Is OK Compost the same as BPI certification?

No. OK Compost and BPI are based on different standards and serve different markets. BPI is primarily used in the United States and follows ASTM standards, while OK Compost is aligned with EN 13432 and is widely accepted in Europe and international trade. They are not interchangeable.

Is OK Compost accepted in the United States?

In most cases, no. While OK Compost is a credible international certification, U.S. composting facilities and retailers typically require BPI certification for compliance. OK Compost alone may not meet local acceptance criteria in North America.

Does BPI certification mean a product is home compostable?

No. BPI certification only applies to industrial composting conditions under ASTM standards. It does not evaluate or certify products for home compostability.

What is the difference between OK Compost INDUSTRIAL and OK Compost HOME?

OK Compost INDUSTRIAL applies to products designed for controlled industrial composting facilities. OK Compost HOME applies to products that can break down in home composting environments, which are less controlled and therefore require more stringent testing.

Do sugarcane bagasse products automatically qualify for compostability certification?

No. Although sugarcane bagasse fiber is naturally compostable, certification depends on the entire product formulation, including coatings, additives, and processing aids. Each finished product must be tested and certified as a whole.

Do I need both OK Compost and BPI certifications?

It depends on your target markets. If you sell only in the United States, BPI certification is usually sufficient. If you sell in Europe or the UK, OK Compost EN 13432 certification is required. If you operate across multiple regions or plan to expand internationally, dual certification is the safest and most flexible option.

How can buyers verify if a compostability certificate is valid?

Buyers should request a valid certificate issued by a recognized certification body, confirm that the certificate applies to the specific product model being purchased, and ensure the certified formulation matches the supplied product. Relying on general claims without documentation increases compliance risk.

OK Compost vs BPI Certification: Key Differences and Buyer Guide

Why This Is More Than “Just a Label”: Compliance Equals Market Access

In B2B procurement, “compostable” is not a marketing phrase. It is a regulated performance claim.

For food-contact packaging such as molded fiber and sugarcane bagasse tableware, compostability claims are increasingly tied to:

Local regulations and waste management rules
Retailer and foodservice procurement policies
Government or institutional purchasing requirements

Without recognized third-party certification, products may face serious risks, including:

Greenwashing accusations
Rejection by retailers or composting facilities
Exclusion from public or corporate procurement lists

For this reason, compostability certification is often a mandatory prerequisite to enter a target market, not an optional badge.

BPI Certification: The Standard Gateway to the North American Market

BPI stands for the Biodegradable Products Institute, a U.S.-based non-profit organization widely recognized across North America.

Key standards behind BPI certification

ASTM D6400: Compostable plastics
ASTM D6868: Compostable coatings on paper and fiber products

These standards evaluate whether a product:

Breaks down in industrial composting conditions
Does not leave toxic residues
Does not negatively affect compost quality

Who BPI certification is for

BPI certification primarily serves:

U.S.-based brands and distributors
Industrial composting facilities in North America
Retailers and foodservice operators with sustainability policies
Manufacturers exporting compostable products to the United States

In practice, many U.S. composting facilities and major retailers explicitly reference the BPI product list as their compliance benchmark. As a result, BPI has become the most trusted and widely accepted compostability certification in the U.S. market.

OK Compost Certification: The Preferred Choice for Europe and Global Trade

OK Compost is issued by TÜV Austria, a globally respected certification body.

Unlike BPI, OK Compost is built around European EN standards and is widely recognized beyond a single region.

Two important OK Compost categories

OK Compost INDUSTRIAL Based on EN 13432, this certification applies to products designed for industrial composting facilities.
OK Compost HOME This certification applies to products that can decompose in home composting environments, which are less controlled and more demanding than industrial systems.

Who OK Compost is for

OK Compost certification is commonly required or preferred in:

European Union member states
The United Kingdom
Australia and other EN-standard-aligned markets
International trade scenarios where global recognition matters

The OK Compost HOME label, in particular, is often perceived as a higher-level environmental commitment in European consumer-facing markets, although it is not required for all applications.

