OK compost certificate

Compostability Certifications in Europe: An Overview

Composting is a crucial part of the circular economy and a sustainable way to dispose of organic waste. Europe has been at the forefront of implementing compostability certifications to ensure that the products labeled as compostable are truly biodegradable and don’t harm the environment. In this article, we’ll look at the different compostability certifications in Europe, focusing on the differences between industrial compostable, home compostable, and marine compostable certificates.

Industrial Compostable Certifications

Industrial composting refers to the controlled process of breaking down organic waste into compost in a large-scale composting facility. Industrial compostable certifications are given to products that are suitable for this kind of composting and are biodegradable within a specified timeframe. The most widely recognized industrial compostable certifications in Europe are:

EN 13432: This is a European standard for industrial compostability and is the most widely recognized certification for industrial compostable products. To be certified under EN 13432, a product must biodegrade within 12 weeks and leave no harmful residue in the compost.

OK Compost: This certification is given by the European certification body TÜV Austria and follows the EN 13432 standard. The certification process involves testing the biodegradability of the product in industrial composting facilities.

DIN CERTCO: This is a German certification for industrial compostable products and follows the EN 13432 standard. The certification process involves laboratory testing and real-life composting tests.

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Home Compostable Certifications

Home composting refers to the process of breaking down organic waste in a small-scale composting bin or heap. Home compostable certifications are given to products that are suitable for this kind of composting and are biodegradable within a specified timeframe. The most widely recognized home compostable certifications in Europe are:

Home Compost: This is a certification by the European certification body TÜV Austria and recognizes products that are biodegradable in a home composting environment. The certification process involves laboratory testing and real-life composting tests.

PEFCR: This is a French certification for home compostable products and recognizes products that are biodegradable in a home composting environment. The certification process involves laboratory testing and real-life composting tests.

Marine Compostable Certifications

Marine composting refers to the process of breaking down organic waste in a marine environment, such as the ocean or sea. Marine compostable certifications are given to products that are suitable for this kind of composting and are biodegradable within a specified timeframe. The most widely recognized marine compostable certifications in Europe are:

Marine Degradable: This certification recognizes products that are biodegradable in a marine environment and follows the ASTM D7081 standard for marine biodegradability. The certification process involves laboratory testing and real-life marine composting tests.

Blue Angel: This is a German certification for environmentally friendly products and recognizes products that are biodegradable in a marine environment. The certification process involves laboratory testing and real-life marine composting tests.

bio-plastic bottles
Compost machine for bio-plastic

Conclusion

Compostability certifications in Europe play a crucial role in ensuring that organic waste is disposed of in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The different certifications cater to the different types of composting environments, such as industrial composting, home composting, and marine composting, and recognize products that are biodegradable within a specified timeframe. By choosing products with these certifications, consumers can play

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