ASTM D6400 vs EN 13432 vs OK Compost: Compostability Standards Compared for International B2B Buyers (2026)

For B2B operators sourcing compostable packaging across international markets, the certification landscape is more complicated than the single-region operator’s experience suggests. The US recognizes ASTM D6400 (and D6868); Europe recognizes EN 13432; TÜV Austria‘s OK Compost program operates an international certification scheme that overlaps with both. International procurement teams routinely need products carrying multiple certifications simultaneously to satisfy distribution into US, European, Asian, and Australian markets without re-certifying for each.

This article walks through the three (really four — D6400, D6868, EN 13432, and OK Compost) major industrial compostability standards, what they actually test, where each is recognized, what the certifications cost in time and money, and the procurement implications for international B2B operators sourcing compostable packaging in 2026. By the end, you should be able to look at any compostable SKU’s certification list and immediately know which markets it’s qualified for and which it isn’t.

For the broader certification ecosystem context, our BPI certification deep dive covers the US-specific BPI certification mechanics, and our BPI, TÜV, EN 13432 certifications guide is the foundational reference. This article goes deeper on the standards themselves and their cross-border applicability.

The Standards in 30 Seconds

The four major standards every international B2B buyer should know:

1. ASTM D6400 — US standard for industrial compostability of plastics and bioplastics
2. ASTM D6868 — US standard for industrial compostability of paper and fiber products with bioplastic coatings
3. EN 13432 — European standard for industrial compostability of packaging
4. TÜV OK Compost — TÜV Austria’s certification program operating internationally, with INDUSTRIAL, HOME, MARINE, SOIL, and other variants

These standards are largely harmonized in their core requirements (90% biodegradation in ~6 months, no toxicity, no contaminants) but differ in test protocol details, geographic acceptance, certification fees, and ecosystem support.

ASTM D6400: The US Standard for Bioplastics

Full title: Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities

Issued by: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials)

Adopted year: Originally 1999, updated periodically

Scope: Plastics and bioplastics intended for industrial composting

Core requirements:
– At least 90% biodegradation within 180 days under controlled industrial composting conditions
– Disintegration: physical breakdown to particles smaller than 2mm
– Ecotoxicity: resulting compost must support plant growth without toxic effects
– No regulated heavy metals above defined thresholds
– No intentionally added PFAS (current per BPI’s certification rules; not originally part of ASTM D6400 itself) (source: ASTM D6400)

Test conditions: Standardized industrial composting conditions — 58°C ± 2°C, controlled moisture, defined microbial population. Tests are conducted in laboratory composting reactors that simulate commercial facility conditions.

Recognized in: United States (federal regulatory recognition); Canada; many Asian markets (Japan, South Korea); Australia (alongside other standards)

Typical certification body: BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) for ASTM D6400 in the US market. The full BPI certification protocol is in our BPI deep dive.

Where it applies in product categories:
– Compostable cups and straws — clear PLA cold cups, PHA straws
– Compostable juice bottles — PLA-based bottles
– Compostable bags — bioplastic bags
– Bioplastic components in coated paper products

ASTM D6868: The US Standard for Coated Fiber

Full title: Standard Specification for Labeling of End Items that Incorporate Plastics and Polymers as Coatings or Additives with Paper and Other Substrates Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities

Issued by: ASTM International

Adopted year: Originally 2003

Scope: Paper and fiber products with bioplastic coatings or additives

Core requirements: Substantively the same as D6400 — 90% biodegradation in 180 days, disintegration, ecotoxicity, heavy metals limits — but adapted for the paper/fiber substrate context.

Recognized in: Same geographic scope as D6400 — US, Canada, Asia, Australia

Where it applies in product categories:
– Compostable paper hot cups and lids — paper cup body with PLA inner coating
– Compostable food containers and compostable to-go boxes — paper or fiber substrate with compostable barrier
– Compostable bowls — bagasse and fiber bowls (uncoated typically don’t need D6868; coated versions do)
– Compostable clamshell packaging — fiber clamshells with compostable coatings

The practical reality: most paper and fiber-based compostable foodware in the US market carries ASTM D6868 certification through BPI. Most plastic and bioplastic foodware carries ASTM D6400. Many products carry both because they include fiber and bioplastic components together.

EN 13432: The European Standard

Full title: Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation – Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging

Issued by: European Committee for Standardization (CEN)

Adopted year: Originally 2000, current version 2023

Scope: All packaging materials intended for industrial composting

Core requirements:
– At least 90% biodegradation within 6 months under controlled industrial composting conditions (essentially same threshold as ASTM D6400)
– Disintegration to less than 10% retained on 2mm sieve after 12 weeks (slightly more stringent disintegration requirement than D6400)
– No ecotoxicity (similar threshold to D6400)
– Heavy metals and fluorine content limits (more stringent than ASTM standards in some specifics — fluorine limits effectively act as a PFAS exclusion criterion)

Test conditions: Industrial composting at 58°C ± 2°C with controlled microbial population — operationally similar to ASTM D6400 conditions

Recognized in: All European Union member states; United Kingdom (post-Brexit, retained EU standards); Norway, Switzerland (EFTA); recognized internationally as a peer of ASTM standards

Typical certification bodies: TÜV Austria, DIN CERTCO, Vincotte (now part of TÜV), Kiwa BCS

Practical relationship to ASTM D6400: Functionally similar but legally distinct. A product certified to EN 13432 generally meets ASTM D6400 substance requirements but does not automatically receive ASTM D6400 certification — separate testing and registration is required for the US market. Reputable suppliers serving multi-region distribution typically carry both certifications.

