A characteristic of a product or packaging that allows it to biodegrade, generating a homogeneous and stable humus-like substance.
Compostable claims must meet ISO or EN standards and be certified by one of the following organizations or programs: Biodegradable Products Institute (US), AIB Vincotte Inter (Belgium), Australian Environmental Labeling Association (Australia), Japan BioPlastics Association (Japan), DIN CERTCO (European Union).
A compostability claim can only be made if it has no negative affects on the overall value of the compost as a soil amendment, does not release substances in concentrations harmful to the environment at any point during decomposition or subsequent use, or significantly reduces the rate of composting. If only a component of the product is compostable, direction on how to separate the components must be provided to the customer.
Directions must specify whether it can be composted in a home-composting facility, an industrial composting facility, or both. If the item will only compost in an industrial composting facility, then those facilities must be available to a reasonable proportion of purchasers or statements must be included that specifically convey the limited availability of the facilities (i.e. % of communities where it is available).
Raw material should be sourced from certified organic, non-genetically modified (non-GMO), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, recycled fiber or agricultural waste.
No chlorine and chlorine dioxide, engineered nanomaterials, organohalogen-based chemicals (chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine bonded to carbon atoms), persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs), ecotoxins, carcinogens, neurotoxins, mutagens or endocrine disrupters should be used in the processing or manufacturing of the product.