EN 13432, ASTM D6400, and ISO 14855 are three different standards that buyers and suppliers often treat as equivalent. They are not. EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 are pass-or-fail certification schemes for industrial composting in the EU and the US respectively. ISO 14855 is a measurement method that reports a biodegradation percentage under controlled conditions. It does not, by itself, certify a material for any market.
This guide explains each standard, the test conditions behind each one, and how a B2B buyer should choose the right standard for a specific destination market. The test report we hold for the biodegradable foil balloon line is ISO 14855-1:2012, SGS report number SHMR220700361301. Coverage of a specific SKU by this report is confirmed at quotation stage.
1. The Three Standards at a Glance
Three standards come up most often when a buyer asks a foil balloon supplier for compostability documentation. Each one was created by a different standards body for a different purpose, and each one answers a different question.
| Standard | Type | Region | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 13432 | Certification scheme | European Union | Certifies that packaging is compostable in industrial composting |
| ASTM D6400 | Certification scheme | United States | Certifies that plastic is compostable in municipal and industrial composting |
| ISO 14855 | Measurement method | International | Measures the aerobic biodegradation percentage under controlled composting conditions |
The critical distinction is in the Type column. EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 are certification schemes: a material either passes or fails, and the certificate can be used in regulatory filings. ISO 14855 is a measurement method: it reports a number (a biodegradation percentage within a defined test period) without certifying the material for any regulatory purpose.
2. EN 13432 Explained
EN 13432 is the European standard for compostable packaging. It was published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and is the standard most commonly referenced by EU regulators when a compliance claim is reviewed.
What EN 13432 Requires
- Biodegradation threshold. At least 90% of the material must break down within 180 days under controlled industrial composting conditions.
- Disintegration test. After 12 weeks, no more than 10% of the material may remain as fragments larger than 2 mm.
- Ecotoxicity. The composted residue must not harm plant growth.
- Chemical composition. The material must meet heavy metal and other chemical limits.
Which Market Requires EN 13432
EN 13432 is the standard EU importers reference when they ask a supplier for compostability documentation. In several EU member states, an EN 13432 certificate can be used in a regulatory filing to change the EPR fee category for a compostable product. The specific treatment depends on the member state's implementing rules, so a buyer should confirm the local requirement before relying on the certificate.
3. ASTM D6400 Explained
ASTM D6400 is the US standard for compostable plastics. It was published by ASTM International and is the standard referenced by US state regulators and by the US Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides when a compostability claim is reviewed.
What ASTM D6400 Requires
- Biodegradation threshold. At least 90% of the material must break down within 180 days.
- Disintegration. Similar to EN 13432, with a maximum residue percentage and fragment size limit.
- Ecotoxicity. The residue must not harm plant growth.
- Chemical composition. Heavy metal and chemical limits similar to EN 13432.
How ASTM D6400 Differs from EN 13432
The two standards are structurally similar but not identical. Test durations, residue thresholds, and the specific compost environment referenced by each standard differ in detail. In practice, a material certified under one standard is often close to the other, but the certificate itself is not interchangeable: an EN 13432 certificate does not satisfy a US regulator who is asking for ASTM D6400, and the reverse is also true.
4. ISO 14855 Explained
ISO 14855 is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) method for measuring the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions. It is a measurement method, not a certification scheme.
What ISO 14855 Reports
An ISO 14855 test reports the percentage of the material's organic carbon that has been converted into carbon dioxide over a defined test period. It does not include a pass/fail threshold, does not include an ecotoxicity assessment, and does not include a chemical composition review. It is the underlying measurement that a certification scheme like EN 13432 or ASTM D6400 uses as part of a broader evaluation.
The Report We Hold for the Biodegradable Foil Balloon Line
The test report we hold for the PLA-based biodegradable foil balloon line is ISO 14855-1:2012, SGS report number SHMR220700361301. The report covers a PLA degrading balloon sample under controlled industrial composting conditions. The test material average biodegradation was 77.8% within a 45-day test period. Coverage of a specific SKU by this report is confirmed at quotation stage.
| Test Condition | EN 13432 | ASTM D6400 | ISO 14855-1:2012 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Certification scheme | Certification scheme | Measurement method |
| Biodegradation threshold | 90% within 180 days | 90% within 180 days | Reported percentage, no threshold |
| Disintegration test | Required | Required | Not included |
| Ecotoxicity test | Required | Required | Not included |
| Chemical composition review | Required | Required | Not included |
| Primary market | European Union | United States | International |
5. Common Buyer Mistakes
Four misunderstandings show up repeatedly when a buyer reviews a compostability file. Each one has a specific consequence.
| Mistake | What Buyers Assume | Correct Understanding |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 14855 = EN 13432 | The two are interchangeable | ISO 14855 is a measurement method; EN 13432 is a certification scheme. A material certified under ISO 14855 alone is not certified for the EU market. |
| EN 13432 = ASTM D6400 | A European certificate is accepted in the US | The two are structurally similar but not interchangeable. A US regulator asking for ASTM D6400 will not accept EN 13432. |
| Report sample = the SKU ordered | The report on file covers any SKU | A test report covers the specific sample tested. Coverage of a specific SKU must be confirmed at quotation stage. |
| Compostability = regulatory exemption | A compostable claim removes any tax or EPR obligation | Compostability is one material pathway. Whether it changes a tax or EPR category depends on the destination framework's implementing rules. |
6. Which Standard Do You Need? A Decision Guide
The right standard is set by the destination market and by the specific regulator or compliance reviewer asking for the documentation. Use the table below as a starting point, then confirm the specific requirement with the buyer's compliance team.
| Destination Market | Standard to Request | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | EN 13432 | The reference standard for EU compostable packaging compliance. Some member states accept it in EPR fee category filings. |
| United States | ASTM D6400 | The reference standard for US compostable plastics. Referenced by state regulators and FTC Green Guides review. |
| International or unspecified | ISO 14855-1:2012 | A measurement method. Reports a biodegradation percentage without a certification threshold. Useful for buyers who want the underlying data. |
What We Can Confirm at Quotation Stage
For a given SKU, we can confirm whether the report we hold (ISO 14855-1:2012, SGS report number SHMR220700361301) covers that SKU, and whether an EN 13432 or ASTM D6400 test can be arranged for the program. This confirmation is provided at quotation stage for the specific order.
7. Composting Standard FAQ
8. Related Reading
Requesting a compostability test report or a documentation package for a biodegradable balloon program?
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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