Quick Facts
- BPI certification verifies compostability against ASTM D6400, the North American industrial composting standard.
- TÜV Austria's OK Compost program covers EN 13432 (industrial) plus a separate home-compost certification.
- ISO 17088 harmonizes compostable-plastic specifications internationally — a useful cross-check for Canadian buyers.
- No certifier logo, no standard number? Then "compostable" is just a claim.
PLA compost certification is how you tell a genuinely compostable plastic bag from a marketing phrase. Procurement and compliance teams in long-term care, hospitals, and food service keep seeing bags stamped "compostable" — and need a fast way to separate verified products from greenwashing. This guide explains the two certification programs you will meet most often in Canada, BPI and TÜV OK Compost, and how to verify a supplier's claim before you sign.
Why Certification Matters
Walk down any janitorial supply aisle and "compostable" appears on bags, cups, and cutlery. Few labels survive a second look. Some plastics labeled compostable only fragment into microplastics; one contaminated compost load costs the facility money and reputation.
In Canada, environmental claims fall under the Competition Act. The Competition Bureau's Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers expects claims to be specific and substantiated — enforcement is reactive. Certification closes the gap. An independent laboratory, not the manufacturer, confirms breakdown within a defined time, in a defined facility, without toxic residue.
ASTM D6400 and BPI Certification
ASTM D6400 is the specification most North American compostable products are tested against. Its full name — Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities — makes the point: engineered composting, not backyard piles. To pass, a material must reach 90% biodegradation within 180 days, disintegrate into pieces under 2 mm, and pass ecotoxicity tests on the finished compost.
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) applies this standard in North America. The BPI Certified Compostable logo means a third-party lab tested the finished product and the manufacturer faces ongoing audits. For Canadian buyers, BPI is the mark you will see most often on bags and food packaging.
EN 13432 and TÜV OK Compost
In Europe, EN 13432 plays the same role for packaging. TÜV Austria runs the OK Compost program around it: OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certifies against EN 13432; OK Compost HOME certifies breakdown at the lower temperatures of a home pile.
Don't assume the European marks don't apply in Canada. Many international suppliers ship here with EN 13432 documentation, and Canadian industrial compost facilities commonly accept it. ISO 17088, the international specification, aligns these national standards — a certificate referencing it is a useful cross-check.
Certification Comparison Table
| Certification | Standard | Region | What is tested | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPI Certified Compostable | ASTM D6400 | North America (US and Canada) | ≥90% biodegradation in 180 days, disintegration, ecotoxicity | BPI Certified Compostable logo |
| OK Compost INDUSTRIAL | EN 13432 | Europe; accepted in Canada | Same tests under industrial conditions | TÜV Austria seedling logo |
| OK Compost HOME | Home-compost criteria | Europe; on-site composting | Degradation at ambient temperatures | TÜV Austria home-compost logo |
| ISO 17088 (specification) | ISO 17088 | International | Harmonized requirements for compostable plastics | No logo — used to verify claims |
How Canadian Buyers Verify a Compostable Claim
Three checks take about ten minutes. First, search the certifier's database. BPI publishes a list of certified products; TÜV Austria publishes its license holders — if the product is not listed, the logo on the box is not enough.
Second, ask for the certificate and read the standard number on it — ASTM D6400, EN 13432, or ISO 17088 in writing. A supplier who cannot produce a certificate, a license number, and lot coverage is asking you to take the claim on faith.
Third, match the certification to your disposal route. Industrial composting runs hot — 55°C and above — which is what BPI and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certify. Composting on site at ambient temperature? You need home-compost certification instead. Certification proves the product works in the facility type named on the certificate, nothing more.
Keep the waste streams separate, too. A red biohazard bag belongs to medical waste, never to organics collection — no compost certification applies there.
FAQ
What is the difference between BPI and TÜV OK Compost?
BPI certifies products against ASTM D6400, the North American standard. TÜV Austria's OK Compost program certifies against EN 13432 in Europe and adds a separate home-compost certification. Both prove industrial compostability; choose by where your waste is processed.
Are home-compost and industrial-compost certifications the same?
No. Industrial certifications assume sustained 55–60°C temperatures and controlled conditions. OK Compost HOME requires breakdown at ambient temperatures — a harder test for most plastics. A bag certified for industrial facilities may not compost in a backyard pile, so read the certificate before choosing.
Can an uncertified PLA bag still compost?
It might, but you cannot verify it. Uncertified bags may use blends, coatings, or inks that fail biodegradation or ecotoxicity testing. If a supplier cannot produce a certificate with a standard number, treat "compostable" as a marketing claim.
Specifying Compostable Bags for Your Facility
CliniEco supplies PLA waste bags for organics collection in healthcare and food service. Compare the 30-gallon PLA waste bag and the 24×32 inch 50-pack for daily use, and check the red biohazard bag line when a stream must stay out of compost. Request the material specification and any third-party test documentation from your CliniEco account manager, then check them against the BPI and TÜV Austria databases before committing.
Related Reading
Explore more guides in this category:
- Anti-Fog Face Shields Explained: PET Coating Technology Guide
- Dental Bibs: 3-Layer Paper-PE Construction Explained for Clinics
- PLA Bags in Food Service: Certified Compostable Options in Canada
Related reading: explore our eco-friendly and sustainable product guides.
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