The 2011 version, which was published on WRAPs website to little fanfare at the end of February, is an update of PAS 100:2005 and was developed by the Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR), the Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) and the British Standards Institution.
The update is intended to reflect changes in legislation, guidance and scientific reports over the past six years and also take into account WRAP-sponsored reviews of compost stability testing, plant growth and weeds testing.
Key changes mean that the composting of sewage sludge, or its derivatives, are no longer allowed, while digestates from anaerobic and aerobic digestion processes is allowed, subject to restrictions outlined on input material.
The upper limits for physical contaminants, such as plastic, have been made more stringent, as has the upper limit on stones in mulch grade. Furthermore, the update is intended to help clarify the restrictions on sharps in material and the composters responsibilities.
Key changeswithin PAS 100:2011
new upper limits for some test parameters
a new laboratory test method for E. coli.
the updated BSI PAS 100 does not allow the composting of sewage sludge or its derivatives
allows the addition of digestates from anaerobic and aerobic digestion processes
references to new legislation, guidelines and scientific reports
re-formatted to make it easier to use
Commenting on the update, Emily Nichols, technicalmanager at AfOR, told letsrecycle.com: The data that we have shows that the vast majority of compost will be below these [more stringent] levels. But, there may be a few facilities that will struggle and these are probably the ones where the compost is not so good in terms of keeping out plastic contaminants or physical contaminants.
Ms Nichols added that some composters may need to address their process in order to ensure that contaminants, such as card and paper, have decomposed within a recognised timeframe.
Changes
The specification was prepared and published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and built on the existing AfOR ‘Standards for Compost’ scheme.
PAS 100 applies to the centralised, on-farm and community composting of biodegradable wastes and materials that have been kept separate from those that are not biodegradable. It does not apply to composts made by householders for use in their own gardens.
It is intended to help improve confidence in composted materials among end-users, specifiers and blenders, and help producers differentiate products that are safe, reliable and of high performance.
Any composter whose process and compost is inspected before or on 30th April 2011 still has the option of being inspected for compliance with PAS 11:2005. Any inspections after that date will assess compliance with PAS 100:2011.
It continues to require the composter to supply composts that are fit for purpose, supported by Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point planning, operation of a Quality Management System (QMS), and the supply of clear information to the customer.
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