Environmental & Sustainability Services
Stage TUV Austria Hellas > Υπηρεσίες > Industry > Υπηρεσίες Solution: Biodegradable plastics (OK compost, OK biodegradable, OK biobased, Seedling) Environmental & Sustainability Services Solution: Biodegradable plastics (OK compost, OK biodegradable, OK biobased, Seedling) TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS Ltd. TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS Ltd. TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas \| Greece Mesogeion Av 429, Agia Paraskevi 15343 Athens Greece +30 210 52 20 920 Send email Mesogeion Av 429, Agia Paraskevi 15343 Athens Greece TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS Ltd. TÜV AUSTRIA is a Member in Good Standing of TIC Council \| TÜV (R) Biodegradable plastics In which region do you need this solution? All accreditations "Global plastic waste production has surged in recent decades, now accounting for 60–90% of marine pollution." Biodegradable plastics Brief description Global plastic waste production has surged in recent decades, now accounting for 60–90% of marine pollution. At the same time, CO₂ emissions continue to rise. Despite a slight deceleration in the increase of atmospheric CO₂ concentration, emission levels remain far from sustainable reductions. The cycle of biodegradable plastics—from plant-based production to final degradation and return to nature—can be divided into two key phases: Waste management Resource management To address these phases, TÜV AUSTRIA provides separate certification schemes: OK compost, OK biodegradable, and Seedling for waste management OK biobased for resource/material management Detailed description Many people confuse “biodegradable” and “compostable,” but they are not the same. Biodegradable products can be broken down by microorganisms, but this does not guarantee they will turn into high-quality compost. Compostable products not only biodegrade but also break down into nutrient-rich compost under specific conditions. As the bioplastics market grows rapidly, TÜV AUSTRIA has developed certification schemes that ensure clarity about the actual biodegradability and compostability of plastics. OK compost: A Leading Global Certification OK compost is a globally recognized certification system for bioplastics. It includes two key categories: OK compost INDUSTRIAL Certifies that products are compostable in industrial composting facilities (55–60°C). Applies to all product components, including inks and additives. Complies with EN 13432:2000 (harmonized EU standard, Packaging – Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation) and the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (EU) 225/40 ). TÜV AUSTRIA is authorized by European Bioplastics to grant the Seedling logo for compliance with EN 13432:2000. Important: Products with only an OK compost INDUSTRIAL certification should not be placed in home compost bins. OK compost HOME Certifies compostability at lower temperatures, suitable for home composting. Developed by TÜV AUSTRIA to ensure biodegradability in home garden compost conditions. OK biodegradable The OK Biodegradable certification ensures products fully biodegrade in specific environments: OK biodegradable SOIL Ideal for agricultural and horticultural products left to degrade in the soil. Certified products break down completely with no environmental harm. OK biodegradable WATER Ensures biodegradation in freshwater environments (rivers, lakes, etc.). Does not guarantee marine biodegradability. OK biodegradable MARINE Certifies products that biodegrade in marine environments. Addresses the issue of land-based plastic waste ending up in oceans. Provides an additional safeguard for products at risk of reaching the sea. OK biobased With rising environmental awareness, consumers demand products from renewable resources. The OK Biobased certification provides independent verification of a product’s bio-based content. Biobased Certification Levels: One-star: Low bio-based content Two-star: Moderate bio-based content Three-star: High bio-based content Four-star: Maximum bio-based content Which products can be certified as ‘OK biobased’? All products which are (partially) manufactured from bioplastics and/or materials of natural origin are suitable for the OK biobased certification scheme. Exception: fuels Seedling TÜV AUSTRIA is a certification body authorized by European Bioplastics and may therefore award the Seedling logo to products that are in compliance with EN 13432:2000. By awarding both the OK compost INDUSTRIAL and the Seedling logo, TÜV AUSTRIA’s certificate holders are able to have their compostable products recognized throughout the entire European market. What is the certification procedure? Certification Regulation Certification application Who do I contact for certification? Customer Service Department Contact Person: Ms. Anna Topaltziki, Tel: 210 5220920, Ext: 2064 More Tags: Industry Food industry Τρόφιμα Pharmaceutical – Cosmetics Construction Products Trade & Commerce – Provision of Services Testing Laboratories Βιομηχανία Εμπόριο – Παροχή Υπηρεσιών Εργαστήρια Δοκιμών Κατασκευαστικός – Δομικά Φαρμακευτικός – Καλλυντικά Υπηρεσίες Αειφορίας & Περιβάλλοντος Related solutions from the same sector: Testing Laboratories Verification according to the requirements of the Greek Climate Law (L. 4936/2022) Industry Show more ISO 37301 – Compliance Management Systems Industry Show more ISO 14064-1 Industry Show more ISO 20400 – Sustainable Procurement Industry Show more All Solutions Discover more sectors: Pharmaceutical – Cosmetics No Sector EN Industry Construction Products Real Estate Facility Management Agrisystems Food Industry Training IT & GDPR Health Tourism Trade & Commerce – Provision of Services Transportation & Supply Chain Telecommunications Energy Financial & Insurance Public Sector Organizations

