England
Biofertiliser certification criteria in England are:
- BCS Scheme Rules – The Scheme Rules detail how the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme actually operates and include procedures for application to the scheme, product complaint investigation, etc.
- PAS 110 - This specification sets out the technical requirements for the AD process and production of anaerobic digestate, including the minimum quality criteria. It specifies requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS) for the production of digestate to ensure they are consistently fit for their intended uses.
- The AD Resource Framework sets out the end of waste criteria for the production of quality compost from source-segregated biodegradable waste destined for use in designated market sectors. If these criteria are met, the resulting outputs will normally be regarded as having been fully recovered and to have ceased to be waste. Optional exemptions are accessible via the following Regulatory Position Statements. Note These statements support the Environment Agency’s End of Waste position but are not themselves assessed as part of certification.
- Regulatory Position Statement 317 This RPS applies to the storage and use of BSI certified PAS 110 digestate that does not meet the plastics limit set out in the AD Resource Framework.
- Regulatory Position Statement 358 This RPS applies to the storage of BSI certified PAS 110 digestate at the site of production or a storage site under the operator's control.
Scotland
Biofertiliser certification criteria in Scotland are:
- BCS Scheme Rules – the Scheme Rules detail how the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme actually operates and include procedures for application to the scheme, product complaint investigation, etc.
- PAS 110 - This specification sets out the technical requirements for the AD process and production of anaerobic digestate, including the minimum quality criteria for whole digestate, separated liquor, and separated fibre.
- SEPA’s End-of waste regulatory position statement for digestate – This sets out SEPA's requirements for digestate to achieve End of Waste. This RPS introduces additional standards, reducing the levels of plastic contained within digestate; the plastic limit is 8% of current PAS 110 limits. This aligns plastic contamination limits with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) standards.
Northern Ireland
Biofertiliser certification criteria in Northern Ireland are:
- BCS Scheme Rules – The Scheme Rules detail how the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme actually operates and include procedures for application to the scheme, product complaint investigation, etc.
- PAS 110 - This specification sets out the technical requirements for the AD process and production of anaerobic digestate, including the minimum quality criteria. It specifies requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS) for the production of digestate to ensure they are consistently fit for their intended uses.
- Anaerobic Digestion Quality Protocol – The Quality Protocol sets out criteria for the production of quality digestate from anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste (biowaste). Quality digestate from anaerobic digestion include the whole digestate, in addition to any subsequently separated fibre or liquor fractions. If these criteria are met, quality outputs from anaerobic digestion will normally be regarded as having been fully recovered and to have ceased to be waste.
Wales
Biofertiliser certification criteria in Wales are:
- BCS Scheme Rules – the Scheme Rules detail how the Biofertiliser Certification Scheme actually operates and include procedures for application to the scheme, product complaint investigation, etc.
- PAS 110 – this specification sets out the technical requirements for the AD process and production of anaerobic digestate, including the minimum quality criteria for whole digestate, separated liquor, and separated fibre. It specifies requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure digestate is consistently fit for its intended uses.
- GN023 (End of Waste: Digestate produced from source-segregated biodegradable waste) – this guidance note replaces the Anaerobic Digestion Quality Protocol in Wales. It clarifies when digestate produced from source-segregated biowaste is no longer considered waste and meets the end of waste test under Article 6 of the Waste Framework Directive. It ensures that the quality of digestate produced is suitable for specific purposes and protects human health and the environment.
- Regulatory Statement 122 (RS122) – this regulatory statement applies to the production, storage, and use of certified PAS 110 digestate that does not currently meet the stricter plastics limits set out in NRW’s adapted end of waste guidance. It provides a transition period, valid until December 2026, during which NRW will not normally take enforcement action provided the digestate meets existing PAS 110 physical contaminant limits and the producer is working toward compliance with the new, lower limits.