TÜV OK Compost: The Multi-Variant International Program

TÜV Austria operates the OK Compost program, which is the most internationally portable compostability certification scheme. It includes multiple variants:

OK Compost INDUSTRIAL

The standard industrial compostability certification, technically based on EN 13432 plus additional TÜV-specific quality requirements. This is the “default” TÜV certification and is the most widely held by international compostable packaging suppliers.

Recognition: EU (as proxy for EN 13432 compliance), most international markets that recognize TÜV certifications

OK Compost HOME

Certification for products that compost in home composting conditions (lower temperature, less consistent moisture, less controlled microbial population than industrial). The home compostability bar is meaningfully harder to meet than industrial — about 90% of products that pass INDUSTRIAL fail HOME.

Practical use: Some compostable bags (kitchen waste bags, produce bags) carry HOME certification, supporting customer-facing claims of home compostability. Most other foodservice categories typically don’t carry HOME certification because the chemistry/substrate doesn’t support home composting timelines.

OK Compost MARINE

Certification for marine-degradability — biodegradation in marine water environments. PHA-based products often carry MARINE certification; PLA-based products typically don’t.

Practical use: For brands with sustainability messaging tied to ocean plastic specifically, PHA straws and similar PHA products carrying MARINE certification provide a uniquely defensible marketing claim.

Other OK variants

OK Biodegradable WATER, OK Biodegradable SOIL, OK Biobased — TÜV Austria operates additional certifications for specific use cases. Less commonly relevant to mainstream foodservice procurement but useful for specialty applications.

Standards Comparison Matrix

The practical comparison across the four major standards:

The key takeaways:
– Substantively equivalent on biodegradation requirements — products meeting one generally meet the others on the biodegradation test itself
– Geographically distinct on legal recognition — a product certified only in one region cannot be cleanly marketed as compostable in another region without additional certification
– Test methodology differences are real but small — disintegration measurements, fluorine limits, and a few other specifics differ but the practical outcome for most products is convergent

Cross-Region Procurement: How to Source Multi-Certified Product

For B2B operators selling into multiple geographic markets, the procurement protocol for cross-region compostable supply chain:

Approach 1: Source from suppliers with multi-region certification portfolios

Reputable established compostable packaging suppliers serving international markets typically carry both BPI (for ASTM D6400/D6868) and TÜV OK Compost (for EN 13432) certifications across their main SKUs. The compostable food containers, bowls, cups and straws, paper hot cups and lids, and bag categories from established suppliers generally carry dual certifications as table stakes for international distribution.

This approach is typically the cleanest — buy once, comply everywhere.

Approach 2: Source separately per region

For products where dual certification isn’t economically supported (specialty SKUs, custom-printed items, niche product lines), some operators source separately for each region — buying ASTM D6400-certified for US distribution, EN 13432-certified for EU distribution, etc.

This approach is more operationally complex but can be appropriate for very specialized SKUs where the cross-region certification cost would otherwise be unrecoverable.

Approach 3: Hybrid — core SKUs dual-certified, specialty SKUs region-specific

The most common approach for mid-size international operators. Volume SKUs (the core product range) are dual-certified for cross-region flexibility. Specialty SKUs (custom prints, limited runs) are certified specifically for their primary distribution market.

This approach optimizes the cost-vs-flexibility tradeoff. The full custom-printed compostable packaging framework is in our dedicated guide.

Geographic Recognition Beyond the Major Markets

Beyond the US (ASTM) and Europe (EN 13432) frameworks, additional regional considerations:

Canada

Generally recognizes ASTM D6400 and D6868 alongside EN 13432. Some provincial frameworks (notably Quebec) have additional French-language labeling requirements that operators selling into Canada must address separately.

Mexico

Limited domestic compostability certification infrastructure; ASTM-certified products are generally accepted for Mexican distribution.

Japan

The Japan BioPlastics Association operates the GreenPla certification, which is largely harmonized with international standards. Japan additionally accepts ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 certifications for imported product.

South Korea

Recognizes both ASTM and EN standards; Korean Ministry of Environment also operates a domestic eco-labeling program.

Australia / New Zealand

The Australasian Bioplastics Association operates a certification scheme (AS 5810 for home compostability, AS 4736 for industrial compostability) generally harmonized with international standards. ASTM and EN certifications are widely accepted.

Middle East

Limited domestic certification infrastructure; major markets (UAE, Saudi Arabia) generally accept international certifications. Some halal certification considerations may apply for specific applications.

China

The China Bioplastic Industry Association operates domestic certification; international standards are widely accepted for imported product. Chinese domestic regulatory direction is moving toward stricter compostable packaging requirements through 2025-2026.

