EN13432 Explained: What the Certification Really Means

If you've spotted EN13432 printed on packaging or heard it mentioned by a supplier, you might have wondered whether it actually means anything or whether it's just another label designed to sound impressive.

It's a fair question. Sustainability claims are everywhere, and not all of them hold up. But EN13432 is different. It's one of the most important standards in the compostable packaging world, and understanding it helps you cut through the noise and make genuinely informed choices.

Here's everything you need to know.

What Is EN13432?

EN13432 is the European standard that independently verifies whether a product is truly compostable. It was developed to bring consistency and accountability to an industry where "eco-friendly" claims had become easy to make and hard to verify.

The key word is independently. EN13432 isn't a label a brand applies to itself. It's the result of laboratory testing carried out by an accredited third party, confirming that a product meets strict criteria for how it breaks down, how quickly, and what it leaves behind.

If a product carries EN13432 certification, someone has done the work to prove it, not just claimed it.

What Does a Product Have to Pass?

To achieve EN13432 certification, a product must pass four separate tests.

Test	What It Means
Biodegradation	At least 90% of the material must convert to CO₂ within 6 months under composting conditions
Disintegration	At least 90% must physically break down into pieces smaller than 2mm within 3 months
Ecotoxicity	The resulting compost must not harm plant growth — tested by growing crops in it
No harmful residues	Heavy metal content must fall below regulated limits, leaving nothing toxic behind

The result, when all four are passed, is packaging that breaks down completely, quickly, and safely, turning into compost that can genuinely go back into the earth.

Industrial vs Home Composting: What's the Difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion, and it's worth being clear about.

EN13432 certifies industrial compostability. That means the product is designed to break down in a commercial composting facility, where temperatures reach 55–60°C and conditions are carefully controlled. Most home compost heaps don't reach those temperatures, which means EN13432 certified packaging won't necessarily break down in your garden bin, at least not on the same timescale.

This doesn't make it less valuable. It means it's designed to work within the UK's food waste and commercial composting infrastructure, which is exactly where most food service packaging ends up, or should end up. If you want to understand more about how composting infrastructure works in the UK, our guide to biodegradable vs compostable packaging covers the broader picture.

Some products carry an additional home composting certification — more on that below.

What Certification Marks Should You Look For?

EN13432 sets the standard, but the certification marks that confirm a product has been tested against it come from accredited bodies. The two most recognised in the UK are:

TÜV Austria issues the OK Compost mark, which comes in two versions. OK Compost INDUSTRIAL confirms the product meets EN13432 for commercial composting facilities. OK Compost HOME confirms it will also break down in a home compost environment, which requires a higher bar given the lower temperatures involved.

DIN CERTCO is a German certification body that also certifies products to EN13432 and related standards. Their mark is widely accepted across Europe and recognised by UK waste management partners.

Why Does This Matter for Your Business?

EN13432 certification has moved from a nice-to-have to a practical requirement for food businesses in the UK, for a few reasons.

First, waste infrastructure. Commercial composting facilities and waste management partners, including those we work with through our Grundon Waste collection service, require products to be certified to EN13432 before accepting them into composting streams. Without it, your packaging may be rejected and end up in general waste regardless of how it's labelled.

Second, regulation. UK packaging legislation is increasingly referencing compostability standards, and the direction of travel is clear. Certification is becoming the baseline expectation, not an optional extra.

Third, customer trust. Consumers are more aware of greenwashing than ever. Carrying certified compostable packaging, and being able to point to what that means, builds genuine credibility with customers who care.

Does All Biofuture Packaging Meet EN13432?

Yes. Every product in our compostable packaging range is certified compostable. That means every cup, box, bag, and liner has been tested, not just labelled, and proven to meet the standard.

It's something we consider non-negotiable. If it's not certified, it's not something we sell.

FAQs

Is EN13432 the same as "compostable"?

EN13432 is the standard that proves a product is genuinely compostable. A product can call itself compostable without EN13432 certification, but without it there's no independent proof. Always look for the certification mark alongside the claim.

Does EN13432 certified packaging go in the food waste bin?

It depends on your local council and waste provider. Many accept certified compostable caddy liners alongside food waste, but not all accept food service packaging like cups or boxes. Check with your waste provider before putting packaging in the food waste bin. Businesses can also set up dedicated compostable waste collections — find out more about our waste collection service.

What's the difference between EN13432 and ASTM D6400?

Both are compostability standards, but EN13432 is the European standa

rd and ASTM D6400 is the American equivalent. They're similar in scope but not identical. In the UK, EN13432 is the relevant benchmark, it's what UK waste facilities and composting partners recognise.

Is home compostable packaging the same as EN13432?

Not exactly. EN13432 certifies industrial compostability. Some products carry an additional OK Compost HOME certification from TÜV Austria, which confirms they'll also break down in a home compost environment. Check the specific mark, as industrial and home certifications are different things.

Ready to Switch to Certified Compostable Packaging?

Now that you know what EN13432 means, you know what to look for. If you're ready to make the switch, our full range of certified compostable packaging is a good place to start.

If you're earlier in the process and still working out what the switch involves, our guide to switching your café to compostable packaging walks you through it step by step.