Stage TUV Austria Hellas > Υπηρεσίες > Industry > Υπηρεσίες

Solution: Biodegradable plastics (OK compost, OK biodegradable, OK biobased, Seedling)

Environmental & Sustainability Services

TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS Ltd.

TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas | Greece

Mesogeion Av 429, Agia Paraskevi 15343 Athens Greece

+30 210 52 20 920

Send email

TÜV AUSTRIA is a Member in Good Standing of TIC Council | TÜV (R)

Biodegradable plastics

In which region do you need this solution?

"Global plastic waste production has surged in recent decades, now accounting for 60–90% of marine pollution."

Biodegradable plastics

Brief description

Global plastic waste production has surged in recent decades, now accounting for 60–90% of marine pollution. At the same time, CO₂ emissions continue to rise. Despite a slight deceleration in the increase of atmospheric CO₂ concentration, emission levels remain far from sustainable reductions.

The cycle of biodegradable plastics—from plant-based production to final degradation and return to nature—can be divided into two key phases:

Waste management
Resource management

To address these phases, TÜV AUSTRIA provides separate certification schemes:

OK compost, OK biodegradable, and Seedling for waste management
OK biobased for resource/material management

Detailed description

Many people confuse “biodegradable” and “compostable,” but they are not the same.

Biodegradable products can be broken down by microorganisms, but this does not guarantee they will turn into high-quality compost. Compostable products not only biodegrade but also break down into nutrient-rich compost under specific conditions.

As the bioplastics market grows rapidly, TÜV AUSTRIA has developed certification schemes that ensure clarity about the actual biodegradability and compostability of plastics.

OK compost: A Leading Global Certification

OK compost is a globally recognized certification system for bioplastics. It includes two key categories:

OK compost INDUSTRIAL

Certifies that products are compostable in industrial composting facilities (55–60°C).
Applies to all product components, including inks and additives.
Complies with EN 13432:2000 (harmonized EU standard, Packaging – Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation) and the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (EU) 225/40 ).
TÜV AUSTRIA is authorized by European Bioplastics to grant the Seedling logo for compliance with EN 13432:2000.

Important: Products with only an OK compost INDUSTRIAL certification should not be placed in home compost bins.

OK compost HOME

Certifies compostability at lower temperatures, suitable for home composting.
Developed by TÜV AUSTRIA to ensure biodegradability in home garden compost conditions.

OK biodegradable

The OK Biodegradable certification ensures products fully biodegrade in specific environments:

OK biodegradable SOIL

Ideal for agricultural and horticultural products left to degrade in the soil.
Certified products break down completely with no environmental harm.

OK biodegradable WATER

Ensures biodegradation in freshwater environments (rivers, lakes, etc.).
Does not guarantee marine biodegradability.

OK biodegradable MARINE

Certifies products that biodegrade in marine environments.
Addresses the issue of land-based plastic waste ending up in oceans.
Provides an additional safeguard for products at risk of reaching the sea.

OK biobased

With rising environmental awareness, consumers demand products from renewable resources. The OK Biobased certification provides independent verification of a product’s bio-based content.

Biobased Certification Levels:

One-star: Low bio-based content
Two-star: Moderate bio-based content
Three-star: High bio-based content
Four-star: Maximum bio-based content

Which products can be certified as ‘OK biobased’?

All products which are (partially) manufactured from bioplastics and/or materials of natural origin are suitable for the OK biobased certification scheme. Exception: fuels

Seedling

TÜV AUSTRIA is a certification body authorized by European Bioplastics and may therefore award the Seedling logo to products that are in compliance with EN 13432:2000. By awarding both the OK compost INDUSTRIAL and the Seedling logo, TÜV AUSTRIA’s certificate holders are able to have their compostable products recognized throughout the entire European market.

What is the certification procedure?