final report - JRC IPTS - Sustainable Production and Consumption ...

CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES 6
LIST OF FIGURES 8
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 10
EXTENDED SUMMARY 12
OBJECTIVE AND TASK OF THIS STUDY 22
4
Background ................................................................................................................................... 22
Objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Methodology and limitations......................................................................................................... 22
The tasks of the study..................................................................................................................... 24
1 TASK 1 – COMPOST QUALITY CLASSES .........................................................................26
1.1 Task 1.1 & task 1.2: Denomination of the compost classes & identification description of
the reference legislation, standards, protocols................................................................. 27
1.2 Task 1.5.a – Regulations and standards on Input materials for composting .................... 38
1.2.1 The rationale of a positive list................................................................................... 38
1.2.2 Positive list and European Waste Catalogue............................................................. 39
1.3 Task 1.5.b & 1.6 – Aspects of health and environmental protection – PRECAUTIONARY
STANDARDS and limit values.......................................................................................... 52
1.3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 52
1.3.2 HEAVY METALS – procedures for standard setting .............................................. 54
1.3.3 The issue of variability – can we trust analytical results?......................................... 56
1.3.4 Sampling of compost for qualitative analyses and compliance testing..................... 57
1.3.5 The impact of decomposition state on measured values........................................... 65
1.3.6 Austria – an example for comprehensive and precautionary standards setting by
integrating types of input materials, heavy metal classes, product designation and
declaration as well as dedicated areas of application................................................ 71
1.3.7 Consequences of qualitative standards setting for the compost production.............. 72
1.3.8 How many composts would be excluded from the product regime if strict, moderate
or loose limits would be set?..................................................................................... 76
1.3.9 Effect of continuous compost application on the heavy metal status of the soil....... 78
1.3.10 Impurities .................................................................................................................. 83
1.3.11 Process and health related requirements ................................................................... 85
1.3.12 The Animal By-Products Regulation – a short summary of its requirements relevant
for compost production ............................................................................................. 88
1.4 Task 1.7 – Compost Quality Assurance Schemes.............................................................. 92
1.4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 92
1.4.2 Standardisation as a precondition for the product property ...................................... 92
1.4.3 The quality assurance concept – key elements of quality assurance schemes .......... 96
1.4.4 Costs of quality assurance of compost in compost plants....................................... 101
1.5 Task 1.3 and 1.8 – Product or Waste – Compost certification and national provisions for
marketing and use of compost under the waste or product regime ................................ 104
1.5.1 Basic systematic of compost registration and certification..................................... 104
1.5.2 Examples and flowcharts for typical compost registration or certification schemes
................................................................................................................................. 105
1.5.3 Some principle remarks on the strategic concept of where the compost ceases to be a
waste ....................................................................................................................... 110
1.6 Task 1.10 – Standards on compost application............................................................... 118
2 TASK 2 – QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF COMPOST PRODUCTION
AND USE ..................................................................................................................................124
COMPOST PRODUCTION AND USE IN THE EU