2026 is a pivotal year for reshaping the regulatory landscape of the global biodegradable materials industry. From the formal implementation of China’s new regulations on traceability of bio-based content to the full effect of the EU’s anti-green money laundering directive, and the continued strengthening of degradation performance certification in the two core markets of Europe and the United States, the biodegradable pet waste bag industry is undergoing an unprecedented compliance upgrade.
This article will systematically review the core certification changes and compliance points in the biodegradable pet waste bag sector in 2026, providing a clear market access guide for exporting companies and brand owners.
I. New Chinese Regulations: GB/T 46256-2025 Requirements for Traceability Labeling of Bio-based Materials
1. Core Content of the Standard
The national standard GB/T 46256-2025, “Requirements for Bio-based Content and Traceability Labeling of Bio-based Materials and Products,” was released on August 29, 2025, and will officially come into effect on March 1, 2026. The promulgation of this standard marks China’s entry into the “identity authentication” era for bio-based materials and is an important measure to implement the “Action Plan for Accelerating the Innovative Development of Non-Grain Bio-based Materials.“
The core requirements include:
(1) Definition of bio-based content: The internationally accepted carbon-14 testing method is adopted, and the “content of bio-based carbon in the total organic carbon of the sample” is used as the measurement standard.
(2) Four elements of text labeling: Material, product standard number, product name, and measured value of bio-based content. All four information are indispensable.
(3) Graphic labeling specifications: Green background labeling (color code R73G106B1) is used uniformly. The top is marked with “bio-based content xx%”, and the middle is marked with the material and standard number.
(4) Multi-component labeling rules: Arranged from high to low according to mass percentage, connected by “+”, such as PLA+St representing polylactic acid and starch alloy.
2. Impact on Pet Bag Manufacturers
All biodegradable pet waste bags sold in the Chinese market, whether domestically produced or imported, must clearly label the bio-based content information on the product or packaging. Companies must commission a qualified third-party laboratory to conduct carbon-14 testing to obtain accurate bio-based content data. The size, color, and location of the green label must comply with standard regulations to ensure it is clearly visible and resistant to wear.
3. International System Alignment
Appendix B of the standard summarizes four major international bio-based labeling systems, providing important reference for export companies:
(1) US USDA BioPreferred Program: divided into mandatory federal procurement labels and voluntary labels
(2) Japanese Biomass Pla System: bio-based content of at least 25%
(3) German DIN-Geprüft biobased label: graded according to 20%-50%, 50%-85%, and >85%
(4) Austrian OK biobased certification: one to four stars corresponding to 20% to >80%
II. EU Anti-Green Money Laundering Directive: Enforcement to be Fully Mandated on September 27, 2026
1. Regulatory Background and Core Logic
The EU’s Empowering Consumers Green Transition Directive (ECGT) will be fully enforced on September 27, 2026. This directive aims to end the proliferation of vague environmental claims in the market, requiring all environmental claims to be supported by solid evidence. Member states must complete the domestic legislative transposition by March 27, 2026.
2. Specific Requirements for Pet Bag Manufacturers
(1) Prohibition of Vague Claims: Terms such as “environmentally friendly,” “green,” and “biodegradable” are prohibited unless the product can demonstrate “recognized excellent environmental performance.”
(2) Full Product Line Review: All consumer touchpoints (packaging, website, social media, e-commerce listings, marketing materials) must be included in the compliance scope.
(3) Evidence Requirements: Independently verified test reports or authoritative ecolabel certifications must be provided.
(4) Avoiding Misleading Implications: Even if part of the packaging has environmental attributes, consumers should not be misled into believing that the entire product has the same environmental advantages.
3. Special Restrictions on Carbon Neutrality Claims
The directive explicitly prohibits claims based on greenhouse gas offsets (carbon credits) that products possess attributes such as “carbon neutral” or “net-zero emissions.” Such claims can only be based on the actual life-cycle impact of the product itself, not offsets outside the value chain.
4. EU Enforcement Updates
EU member state regulators have increased enforcement efforts. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) recently fined Shein €1 million for vague and misleading environmental claims in its “evoluSHEIN by Design” series. A Frankfurt regional court in Germany has banned Apple from advertising the Apple Watch as “carbon neutral” because its limited forestry offset leases constitute misleading advertising.
III. Comparison of Core Standards for Degradability Certification in Europe and America
1. EU EN 13432 Certification
EN 13432 is the unified EU standard for industrial compostability, requiring:
(1) Biodegradability: ≥90% within 6 months (using ISO 14855 test method)
(2) Degree of disintegration: ≤10% of the original dry weight of residue passing through a 2mm sieve after 12 weeks
(3) Ecotoxicity: Germination rate and biomass of the two plant seeds ≥90% of the blank compost
(4) Heavy metal limits: Zinc, copper, nickel, cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, molybdenum, etc., must not exceed the specified limits. Certification bodies include TÜV Austria, DIN CERTCO (Germany), AIB-Vincotte (Belgium), etc. Certified products can use the OK compost INDUSTRIAL or seedling mark.
2. ASTM D6400 and BPI Certification
ASTM D6400 is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard for compostable plastics, requiring:
(1) Biodegradability: ≥90% within 180 days
(2) Degradation: ≤10% residue passing through a 2mm sieve after 84 days
(3) Ecotoxicity: No inhibition of plant growth
In the North American market, ASTM D6400 certification is often combined with BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) certification. BPI certification is the most authoritative label for compostable products in North America; certified products can use the BPI mark on their packaging.
IV. Compliance Risks and Countermeasures
1. EU Enforcement Trends
The European Commission’s Question and Answer Paper published in November 2025 clearly states that if a company’s annual sustainability report is used in consumer marketing, it falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the ECGT. Visual representations (such as green and blue tones, natural imagery) that imply environmental benefits that are not actually present also constitute misleading.
2. Expanded Supply Chain Responsibility
New guidance published by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in January 2026 clarifies that companies have legal responsibility for environmental claims made by upstream suppliers in the supply chain and must verify the accuracy of the information. Retailers and importers cannot rely solely on supplier guarantees but must “take necessary measures to ensure that claims are accurate and not misleading.”
3. Corporate Compliance Roadmap
(1) Immediate Actions:
March 2026: Complete the compliance transformation of China’s GB/T 46256 labeling, ensuring that all products on sale meet the requirements for bio-based content labeling.
September 2026: Complete the inventory and rectification of environmental claims across all channels, and establish an evidence file.
(2) Key Points for Environmental Claim Review:
Identify all “vague environmental claims” (such as “environmentally friendly,” “green,” “degradable”) and replace them with precise technical statements.
Ensure that any “carbon neutral” or “net zero” claims are based on the product’s own life cycle, rather than carbon offsetting.
Verify that all sustainability labels (such as BPI, OK compost) are based on independent third-party certification schemes.
V. Conclusion: Compliance is the Basic Threshold for Market Access
2026 will witness a profound transformation in the biodegradable pet waste bag industry, shifting from “concept marketing” to “scientific compliance.” Whether it’s China’s new traceability standards, the EU’s anti-money laundering directives, or the continued strengthening of degradation performance certifications in Europe and the US, all convey the same signal: environmental protection is no longer a marketing story, but a verifiable, traceable, and accountable technological commitment.
Companies should seize this opportunity to transform compliance requirements into a competitive advantage—products that can clearly demonstrate bio-based content, provide genuine degradation evidence, and match international certification standards will win consumers’ long-term trust in the next round of market reshuffling.
