The deadline marks the next step in the phased introduction of the Quality Protocol for Compost, published this March (see letsrecycle.com story) which sets out criteria for the production of quality compost from source-segregated biodegradable waste.
Composters have until the deadline to register with the Composting Association for PAS 100 – the standard which sets out the minimum requirements for the process of composting- as well as signing up for Quality Protocol certification.
Producers and users who do not meet the deadline will only be able to be spread to land with an Environment Agency waste exemption or permit, or the material will have to be disposed of at a licensed waste management site.
These producers will also not benefit from the interim regulatory position until it is revised in May 2008.
The interim position states that producers who have signed up and are creating non-PAS 100 compost will be subject to waste licenses until they are fully certified for the Protocol.
Those already producing PAS 100 compost, who have signed up for Quality Protocol certification will still have to adhere to waste management licenses until they are fully certified however duty of care and waste carriers registration will no longer apply to them.
Martin Brocklehurst, head of external programmes for the Environment Agency, said: “The Quality Protocol allows operators to manufacture quality compost free of the ‘waste' tag. This makes compost a more marketable product and allows it to be spread on land without the need for an Environment Agency waste exemption.”
Waste & Resources Action Programme's Dr Richard Swannell, joint project executive for the Waste Protocols Project, continued: “The development of the Quality Protocol means that key markets such as landscaping, agriculture and horticulture can be confident that the compost they are buying will be of a high environmental standard, making it easier for businesses to market their compost as a desirable quality product.”
Progression
The next stage in the Quality Protocol process is to notify the EU under the Technical Standards Directive. This is part of the process of opening up potential export markets for compost.
Dr Jane Gilbert, Composting Association chief executive added: “Compost producers have been quick to recognise the Protocol's significance in the UK markets and are busy implementing its requirements. This next step provides welcome opportunity for producers to develop products for international trade.”
The Waste Protocols Project is a joint Environment Agency and WRAP initiative in collaboration with industry, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) Programme.
The Environment Agency has also confirmed that the Quality Protocol is up for revision (see letsrecycle.com story) and that the revision will put in place a procedure for adding new biowastes to the acceptable inputs list.
Mr Brocklehurst said: “These additional wastes must be agreed by the Environment Agency to ensure the door isn't being opened to sham operators.”
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