The 1991 EU Compostable Standards Foundation: How Europe Developed Compostable Certification First

European compostable certification developed earlier than US standards through the early 1990s, with formal European Norm (EN) 13432 published in 2000 and various TÜV certification programs developing earlier. While the US Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) was founded in 1999, Europe led on compostable certification framework development through the 1990s. Understanding European certification history provides B2B context for the international compostability standards that subsequently shaped global industry development.

This guide is the working B2B reference on European compostable standards foundation.

The Pre-Standard European Context

By late 1980s-early 1990s, several factors converged supporting European compostable standards:

Strong European environmental movement through 1980s.

Various German waste reduction initiatives including 1991 packaging ordinance.

Composting infrastructure developed earlier in Europe.

Regulatory framework more aggressive than US.

Industry coordination for certification.

European cultural and regulatory environment supported earlier compostable standards development.

Early European Standards Development

Various European compostable certification programs developed:

TÜV Austria developing OK Compost certification through 1990s.

Vincotte Belgian certification organization.

Various German organizations.

International coordination developing.

By mid-1990s, European compostable certification infrastructure was emerging.

EN 13432 Development

The European Norm 13432 was developed and published:

Comprehensive compostability standard for packaging.

Published 2000 as formal European standard.

Industrial composting standard specification.

Test methodology for compostability verification.

Adopted across European Union member states.

EN 13432 became European equivalent of US ASTM D6400.

TÜV OK Compost Certification

TÜV Austria developed comprehensive OK Compost certification:

OK Compost INDUSTRIAL for industrial composting.

OK Compost HOME for home composting (more rigorous).

OK Biodegradable WATER for marine biodegradation.

OK Biodegradable SOIL for soil biodegradation.

Various other specialty certifications.

The TÜV certification family provides comprehensive verification across multiple environments.

Comparison to US Standards

European vs. US compostability standards:

EN 13432 vs. ASTM D6400

Generally aligned standards both for industrial composting.

Slight differences in specific test parameters.

International recognition of both.

Many products certified to both.

TÜV vs. BPI

Different organizations with similar function.

TÜV broader certification family including home, marine, soil.

BPI focused on industrial composting primarily.

Both provide credible verification.

For B2B procurement, products may have either or both certifications depending on intended markets.

Why Europe Led on Compostable Certification

Several factors supported earlier European certification development:

Earlier composting infrastructure development.

More aggressive environmental regulation generally.

Industry coordination through EU framework.

Customer demand for sustainability.

Cultural environmental orientation.

These factors combined to support European leadership on compostable certification.

Modern Global Compostable Standards

Today’s compostable standards landscape:

EN 13432 for European markets.

ASTM D6400 for US markets.

ISO 17088 for international standard.

Various national standards for specific countries.

TÜV OK Compost family for comprehensive certification.

BPI certification for North American markets.

Various other certification organizations.

For B2B procurement with international exposure, multiple standards may apply.

What This Historical Context Means for B2B Procurement

Several insights:

European Leadership Foundation

European compostable certification development has 30+ year foundation. Modern standards rest on accumulated European work that subsequently influenced global standards.

Multiple Standards Globally

B2B operations with international exposure may need certification under multiple standards. Modern reputable suppliers typically certify to multiple standards.

Standards Evolution

Compostable standards continue evolving. Modern operations should track standard updates.

Certification Verification

Per-SKU certification verification through public databases for relevant standards.

The supply chain across compostable food containers, compostable bowls, compostable cups and straws, compostable bags, and compostable cutlery and utensils includes products certified to various standards. Verify per-SKU certification for relevant markets.

What “Done” Looks Like for Standards-Aware Procurement

A B2B operator with global standards awareness:

• Understanding EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 as comparable major standards
• Recognition of TÜV / BPI as comparable certification organizations
• Awareness of standards relevant for specific markets
• Per-SKU certification verification
• Strategic understanding of standard evolution

For B2B operators evaluating compostable industry standards, the European leadership history illustrates how regulatory and certification frameworks develop over decades. Modern standards rest on accumulated 30+ years of European and US compostable certification development. Operations procuring globally benefit from understanding which standards apply to which markets and verifying per-SKU certification supports compliance across diverse regulatory environments.

Compostability Standards Reference

If you are evaluating compostable packaging on a procurement spec, the three claims worth verifying on every SKU are: (1) a current third-party certificate (BPI or TÜV Austria); (2) the underlying standard reference (ASTM D6400 for North America, EN 13432 for the EU); and (3) a clear end-of-life qualifier in marketing copy that complies with the FTC Green Guides. Generic “eco-friendly” or “biodegradable” without certification is the most common compliance gap for U.S. brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is industrial composting accepted in my municipality?

Industrial composter access varies by zip code. Use the U.S. Composting Council facility locator and the EPA composting guidance page; if no industrial facility accepts compostable foodware in the customer’s area, the FTC Green Guides require a “compost where facilities exist” qualifier.

What is the difference between BPI-certified and “made with PLA”?

BPI certification is SKU-specific and requires testing of the finished product — including any inks, coatings, and adhesives. “Made with PLA” only describes a single component and is not a substitute. For procurement contracts, lock the certification number, not the material name.

How long does industrial composting actually take?

ASTM D6400 sets the bar at 90% biodegradation in 180 days under controlled industrial conditions (58 °C, controlled moisture). Real-world municipal facilities typically run 60–90 day cycles, faster than the standard worst case. Items still visible after one cycle are typically removed and re-fed, not landfilled. (source: EN 13432 baseline)

To browse our certified compostable catalog, see compostable supplies catalog or compostable bags.