Core Comparison: OK Compost vs. BPI Certification

Dimension	BPI Certification	OK Compost Certification
Primary Markets	United States, Canada	Europe, UK, Australia, global markets
Underlying Standards	ASTM D6400 / D6868 (US standards)	EN 13432 (EU standard)
Issuing Organization	Biodegradable Products Institute (US)	TÜV Austria
Industrial Composting	Yes	Yes (OK Compost INDUSTRIAL)
Home Composting	Not applicable	Yes (OK Compost HOME)
Retail Acceptance	Gold standard in North America	Common language in Europe and international trade
Suitability for Bagasse Tableware	Yes, subject to full product formulation	Yes, subject to full product formulation

Buyer Decision Guide: Which Certification Do You Actually Need?

Scenario A: Your products are primarily sold in the United States

Answer: Prioritize BPI certification.

This is the most direct and effective way to meet local regulatory expectations and retailer requirements.

Scenario B: Your products are sold in the EU or the UK

Answer: OK Compost (EN 13432) is required.

Without it, products may be considered non-compliant regardless of material claims.

Scenario C: Your customers are spread across multiple regions, or you are a global exporter

Answer: Dual certification is the best commercial practice.

Holding both BPI and OK Compost certifications maximizes market flexibility and reduces compliance risk for your customers. This approach is increasingly preferred by international buyers who want to future-proof their product lines.

Key Certification Facts for Sugarcane Bagasse Tableware

Sugarcane bagasse fiber itself is naturally compostable. However, material origin alone does not guarantee certification.

What truly determines certification eligibility is the entire product formulation, including:

Water- and oil-resistant coatings
Additives and processing aids
Adhesives used during molding

From a buyer’s perspective, the most important step is to request:

Certification documents tied to specific product models
Valid certificates issued by recognized bodies
Confirmation that the certified formulation matches the product being supplied

General statements such as “our products are compostable” are not sufficient in regulated markets.

Final Takeaway and Action Steps

In short:

BPI is the key to the North American market.

OK Compost is the passport to Europe and global markets.

Your choice should follow your sales geography, not personal preference.

A simple decision process

Identify where your products will be sold and composted
If North America → require BPI certification
If Europe or EN-standard markets → require OK Compost (EN 13432)
If markets are diverse or expanding → partner with a supplier offering dual-certified products

Certification should not be viewed as a cost. It is an investment that reduces regulatory risk, strengthens credibility, and protects long-term market access.

Compliance Support from EcopulpPack

At EcopulpPack, we understand the complexity of global compostability regulations. Our sugarcane bagasse tableware solutions can be aligned with BPI certification, OK Compost certification, or dual certification, depending on your target market requirements.

Not sure which certification your market requires?

Contact our compliance team for guidance and request certified samples tailored to your destination market.

FAQ OK Compost vs BPI Certification

Is OK Compost the same as BPI certification?

No. OK Compost and BPI are based on different standards and serve different markets. BPI is primarily used in the United States and follows ASTM standards, while OK Compost is aligned with EN 13432 and is widely accepted in Europe and international trade. They are not interchangeable.
Is OK Compost accepted in the United States?

In most cases, no. While OK Compost is a credible international certification, U.S. composting facilities and retailers typically require BPI certification for compliance. OK Compost alone may not meet local acceptance criteria in North America.
Does BPI certification mean a product is home compostable?

No. BPI certification only applies to industrial composting conditions under ASTM standards. It does not evaluate or certify products for home compostability.
What is the difference between OK Compost INDUSTRIAL and OK Compost HOME?

OK Compost INDUSTRIAL applies to products designed for controlled industrial composting facilities. OK Compost HOME applies to products that can break down in home composting environments, which are less controlled and therefore require more stringent testing.
Do sugarcane bagasse products automatically qualify for compostability certification?

No. Although sugarcane bagasse fiber is naturally compostable, certification depends on the entire product formulation, including coatings, additives, and processing aids. Each finished product must be tested and certified as a whole.
Do I need both OK Compost and BPI certifications?

It depends on your target markets. If you sell only in the United States, BPI certification is usually sufficient. If you sell in Europe or the UK, OK Compost EN 13432 certification is required. If you operate across multiple regions or plan to expand internationally, dual certification is the safest and most flexible option.
How can buyers verify if a compostability certificate is valid?

Buyers should request a valid certificate issued by a recognized certification body, confirm that the certificate applies to the specific product model being purchased, and ensure the certified formulation matches the supplied product. Relying on general claims without documentation increases compliance risk.