Standards and certifications for bioplastics

To ensure quality and environmental performance, several standards and certifications exist for bioplastics:

• EN 13432: A European standard specifying requirements for compostability and biodegradability of packaging.
• OK Compost (TÜV Austria) A certification indicating that a product is industrially compostable according to EN 13432.
• “OK Home Compost” (TÜV Austria) – A certification indicating that a product is compostable in home compost.
• OK Biodegradable Soil and Marine: Certifications indicating that a product is biodegradable in soil and marine environments respectively.
• BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute, USA). Less common in Sweden, but important for Nordic companies exporting to the USA.
• The Seedling label (European Bioplastics) is widely known and accepted throughout the Nordic region and indicates that a product is compostable according to EN 13432.
• ASTM D6866 (Bio-based content) for products marketed as ‘bio-based’.