EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.

Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment

ECN E-BULLETIN No. 4_2026

27 april 2026

Projects | EU LIFE BIOBEST outcomes uploaded on the ECN website

Guiding the mainstreaming of best biowaste recycling practices in Europe

The project ended but its legacy continues. While the mandate for separate collection of biowaste is in place since the end of 2023, there are still countries and regions falling behind in implementing proper biowaste separate collection and treatment schemes.

The project outcomes provide guidance on various aspects of the biowaste value chain, among others:

Separate collection
Quality standards for biowaste entering biological treatment facilities
Governance and economic incentives
Production of quality compost and digestate
Communication and engagement practices

The EU comprehensive guidance presents key policy recommendations to strengthen the EU legal framework for biowaste management.

Recently, all project outcomes were uploaded to the ECN website.

Council | Nitrates Directive

Call for a revision of the Nitrates Directive to facilitate the use of digestate

During the Agriculture Council of 30 March, 12 Member States supported Italy’s call to revise the Nitrates Directive in order to facilitate the use of digestate. Most Member States have recognised the potential of digestate as a sustainable alternative to mineral fertilisers, highlighting the current limitations to its use and emphasising the need to lift them in light of the current geopolitical situation, whilst taking into account the need to protect soil and water quality. However, some Member States considered that the revision should be limited to digestate derived from agricultural residues. The Commissioner for Agriculture acknowledged the potential of digestate and pointed out that the Nitrates Directive does not exclude the adoption of digestate as a fertiliser under environmentally safe conditions, but that it was not included in the previous revision concerning RENURE due to lack of evidence. The Commission is therefore examining under which conditions the use of digestate could be scaled up.

Council | Bioeconomy Strategy

The Council adopted its conclusions on the Bioeconomy Strategy

Environment Ministers adopted on 17 March the conclusions of the Council on the Bioeconomy Strategy presented by the Commission in November 2025. In their conclusions, the Member States recalled the waste hierarchy and the need to prioritise material use before energy recovery. They also called for strengthened separate collection and legal clarity for biowaste, as well as the need to promote its conversion into bio-based materials and chemicals, quality compost, biogas and other biofuels. They also mentioned the need to valorise digestate as an alternative to synthetic fertiliser.

The conclusions are available here.

Projects | Study on biodegradation of EN13432 certified biodegradable plastics

Project investigates ongoing biodegradation in soils after biological treatment

A new German-Austrian research project is investigating the continued biodegradation of fragments from certified compostable plastic films in soil under real conditions. The aim is to generate scientifically robust evidence on how quickly any film fragments that may remain after biowaste treatment continue to biodegrade once compost is applied to soil. The project will monitor this process over an expected 24-month period, using compost produced in routine operations at an Austrian composting plant and a German anaerobic digestion plant with post-composting.

The initiative brings together expertise from science and practice to improve understanding of the environmental behaviour of certified compostable plastics and to support future regulatory decision-making. According to the project coordinators, the results are also intended to clarify both the potential and the limits of compostable plastics in the biological cycle. ECN is part of the project’s advisory board, contributing sector expertise from the compost and biowaste field.

Project partners: University of Vienna, BOKU University, ETH Zurich, BASF, Novamont

Funding institutions: bündnis mikroplastikfrei, Initiative natürliche Kreislaufwirtschaft (INAK)

Official press release (in German): Link

EU Soil Strategy I Progress update (March 2026)

Tracking actions towards healthy soils by 2050

The European Commission has taken another step toward safeguarding Europe’s natural resources with its ongoing EU Soil Strategy for 2030. Central to this effort is the Soil Strategy Actions Tracker, which monitors progress on 90 policy actions aimed at restoring soil health and ensuring sustainable land use across the EU.

As of March 2026, 67 actions have been completed, 19 are in progress, and 4 have been withdrawn— marking steady advancement toward the goal of achieving healthy soils by 2050. This is critical, as an estimated 60–70% of EU soils are currently degraded, threatening food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

The strategy highlights soil’s essential role in tackling major challenges, from climate change mitigation to water management and the circular economy. It also emphasizes the need for better soil data, increased research, and stronger public awareness to support long-term change.

