BPI Certification — Compostable Product Verification

1. Definition — What Is BPI Certification?

The BPI Certification is a third-party verification program managed by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), the leading North American authority for compostable materials. According to BPI (2024), this program certifies that packaging and products meet scientifically defined standards such as ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868.

This verification confirms they will fully decompose into CO2, water, and biomass in industrial composting facilities. The BPI compostable certification provides consumers, composters, and manufacturers with confidence that a labeled product is genuinely compostable and free from conventional plastics or toxic additives.

In essence, BPI Certification ensures that products marketed as compostable are independently verified to meet international compostability standards and can safely return to the earth.

2. Certification Process — How BPI Verification Works

Before earning the BPI compostable certification, a product must undergo a comprehensive review process that includes laboratory testing and material disclosure. BPI evaluates both the base materials and the final product to ensure full compliance with compostability standards.

Main Evaluation Steps:

• Laboratory Testing: Products are tested under ASTM D6400 or D6868 methods to verify complete biodegradation within 180 days.
• Toxicity & Material Safety: Heavy metal limits and ecotoxicity are evaluated to prevent soil contamination.
• PFAS Screening: Products must be PFAS-free to qualify for certification.
• Product Review: BPI confirms that inks, adhesives, and coatings are also compostable.
• Approval & Labeling: Once certified, the product may display the official BPI Compostable Logo for consumer recognition.

Certified items are listed in the BPI Certified Product Database, allowing composters and consumers to verify authenticity and avoid misleading "green" claims.

3. Why It Matters — Environmental and Industry Impact

The BPI compostable certification plays a key role in building trust and transparency in the compostable packaging industry. It ensures that manufacturers use scientifically verified materials and that composting facilities receive inputs that decompose predictably and safely.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 2023), third-party certification programs like BPI help prevent contamination in compost streams and advance circular waste management goals. Products carrying the BPI logo contribute to reducing landfill waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting a cleaner, regenerative materials cycle.

Industry Benefits:

• Supports alignment with ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 global compostability standards.
• Encourages the elimination of PFAS, BPA, and other harmful chemicals from food packaging.
• Promotes collaboration between manufacturers, regulators, and composters.

4. BPI vs Other Compostability Certifications

While BPI is the primary certification body in North America, other global programs such as TÜV Austria’s OK Compost and European EN 13432 share similar goals. BPI Certification aligns North American standards with global best practices to ensure consistency in labeling and performance.