Reading material documentation: the certificates worth asking for
A plain-language guide to the certificates and reports businesses should ask a supplier for.
"Compostable", "bio-based", "food safe". Suppliers use these words freely, and customers and regulators expect you to be able to back them up. The difference between a claim and a documented claim is a certificate or a test report. Here is what is worth asking for.
## Compostability
If a material is described as compostable, ask which standard it was tested against and whether the certificate covers the exact product. Two names you will often see are **EN 13432** (widely used in Europe) and **ASTM D6400** (widely used in the United States). Both describe industrial composting. Home composting is a different test, so a material certified for industrial composting should not be described as home compostable.
## Food contact
If the pack touches food, ask for documentation showing the material is suitable for it in the markets where you sell. Rules differ by region, so a declaration that is valid in one market may not be accepted in another. Ask which regulation the declaration refers to, and what conditions it assumes, such as temperature or the type of food.
## Bio-based content
A percentage of bio-based content can be declared by the supplier or measured by a laboratory. A measured figure, with a test report, carries far more weight than a declared one.
## Life-cycle assessment
A life-cycle assessment (LCA) shows the environmental impact of a material from raw inputs to end of life. Ask whether one exists, what it covers, and whether it was reviewed independently. Treat any comparison with plastic carefully unless the assumptions are stated.
## Four checks before you accept any certificate
1. **Scope.** Does it cover the exact grade, thickness and product you will buy?
2. **Validity.** Is it current, or has it expired?
3. **Issuer.** Who issued it, and can you verify the certificate number with them?
4. **Match.** Do your marketing claims say no more than the certificate does?
## Keeping it in order
Documents are easy to collect and hard to keep current. We help businesses gather, check and organise the evidence behind their packaging, so it is ready when a customer or regulator asks. If you would like a second pair of eyes on your documentation, [talk to us](/contact).
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