TÜV AUSTRIA OK Compost

A certification indicating that a product is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. Essential for eco-friendly businesses.

Overall Score:

Great

Green Hive is not affiliated with any certification organizations and scores are determined through independent analysis.

TÜV AUSTRIA OK Compost

About

Difficulty:

Hard

Credibility:

High

The TÜV AUSTRIA certification, validates products for compliance with EN 13432. This certification is particularly relevant for products that are biodegradable, either in home composting environments (OK compost HOME) or in industrial composting plants (OK compost INDUSTRIAL). The certification encompasses a range of materials and products, from raw materials to finished items.

Key Features

  • Items with the OK compost INDUSTRIAL label are assured to biodegrade in industrial composting facilities.
  • Products that are solely OK compost INDUSTRIAL-certified should not go into the garden compost.
  • Due to the lower and inconsistent temperatures, certification for composting in home gardens is viewed as a more challenging process.

Trustworthiness

To acquire the certification, products undergo rigorous testing, including biodegradation, disintegration, ecotoxicity, and material characteristics assessments. Documentation detailing product attributes, production sites, and relevant test reports are required. The certification process adheres to the EN 13432: 2000 standard and other recognized international standards. TÜV AUSTRIA accepts reports from approved laboratories or accredited according to ISO 17025, and any changes to a certified product must be reported for continued compliance.

Duration and Renewal

Once granted, the certification remains valid for five years. After this period, products must undergo a re-evaluation to ensure continued compliance with the standards.

Impact and Significance

Products bearing the OK compost labels assure stakeholders of their compostability in the specified environments. This certification ensures that products will biodegrade under specific conditions, minimizing environmental impact. It also guarantees that products do not contain hazardous substances above allowed levels, ensuring safety for both the environment and consumers. The certification provides clarity on end-of-life treatments for products, emphasizing their compostability while not commenting on other environmental aspects.