When “Eco-Friendly” Isn’t Enough
Let’s say you import what you believe is “compostable” packaging from overseas. The shipment arrives at port — only to be held at customs because the packaging lacks recognized certification.
In today’s regulatory climate, “eco-friendly” marketing claims won’t cut it.
For importers in the US, EU, and Middle East, knowing which certifications to insist upon can be the difference between seamless clearance and seized cargo.
At Murth, we understand how missing compliance causes costly delays, rejections, and brand risk. This guide helps you demand the right credentials before you place that first big order.
The 5 Must-Have Certifications & Standards
Below are the essential certifications that every serious eco-packaging importer should demand. Each one addresses a different dimension of compliance, risk, and market acceptance.
1. EN 13432 — Europe’s Benchmark for Industrial Compostability
- EN 13432 is the harmonized European standard that defines how packaging must behave in industrial composting environments. It sets strict requirements across biodegradation, disintegration, ecotoxicity, and compost quality.
- Among its requirements: packaging must disintegrate such that no more than 10 % of fragments remain >2 mm after 12 weeks, and at least 90 % of the material (carbon) must convert to CO₂ in ≤ 6 months.
- EN 13432 is directly referenced in the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) as the standard for “packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation.”
- Certification to EN 13432 is typically performed via third-party bodies (e.g. TÜV SÜD) that run standardized tests to confirm compliance.
Because the EU is one of the largest importers globally, EN 13432 is often non-negotiable for packaging destined for European markets.
2. ASTM D6400 — The US Standard for Compostable Plastics
- The ASTM D6400 standard governs plastics and products intended to compost in municipal or industrial aerobic composting environments. It defines threshold criteria for biodegradation, disintegration, and allowable residuals.
- The standard ensures that the materials labeled “compostable” will degrade under composting conditions in a timeframe and manner acceptable to composters.
- Often, US states require products labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” to meet ASTM D6400 (or related standards) to avoid misleading claims.
- Some composting standards also reference ASTM D6868 for plastic films/coatings on compostable substrates.
If your packaging is going into the US market, ASTM D6400 (or D6868 for coated films) is a critical baseline.
3. FDA / US Food-Contact Safety Requirements
- In the US, materials or components that come into contact with food are regulated as food contact substances. The FDA imposes requirements on migration, toxicity, and safety.
- Additives, coatings, adhesives, or inks used on eco packaging must be cleared or authorized if they migrate into food.
- The FDA maintains a public inventory of “Food Contact Substance Notifications” that govern which substances are approved.
- In some cases, recycled polymers intended for food contact must also pass additional evaluation or guidance from FDA.
If you’re packaging edible goods, beverage liners, or anything that directly touches food, you cannot skip FDA / food contact compliance.
4. ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 — Quality & Environmental Systems
- ISO 9001 certifies that a supplier follows well-defined, audited quality management systems: process controls, traceability, continuous improvement.
- ISO 14001 ensures that a supplier operates under a structured Environmental Management System (EMS), with controlled environmental impacts, waste handling, and sustainability policies.
- While these standards don’t guarantee compostability or certification, having ISO systems in place signals a mature factory that can reliably produce, document, and manage iterative orders.
Many multinational buyers require supplier factories to be ISO-certified as part of procurement checks.
5. FSC / PEFC Certification — For Paper & Fiber-Based Packaging
- For paper, molded fiber, cardboard, or fiber-based compostables, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC certification ensures the raw material pulp is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
- Many US and EU retailers now refuse to stock packaging that lacks forest sustainability credentials.
- In effect, you may need both compostability (for performance) and FSC/PEFC for raw material traceability to satisfy procurement and ESG mandates.
Your Importer’s Certification Checklist
Here’s a practical checklist to vet your supplier before placing orders:
| Question | Why It Matters | Verification Tip |
| What certifications do you hold (EN 13432, ASTM D6400, ISO, FSC)? | Ensures your packaging is compliant in your target market | Request original certificate + certifier’s database check |
| Do your test reports name the exact product or resin grade? | Avoid a mismatch between what you buy and what’s certified | Ask for batch-level lab reports |
| Is there traceability from raw material batch → final product? | Helps with audits and recalls | Ask them to show material trace logs |
| Are your compostable tests performed by accredited third-party labs? | Self-issued claims don’t hold with customs | Cross-check with certifier’s public listings |
| Are any additives, inks, coatings, or colorants certified? | Even approved base resins fail if additives are non-compliant | Verify additive/ink certificates separately |
If a supplier hesitates or gives vague answers, that’s a red flag before you commit.
Risks & Consequences of Missing Certifications
Not demanding the correct certifications can lead to:
- Customs rejections or cargo hold — notable global ports have strict customs checks; missing recognized certification can lead to cargo delays or holds in key import hubs.
- Fines and penalties for false or misleading claims under local regulations
- Retail delisting by large chains that demand proof of compliance
- Brand damage and loss of trust when “greenwashing” is exposed
- Supply disruptions because non-compliant batches must be scrapped or returned
Many importer-supplier relationships break down due to compliance mismatches making certification failure a leading cause of lost business.
How Murth Ensures Compliance, Every Time
At Murth, compliance is built into our design, manufacturing, and export protocols:
- Food-contact products are tested for migration, heavy metals, and safety in line with global standards
- Every export batch includes a complete certification pack: test reports, certificate numbers, trace logs
- We can also enable you to pass audits, customs checks, and retailer compliance with zero surprises
Don’t Gamble with Compliance
Eco packaging isn’t optional. It’s a regulated necessity now. Without proper certification, even “compostable” packaging can become a liability at customs or in the marketplace.
Murth offers importers peace of mind: packaging that’s certified, tested, traceable, and fit for the US, EU, and global supply chains.
Resources
https://www.iso.org/standard/60857.html
https://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/bp/EUBP_BP_En_13432.pdf
https://microbe-investigations.com/astm-d6400/
https://biopolylab.com/blog/regulations-shaping-the-future-of-biodegradable-food-packaging/
https://store.astm.org/d6400-21.html
https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/plastics/compost-labeling