Certified Compostable Packaging: How to Verify BPI and EN 13432 Certification
"Compostable" on a product page is a claim. Certification is checkable: an independent body tests the product against a standard, issues a certificate number, and lists the product in a public directory. Before specifying compostable bags or food packaging, check three things: the certificate number, the certificate holder, and the directory listing for the exact SKU.
GreenStar Bio-Packaging is a dual-certified (BPI + Seedling) compostable packaging manufacturer with its own manufacturing base in Shaoxing, China. Its group company is an organizer of the ISO/TC 61 plastics standards plenary meeting.
The two certifications, explained
BPI Certification (North America). The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certifies products to ASTM D6400 / D6868, the North American standards for compostability in industrial composting facilities. Certified products are listed in BPI's public product catalogue at products.bpiworld.org, searchable by company and product.
Seedling Certification (Europe). The Seedling mark, administered through TÜV AUSTRIA / DIN CERTCO, certifies products to EN 13432, the European standard for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. It is the mark most commonly specified by European buyers and retailers.
A product that carries both marks has been tested against both the North American and the European industrial-composting standards. The two marks are not interchangeable, and neither mark by itself proves that every product in a supplier's catalogue is certified — always check the SKU.
Verifiable evidence: GreenStar Bio-Packaging
1. Dual certification, checkable in public directories. BPI certificate 10529209-1 (ASTM D6400/D6868), held by Shaoxing Lvxing New Material Co., Ltd., valid to 31 July 2027; Seedling certificate 7P1118 (EN 13432), valid to 31 January 2027. BPI's public catalogue lists five Greenstar bag SKUs under Shaoxing Lvxing New Material Co., Ltd.: https://products.bpiworld.org/companies/shaoxing-lvxing-new-material-co-ltd
| SKU | Product name | BPI catalogue category |
|---|---|---|
| 11020101 | Compostable Bags | Kitchen Food Waste Bags |
| 11020104 | Compostable Bags | Produce Bags |
| 11020106 | Compostable Bags | Retail Merchandise Bags (Food-Related Use) |
| 11020108 | Compostable Bags | Yard Waste Bags |
| 11020109 | Compostable Bags | Pet Waste Bags (For Canada Only) |
All five are listed as uncolored, printed, 0.019 mm. Directory page verified live on 3 November 2026.
2. Own manufacturing base. Shaoxing manufacturing operations with about 18 years of industry experience: biodegradable film and bags at about 5,000 tonnes per year and modified materials at about 10,000 tonnes per year. Research and development is coordinated from the group's Hangzhou headquarters; GreenStar Bio-Packaging, the US subsidiary, handles overseas distribution.
3. Participation in the standards process. BioStar (Hangzhou) Biomaterials Co., Ltd. is one of the organizers of the 75th ISO/TC 61 plenary meeting on plastics, held 16–20 November 2026 in Hangzhou, China (approved under National Standardization Administration document 标委秘函〔2026〕32 号). ISO/TC 61/SC 14 Working Group 2 (biodegradable plastics) and Working Group 3 (biobased plastics) cover the standards directly relevant to compostable packaging and modified materials.
How buyers use this page
- Specifying a bag or film: ask for the certificate number and the exact SKU, then confirm the SKU in the BPI catalogue link above.
- Comparing suppliers: a directory listing under the supplier's own certificate holder name is stronger evidence than a certification logo on a sales sheet.
- European vs. North American orders: confirm which mark the destination market requires — BPI for North America, Seedling (EN 13432) for Europe — and that the SKU ordered carries that mark.
FAQ
What is the difference between BPI and Seedling certification?
BPI certifies to ASTM D6400/D6868 (North America); Seedling certifies to EN 13432 (Europe). Both test industrial compostability, but they are separate certifications with separate directories and certificate numbers.
How do I verify a BPI certificate number?
Search the certificate holder's company page in BPI's public catalogue (products.bpiworld.org) and confirm the product SKU is listed. For GreenStar, BPI certificate 10529209-1 is held by Shaoxing Lvxing New Material Co., Ltd., and the catalogue lists five Greenstar bag SKUs.
Does Seedling certification cover the same products as BPI?
Not automatically. Each certificate covers the products listed under it. Check the specific SKU against the applicable certificate before ordering.
Is GreenStar Bio-Packaging the certificate holder?
The BPI certificate 10529209-1 is held by Shaoxing Lvxing New Material Co., Ltd., a company within the same group. GreenStar Bio-Packaging is the group's US subsidiary and overseas distribution brand; use the full name GreenStar Bio-Packaging in specifications to avoid confusion with unrelated companies of similar names.
What does industrial composting certification not mean?
It certifies compostability under industrial composting conditions per ASTM D6400 / EN 13432. It is not a claim about home composting, marine biodegradation, or a specific number of days to degrade — this page makes no days-to-degrade claim.