DIN EN 13432 - Everything you should know about it

DIN EN 13432 is a European standard that deals with the compostability and biodegradability of packaging and products. The standard was first published in 2000 and has been mandatory in many countries ever since. Their goal is to ensure that products and packaging can biodegrade under certain conditions without harming the environment.

The importance of the norm

DIN EN 13432 is primarily important to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and products. Traditional packaging and products can often take hundreds of years to fully degrade, leading to significant environmental problems. Biodegradable and compostable products, on the other hand, degrade quickly under certain conditions, leaving no harmful residue behind.

The areas of application of the standard

DIN EN 13432 applies to all packaging and products made from organic materials such as paper, cardboard, wood, starch-based plastics and biodegradable polymers. Examples of products covered by the standard include disposable tableware, grocery bags, food and beverage packaging, and agricultural products. However, there are also some exceptions such as packaging for liquid products such as oils or chemical products.

The requirements of the standard

DIN EN 13432 places a number of requirements on products and packaging. The most important requirement is that they are biodegradable. This means that under certain conditions, they can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass within six months. Products must also be compostable, which means that they can be converted into nutrient-rich soil material in a short time in a composting facility. In order to meet these requirements, products and packaging must have certain properties. For example, they must be made from renewable resources to be a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging materials. They must not have any harmful effects on the environment when degraded in the natural environment. The good thing is that most of our products are biodegradable. So you don't have to worry about that when you buy it. Our biodegradable products include, for example, our to-go paper soup containers.

advantages of the standard

DIN EN 13432 offers many advantages. On the one hand, it significantly reduces the environmental impact of packaging and products. When biodegradable products are used, less waste is produced that pollutes the environment. They can also be converted into nutrient-rich soil material, which in turn helps improve soil quality. Another advantage is that the standard encourages the development of environmentally friendly alternatives. When companies design their products and packaging to meet the requirements of the standard, it encourages the development of new eco-friendly materials and technologies. This in turn leads to a wider choice of sustainable products on the market and increases consumer awareness of environmental issues. In addition, companies that comply with the standard can benefit from a positive image improvement. In doing so, they show their commitment to sustainability and environmental protection and can thus score points with customers and business partners. However, it should be noted that compliance with the norm is not always easy. Products must be tested under specific conditions to ensure they meet requirements. It is also important that the packaging and products are disposed of properly so that they can properly biodegrade.

Conclusion

DIN EN 13432 is an important standard that contributes to reducing the environmental impact of packaging and products. By promoting eco-friendly alternatives and raising awareness of environmental issues, it helps create a more sustainable future. If companies and consumers comply and dispose of products and packaging correctly, they can make a significant contribution to protecting the environment.