Industry standards development — the systematic consensus-building process producing standards like ASTM D6400 (US compostable plastic standard), EN 13432 (European compostable packaging standard), ISO 17088 (international compostable plastic standard), and various other compostable industry standards — provides foundation for the certification infrastructure supporting modern compostable industry. Understanding standards development supports informed B2B procurement evaluation, particularly for operations developing sophisticated compostable program documentation.
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This guide is the working B2B reference on compostable industry standards development.
What Industry Standards Provide
Industry standards provide:
Standardized methodology for testing and verification.
Consensus among industry stakeholders.
Independent third-party verification through certification organizations.
International recognition for many standards.
Continuous development as industry evolves.
For B2B procurement, standards-based certification provides credibility for compostability claims.
Major Compostable Industry Standards
ASTM D6400
Standard for compostable plastics (US).
Industrial composting focus.
Established methodology for testing.
BPI uses ASTM D6400 for certification.
ASTM D6868
Compostable coated paper standard.
Complement to D6400.
For paper-plastic composite products.
EN 13432
European compostable packaging standard.
Industrial composting focus.
Aligned with ASTM D6400 in most respects.
TÜV OK Compost INDUSTRIAL uses EN 13432.
ISO 17088
International compostable plastic standard.
Aligned with regional standards.
Global recognition.
TÜV OK Compost HOME
Home composting standard (more rigorous than industrial).
Lower temperature requirements.
Specific certification.
Various Other Standards
Various national standards for specific countries.
Specialty standards for marine biodegradation, soil biodegradation, etc.
Standards Development Organizations
ASTM International
US standards development organization.
Voluntary consensus standards.
Various technical committees including compostable.
Industry-academic-government participation.
European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
European standards development.
EN standards developed.
Harmonization with EU directives.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
International standards.
National standards body participation.
Global consensus building.
Various Other Organizations
Various industry-specific standards bodies.
Multi-stakeholder initiatives.
The Standards Development Process
Standards development typically involves:
Industry consensus building among stakeholders.
Technical committee work developing draft standards.
Public comment periods for stakeholder input.
Iterative revision based on input.
Final approval through formal process.
Periodic review for updates.
The process supports comprehensive consensus-based standards.
Why Standards Matter for B2B Procurement
For B2B operations:
Standardized certification supporting credibility.
International recognition for global procurement.
Verification infrastructure through certification organizations.
Customer trust in standardized claims.
The supply chain across compostable food containers, compostable bowls, compostable cups and straws, compostable bags, and compostable cutlery and utensils supports standards-certified compostable procurement.
What “Done” Looks Like for Standards-Aware Procurement
A B2B operator with standards awareness:
- Understanding major compostable standards
- Per-SKU certification verification
- International standard recognition for global procurement
- Documentation supporting certified claims
The standards context isn’t required for routine compostable procurement. But for operations developing sophisticated documentation or operating internationally, understanding standards development provides important context.
For B2B operators evaluating compostable industry credibility, standards-based certification provides essential foundation. Modern compostable products certified to ASTM D6400, EN 13432, or equivalent standards have undergone rigorous independent verification supporting credible compostability claims and customer-facing communication.
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.