Certifications
There are a variety of certificates compostable packaging can achieve. Some guarantee that it will compost in a “standard” home composter. Others that it will compost in an industrial composting facility. And some ensures that the raw material is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Our mailers have been awarded with several of these certificates. Below is a list of them along with an explanation of the certificates and the testing processes.
1. Chemical Test – A full disclosure of all constituents. Heavy metals may not be present above the maximum allowed levels.
2. Biodegradability – Proof must be made that in the span of 12 months at least 90 % of the material has been converted into CO2, at ambient temperature (between 20°C and 30°C). At no point is the temperature allowed to go above 30°C. The biodegradation happens in controlled composting conditions, in order to measure the amount of CO2 produced in the composting process of the material.
3. Disintegration – After 6 months a minimum of 90 % of the material, as compared to the original mass, must disintegrate into pieces no bigger than 2mm. This is tested by sieving the material on a sieve with a 2mm screen. Disintegration test is also performed at ambient temperature (between 20°C and 30°C).
4. Compost Quality (Ecotoxicity) – The resultant compost is examined to ensure that it is nontoxic and will not impact plant growth. This is examined through an agronomic test.
Launched by European Bioplastics, this is the European standard for industrially compostable products. It guarantees compostability of all components of the product, including inks and additives. The criteria a product must meet to be certified are much like those for OK compost HOME. Except testing happens in conditions equal to the environment in industrial composting. Also time limits are also different.
There are two certificates a product can be awarded, guaranteeing industrial compostability. One is Seedling, the other is OK compost INDUSTRAIL (EN 13432). The certification programme for both of these is the harmonised EN 13432: 2000 standard.
The Seedling-label is a trademark owned by European Bioplastics. The certification process for this is offered by Belgian certifier TÜV Austria Belgium NV/SA and German certifier DIN CERTCO. OK compost INDUSTRIAL (EN 13432) is TÜV Austria’s own certificate awarded for complying with EN 13432.
The labels of both certificates give compostable products recognition throughout the entire European market.
Testing for certification according to EN 13432:
1. Chemical Test – A full disclosure of all constituents. Heavy metals may not be present above the maximum allowed levels.
2. Biodegradability – Proof must be made that in the span of 6 months at least 90 % of the material has been converted into CO2. The biodegradation happens in controlled composting conditions, in order to measure the amount of CO2 produced in the composting process of the material.
3. Disintegration – After 3 months a minimum of 90 % of the material, as compared to the original mass, must disintegrate into pieces no bigger than 2mm. This is tested by sieving the material on a sieve with a 2mm screen.
4. Compost Quality (Ecotoxicity) – The resultant compost is examined to ensure that it is nontoxic and will not impact plant growth. This is examined through an agronomic test.