Understanding compostability standards: AS 4736 and AS 5810

Compostable packaging was developed to support the recovery of food waste and organic material through composting systems. In Europe, the EN 13432:2000 Standard, "Packaging recoverable in the form of compost" was developed in response to the European Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC), with the objective of preventing the production of packaging waste. EN 13432 remains the foundation for compostability standards used around the world. In Australia, this framework forms the basis of the Australian Standards AS 4736 (Commercial Compostable) and AS 5810 (Home Compostable), which underpin the Australian Bioplastics Association's certification programmes.

What does EN 13432 assess?

The word ‘biodegradable’ is used often. But nearly every material biodegrades, given enough time, so claiming a material is biodegradable without any further context can be misleading without testing it. EN 13432 requires (besides a clear and detailed description of the product) 4 tests:

Biodegradation – whether microorganisms convert the material into carbon dioxide, water and biomass.

Disintegration – whether the packaging physically breaks down during composting.

Ecotoxicity – whether the resulting compost supports healthy plant growth.

Heavy metal content – ensuring materials remain below strict safety thresholds.

The criteria for industrial compostability are set out in the European standard EN 13432, which requires the compostable product to:

1) physically disintegrate within 12 weeks, with at least 90% passing through a 2 mm sieve

2) achieve 90% biodegradation within six months under industrial composting conditions

*90% or more of the material is converted to CO2, and the remaining is converted into water and biomass – i.e. valuable compost. 

The Australasian Bioplastics Association

As the industry body for certified compostable products in Australia and New Zealand, the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) administers two certification programs that independently verify products to the Australian Standards for commercial and home composting (AS 4736 and AS 5810 respectively). It is these programs that provide councils, organics processors, businesses, and the general public with confidence that certified products will biodegrade into completely non-toxic by-products.

The ABA administers two certification programmes:

Commercial Compostable: AS 4736

Products certified under AS 4736 are designed for commercial composting facilities operating under controlled conditions. Certified products may display the ABA ‘seedling logo’.

Standard Basis: European Standard EN 13432 plus Earthworm Ecotoxicity Test)

Environment: Commercial / Municipal composting facilities

Temperature: Thermophilic high heat (50°C – 60°C)

Biodegradation: 90% carbon conversion within 180 days (6 months)

Disintegration: 90% passes through a 2mm sieve within 12 weeks

Ecotoxicity and Safety: Plant growth test + Earthworm toxicity test (Eisenia fetida) + heavy metal limits

Certification logo: Seedling logo (leaf symbol)

Home Compostable: 5810

Products certified under AS 5810 are suitable for home composting systems that operate at lower temperatures. Certified products may display the ABA ‘home compostable’ logo.

While industrial composting facilities maintain controlled temperatures and conditions, backyard compost systems operate with variable conditions and lower temperatures. TÜV AUSTRIA developed OK compost HOME to guarantee 100% biodegradability in the specific requirements of a garden compost utilising a special process based on EN 13432 at low temperatures. 

This is the basis of the AS 5810 standard. OK compost HOME certification requires a product to:

1) 100% biodegrade into completely non-toxic by-products

2) disintegrate within 26 weeks. Not more than 10% of the original dry weight present in a > 2mm screen fraction

3) achieve ultimate biodegradability (90% absolute biodegradation) within 12 months under home composting conditions.

Standard Basis: TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME

Environment: Backyard compost bins, worm farms, or garden heaps

Temperature: Ambient ambient temperatures (20°C – 30°C)

Biodegradation: 90% carbon conversion within 180 days (1 year)

Disintegration: Physically disintegrates within 26 weeks (6 months)

Ecotoxicity and Safety: Plant growth test + heavy metal and hazardous substance limits

Certification logo: Home compostable logo (compost bin symbol)

These certification marks provide a simple way for people to identify products that have been independently assessed against recognised Australian compostability standards.

Figure: East Waste is a regional waste authority providing kerbside collection services for eight South Australian councils. It accepts certified compostable packaging in FOGO collections where products meet recognised compostability standards.

Need help understanding compostability certifications?

Compostability certifications can be confusing, particularly when products display different certification marks from around the world.

Our range includes products certified to recognised international standards, including AS 4736, AS 5810, EN 13432 and ASTM D6400.

If you're reviewing your current packaging, we can help you understand:

• which compostability standard your products are certified to

• whether certification is current and independently verified

• how Australian and international standards relate to one another

• whether a product is certified for industrial composting, home composting or both

• suitable certified alternatives where required.

Whether you're selecting packaging for a café, venue, workplace or quick service restaurant, we're happy to help you interpret compostability certifications and choose products that have been independently certified for their intended composting environment.

Get in touch at hello@ecoware.co.nz to discuss your packaging requirements or explore our range of certified compostable products.