皇家华人

EA consults on quality protocols for compost and anaerobic digestate

13 August 2024

Environment and climate
Hands holding soil

皇家华人has responded to an informal consultation initiated by the Environment Agency to revise the existing quality protocols for compost and anaerobic digestate.

This process aims to establish new 鈥榬esource frameworks鈥� with updated requirements, particularly focusing on tightening plastics regulations.

The new resource frameworks will replace the existing quality protocols, with the following objectives.

  1. Clarify the end-of-waste criteria for compost and digestate.
  2. Assure users that compost and digestate from source-segregated biodegradable waste meet approved standards.
  3. Assure users that the quality of compost and digestate from source-segregated biodegradable waste is suitable for designated market sectors.
  4. Protect human health and the environment, including soil.

End of waste requirements

Under the new resource frameworks, a final product is no longer considered waste when:

  • It is produced from approved source-segregated waste materials.
  • It complies with all conditions set by PAS100 for compost or PAS110 for digestate.
  • It is ready for its intended use, without further treatment.
  • It meets any additional specifications requested by customers (for digestate).

13 August 2024

NFU submits response

皇家华人has responded to the consultation on the revised resource frameworks, previously known as quality protocols, highlighting their importance to operators who use compost and digestate.

皇家华人values the clarity and assurance these frameworks provide, ensuring that materials used in agriculture are of high quality, safe, and environmentally beneficial.

皇家华人appreciates the streamlined structure of the new frameworks, with their emphasis on practical requirements, explicit record-keeping, and clearer criteria for end-of-waste status.

The removal of the '99' waste codes and the alignment with Standard Rule Permits are seen as positive changes that enhance clarity and efficiency in waste management.

Regarding plastics, the NFU supports the stricter limits on plastic contamination in compost and digestate, recognising the benefits for sustainability and market confidence.

However, we also acknowledge the challenges operators may face in meeting these new standards and advocate for a flexible approach during the transition period.

The removal of designated market sectors in the new frameworks is welcomed for the flexibility it offers, allowing for broader market access for compost and digestate.

Nevertheless, the NFU highlights the need for clear guidelines and support to ensure compliance with quality requirements, particularly for smaller operations.

5 August 2024

NFU feedback form closes

The NFU's feedback form for gathering responses to help build its response has now closed.

9 July 2024

EA puts a call out for feedback on its draft 'resource frameworks'

The Environment Agency has initiated an informal consultation process to revise the existing quality protocols for compost and anaerobic digestate.

This process aims to establish new 鈥榬esource frameworks鈥� with updated requirements, particularly focusing on tightening plastics regulations.

Key changes

Plastic limits

  • Tighter limits for plastics in final products.
  • A maximum of 0.06% m/m for >2mm plastics in air-dry compost.
  • Up to 8% of the PAS 110 physical contaminants limit for plastics in digestate.
  • Two-year transition period for the new limits.

List of approved input materials:

  • Updated list of approved materials, with the removal of '99' waste codes.
  • Harmonisation with standard rule permits.

Designated market sectors

  • The draft resource frameworks do not specify designated market sectors, unlike the current quality protocols.
  • This change would enable the use of digestate in horticulture, offering greater flexibility for its application.

Key dates

  • 1 August: .听
  • 5 August: Deadline for feeding into the NFU's response.
  • 31 August: EA to publish the new resource frameworks.

This page was first published on 26 July 2024. It was updated on 13 August 2024.

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