EN13432 - The compostable standard

Polybags' extensive range of compostable bags conform to compostable standard EN13432 - a harmonised EU standard for compostable and biodegradable packaging, which has been adopted by the British Standards Institute and EU member states.

All products on our website marked up with the icon above conform to EN13432, which means that they meet all of the criteria outlined on this page.

EN13432 compostable standard criteria

To comply with EN13432, all packaging must meet the following key criteria in industrial composting conditions:

• Disintegration - The packaging must decompose into tiny pieces so that, after 12 weeks, at least 90% of it can pass through a 2x2mm mesh
• Biodegradation - At least 90% of materials must break down by biological action (into CO2, water and minerals) within six months
• Chemical composition - The packaging must meet limits for volatile matter, flourine and 10 heavy metals, including copper, zinc, lead and mercury
• Compost quality - Adding the packaging to compost should not affect the quality of that compost. Ecotoxicity tests examine whether the germination and biomass production of plants are adversely affected by the introduction of the composted packaging

OK Compost

Products certified as OK Compost are guaranteed to meet all of the requirements of the EN13432 compostable standard (listed above). These products carry the OK Compost logo for easy verification purposes and are guaranteed to biodegrade in an industrial composting plant.