|
|
EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.
|
Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECN E-BULLETIN No. 1_2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
News on the Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2009/2019
|
|
|
New delegated act on EU FPR I Conformity Assessment Procedure
|
Reduction of audit frequency on composting and anaerobic digestion plants
|
|
Following interventions by ECN and the Coordination Group of Notified Bodies, the Commission has reconsidered the frequency of audits on composting and anaerobic digestion plants required for conformity assessment procedures under Module D1 of the EU Regulation for Fertilising Products.
|
|
|
|
On 10 December 2025, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1421 of 17 July 2025 was published in the Official Journal. Module D1 has been amended to decouple the audit frequency for recovered materials from the sampling frequency, setting a general audit frequency of one audit per year. This amendment came into force on 30 December 2025.
The Commission Delegated Regulation 2025/1421 of 17th July 2025 (published in the Official Journal of 10th December 2025) amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 can be accessed here: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EU Expert Group on Fertilising Products I 4-5 November 2025
|
Open work items
|
|
At the last EU Expert Group meeting, which took place on 4–5 December 2025, open questions and new issues regarding the implementation of EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2009/1019 were discussed, as well as proposals for a draft delegated act to clarify certain rules. ECN took the opportunity to provide feedback on topics related to the requirements for soil improvers.
|
|
|
|
ECN feedbacks on the Draft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
|
|
|
|
One of the remaining open questions relates to the use of liquid residues from the food processing industry as composting and anaerobic digestion input material. ECN welcomes DG GROW's clarification that biowaste can have a 'sludge-like' texture, making it possible to use comparable waste from food processing plants in a liquid phase. Additionally, ECN has requested requirements for the characterisation of an inorganic soil improver.
|
|
ECN's feedback on the FAQs can be accessed here: LINK
|
|
|
|
ECN feedbacks on draft delegated act on clarification of certain rules
|
|
One of the Commission's amending proposals relates to the minimum dry matter content requirement for organic soil improvers. In its feedback, ECN emphasises the importance of considering the function of an organic soil improver, which is to maintain, improve or protect the soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties and structure. Additionally, the purpose of an organic soil improver is to maintain and enhance soil organic matter, as well as protect and improve soil structure. This can only be achieved by adding a solid, structured material.
|
|
ECN's feedback on the FAQs can be accessed here: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public Consultation RED I Deadline: 26 January 2026
|
Renewable Energy Directive – Calculation of greenhouse gas impact of biofuels
|
|
The Commission opened a public consultation on draft amendments to the Renewable Energy Directive concerning the calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of biofuels. The draft proposal provides for values of GHG emissions savings resulting from the production of biomethane and biogas, including through anaerobic digestion using biowaste as feedstock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policy initiatives for 2026
|
|
Please find a summary of the files that are expected to be presented by the Commission or finally adopted in 2026.
|
In the first quarter, the Commission is expected to adopt
|
- the delegated acts extending the scope of the Union Database for Biofuels, and
- the delegated act containing the certification methodology for carbon farming under the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Regulation.
In the second quarter, the Commission is expected to present
|
- the revision of the Public Procurement Directives,
- the revision of the Environmental and Climate delegated acts established under the Taxonomy Regulation,
- and an Action Plan to enable recycled nutrients for fertilisers.
In the third quarter, the Commission should
|
- adopt its evaluation of the Fertilising Products Regulation, and present
- the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System extending its scope.
- the adoption of implementing acts setting up harmonised waste-sorting labels for packaging and receptacles (August), and
- the publication of the Circular Economy Act by the Commission (September).
|
|
|
|
|
|
World Soil Day Event Highlights | December 5th, 2025
|
Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities
|
|
|
Our World Soil Day event, Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities with Compost & Digestate, brought together experts and practitioners to explore how organic amendments can strengthen urban soils and support resilient cities. ECN was pleased to welcome a noteworthy audience, sparking lively discussions on the role of compost and digestate in sustainable urban land management.
|
|
|
Participants benefited from a series of informative and inspiring presentations. Aline Granjard set the scene with a state-of-the-art overview of soil-relevant EU policies, highlighting the growing policy focus on soil health. Practical perspectives followed: Johan Dahlenborg shared experiences on the use of digestate in cultivation at the Essunga Swedish nursery and for urban plantings, emphasising local material access. Laura Bianconi from Tecnogarden Service presented the Terra Viva project and the importance of high-quality compost for urban and peri-urban soils and communities. Vlaco’s Maxim Rooseleer concluded with insights into compost and digestate use in urban green spaces in Flanders, showcasing real-world applications and striking benefits.
|
|
You can find the presentation here in case you missed the event.
