EN 13432 (industrial compostability)
Also known as: DIN EN 13432, Composting standard, Seedling label, OK Compost Industrial
EU standard for industrial compostability — 90 % disintegration within 12 weeks, 90 % biodegradation within 6 months, no ecotoxicity.
Description
DIN EN 13432 (first edition 2000, current 2010) is the European reference standard for the industrial compostability of packaging and biodegradable materials — for textiles it is relevant above all for bio-packaging, compostable labels and PLA/PBAT-based nonwovens (e.g. hygiene items, disposable surgical gowns).
The standard defines four test criteria: (1) biodegradation — at least 90 % conversion of organic carbon into CO₂ within 6 months (ISO 14855); (2) disintegration — at least 90 % of the sample fragments to < 2 mm within 12 weeks; (3) ecotoxicity — the compost end-product must show no toxicity in cress and barley germination tests (OECD 208); (4) heavy-metal limits — Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn must not exceed specified values.
Important: EN 13432 applies only to industrial composting facilities (58–65 °C) — not to home composting! For home compost see the complementary standards NF T 51-800 (France) and OK Compost Home (TÜV Austria). Identifiable by the "Seedling" logo (sprout in a circle) with certificate number.
- Biodegradation: ≥ 90 % in 6 months (ISO 14855)
- Disintegration: ≥ 90 % fragments < 2 mm after 12 weeks
- Only for industrial composting (58–65 °C)
- US equivalent: ASTM D6400
Properties
| Biodegradation | ≥ 90 % in 6 months |
|---|---|
| Disintegration | ≥ 90 % < 2 mm after 12 weeks |
| Temperature range | 58–65 °C (industrial compost) |
| US equivalent | ASTM D6400 |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: EN 13432 Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EN_13432
- TÜV Austria OK Compost tuv-at.be https://www.tuv-at.be/de/oekologie/