Cost and Timeline Realities for Certification

For B2B operators considering certification of new SKUs (typically relevant to manufacturers and brands developing private-label compostable lines), the cost and timeline realities:

Single-SKU certification under one standard: $4,000–$18,000 in testing and certification fees, 3–8 months timeline.

Single-SKU dual certification (both ASTM and EN): $8,000–$28,000 combined fees, 4–8 months parallel testing, savings vs sequential certification because some test data can be shared.

Family certification across SKU variants (similar substrate, different sizes/colors): Often achievable at meaningful discount per SKU compared to fully separate certifications. Verify with certification body in advance.

Recertification at 3-5 year interval: Typically $1,500–$5,000 per SKU per cycle; less than initial certification because some testing isn’t repeated.

For operators sourcing from established suppliers (the more common B2B procurement path), these costs are embedded in the supplier’s pricing rather than directly visible to the buyer. The implication: the per-unit price difference between fully certified compostable SKUs and uncertified “compostable” alternatives reflects real testing and registration costs, not just supplier margin.

What This Means for International B2B Procurement

The summary procurement implications for international B2B operators:

Insight 1: For Multi-Region Distribution, Demand Dual Certifications

If your product distributes into both US and European markets, sourcing only ASTM-certified or only EN 13432-certified product creates compliance gaps in the other market. Demand both certifications on core SKUs.

Insight 2: Beyond Multi-Region, Consider Regional Specialty Standards

For Asia-specific distribution, verify that products carrying ASTM/EN certifications also carry locally-recognized variants (GreenPla in Japan, AS 4736 in Australia/NZ). For Canada, no additional certification typically required beyond ASTM. For Latin America, ASTM is generally sufficient.

Insight 3: Don’t Skip the PFAS Verification

PFAS-free attestation is increasingly required as a separate procurement document beyond ASTM/EN/TÜV certifications. Critical particularly in the US for sales into California, New York, Washington, and the growing list of PFAS-banning states. Full framework in our PFAS guide.

Insight 4: Verify the Substrate Type Matches the Standard

ASTM D6400 covers bioplastics; ASTM D6868 covers coated paper/fiber. EN 13432 covers both. Make sure the certification claimed matches the actual substrate composition of the product. A bagasse fiber bowl certified only to ASTM D6400 (bioplastics standard) is technically miscertified — the appropriate standard for that substrate is D6868. This kind of misalignment is rare but does occur and is verifiable during BPI registry checks.

Insight 5: Establish Quarterly Certification Refresh Discipline

International compostable supply chain has more moving parts than single-region supply chain. Suppliers occasionally let one regional certification lapse while maintaining others. Quarterly verification of all relevant certifications across your active SKU portfolio catches lapses before they become compliance gaps.

The detailed quarterly audit protocol is in our BPI certification deep dive — extends naturally to TÜV and EN 13432 certifications via the same procedural framework.

Standards Compliance and the Broader Regulatory Stack

Beyond the standards themselves, B2B operators need to layer compliance across:

• California SB 54 and similar state EPR frameworks — full state-by-state EPR landscape in our EPR laws beyond California tracker
• PFAS state restrictions across the growing list of states — landscape in our PFAS state tracker
• State and federal labeling requirements for compostable claims — including specific font sizes, BPI logo placement, and customer-facing language requirements

Standards compliance (ASTM/EN/TÜV) is necessary but not sufficient for full regulatory compliance. The standards establish the technical baseline; the regulatory framework establishes how the technical baseline must be communicated to customers, registered with PROs, and documented for enforcement.

Bottom Line

For international B2B operators sourcing compostable packaging in 2026, the standards landscape is more navigable than the per-region certification ecosystem might suggest. The four major standards (ASTM D6400, ASTM D6868, EN 13432, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL) are substantively similar on biodegradation requirements. The geographic distinctions are real but well-mapped. And the supply chain to support multi-region distribution with dual or triple certifications is mature across compostable food containers, bowls, cups and straws, paper hot cups, clamshell packaging, and bag categories.

The procurement discipline that supports international compostable sourcing — per-SKU verification, multi-standard documentation, PFAS-free attestation, quarterly refresh — is the same discipline that applies in single-region procurement, just extended across more certification frameworks. Build it into procurement calendar, document per SKU, refresh quarterly.

The materials landscape that determines what each certified SKU does in practice is documented in our PLA vs PHA vs bagasse materials guide. The full BPI procedural framework is in our BPI certification deep dive. And the foundational distinctions between compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable as marketing concepts that customers and regulators evaluate are in our compostable vs biodegradable vs recyclable explainer.

The standards ecosystem isn’t simple, but it’s coherent. The B2B operators who internalize the framework above source international compostable packaging cleanly. The ones who don’t run into compliance gaps that surface at the worst possible moment — usually when a regulator, distributor, or major customer asks for documentation that hasn’t been organized.

For procurement teams verifying compostable claims, the controlling references are BPI certification (North America), EN 13432 (EU), and the FTC Green Guides on environmental marketing claims — these are the only sources U.S. enforcement actions cite.