Changes to Compost and Digestate Quality Protocols 2025

The landscape of waste management is undergoing significant changes in 2025 with the revision of the Quality Protocols for compost and anaerobic digestate.

These revisions, now termed “Resource Frameworks,” aim to streamline and enhance the processes involved in managing organic waste.

This transition marks a significant shift in waste management practices. The main goal remains to ensure that compost and digestate from biodegradable waste are of the highest quality and safety. Here are the key updates:

• Clear Waste Management Controls: The new Resource Frameworks clearly outline when waste management controls are no longer needed, giving you more confidence in the quality and safety of compost and digestate.
• End-of-Waste Requirements: Products made from approved, source-segregated materials that meet the standards of PAS100:2018 for compost or PAS110:2014 for digestate are no longer considered waste. This means they’re ready for use without further treatment.
• Stricter Plastics Limits: To improve product quality, the new limits for plastics are much tighter. For compost, the limit for plastics larger than 2mm is now 0.06% m/m, half of what it was before. For digestate, the limit is set at 8% of the PAS 110 physical contaminants limit.
• Flexible Market Use: Unlike the old protocols, the new frameworks do not restrict compost and digestate to specific market sectors, allowing for more versatile applications.

Producers must follow specific legal and regulatory guidelines under the new Resource Frameworks:

• Approved Input Materials: Only source-segregated waste materials listed in the frameworks are approved, ensuring high-quality compost and digestate.
• Certification and Record-Keeping: Detailed records of waste, storage, processing, and products are required. Certification from an approved third-party body is also mandatory.
• Regulatory Position Statements (RPS): To help with the transition to the new plastics limits, RPS will provide a two-year adjustment period for producers.