With soil degradation costing the EU billions annually, the initiative underscores the urgency of coordinated action among governments, businesses, and citizens.

Learn more about progress and actions via the EU Soil Strategy Actions Tracker.

Public consultation I Feedback now available

Evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027

The consultation on the mid-term evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy has now closed, and contributions submitted by stakeholders are available for review. The exercise gathered views on how the policy is performing in practice and where adjustments may be needed during the current programming period.

Input focused on key themes such as administrative burden following the 2024 simplification measures, the effectiveness of CAP support for farm incomes, food security, environmental and climate objectives, and the added value of EU-level coordination compared to national approaches. Rural development and resilience to market shocks also featured prominently in the feedback.

The European Commission will use these contributions to inform the ongoing evaluation of the CAP framework.

The consultation results and related documents can be accessed here.

ECHA | PFAS general restriction

Publication of ECHA’s opinion and consultation

The ECHA’s work on the proposal for a general restriction of PFAS made some progress. The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of ECHA has published on 26 March its opinion related to health and environmental risks. The socioeconomic impacts of the measures have been assessed by the SEAC in its draft opinion, which is now open to consultation until 25 May 2026. Both Committees support a general restriction, although the SEAC is also in favour of exemptions and derogations for certain sectors. After the consultation, the SEAC’s opinion will be finalised and the ECHA will send its final opinion to the Commission, by the end of the year. On that basis, the Commission will prepare a legislative proposal.

The opinion and draft opinion, and the consultation are available here.

Public consultation | Deadline 7 May 2026

Second consultation open on the Omnibus package on environment

Following the publication of its Omnibus package on environmental measures in December, the Commission opened a new public consultation until 7 May. The aim is to inform the work of the Parliament and the Council. Once the consultation has concluded, the Commission will forward the feedbacks received to them.

Link to the consultation.

Public consultation | Deadline 29 May 2026

Consultation open on the Industrial Accelerator Act

The Industrial Accelerator Act presented by the Commission in March aims to increase demand for low-carbon, European-made technologies and products. It contains measures to create industrial manufacturing acceleration areas with faster permit procedures and it introduces Union origin and low-carbon requirements in public procurement. While the proposal will now be discussed at the Parliament and the Council, the Commission opened a consultation until 29 May.

Link to the consultation.

Public consultation I Deadline 13 May 2026

Proposed UK framework for fertilisers regulation

The UK Government is consulting on a new regulatory approach for fertilisers, which would replace the 1991 framework and apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The proposal focuses on inorganic fertilisers, liming materials, inhibitors and blends, and introduces a “Conformity Assessment” system intended to modernise product approval and strengthen verification of claims such as low-carbon performance.

However, the scope is limited to products based on virgin chemical inputs, excluding organic fertilisers, biostimulants and other recycled or bio-based materials. While the consultation aims to support innovation and alignment across the UK, stakeholders have raised concerns that restricting input materials may limit nutrient recycling and reduce opportunities for circular economy solutions.

Feedback is being collected on technical requirements and how the conformity system should operate, including options such as self-declaration or third-party accreditation. The consultation also explores whether EU CE-marked fertilising products should be recognised under the future UK system.
Link to the consultation.

Carbon Farming Summit | Participation of ECN

Recording of ECN's participation in the Carbon Farming Summit

The presentations and the recordings of the Carbon Farming Summit sessions have been made available. In particular, you can a look at the session on B6 from Day 2 on Carbon Farming Methodologies in Livestock, where our expert Alberto Confalonieri (CIC, Italy) gave a presentation on behalf of ECN, showing the benefits of long-term application of biowaste compost.

You can find the recordings here and the presentations here.

