European regulation
The use of sludge is regulated by three main European framework directives:
The Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC :
The purpose of this Directive is to encourage the sludge landspreading and to regulate this practice in such a way as to prevent harmful effects on soil, crops, animals and human being.
The Directive lays down limit values for concentrations of heavy metals in the soil, in sludge and for the maximum annual quantities of heavy metals which may be introduced into the soil.
The Member States have taken the national regulatory measures necessary to ensure the good application of this directive.
The European Commission is currently assessing whether the current Directive should be reviewed – and if so, the extent of this review.
More information on the European Commission website
All deliverables and comments may be found at dedicated CIRCA website.
The Waste Framework Directive :
This directive 75/442/EEC, published in 1975, provides for the establishment of proper waste control regimes, and requires that the designated national competent authorities draw up a waste management plan.
This text was revised and the new directive was published in November 2008.
The Directive aims to set a framework for waste management in the EU, promoting both reuse and recycling, including recycling/reclamation of organic substances activities and its use within a revised waste management hierarchy Member states have a deadline of 2 years to translate the directive into national law.
The new directive contains provisions to define end of waste criteria that provide a high level of environmental protection and an economic benefit. The European commission has started a work on this subject and published a first report on the methodology for determining end of waste criteria.
The Nitrates Directive :
The Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of water from pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources was adopted on December 12th 1991.
This Directive aims to reduce or prevent the pollution of water caused by the application and storage of inorganic fertiliser and manure on farmland. It is designed both to safeguard drinking water supplies and to prevent wider ecological damage in the form of the eutrophication of freshwater and marine waters generally.
