BPI and ASTM D6400: the US is not EN 13432
EN 13432 carries no legal weight in the United States. The working equivalent is BPI certification, built on ASTM D6400 for plastics and D6868 for coated paper. Several states exempt untreated wood, bamboo and uncoated paper from third-party certification altogether, yet large accounts still ask for BPI by name.
What replaces what
The exemptions matter more than the standard
Washington, Colorado and Minnesota exempt untreated wood, bamboo and uncoated paper from third-party certification requirements. California goes further and exempts fibre products from the ASTM requirement entirely. A large part of an untreated wood and bamboo range therefore sits outside the legal requirement.
Why suppliers still certify
Municipal ordinances and large-account specifications routinely name BPI. The certificate functions as a commercial entry ticket even where it is not a legal one — a distributor's product form has a box for it, and an empty box is a reason to move on.
Labelling rules run separately
Several states regulate how the words 'compostable' and 'biodegradable' may appear on a product, including colour and marking requirements designed to help sorting. Meeting the standard and meeting the labelling rule are two separate compliance steps.
How to phrase a claim
Where a product is exempt rather than certified, say so plainly: state the material, state the exemption, and name the state. A claim of certification that does not exist is far more damaging than an honest description of an exemption that does.
Frequently asked
- Does BPI certification cover the whole product?
- It covers what was submitted. A certified film on an uncertified board does not make the finished item certified, which is why the certificate should be read for scope, not just presence.
- Is ASTM D6400 recognised outside the US?
- It is referenced in several markets, but European buyers will normally ask for EN 13432. Holding one does not substitute for the other.
Last updated: 2026-09-13