|
|
Building on the strong interest and valuable discussions from this year’s event, we are already looking ahead. The next World Soil Day event will further develop these conversations with a dedicated focus on soil compaction, an increasingly important challenge for healthy soils.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Updated Cover-Management (C-factor) Dataset for Arable Lands
|
Supporting the Reduction of EU Soil Erosion by Water
|
|
An updated EU cover-management (C-factor) dataset for arable lands is now available for 2023. The update is presented in the publication “A data-driven indicator for assessing the evolving impact of the EU Common Agricultural Policy on soil erosion mitigation”, which examines how changes in agricultural practices affect soil erosion risk over time.
|
|
For the first time, the dataset also includes a harmonised C-factor for the pre-GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions) reference year 2000. This allows consistent assessment of arable land cover management across four time periods: 2000, 2010, 2016, and 2023.
|
|
The extended time series supports the analysis of long-term trends in soil management and the role of the Common Agricultural Policy in reducing soil erosion across the EU. The dataset is publicly available via the ESDAC platform for policy and research use.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcements
|
|
|
|
Call for abstracts I Deadline 30 January 2026
|
ESNI-NERM 2026 – the flagship event on nutrient research, Brussels, 28-29 April 2026
|
|
|
|
The European Sustainable Nutrient Initiative (ESNI) Conference and the Nutrients in Europe Research Meeting (NERM) are merging to bring together all the community working on research and innovation focused on nutrient management.
|
|
|
|
|
The conference aims to showcase the latest research and demonstration outcomes in nutrient management and nutrient recycling.
|
|
Authors are invited to present abstracts dealing with any of the following topics on nutrient recovery and recycling:
|
|
|
|
- technologies in nutrient recycling and valorisation
- agronomic performance of recycled nutrients
- sustainability of nutrient recycling and management
- path to market & policy on recycled nutrients
|
|
|
|
The call for abstracts is still open until 30 January 2026. Further information and the template for abstract submission can be accessed here: LINK
|
|
The registration for the conference will open on 26 January 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FertiCovery Project Webinar I 19 February 2026
|
Workshop on nutrient recycling and biobased Fertilising products
|
|
Join the FertiCovery Project online workshop and help shape the future of nutrient recycling and bio-based fertilisers!
|
|
📍When? 19 February at 10:00-11:30 - Online This interactive session brings together partners and stakeholders to review and validate the final Technical and Environmental Assessment Indicators that will underpin the benchmarking of nutrient recycling and bio-based fertilisers technologies. It will bring together stakeholders, farmers, fertiliser companies, waste and wastewater treatment companies, technology providers, farmers associations, researchers, policy makers, and civil society.
|
- Technical and Environmental Assessment Indicators - Explanation of selected technical and environmental indicators and reference units
- Interactive stakeholder session
- Q&A and open discussion
|
✅ Get more information and register here: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
News for ECN Members
|
|
|
|
Save the Date I 4 May 2026
|
ECN's Annual Meeting 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save the Date I 11-12 November 2026
|
3rd Austrian Compost Congress
|
|
When: 11-12 November 2026
|
Where: Francisco Josephinum, Schloss Weinzierl, Weinzierl 1, 3250 Wieselburg
|
The congress is organised by the Austrian Compost and Biogas Association. This year, there will again be interesting presentations and discussions on the following topics:
|
- What is happening with laws and standards in the compost sector?
- What is driving the industry? (Compost quality)
- What contribution does compost make as a carbon sink?
- What is compost worth? (Practitioner reports)
|
|
|
|
Call for abstracts I Deadline 17 April 2026
|
ISWA 2026
|
|
|
|
|
Submit your abtract here: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registration open I March 3-5, 2026
|
Waste Fermentation Day & GGG Technical Seminar
|
|
The Waste Fermentation Day & GGG Technical Seminar will take place from March 3–5, 2026, in Mannheim-Ladenburg and is now open for registration. The event covers political, legal, and technological developments in waste fermentation, alongside practical applications, safety and compliance topics, and future innovations such as e-methanol, sustainable fuels, and CCU business models. Networking opportunities and an educational site visit to regional facilities round out the three-day program.
|
|
Register at the following link: LINK
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.O.S Save Organics in Soil
|
This international initiative S.O.S. SOIL – Save Organics in Soil, led by the European Compost Network (ECN) and the Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC), aims to highlight the importance of soil organic matter to encourage policy makers to develop instruments to move Europe towards implementing sustainable, climate proof soil management practices.
|
|
Sign the manifesto 'Save Organigs in Soil' here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECN-QAS Trade Mark No 011007168
Trade mark for certified quality assurance
organisations, compost and digestate products
according to ECN-QAS
Website: www.ecn-qas.eu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
