Use the certificate your market recognizes
BPI is the common reference for North American compostable products and packaging, BPI says its certification program verifies ASTM compostability standards for products sold with compostability claims
DIN CERTCO and TÜV AUSTRIA are common names for European and international buyers, TÜV AUSTRIA separates OK compost HOME and OK compost INDUSTRIAL so the composting environment is clear
- North America buyers often ask for BPI
- European buyers often ask for DIN CERTCO, OK compost INDUSTRIAL, or EN 13432 support
- Home composting claims need a certificate that actually covers home composting
- Australia can require separate market review, especially when buyers ask about AS 5810
What BPI usually means for buyers
BPI focuses on certified compostable products and packaging in North America. Its certification page says ASTM D6400 is the base standard for items in the BPI certification process.
For a pet product buyer, BPI can help support compostable claims in the United States and Canada, but you still need to check product scope, certificate holder, and packaging language
DIN CERTCO and OK Compost are not the same label
DIN CERTCO is a certification body buyers often see in European compostability documents, TÜV AUSTRIA runs OK compost labels with separate schemes for home and industrial composting
OK compost INDUSTRIAL refers to industrial composting plants, OK compost HOME refers to home composting conditions. Do not use an industrial certificate to imply home compostability
Read the certificate scope before artwork
A resin certificate does not always cover every finished bag format, thickness, color, or printed retail pack. Ask your supplier what exactly the certificate covers
Artwork should follow the certificate scope. If the document supports industrial composting, the packaging should not suggest home composting unless a home compost certificate covers the product
The safest workflow is document review first, packaging claim second, bulk order third
Official sources checked
This guide uses public information from BPI, DIN CERTCO, TÜV AUSTRIA, and FTC Green Guides as reference points. Buyers should still verify the current certificate record before ordering