Compostability tests for "OK HOME compost"

WESSLING offers laboratory compostability tests to determine whether or not products are suitable for composting.

A green plant is growing

Our laboratory is certified by two different certification bodies : OK HOME compost, OK compost INDUSTRIAL and Seedling by TUV AUSTRIAa and HOME COMPOSTABLE by DIN CERTCO.

What tests are used to determine if a product is compostable?

WESSLING subjects products to the following successive tests. Packaging that has passed all four tests may be submitted to TUV AUSTRIA or DIN CERTCO to obtain the appropriate label.

What tests are used to determine if a product is compostable?

01 Identification and chemical characterisation of product components

The constituents and physical characteristics of the product must be determined. 

Chimical tests are made

02 Biodegradation of the product

Determination of the product's capacity to be consumed by an appropriate microbial flora, via the conversion of organic carbon into carbon dioxide.

Biodegradation test at WESSLING

03 Disintegration of the product

Determination of the physical fragmentation of the product during composting.

Désintégration d'un papier au sein du WESSLING GreenLab

04 Ecotoxicity test

Determination of the quality of the compost resulting from disintegration. Verification that there is no risk of residues of the product tested to human health, animal health and the environment.

Current standards, certification etc.

Compostability is a recent topic in the market. You have questions and we have answers.

Existing standards

Existing standards

"Home compostable" or "industrial compostable": What regulations exist?

Duration of the tests

Duration of the tests

When to start testing? How much time should be allowed for testing?

Compostable or biodegradable ? What are the differences?

Compostable or biodegradable ? What are the differences?

The two terms do not define the same thing. They should be used with care. 

Home or industrial compostability?

Home or industrial compostability ?

What are the differences?

News related to this topic

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OK HOME compost, OK compost INDUSTRIAL and seedling logos

OK Compost: WESSLING GreenLab certified by TÜV Austria

WESSLING GreenLab is certified as OK HOME compost, OK INDUSTRIAL compost and Seedling. More details here.

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DIN CERTCO Certification

HOME COMPOSTABLE: WESSLING now certified by DIN CERTCO

WESSLING GreenLab is certified as OK HOME compost, OK INDUSTRIAL compost and Seedling. More details here.

Find out more