A compostable balloon paired with a plastic ribbon or a polystyrene stick is a compliance gap. The balloon film may meet the material profile a retail buyer requires, but the assembled product does not, because the accessory components are still single-use plastic. This guide covers the material options for a plastic-free balloon assembly, the reports a supplier should be able to produce for each component, and how a consolidated program is structured. The reports we hold for the balloon line are EN71, RoHS (EU) 2015/863, and ISO 14855-1:2012. For the accessory components, ask us for the supplier's documentation.
For Brand Owners
Why the accessory components matter for a retail listing, what material options are available, and what a buyer will ask about in a compliance review.
For Procurement Teams
Material options for each accessory component, the documentation a program should request, and how a one-stop sourcing program is set up.
1. The Compliance Gap: Eco Balloons with Plastic Accessories
The celebration products market has shifted under environmental rules. Faced with the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and California SB 54, B2B importers, supermarket chains, and event coordinators are moving toward certified compostable balloons. See our compostable vs latex comparison for the material background.
One supply chain gap is often missed: the accessory assembly. A compostable PLA-PBAT co-extruded foil balloon paired with a polypropylene (PP) ribbon, a polystyrene (PS) stick, or a non-recyclable plastic weight is still a single-use plastic product. The film choice alone does not resolve the assembled product's material profile.
Under EPR regulations and anti-greenwashing rules, a composite product where the focal item is labeled "compostable" but the fasteners and rigging materials are non-compostable single-use plastic can draw administrative penalties or a retail recall. The assembled product is what the regulator and the retail buyer review, not the balloon film on its own.
To close that gap, a procurement program can specify a plastic-free option for every supporting component in the assembly.
2. Material Options for the Main Accessory Components
A plastic-free balloon assembly requires a substitute for each accessory component. The substitutes below are the options we work with in a program. The material and specification for a given order are confirmed at quotation stage.
1. Ribbons
Traditional ribbons are extruded from polypropylene (PP) and treated with a coating for gloss. A plastic ribbon is persistent and poses an entanglement risk to wildlife if it is released or discarded.
Alternative: a ribbon made from an organic plant fiber such as cotton or jute, or from a PLA resin. A cotton or PLA ribbon provides the tensile strength a commercial display needs while being suitable for composting. The fiber and finish for a given order are confirmed at quotation stage.
2. Sticks
Stick-and-cup assemblies are used for retail counter displays and casual party distribution. The legacy stick material is polystyrene (PS), which is brittle and is one of the most common items found in beach cleanups.
Alternative: a high-density compressed paper stick or a bamboo stick. A paper stick made with multi-ply spiraling provides enough rigidity to support a standard 18-inch foil balloon without sagging. The stick material and length for a given order are confirmed at quotation stage.
3. Cups and Weights
The cup that secures the balloon onto the stick, and the weight that prevents a helium balloon from floating away, are also plastic components in a legacy assembly.
Alternative: the cup can be molded from a compostable PLA polymer to match legacy cup dimensions. For the weight, a natural clay core wrapped in kraft card is a plastic-free option. The cup and weight specification for a given order are confirmed at quotation stage.
3. Compliance and Documentation for Accessories
In a regulated market, a claim of being "green" or "earth-friendly" without supporting laboratory documentation is a compliance risk. The balloon film and each accessory component have to be checked against the applicable standard for the destination market.
For the balloon line, the standards we hold are EN71 (SGS report SHTY130500007975-01), RoHS (EU) 2015/863 (SGS report SHAHG2207652301), and ISO 14855-1:2012 (SGS report SHMR220700361301). For accessory components sourced from our partners, ask us for the supplier's documentation. The reports a program should ask for are:
Compostability (ISO 14855-1:2012)
For the balloon film, the report we hold is SGS report SHMR220700361301, which covers a PLA degrading balloon sample tested under controlled industrial composting conditions. Test material average biodegradation was 77.8% within a 45-day test period. ISO 14855-1:2012 is a distinct standard from EN 13432. For accessory components that make a compostability claim, ask the supplier for the report that covers the specific component. See our SGS report coverage page.
