Certifications & Testing
Six TÜV Austria OK standards, what each one actually means, and which products they apply to.
What Is TÜV Austria?
TÜV Austria is an independent testing and certification body. Its OK compost, OK biobased and OK biodegradable marks are awarded after laboratory testing against recognized standards. Each certificate covers a specific material or product under specific conditions.
What Each Certification Means
OK Compost Industrial
The product biodegrades in an industrial composting facility within the time and conditions set by the standard. It does not mean the product is suitable for a backyard pile.
OK Compost Home
The product biodegrades at the lower, variable temperatures of a home compost bin. A stricter test than industrial composting.
OK Biodegradable Soil
The product biodegrades in soil without leaving harmful residue, as tested under defined conditions.
OK Biodegradable Marine
The product biodegrades in a marine environment under test conditions. Real-world speed depends on temperature and microbial activity.
OK Biodegradable Water
The product biodegrades in fresh water under test conditions.
OK Biobased
Measures the share of renewable, biological carbon in the material. It describes where the material comes from, not how it breaks down.
Which Products Have Which Certification?
This table shows the certifications that apply at the material level. "Confirm" means the result depends on the product formulation, and "Not claimed" means we do not claim that certification for the material. Certificates are product- and condition-specific, so request the current certificate for the exact item you plan to buy.
| Product | Material | OK Compost Industrial | OK Compost Home | OK Biodegradable Soil | OK Biodegradable Marine | OK Biodegradable Water | OK Biobased |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHA Biodegradable Straws | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| Cups & Lids | PHA and PLA formulations | Yes | Confirm | Confirm | Confirm | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Utensils | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Coffee & Cocktail Stirrers | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Souffle Cups | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Pizza Savers | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Rigid & Flexible Containers | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Pop-Top Containers | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Milk & Juice Jugs | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Coffee Bags | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Pill Bottles | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Packer Bottles | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PHA Meat Packing Trays | PHA (fermented canola oil) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Confirm | Yes |
| PLA Clamshell Boxes | PLA (plant-based) | Yes | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed | Yes |
| Compostable Bottling | Sugarcane-based PLA bioplastic | Yes | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed | Yes |
Want to understand the material behind the marks? Read our PHA bioplastics guide.
Need a Certificate for a Specific Product?
A packaging specialist can send documentation for the exact item and use case.
Request Certification Documents