostable on almost anything, but a legitimate certification means the product was tested against a real standard by an independent body and passed it. When a buyer asks for the certificate and the supplier provides it, that is a meaningful signal. When they dodge the question, that is a signal too.
The standards behind the marks
Different markets use different standards, but they all test similar things: how completely the material breaks down, how quickly it does so, whether it leaves behind toxic residue, and whether it can support plant life afterward.
In North America, the key standard is ASTM D6400 for compostable plastics. Products that pass it can carry the BPI certification mark, which stands for Biodegradable Products Institute. BPI is the mark American buyers are most likely to recognize, and it is what commercial composting facilities in the United States generally accept.
In Europe, the standard is EN 13432. Products that pass it can carry the OK compost mark, which comes in two forms. OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certifies for industrial facilities, while OK Compost HOME certifies for home composting. The home mark is stricter because a backyard pile is far less controlled than a commercial facility.
For Australia and New Zealand, the relevant standard is AS 5810 for home composting and AS 4736 for industrial composting. The AS marks matter if you are selling into that region, because local regulations and composting infrastructure reference these standards directly.
Industrial versus home composting is the key distinction
The biggest mistake buyers make is treating every compostable label as the same. Most PLA-lined products, for example, are compostable only under industrial conditions. They will not break down in a backyard pile, a detail that matters a lot for customers who compost at home or for regulations that want home-compostable packaging. If your market needs home compostability, you need a product that carries the OK Compost HOME or AS 5810 mark, not just an industrial one.
How compostable paper and bagasse fit in
Paper cups and bagasse tableware can be certified through the same systems. A compostable paper cup with a water-based coating can carry an industrial or home compostability mark depending on the test. Bagasse tableware is commonly certified for both home and industrial composting, which is part of why it is so popular with eco-first brands. The rule is the same as everywhere else: look for the third-party mark, not just the word on the box.
The verification checklist for buyers
When a supplier hands you a certificate, run it through a short checklist before you accept it. Confirm the product name on the certificate matches the product you are ordering, because a certificate for one item does not cover a different one. Confirm the standard and mark are current and relevant to your market, so an EN standard product is not being sold as BPI certified in the US. Confirm who issued it, a recognized body like BPI, DIN CERTCO, or TÜV. And keep a copy on file, because you may need it to prove your claim to a customer, a distributor, or a regulator.
Red flags to watch for
Be wary of a supplier who cannot produce a certificate, who offers a photocopied certificate for a different product, or who describes compostability only in vague terms like “should break down.” None of those is evidence. A real supplier treats the certificate as a normal part of the sales materials, because in food contact and compostability, documentation is part of the product.
FAQ
Q: What does BPI certification actually mean?
A: It means a compostable plastic passed ASTM D6400 testing in North America and carries the Biodegradable Products Institute mark, which US composting facilities generally accept.
Q: How are OK Compost INDUSTRIAL and HOME different?
A: INDUSTRIAL certifies for commercial facilities. HOME certifies for backyard composting, which is stricter because home piles are less controlled.
Q: Do I need a certificate for every product I sell?
A: Only if you make a compostability claim. If you claim a product is compostable, you should be able to produce the certificate that backs it up.
Q: Can bagasse tableware be home compostable?
A: Yes, certified bagasse tableware carries home compostability marks such as OK Compost HOME or AS 5810, alongside its industrial certification.
Buy the certificate, not just the claim
Strong compostability marketing starts with strong evidence. Learn the marks, understand industrial versus home, and verify every certificate before you order. That one habit protects your customers, your brand, and your compliance all at once. If you want to build a range where the certifications on every product line up with what your market expects, let our team show you the certified options and the documentation that travels with them.
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Related Reading
Go deeper on what those certifications actually mean: ASTM D6400 vs D6868 — how the two compostability standards map to the certifications on your packaging, in plain English for buyers.
