Intertek Compostable Certification Program

Compostable indicates the ability of a material or product to decompose in industrial and/or home compost environments—without negatively impacting the quality of the compost (Composting Council).

Compostable is a clearly defined claim supported by established standards while biodegradable is a much broader claim that is a less meaningful indicator of environmental performance.  For example, if something is compostable it has to degrade a specific amount within a specific time range under specific conditions (while also not containing toxic materials); but a claim of biodegradability does not have these specified so a material that takes many years to degrade could be considered biodegradable as it does degrade, eventually. (EPA)

A third-party verifier confirms, through laboratory testing, that a product is compostable and often provides a certification mark for products that meet the compostable requirements. Third party certification is required by some states, municipalities, and compost facilities (for example Washington, and Black Earth Compost) in order to accept products such as plates, bags, utensils, and cups.

Intertek Compostable Certification provides proof that products have been independently tested in labs accredited to ISO 17025 and found to meet biodegradability and disintegration requirements. This Certification also verifies that products do not degrade the quality of resulting compost.

To evaluate the ability of products to decompose in an industrial compost facility, a product is evaluated against either EN 13432 or ASTM D 6400. Although these standards were originally developed for testing packaging, Intertek applies them to a broader range of product categories in our more comprehensive program scope. For home composting, Intertek uses ISO 17427 to evaluate products' ability to decompose, again extending the scope of the standard to include non-packaging items.

The main difference between a home compost pile and an industrial compost environment is the temperature of the compost. Industrial compost consistently achieves significantly higher temperatures than a home compost pile; around 130°F (58°C) compared to 70 to 80°F (20-30°C). Materials decompose more rapidly in a higher temperature, but the standards for home and industrial compost require similar decomposition for the same timeline. As a result, a product that is certified as Industrial Compostable may not necessarily meet the stricter conditions required for Home Compostable certification. (NIH)

Intertek's Compostable Program aligns with other well-known compostable certifications in the marketplace – except that Intertek's has the additional option demonstrating no microplastics are generated.

Comparable Certifications:

Home Compost Environment

Industrial Compost Environment

Use of the certification mark, which states whether the products in compostable in an industrial or home compost environment and the standard met, is only possible with certification. This registered mark of conformity may be used directly on products. Additionally, manufacturers using the same material across multiple products can streamline the certification process—potentially reducing testing requirements through material equivalency.

1. Initial Consultation - Work with Intertek's sales team and Compostable Certification Program Manager to define the project scope and required testing.
2. Sample Submission - Submit three complete product samples for testing.
3. Testing and Reporting - Testing is conducted by ISO 17025-accredited labs. Final reports are typically issued 7–8 months after sample receipt.
4. Certification Issuance - Certification is issued within 2 weeks of receiving final test results and all necessary documentation. Certification is valid for 5 years.
5. Annual Surveillance - To maintain certification, companies must complete an annual surveillance questionnaire.

Intertek's Compostable Certification validates This certification applies to any product that has the potential to be composted – from packaging and service ware to textiles and other consumer goods.

Microplastic free certification verifies that no microplastics are generated by a certified product. As public awareness and concern about microplastics in the environment continues to drive consumer decision-making, Intertek's Microplastic Free verification is designed to address this growing concern.

To meet this enhanced environmental safeguard, applicants must demonstrate the absence of microplastic formation through one of two methods:

• Soil analysis before and after the decomposition test to confirm no increase in microplastic content, or
• Material data auditing to verify that the product contains no plastic components capable of breaking down into microplastics.

This requirement positions Intertek's program as a leader in responsible compostable product certification — protecting both compost quality and the broader environment from long-term contamination risks.