Announcements

ECN Webinar I 5 May 2026 (14:00 CET)

Compost use and soil health in focus during ICAW 2026

The European Compost Network (ECN) will host a webinar on Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 14:00 CET exploring the long-term benefits of compost application for soil health. The session will highlight how compost supports soil organic matter, improves fertility, and contributes to more resilient and sustainable soil systems.
The webinar takes place during International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 2026 and brings together scientific and economic perspectives on compost use in land management. Speakers will share evidence on how composting contributes to closing nutrient loops and improving soil ecosystem functions.

Join the Meeting here: LINK

ICAW 2026 I 3-9 May 2026

International Compost Awareness Week

ICAW 2026 will be held from 3 to 9 May 2026, under the theme “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us”. Organised globally with the support of ECN and partners of the International Compost Alliance (ICA), the week aims to raise awareness of the environmental and soil benefits of composting.
Across Europe and beyond, events will take place in cities, communities, and composting facilities, with organisations encouraged to contribute their own activities. The campaign highlights compost as a key tool for improving soil health and supporting circular nutrient management.

Events

ESNI-NERM 2026 Conference I 28-29 April 2026

ECN Presents New Fact Sheets on Long-Term Compost Benefits at ESNI-NERM 2026

ECN will showcase a poster on its new Fact Sheets during the upcoming ESNI-NERM 2026 Conference, the flagship event on nutrient recycling in Europe. The conference will take place on 28–29 April 2026 at Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Brussels, Belgium, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to share innovations in nutrient management.
ECN’s poster, titled “Compost as a Long-Term Fertilisation Strategy: Nutrient Supply, Soil Health, and Cost Savings Over 20 Years”, highlights results from multi-country analyses showing how repeated compost application can reduce mineral fertiliser use while improving soil health and fertility. The poster will emphasize long-term nutrient availability and cost savings, offering practical insights for integrated nutrient management strategies.
The presentation aligns with conference themes on agronomy, sustainability, and nutrient recycling, making it a key resource for those interested in practical, evidence-based approaches to soil fertility and circular nutrient solutions.
The poster session will occur alongside plenary and parallel sessions, giving attendees an opportunity to discuss ECN’s findings and explore the broader set of fact sheets on compost and soil health.

More information on the ESNI-NERM 2026 Conference: LINK

Webinar I 30 April 2026 (10:00–11:30 CET)

Soil Biodiversity: Microorganisms

This online webinar will explore how soil microorganisms contribute to soil health and how they can be integrated into monitoring systems. Experts from leading institutions, including the European Commission Joint Research Centre and Wageningen University, will share the latest research and practical approaches.

Key topics include microbial communities in agriculture, biodiversity indicators, and new DNA-based tools for soil assessment, alongside insights from EU-wide soil data. The session is aimed at researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working on soil and ecosystem services.

Registration open I 8 June 2026

Open Platform on Biowaste 2026

The “Open Platform on Biowaste 2026” conference takes place in Stuttgart. This event is jointly organized by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy and the Baden-Württemberg State Agency for the Environment (LUBW). The aim of the event is to promote dialogue on challenges and solutions in the field of biowaste recycling and to identify ways to improve the circular economy through the exchange of information, experiences, and ideas among experts from industry, research, and politics. The conference will be held in German.

You can register here: LINK

Save the Date I 9 November 2026

Sustainable Substrate Day

Would you like to know more about research into cultivation substrates in various horticultural crops? Come to the Sustainable Substrates Day!
When: November 9, 2026
Where: VAC Ghent (at Ghent Sint-Pieters station, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
More info will follow!

Registration open I 11-12 November 2026

3rd Austrian Compost Congress

The Austrian Compost and Biogas Association is organizing the 3rd Austrian Compost Congress from November 11th to 12th, 2026, at the Francisco Josephinum in Wieselburg.

This year, you can once again expect interesting lectures and discussions. Well-known exhibitors from the composting sector will be present! 250 visitors are expected.
Key topics of the event will include:

What are the latest developments in laws and standards in the composting sector?
What are the key issues in the industry?
Compost vs. composted soils vs. growing media
What is the value of compost? (Practical reports)
Technology presentations

Join us and register here. Further information can be found at: 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.