By the CompoZone team — CPCB certified compostable packaging manufacturer, Ahmedabad, India.
CPCB certification is the mandatory government authorization, issued by India’s Central Pollution Control Board, required to legally manufacture and sell compostable plastic products in India. Without it, a “compostable” claim has no legal or regulatory backing — it’s just a word on packaging.
Where this requirement comes from
Under Rule 4(h) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, any manufacturer of compostable plastic products must obtain CPCB certification before marketing those goods. To get certified, a manufacturer has to provide:
- A CIPET test report proving compostability against IS 17088, conducted by CIPET or another CPCB-authorized government lab
- Valid environmental consents (Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate) from the relevant State Pollution Control Board
- Full documentation of the manufacturing process and raw materials used
Why this is stricter than most “eco” claims
A lot of sustainability marketing is self-declared — a company simply states a product is eco-friendly. CPCB certification is the opposite: it’s third-party tested, government-issued, and legally required before the product can even be sold as compostable in India. That’s a meaningfully higher bar than most “green” claims in the market — and it’s the main thing that separates a serious compostable packaging manufacturer in India from a reseller using the word loosely.
What to check before trusting a compostable claim
If you’re procuring packaging for your business, it’s reasonable to ask a supplier for their CPCB certificate directly — not just a badge or logo, the actual document. A legitimate manufacturer will have no issue providing it.
FAQ
Is CPCB certification the same as ISO certification?
No — ISO 9001 certifies quality management processes generally, while CPCB certification specifically verifies that a plastic product meets India’s legal compostability requirements.
Who tests the product for CPCB certification?
CIPET (Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology) or another government-authorized lab conducts the compostability test against IS 17088 as part of the certification process.
How do I identify a genuinely certified compostable packaging manufacturer in India?
Ask directly for their CPCB certificate and CIPET test report against IS 17088 — a real manufacturer will provide both without hesitation; a reseller using “eco-friendly” loosely usually can’t.