Composting Certifications Explained

Composting certifications, such as: BPI, TÜV, and ASTM; each verify different things under different conditions. If you’re sourcing compostable packaging or evaluating supplier claims, knowing what each certification actually requires protects you from mismatched infrastructure and potential greenwashing exposure. The sections below cover BPI, TÜV, and ASTM certifications, what standards each applies, and how they differ.

Difference Between Biodegrade and Compost

Some certifications apply to composting, and others are for biodegrading. Both are natural processes for chemically breaking down materials to recycle organic waste, but they have key differences:

Biodegrade

Biodegrading is a more encompassing term referring to the breakdown of organic matter. Bacteria, fungi, and other naturally occurring microorganisms break materials down into their elements. Every material will biodegrade eventually, whether the process occurs over a few months or centuries.

Compost

Composting is a more specific type of biodegradation. Compostable materials break down into their basic parts at a rate similar to organic materials. This decomposed matter provides nutrients and fertilizer to the Earth, benefiting the ecosystem. Compostable products have been tested and certified to ensure they break down in a specific time frame without releasing harmful substances into the environment.

There are two types of composting:

• Industrial: Industrial or commercial composting transforms materials into compost in an environment with formulated microbial communities and increased temperatures. Industrial composting can take as few as 180 days.
• Home: Home compostable products break down in home composting centers with a natural microbial community and ambient temperatures. Home composting disintegrates materials in six months and biodegrades to form compost in one year.

Why Are Composting Certifications Important?

Composting certifications verify that a product has been tested by an independent third party against scientific standards for disintegration, biodegradation, and eco-toxicity. These aren’t marketing claims; they’re measurable outcomes confirmed through standardized laboratory and field testing. For manufacturers and companies, certified compostable seals on packaging provide verifiable proof that a product will break down as claimed.

Certifications also serve as a safeguard against greenwashing. Products labeled only as “biodegradable” without third-party certification may not break down in any composting environment within a meaningful time frame. A certified compostable designation, backed by standards like ASTM D6400, confirms that the product meets specific criteria for composting facilities or home compost systems.

Beyond trust, certification is increasingly a regulatory requirement. Many state and local governments in the U.S. now require ASTM D6400 compliance for any product labeled “compostable.” FTC Green Guides also call for specificity and substantiation in environmental claims, making third-party certification the most defensible way to support compostability language on your packaging and marketing materials. Major foodservice brands, including Chipotle and Sweetgreen; have adopted BPI-certified compostable packaging as part of their sustainability commitments, signaling that verified certifications are becoming the industry standard.

What Does BPI Certified Mean?

BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) is a non-profit organization and North America’s leading third-party certifier for compostable products. BPI certification means a product has passed testing under ASTM D6400 (for plastics) or ASTM D6868 (for coated paper and fiber substrates). Testing covers three criteria: biodegradation, disintegration, and eco-toxicity; confirming the product will break down safely in a commercial composting facility.

BPI-certified products must also be free from intentionally added PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a requirement BPI adopted to address contamination concerns in compost streams. BPI certification applies to industrial composting only; it doesn’t cover home composting or marine degradation. At Greenprint®, our agave straws and cutlery carry BPI Commercial certification under ASTM D6400.

What Does TÜV Certified Mean?

TÜV Austria is a globally recognized certification body for testing compostability to the highest standards. The name comes from Technischer Überwachungsverein in German, or Technical Inspection Association in English; the independent companies that conduct third-party testing. TÜV Austria certifies against EN 13432, Europe’s harmonized standard for industrial composting, as well as AS 5810 and AS 4736, Australia’s home and industrial composting standards. TÜV certification applies to commercial composting, home composting, and marine degradation.

Look for the “OK compost HOME” seal for products certified for home compostability. Products for industrial compostability carry an “OK compost INDUSTRIAL” seal. Our Greenprint® agave straws hold TÜV Austria OK Compost HOME certification; meaning they’ll break down at ambient temperatures (20–30°C) in a backyard compost system, thanks to our proprietary enzyme-enhanced agave compound. Our Fiberware™ line carries TÜV Austria OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certification for commercial composting facilities. Note that our agave cutlery is BPI Commercial certified and requires industrial composting; it doesn’t hold TÜV HOME certification.

What Are ASTM Composting Standards?

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) doesn’t grant certifications directly, as it sets the testing standards that certifiers like BPI and TÜV Austria use. ASTM standards in the United States cover three categories:

Commercial Composting

Products with labels certifying industrial or commercial compostability have been tested against ASTM D6400 criteria. ASTM D6400 states that products meeting this standard must disintegrate, biodegrade, and compost in 180 days, and the final product must be nontoxic to the ecosystem. After a product passes ASTM D6400 testing, the results are sent to a third-party organization for certification; BPI in the U.S. and TÜV Austria in Europe.

A related standard, ASTM D6868, applies to compostable coatings and films on paper substrates, for example, paper cups and food containers with a compostable lining. Products like these are tested under D6868 rather than D6400 because the base material is paper, not plastic.

Landfill Degradation

Products tested for landfill degradation under ASTM D5526 have been proven to biodegrade in landfill conditions. This standard tests plastic materials under anaerobic conditions, reducing the volume of waste in landfills and making landfill gas recovery easier. ASTM D5526 is the only test of this type in the world.

Marine Degradation

Products certified as marine degradable have met the criteria for ASTM D6691. This standard ensures that materials physically break down within three months and biodegrade in six months, making them suitable for a marine environment. ASTM D6691 is exclusively used for products intended for marine environments.

In the United States, there’s currently no institution that certifies marine degradation. In Europe, TÜV Austria uses the results of ASTM D6691 testing to grant the OK Marine certification.

Composting Certifications at a Glance

Certification Body	Standard Applied	Scope	Region
BPI	ASTM D6400 / D6868	Industrial composting only	North America
TÜV Austria OK Compost INDUSTRIAL	EN 13432	Industrial composting	Europe / Global
TÜV Austria OK Compost HOME	EN 13432 (modified)	Home composting	Europe / Global
TÜV Austria OK Marine	ASTM D6691	Marine degradation	Europe

Key Takeaways

The differences that matter most:

• BPI certification in the United States is equivalent to the OK compost INDUSTRIAL certification in Europe.
• ASTM and BPI don’t have tests or certifications for home compostable products; these organizations work only with industrial compostability.
• Land environments can use compostable materials or materials that biodegrade. Since marine environments can’t support composting, these applications require materials that biodegrade in marine conditions.
• All compostable products will biodegrade, but not every material that biodegrades meets compostability standards.

How to Spot Greenwashing on Compostable Products

Not every product marketed as “compostable” has been independently verified. To evaluate claims, look for recognized certification logos: BPI or TÜV OK Compost, with a visible license or certification number printed on the packaging. Be cautious of products labeled only as “biodegradable.” This term is unregulated and doesn’t confirm that the product will break down in a composting environment. Also check whether the product specifies home compostable or industrially compostable; vague “compostable” claims without this distinction are a sign that the product may not have been tested against any recognized standard.

Contact Greenprint® About Compostable Products

Check out our Renewacups™ and Fiberware™ product lines, and get in touch with our team to learn more about certified compostable solutions for your operation.