The Environment Agency has published three resource frameworks replacing quality protocols for compost, digestate and biomethane, reducing plastic contamination limits and removing restrictions on where certified products can be used.
The Environment Agency has published three resource frameworks that replace the existing quality protocols for compost, anaerobic digestate and biomethane, introducing tighter plastics contamination limits and removing restrictions on designated market sectors. The frameworks published on Monday (20 October), apply only to England and represent the first outcomes of a comprehensive review of all 13 quality protocols that the EA announced in 2020. This was initiated by the agency after it identified that some protocols no longer met current technical or legal standards or supported the latest waste processing technologies.
Key changes for compost and digestate
The compost resource framework introduces a maximum allowable plastic contamination of 0.06 per cent by weight (m/m) in air-dry compost, representing 50 per cent of the current PAS 100 limit. This reduces the previous 0.12 per cent limit established under the quality protocol.
For anaerobic digestate, the framework limits plastics to a maximum of 8 per cent of the total physical contaminants threshold set out in BSI PAS 110, aligning England's standards with those already in place in Scotland.
Both frameworks remove previous restrictions on how certified products can be used. Under the old quality protocols, compost and digestate could only be supplied to pre-approved uses. The new frameworks allow certified materials meeting the relevant PAS standard to be used for any legitimate purpose where there is demand.
The frameworks maintain the requirement for certification from approved third-party certification bodies, with compost producers needing certification from bodies appointed by the Compost Certification Scheme and digestate producers requiring certification from bodies appointed by the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme.
Storage requirements remain consistent with previous protocols, limiting product storage to 10 months maximum. Producers must maintain either contracts of supply or sales orders covering the quantity in storage, or demonstrate sales history for the most recent 12 months showing equivalent volumes supplied.
New requirements for digestate in horticulture
The anaerobic digestate resource framework introduces an additional requirement for producers supplying digestate as a growing medium ingredient to the horticulture sector. These may now only supply to accredited members of the responsible sourcing scheme and must agree digestate quality specifications in writing with each member they supply.
The quality specification must include physical contaminants and stability or maturity limits, going beyond the baseline requirements of the framework.
Biomethane framework requirements
The biomethane resource framework establishes end-of-waste criteria for biomethane produced from organic wastes in landfill sites or anaerobic digestion plants. The framework recognises two acceptable uses: biomethane for injection into the gas grid and biomethane for use as fuel in appliances suitably designed and operated for natural gas.
For biomethane destined for grid injection, the product must meet the requirements of the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 and be supplied under a Network Entry Agreement created by a gas transporter under the Uniform Network Code.
The framework specifies maximum concentration limits for various compounds, including a total sulphur limit of 30 mg m³, hydrogen sulphide limit of 5 mg m³, and ammonia limit of 20 mg m³, all measured at a temperature of 288 Kelvin and 101.3 kilopascals.
Review schedule
The EA will review the compost and anaerobic digestate resource frameworks in summer 2026, whilst the biomethane framework is scheduled for review in 2028. The EA states it may update or withdraw the frameworks before these dates due to pollution incidents, incorrect use, developments in scientific understanding, market changes, or changes in legislation or case law.
The frameworks have been developed in collaboration with industry bodies including the Compost Certification Scheme and Biofertiliser Certification Scheme, with both schemes now updated to align with the new frameworks.
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