What certifications should businesses look for when sourcing biodegradable food storage containers (e.g., OK Compost, ASTM, FDA, EU food-contact)?

Businesses sourcing biodegradable food storage containers should look for a combination of compostability, food‑contact safety, and environmental certifications, not just one logo.

Core compostability standards

ASTM D6400 / D6868 (US): Define when plastics and coated fiber items can be labeled “compostable in municipal or industrial facilities,” including disintegration,biodegradation, and no toxicity to plants.

EN 13432 (EU): European standard for industrially compostable packaging; requires disintegration within about 12 weeks and complete biodegradation within six months with limits on heavy metals and ecotoxicity.

AS 4736 (Australia): Industrial compostability standard similar to EN 13432, with an added worm test to ensure no toxic effects on plants and earthworms.

Third-party compostable logos

TÜV Austria OK compost INDUSTRIAL / HOME: OK compost INDUSTRIAL confirms compliance with EN 13432 in industrial facilities; OK compost HOME indicates at least 90% degradation within six months at lower, home‑compost temperatures and requires all components (inks, additives, labels) to be compostable and non‑toxic.

Seedling logo (EU): Indicates third‑party certification that packaging is industrially compostable under EN 13432, often used together with OK compost Industrial.

BPI Certified Compostable (North America): Confirms the product meets ASTM D6400 and/or D6868 using independent labs and is widely recognized by municipalities and composting facilities.

Food‑contact safety approvals

FDA food‑contact compliance (US): For imports into or products sold in the US, suppliers should document that all materials (including coatings and inks) comply with FDA food‑contact regulations for the intended use, especially for hot, acidic, or fatty foods.

EU food‑contact framework: For EU markets, look for compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and relevant measures for plastics or paper/board, often supported by migration testing and declarations of conformity.

Other regional approvals: For broader export, LFGB/BfR (Germany) and similar national food‑contact schemes are commonly requested alongside FDA/EU compliance.

Additional regional and sustainability marks

Home‑compostable programs (e.g., BPI “home compostable”): Voluntary labels that go beyond industrial compostability and are useful for consumer‑focused retail packaging.

Non‑GMO / organic‑compatible labels: Some compostable bags and containers carry NON‑GMO Project or organic‑use certifications (e.g., Debio) to show the compost can be used in organic agriculture.

ISO 17088: International standard for plastics suitable for organic recycling (industrial composting), sometimes used for global tenders.

Practical checklist for sourcing

Confirm at least one recognized compostability standard (EN 13432, ASTM D6400/D6868, AS 4736, or ISO 17088) plus a third‑party logo (OK compost, Seedling, BPI).

Verify food‑contact safety for all target markets (FDA, EU 1935/2004, LFGB/BfR, etc.) with test reports and declarations of conformity, especially for hot, oily, or acidic foods.

Ensure certificates cover the finished item (tray, lid, coating, inks) rather than just base resin, and check expiry dates and scope on the certifier’s database.