Home compostable fruit labels

1. Certification requires laboratory testing, at approved laboratories, of the produce label to specified test methods:

– Disintegration of the label to the specified extent within the specified time
– Biodegradation of the label to the specified extent within the specified time
– The fruit label contains no harmful substances
– The composted label is not harmful to plant species or animal species

2. Label samples and the laboratory test results are provided to the independent certifying body for verification to determine compliance with the certifying body’s requirements.

3. On successful verification, a certificate is issued, and permission to use the certification body logo with the required reference for certification is issued. Check our certifications.

Why Finished Product Certification Matters
‘Finished Products’ certification provides independent verification that the complete label, including materials, adhesive, inks, and coatings:

• Biodegrades and disintegrates in the intended composting environment.
• Meets strict limits for heavy metals and other regulated substances.
• Produces compost that has been demonstrated not to adversely affect plant growth or compost quality.
• Has been independently tested and verified against recognised compostability standards such as EN 13432 and TÜV Austria OK Compost.

Unlike a ‘Component’ certification, a ‘Finished Products’ certification confirms that the actual label used by growers, retailers, and consumers meets the required compostability standard as a complete manufactured product.

‘Component’ Certification
A ‘Component’ certified product means only a material(s) or ingredient used within a product has been certified. For example, a compostable film, paper, or adhesive may be certified as a individual components, but once combined into a final label, the finished label construction has not necessarily been tested or certified as a complete product.

‘Finished Products’ Certification
A ‘Finished Products’ certified compostable product means the entire product, as sold and used, has been tested and certified for safe compostability. This includes the face material, adhesive, inks, and the complete construction of the label, not just individual ingredients. Sinclair fruit labels are have ‘Finished Products’ certification as both home & industrial compostable labels. The finished label construction has been independently tested for disintegration, biodegradation, absence of harmful substances, and safe to become part of soil enriching compost.

Yes, it is equivalent or better in some cases when using Sinclair-T55. Labeling trials have been completed on a wide variety of fresh produce, including apples, kiwi, avocados, pears, and oranges. The compostable fruit label trials were run on our labeling systems (excluding the Print on Demand system) in a wide variety of packinghouse conditions, with shipping trials also completed.

We offer label trials; please contact your representative for more information.

No. For food safety purposes, the material must be made from virgin components.

If you already label your fresh produce with us no change is necessary. Our certified compostable labels are designed to work with any Sinclair labeling system.

The exact composition of the label material is proprietary information, so it cannot be disclosed. We do offer a paper fruit label, Sinclair-T50,  as well as a film-based label, Sinclair-T55. Both are certified home compostable although we recommend Sinclair-T55 due to higher application performance – equivalent to or better than conventional PE/PP fruit labels. Sinclair-T50 is primarily used for hand-applied banana labeling.

We focus on end-of-life performance in order to provide an alternative to plastic packaging, reduce plastic waste, and ensure there is zero contamination to the environment after disposal in industrial or home compost.

Our certified compostable label end-of-life performance has been tested at an independent laboratory The test results are then verified by independent and internationally recognized certification bodies TÜV AUSTRIA, ABA, and DIN CERTCO. This shows that our compostable products meet the necessary composting standards and guarantees the product is as advertised to our customers and consumers.