BPI Certified Compostable

Increasingly, the global market recognizes and favors products that help to protect and preserve the environment. A critical stage in a product life cycle is end of life and whether it can be put back into the environment. There is growing demand for compostable products and for credible compostable claims to rely on for sourcing and purchasing decisions.

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certified Compostable program was developed to apply science-based testing to prove a material will compost in a municipal or commercial facility. The Certified Compostable program uses a specific set of testing criteria published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM D6400 applies to plastic and standard ASTM D6868 is used with coated paper products or where polymers are used as binders. To pass the ASTM tests, a product must:

  • Disintegrate quickly leaving no visible residue that has to be screened out
  • Biodegrade fully or convert rapidly to carbon dioxide, water and biomass
  • Result in compost that can support plant growth
  • Not introduce high levels of regulated metals into the soil

NSF International

NSF International is the program administrator for BPI Certified Compostable products. Manufacturers interested in the Certified Compostable program can contact NSF International and obtain further information on the product certification process, including timing and estimated costs. View a full program description. To find out how to get started on certifying your product or for more information on the BPI Certified Compostable program, contact Cheryl Navarro at 734.913.5708 or cnavarro@nsf.org.

To start the process, you can complete a request form at www.bpiworld.org/request

For more information on the program, go to www.bpiworld.org

For more information on NSF International, go to www.nsf.org

About Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)

Founded in 1999, the Biodegradable Products Institute is 501-(c)(6) organization involving people and companies that produce, use or recover compostable products. It promotes the growth of a wide range of compostable products, including plastics, coated paper, molded pulp and bagasse items through education, use of scientifically-based standards and cooperative efforts with organizations in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.bpiworld.org.