Compostable products are often presented as a simple solution. In reality, they sit within a system that is anything but simple. Different countries have different waste infrastructures. Composting conditions vary and not all certifications are built around the same assumptions. That’s why understanding compostable certifications is less about recognising a logo and more about understanding what sits behind it.
A certification is not just a claim. It defines the conditions under which a material is expected to perform. At their core, compostable certifications set clear expectations for how a material should break down and what the outcome should be. This includes how quickly it biodegrades, whether it disintegrates physically, and whether any visible residue remains. But those conditions are specific. And that specificity matters, because a material that performs well in one environment may not behave the same way in another. Different systems, different standards.
Most recognised consumer product certifications are designed for either industrial or home composting.
- Industrial composting EN 13432 and certifications such as OK Compost INDUSTRIAL (TÜV AUSTRIA) define performance in controlled, high-temperature conditions.
- Home composting OK Compost HOME (TÜV AUSTRIA) defines performance in lower and less controlled conditions.
- North America ASTM D6400 and BPI certification define requirements for industrial composting within North American waste systems.
- Australia AS 4736 (industrial) and AS 5810 (home) define composting requirements aligned with Australian infrastructure.
What certifications don’t tell you
One of the most common misunderstandings is that a certified product will break down “anywhere”. That’s not what certifications are designed to guarantee. They do not account for incorrect disposal, lack of oxygen or microbial activity, or temperatures that are too low or unstable. In other words, they don’t remove the need for a functioning system. They depend on it.
From product to system
This is where the conversation often becomes too narrow. A compostable product is not just a material choice, it is part of a chain that includes how waste is collected, how it is sorted, and where it is processed. Certifications help ensure that materials are compatible with that chain, but they don’t replace it. They also do not solve for misuse, contamination, or gaps in infrastructure.
Compostable certifications are not there to simplify the story. They are there to define it more precisely and to help ensure materials are used in the right context. And when they are understood in context, not just recognised visually, they become a useful tool for making decisions within complex waste systems. Read more about our certifications here
