Demonstrate Your Commitment to Sustainable Packaging and Organic Recycling
As Singapore accelerates its journey towards a zero-waste nation, businesses that handle packaging materials face growing pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices. ISO 18606 Certification positions your organisation at the forefront of sustainable packaging — helping you meet regulatory expectations, reduce environmental impact, and build lasting trust with customers and partners.
What Is ISO 18606 Certification?
ISO 18606:2013 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization under Technical Committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging. It specifies the procedures and requirements for packaging suitable for organic recycling, including composting and biodegradation under controlled conditions. Packaging is considered organically recyclable only when all its individual components meet the requirements set out in this standard.
The standard ensures that packaging materials entering the biological waste stream break down effectively without leaving harmful residues, negatively affecting compost quality, or exceeding permissible concentrations of regulated metals and hazardous substances. It is part of a broader family of packaging and environment standards, ISO 18601 to ISO 18606, which together address packaging optimisation, reuse, material recycling, energy recovery, and organic recycling.
In Singapore, packaging sustainability is now a legal and commercial priority. Under the Resource Sustainability Act, the National Environment Agency (NEA) mandates that companies with an annual turnover above S$10 million submit packaging data and 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) plans. ISO 18606 certification directly supports compliance with these obligations while demonstrating genuine environmental leadership.
Key Benefits of ISO 18606 Certification in Singapore
- Regulatory Compliance — Support your obligations under Singapore’s Mandatory Packaging Reporting framework and the Resource Sustainability Act administered by NEA.
- Green Market Credibility — Validate your sustainable packaging claims with an internationally recognised standard, building trust with eco-conscious consumers and retailers.
- Circular Economy Alignment — Contribute to Singapore’s national goal of reducing landfill dependency and extending the life of Semakau Landfill through responsible packaging end-of-life management.
- Competitive Advantage — Differentiate your products in both local and global markets where sustainable packaging is increasingly a procurement requirement.
- Reduced Environmental Liability — Demonstrate that your packaging does not introduce harmful residues or heavy metals into composting systems, protecting both reputation and the environment.
Our ISO 18606 Certification Process
Global Quality Services provides a seamless, expert-guided path to certification:
- Initial Gap Analysis — We assess your current packaging materials and processes against ISO 18606 requirements, identifying non-conformities and areas for improvement.
- Documentation & Compliance Planning — We develop the required technical documentation, test records, and procedures to demonstrate organic recyclability of all packaging components.
- Laboratory Testing Coordination — We coordinate with accredited testing laboratories to verify biodegradability, disintegration, and compost quality criteria.
- Implementation Support — Our consultants guide your team through practical changes in packaging design, material selection, and supplier requirements.
- Certification Audit & Issuance — An accredited certification body conducts the formal assessment and issues your ISO 18606 certificate upon successful completion.
Why Choose Global Quality Services?
Global Quality Services is Singapore’s trusted partner for environmental and packaging certifications, delivering expert support aligned with national sustainability goals:
- Deep Sustainability Expertise — Our consultants have extensive experience across ISO environmental and packaging standards, including ISO 18601–18606 and ISO 14001.
- Singapore Regulatory Knowledge — We stay current with NEA’s Mandatory Packaging Reporting requirements and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment guidelines.
- End-to-End Project Management — From gap analysis and lab testing coordination to certification audit and post-certification surveillance, we manage the entire process.
- Industry-Wide Experience — We serve food and beverage, retail, manufacturing, FMCG, and logistics sectors across Singapore and the region.
- Transparent & Affordable Pricing — Fixed-fee packages designed for SMEs and large enterprises with no surprise costs at any stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of packaging does ISO 18606 apply to?
It applies to all packaging materials intended for organic recycling, including plastics, paper, and composite packaging components.
2. Is ISO 18606 the same as compostability certification?
Yes, organic recycling under ISO 18606 is equivalent to compostability, including composting in municipal and industrial facilities.
3. How does ISO 18606 support Singapore’s packaging regulations?
It aligns with NEA’s Mandatory Packaging Reporting framework and supports your 3R plans under the Resource Sustainability Act.
4. Can small businesses apply for ISO 18606 certification in Singapore?
Yes, any organisation producing or supplying packaging materials can pursue certification regardless of company size.
5. How long does ISO 18606 certification take to obtain?
Typically 2 to 4 months, depending on packaging complexity, laboratory testing timelines, and existing documentation readiness.