RoHS (EU) 2015/863
For the balloon film, the report we hold is SGS report SHAHG2207652301, which covers the tested DEGRADING BALLOON sample and documents restriction testing for lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, and certain phthalate plasticizers. Coverage of a specific SKU is confirmed at quotation stage. For accessory components, ask the supplier for the applicable report. See our RoHS coverage page.
EN71
For the balloon film, the report we hold is SGS report SHTY130500007975-01, which covers a foil balloon sample against EN71 Parts 1, 2, and 3. Coverage of a specific SKU is confirmed at quotation stage. See our EN71 coverage page.
FAIR is a member of the Pro Environment Balloon Alliance and supports the alliance's code of conduct on balloon releases.
4. Sourcing Matrix: Plastic vs. Plastic-Free Options
The table below summarizes the material options for each accessory component. The material and specification for a given order are confirmed at quotation stage.
| Component | Legacy Material | Plastic-Free Option | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ribbon | Polypropylene (PP) | Cotton or jute fiber, or PLA yarn | Supplier documentation available on request |
| Stick | Polystyrene (PS) | Compressed paper or bamboo | Supplier documentation available on request |
| Cup | Polystyrene (PS) | PLA bio-resin | Supplier documentation available on request |
| Weight | Plastic-molded concrete | Natural clay core wrapped in kraft card | Supplier documentation available on request |
5. One-Stop Sourcing: Consolidating the Assembly
Sourcing a compostable balloon from one factory and negotiating paper sticks, PLA cups, and compostable ribbons from independent vendors adds logistics cost, delays customs clearance, and splits the compliance review across suppliers. At Kunshan Fair Craft Products Co., Ltd. (FAIR), we consolidate the balloon program with the accessory components into a single order where the program specifies it.
Matched assemblies
A custom PLA-PBAT balloon order can be paired with the corresponding quantity of paper sticks and PLA cups, with color matching for the design where the program specifies it. The assembly specification for a given order is confirmed at quotation stage.
Consolidated documentation
A program receives the test report coverage for the balloon line, and supplier documentation for the accessory components, in a single file. That reduces the number of document requests at customs and in a retail review.
Consolidated shipping
A balloon order and its accessory components can ship in one container load from a single origin. See our shipping and logistics FAQ for detail.
For a program that is transitioning from a legacy Mylar balloon and latex assembly, the accessory components are part of the specification, not an afterthought.
6. Test Reports: What We Have and What We Do Not
Test reports we hold for the balloon line:
- EN71 — SGS report number SHTY130500007975-01. Coverage: foil balloon sample, EN71 Parts 1, 2, and 3. Coverage of a specific SKU is confirmed at quotation stage.
- RoHS (EU) 2015/863 — SGS report number SHAHG2207652301. Coverage: tested DEGRADING BALLOON sample. Coverage of a specific SKU is confirmed at quotation stage.
- Biodegradation (ISO 14855-1:2012) — SGS report number SHMR220700361301. Coverage: PLA degrading balloon sample under controlled industrial composting conditions. Test material average biodegradation 77.8% within a 45-day test period.
- PEBA member — Pro Environment Balloon Alliance member.
Certifications and test reports we do NOT hold for the balloon line:
- ISO 9001 — not held
- EN 13432 — not held. The report we hold for the biodegradable line is ISO 14855-1:2012, which is a distinct standard.
- ASTM D6400 — not held
- ASTM F963 — not held
- REACH — not held
- US CPSIA — not held
- California Prop 65 — not held
- FSC — not held for the balloon line. FSC applies to paper products; for paper sticks or kraft components, ask us for the supplier's documentation.
For accessory components: the material and specification for a given order are confirmed at quotation stage. Ask us for the supplier's documentation for the specific component.
7. Accessory Sourcing FAQ
Requesting a consolidated accessory catalog, sample packs, or a quotation for a plastic-free balloon program?
Email xia@foilballoon.cnResponse within one business day · Sample service available
About FAIR — Kunshan Fair Craft Products Co., Ltd.
FAIR is a balloon manufacturer based in Kunshan, China, producing foil balloons, custom shaped foil balloons, PLA-based biodegradable foil balloons, and custom printed balloon products for global brands, event companies, retail chains, and wholesale novelty distributors. For inquiries: xia@foilballoon.cn