Logo, compostable products

In 2005, the four leading European biodegradable plastics material suppliers BASF, Nature Works, Novamont and Rodenburg Polymers, have also agreed to submit their packaging materials and products for certification by Din Certco under EN 13432, and label their packaging products with the compostability logo to better inform consumers and retailers. 

Products that comply with the ASTM specification, as confirmed by independent testing, can bear a logo developed jointly by the international Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the United States Composting Coimcil (USCC). Certified products are listed on the BPI Web site at www.bpiworId.org. 

The applicant for the compostability logo must submit a dossier to DIN-Certco. After review of information and test results, the material or product is (eventually) approved, receives a certificate and is allowed to carry the compostability logo (with a number). 

OK Compost is based on EN 13432 and also uses an additional certification scheme for further interpretation and use of the norm. The procedure for application is similar to that of the seedling logo. Testing must be performed at recognised laboratories. Approved products can carry the OK Compost logo (Figure 5.9), with a mmiber. 

Originally, the OK Compost system was based on the draft proposals for the European norm on compostability completed with some further technical specifications by AVI. Since the definite publication of EN 13432 [5], this norm is the principal guideline for the OK Compost system. Producers of basic materials or definite products must submit a dossier to AVI, which is making an evaluation and eventually granting the OK Compost certificate. The products can carry the OK Compost logo (see Figure 5.10). More information can be found on their website [80]. In October 2004 about 40 materials, products or additives are certified according to OK Compost. 

The certification process involves the assignment of a protected label, which is a valuable and necessary tool in communication. The terms compostable and biodegradable , however, cannot be protected. The compostability logo, also called the seedling , enables the user/consumer to identify the product ft is also usually required for the correct sorting and disposal of compostable plastic waste. The European Bioplastics association is currently implementing a unified certification and labeling scheme for bioplastic products in Europe. 

Product certification guarantees that it is not only the plastic that is compostable, but also all other components of the product, such as colors, labels, glues, and-in the case of packaging products-residuals of the content. The protected compostability label (or seedling ) may only be used for certified products. Both the logo and the number of the certificate printed on the product allow identification of the producer and confirmation of conformity the product that has been tested and the marketed one must coincide. 

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