Network gives boost to composting certification for bioplastics

16-Mar-2012 - Last updated on 16-Mar-2012 at 11:29 GMT

Related tags European bioplastics Europe

With cosmetic and personal care consumers increasingly demanding more environmentally-friendly packaging, a new initiative is giving more impetus to a certification programme for compostable packaging like bioplastics.

Packaging manufacturers complying with European standard EN 13432 / 14955 will in turn earn ‘seedling’ certification, the EU-wide eco-logo that was launched by the European Bioplastics ogranisation to identify manufacturers that have met the standard.

Currently the only certification body handling the standard is German certifier Din Certco, but a planned network of certifiers is in the making, confirmed by the addition of Belgian certifier Vinçotte, which gains certification authorisation from the beginning of next month.

Benefitting consumers and bioplastic manufacturers

The initiative is said to bring benefits both to consumers and to bioplastics manufacturers, but primarily should serve to strengthen the standing and recognition of the seedling logo.

However, it will also serve to make the certification process easier for manufacturers by opening up more opportunities, while serving to help consumers through the anticipated higher take-up of consumer goods manufacturers that will comply with the certification, utlimately putting the logo on their products .

European Bioplastics says that a corresponding contract is about to be signed between Din Certco and Vinçotte to ensure that they can work together to help develop the programme.

Building on 15 years of certification

Din Certco and European Bioplastics have been working together on the certification programme for 15 years now, but with a growing importance being placed on environmentally-friendly manufactured materials, the need to further develop the certification programme was obvious.

During that time the certification logo has become popular throughout Europe, but particularly in countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium and Poland.

“This will be the first certification network for compostable bioplastic products,” said Hasso von Pogrell, managing director at European Bioplastics. “We are positive that it will contribute significantly to a standardisation of compostability labels in Europe in the long run.”