EN 13432:2000 is the European standard for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. It sets four key requirements: (1) Biodegradation — at least 90% of the organic carbon must be converted to CO2 within 6 months; (2) Disintegration — no more than 10% of original dry mass remains on a 2mm sieve after 12 weeks; (3) Ecotoxicity — the resulting compost must pass plant germination tests (germination rate >90% of blank control); (4) Heavy metals — limits for Zn (150 mg/kg), Cu (50 mg/kg), Ni (25 mg/kg), Cd (0.5 mg/kg), Pb (50 mg/kg), Hg (0.5 mg/kg), Cr (50 mg/kg), Mo (1 mg/kg), Se (0.75 mg/kg), As (5 mg/kg). For molded pulp packaging, plain uncoated products typically pass EN 13432 easily. However, products with water-resistant coatings, printing inks, or adhesives require additional testing for each component. Certified products can display the 'Seedling' logo administered by TÜV Austria and DIN CERTCO.
ASTM D6400 is the US equivalent of EN 13432 for compostable plastics and packaging, administered by BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute). Key differences: (1) ASTM D6400 requires 90% biodegradation in 180 days vs EN 13432's 6 months — the time frame is stricter; (2) ASTM D6400 uses ASTM D5338 for biodegradation testing (controlled composting conditions at 58°C) while EN 13432 uses ISO 14855; (3) The disintegration threshold is the same (90% <2mm after 12 weeks); (4) ASTM D6400 references OECD 208 for terrestrial plant toxicity while EN 13432 uses OECD 208 equivalent. Important: BPI certification under ASTM D6400 is NOT automatically accepted in the EU under EN 13432, and vice versa. Molded pulp exporters serving both US and EU markets should obtain dual certification. BPI certification costs $3,000-$5,000 per product family, with annual renewal fees of $1,500-$2,500.
Industrial composting operates at 50-65°C with controlled moisture, aeration, and microbial activity — completing degradation in 12-24 weeks. Home composting is uncontrolled, ambient-temperature (10-35°C), and typically takes 12-24 months. Key certification programs: Industrial: EN 13432 (EU), ASTM D6400 (US), AS 4736 (Australia), ISO 17088 (International), GB/T 28206 (China). Home: OK Compost HOME (TÜV Austria), NF T51-800 (France), AS 5810 (Australia). For molded pulp packaging: plain uncoated products typically pass both industrial and home compost standards. Products with PLA or bio-based coatings may only pass industrial standard. Products with PE lamination or conventional adhesives will NOT pass either standard. In 2026, an increasing number of EU municipalities require home compostable certification for products targeting consumer composting bins, especially in France (AGEC law) and Italy (mandatory compostable packaging for certain applications).
The certification timeline for compostable molded pulp packaging: Phase 1 — Biodegradation testing (ISO 14855 or ASTM D5338): 6 months minimum for the full test cycle. Phase 2 — Disintegration testing (ISO 16929 or ISO 20200): 12 weeks. Phase 3 — Ecotoxicity testing (OECD 208): 4-6 weeks. Phase 4 — Chemical characterization (heavy metals, volatile solids): 2-3 weeks. Total timeline: 8-10 months for a complete certification. Costs: EN 13432 certification via TÜV Austria or DIN CERTCO: €6,000-€9,000 per product. BPI certification: $3,000-$5,000 per product family. OK Compost HOME: €4,500-€7,000. Multi-standard bundled testing (EN 13432 + ASTM D6400 + OK Compost HOME) through labs like OWS (Belgium) or Beta Analytic: €10,000-€15,000. Pro tip: Certify your base material recipe (pulp formulation) rather than each product SKU — this covers variations in shape/size using the same material composition.
B2B buyers should request: (1) Valid certification certificate (not expired — EN 13432 certificates typically expire after 3-5 years unless the formulation changes); (2) Certificate scope document listing exact product names and material compositions covered; (3) Annual audit report if the certification scheme requires factory audits (BRCGS Packaging, ISO 22000); (4) Chain of Custody documentation if the packaging claims recycled content; (5) Batch-level Certificate of Analysis (CoA) showing conformity to certified specification; (6) Supplier's quality management system certificate (ISO 9001 minimum); (7) Migration test reports for food-contact applications. Warning: Some suppliers show a 'test report' as proof of compostability — a test report is NOT a certification. A valid certification includes the certifier's logo, certificate number, scope, and expiry date. You can verify certificates online through TÜV Austria's CertSearch, BPI's directory, or DIN CERTCO's certificate database.