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ESPP regulatory activities

 

ESPP policy papers and proposals
  • ESPP-EBA list of consultants active in areas relevant to phosphorus recovery and recycling, including technical, regulatory and market questions 13_1_2025 (https://www.phosphorusplatform.eu/consultantslist) 
           
  • EU Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP)
    The European Commission has announced that it will prepare in 2021 an Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP). After wide consultation of our members and network of stakeholders, ESPP has prepared and submitted to the European Commission proposals for the objectives, content and implementation tools of such an Action Plan. 
    • ESPP input to EU consultation on INMAP (open to 26 August 2022)
    • ESPP response to EU consultation on INMAP 26_4_2022
    • ESPP input to INMAP 27_3_2021 here
    • EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy, COM(2020)381, 20_5_2020
    • EU new Circular Economy Action Plan, COM(2020)98, 11_3_ 2020
      For information: input (from seven Masters students), I. Stammes, T. Maassen, F. Miller Kerins, G. Votano, D. Palma Munguia, Z. Yuan, M. Gereadts, Amsterdam University, 30_6_2020
  • Taxonomy (sustainable finance criteria)
    • ESPP input to EU consultation on Taxonomy criteria, 3_5_2023
              
  • Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) recast
  • STRUBIAS - EU Fertilising Products Regulation criteria for phosphate salts and struvite, biochars and pyrolysis materials, and ashes
    • ESPP input to the public consultation on STRUBIAS criteria, 11_2_2021
    • Proposed STRUBIAS annexes to the EU Fertilising Products Regulation, v. 7_11_2019: here
    • Final published JRC STRUBIAS report:, 13_9_2019
    • Report of final STRUBIAS Expert Group meeting, JRC Seville, 25-27_9_2018
    • Outcomes ESPP stakeholder meeting on STRUBIAS and EU Fertilisers Regulation (5_9_2018)
    • STRUBIAS full “Pre-Final Report and Appendix & Annexes”, circulated 13_8_18. NOTE: replaced by final report of September 2019 (above)
    • ESPP letter to DG SANTE concerning use of Cat1 ABP ash as fertiliser (22_1_2018) and reply (9_2_2018)
    • Draft STRUBIAS market study (20_12_2017) - NOTE: replaced by final report of September 2019 (above)
    • STRUBIAS Interim report & annexes and “nutrient recovery rules” (24_05_2017) - NOTE: replaced by final report of September 2019 (above)
    • ESPP comments on the STRUBIAS draft report and proposed “nutrient recovery rules” (14_9_2017)

  • EU End-of-Waste status for materials recovered from waste waters
  • DG ENVI studies on contaminants in composts, digestates, fertilisers
    • AMEC study carried out in 2019 for DG ENVI on possible bans or REACH “Restrictions” on composts and digestates  (Ramboll – Peter Fisk – WOOD ref. 40039CL00313, 8_2_2019)  
    • Joint letter criticising the study and requesting its withdrawal (11_2_2020)
    • Currently ongoing study into risks of contaminants in fertilisers
  • Phosphorus recycling legislation at national level in Europe:
    • Switzerland: obligation to recover phosphorus from all sewage sludge and slaughterhouse waste (adopted), see SCOPE Newsletter n° 118 (page 13) (7_1_2016)
    • Germany: obligation to recover phosphorus from larger wastewater treatment plants (in adoption process), see eNews no. 7 (9_2_2017) and no. 6 (16_1_2017) and SCOPE Newsletter n° 122 (23_11_2016)
    • Austria: proposed mandatory phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge (2016, in adoption process), see ESPP news item
    • Sweden: proposed national ordinance on sustainable phosphorus recycling by EPA (2013, no follow up yet), see SCOPE Newsletter n° 123 (page 11 - 11_01_2017) and n° 97 (page 2 - 29_9_2013)
  • REACH (EU chemicals regulation):
  •  Composts and digestates: REACH and proposed "restrictions"
    • ESPP comments on the AMEC study on composts and digestates (11_2_2020)
    • European Commission (DG ENVI) study on possible "restrictions" on composts and digestates (AMEC 8_2_2019) 
    • Exemption of digestate from REACH regulation: published 10_10_2019
  • Best available techniques (BAT) BREFs (Industrial Emissions Directive):
    • BAT for waste incineration – objective: take into account the recovery of phosphorus from ashes, including inciting separative incineration of high-P streams to generate ash with P-recovery potential (mono-incineration of sewage sludge, not mixing with industrial sludge or municipal solid wastes)
    • BAT for intensive pig & poultry production – see SCOPE Newsletter n° 116, see also ESPP letter to EID Forum 30_9_2015
    • The finalised BAT BREF for the “Food, Drink and Milk” industries (FDM) published 12/2019 specifies that “Phosphorus recovery as struvite” is BAT for “waste water streams with … high total phosphorus content ..." and also specifies anaerobic digestion, appropriate use of residues in animal feed, appropriate use of wastewater in agriculture to valorise nutrients and/or water.
  • Best management practices (BEMPs): EMAS (EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Regulation) “agriculture” – see SCOPE Newsletter n° 116 (14_9_2015)
  • Standards, bio-based fertilisers and bio-economy
    • Proposal on the definitions of “Bio-Based Fertiliser” or “Bio-Based Nutrient” (3_5_2024)
    • ESPP input to DG GROW on “Biobased Industries and Biomaterials” (4_6_2023)

  • Aquaculture – algae
    • ESPP table for comment - Legal status of nutrient recycling from aquaculture – fisheries wastes and by-products 04_2025

  • Batteries
    • ESPP letter to DG ENVI on Battery Recycling Directive 31_12_24
  • NERC Directive (National Emissions Reduction Commitments)

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