Compost labeling systems

Labelling systems for compostable polymer materials exist in Europe, the LISA and Japan. 

AVI has introduced a second certification and labelling system besides OK Compost. This is OK Biodegradable with further specifications according to whether the applications are for soil... 

A good image for compost can be built up with assured quality and a quality label. Germany, Denmark, the Netherland, and Belgium have developed a composting system which is very important for the quality assurance. Elements of the quality assurance system are quality assurance of European composting and digestion plants (in ECN 2008) ... 

In order to ensure the activity of compost inoculum, inert material which works as soil texture is mixed into compost inoculum. The carbon dioxide evolved from the test vessel is determined by using gravimetric analysis of carbon dioxide absorbent. The method which consists of a closed system to capture evolved carbon dioxide, is available to determine the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions in a laboratory-scale test. The valuable information of degradation on the molecular structure of copolymers can frequently be obtained by means of isotopic labelling studies based on this test method of a closed system. 

A number of certification systems which provide compostable packaging labels have been established worldwide. These certification systems include DIN CERTCO based on DIN EN 13432, OK Compost by AIB Vincotte (Belgium) based on EN 13432, compostable by the U.S. Composting Council based on ASTM D6400, and GreenPla certification by the Biodegradable Plastics Society (Japan) based on JIS K6953, to mention a few. 

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