EN 13432 Compostability Standard: Buyer's Guide
EN 13432 European compostability explained. Testing requirements, how to verify supplier claims, EU Pkg Reg 2025 and UK Plastic Tax implications.
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EN 13432 is the European standard for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. Published by CEN (the European Committee for Standardization) in 2000, it remains the primary reference standard for compostable packaging across the EU and UK in 2026, and is explicitly referenced by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025 and the UK Plastic Packaging Tax.
What EN 13432 actually requires
To meet EN 13432, packaging must demonstrate four properties under industrial composting conditions (typically 58°C and controlled moisture):
- Biodegradability: 90% conversion of carbon to CO₂ within 6 months
- Disintegration: ≤10% of material residue larger than 2mm after 12 weeks
- No negative effect on compost quality: Heavy metal content below specified limits; no toxicity to plant growth
- Chemical composition disclosure: Material composition documented; no banned substances
A compostable molded fiber product that meets all four criteria can be certified and marked with the “Seedling” logo (managed by TÜV Austria’s OK Compost programme or DIN CERTCO in Germany).
How testing works in practice
EN 13432 certification involves laboratory testing through accredited bodies (TÜV Austria, DIN CERTCO, Vinçotte, others). Tests typically run 4-6 months and cost €5,000-€15,000 per material formulation. Once certified, the certificate is valid for 5 years subject to no material changes.
Critical caveats:
- Industrial vs home composting: EN 13432 covers industrial composting only (high temperature, controlled). Home compostable is a separate certification (NF T51-800 or TÜV Austria OK Home Compost).
- Material-specific certificates: Bagasse molded fiber, PLA, paper-PLA composites all require separate testing. A supplier with one EN 13432 certificate may not cover all their SKUs.
- Thickness limitations: Most certificates apply up to a maximum material thickness. Thicker products require separate testing.
Why EN 13432 matters in 2026
Two regulatory frameworks make EN 13432 a near-mandatory specification for foodservice packaging in 2026:
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025
The PPWR (Article 9) requires packaging to meet specific recyclability or compostability standards by 2030. EN 13432 is the explicit reference standard for the compostable category. Packaging that does not meet EN 13432 cannot be marketed as compostable in the EU.
UK Plastic Packaging Tax
The UK PPT exempts compostable plastic from the tax, but only if it meets EN 13432 (or equivalent). A bagasse molded fiber product would typically be exempt as a non-plastic, but plastic-coated or hybrid materials need explicit EN 13432 evidence.
What to verify with suppliers
When evaluating an EN 13432 claim:
- Request the certificate, not just a logo: The Seedling logo is widely misused. The actual certificate from TÜV Austria or DIN CERTCO is the proof.
- Verify the certificate scope: Confirm the specific SKUs you’re buying are within the certified scope and thickness range.
- Check the expiry date: EN 13432 certificates run 5 years; expired certificates are invalid for new market claims.
- Cross-check with the certifying body’s database: TÜV Austria’s OK Compost database is publicly searchable.
- Confirm material composition has not changed: Certificates are voided by formulation changes the supplier did not re-certify.
EN 13432 vs ASTM D6400
The U.S. equivalent of EN 13432 is ASTM D6400. The two standards are technically aligned (both require ~90% biodegradation under industrial composting) but operate on different administrative regimes. A product certified to EN 13432 typically also passes ASTM D6400 testing, but the certifications are issued separately by region-appropriate bodies.
For multi-market suppliers, buyers look for both EN 13432 (EU and UK) and ASTM D6400 (U.S.) compostability. Ecofy holds an Intertek ASTM D6868 report, tested to the EN 13432 methods (ISO 14855 and ISO 16929), with full documentation on request.
Common pitfalls in EN 13432 claims
- “Biodegradable” ≠ “EN 13432 compostable”: Biodegradable is a vague term with no specific standard behind it. EN 13432 is specific and verifiable.
- “OK Compost” vs “OK Compost HOME”: The first is industrial composting (matches EN 13432). The second is home composting and is a different, stricter standard.
- Hybrid products: A bagasse bowl with a PET lid is partially compostable. The bagasse meets EN 13432; the PET does not. Marketing the entire product as compostable is non-compliant.
Ecofy’s EN 13432 position
Ecofy’s molded fiber bagasse plates, EN 13432 compliant bowls, and compostable clamshell containers are EN 13432 compliant through TÜV Austria. PET lids on takeaway bowls are not compostable; they are recyclable through standard PET streams. We mark this distinction explicitly on product spec sheets and recommend customers do the same in retail labelling and ESG reporting.
