EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.

Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment

ECN E-BULLETIN No. 2_2025

17 February 2025

ECN-QAS I Certification I 9 January 2025

Successful certification of the Austrian Quality Assurance Scheme for compost

For the fifth time, the Austrian Compost and Biogas Association (KBVÖ) has successfully passed the conformity assessment according to the European Quality Assurance Scheme for Compost and Digestate (ECN-QAS).

The audit of the Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) took place in Wieselburg on 8 November 2024. The ECN Quality Manager, Stefanie Siebert, audited the KBVÖ QAS against the requirements of EN 17065 for certification bodies, products, processes and services.
The KBVÖ QAS was presented by the quality team of KBVÖ, Melanie Brait and Michaela Schimon. In addition to the documentation, the ECN-QAS audit includes an audit of a composting plant.

Melanie Brait (Quality Manager of KBVÖ), Michaela Schimon (Quality Manager of KBVÖ), Stefanie Siebert, Quality Manager of ECN and Elke Dorfwirth (Operational manager of composting plant SEIRINGER Umweltservice GmbH)

The ECN Quality manager had the opportunity to follow the KBVÖ audit on the open windrow composting plants of SEIRINGER Umweltservice. The plant has been in operation for over 30 years and composts 20,000 tonnes of organic waste per year.

About KBVÖ
The Austrian Compost & Biogas Association (KBVÖ) is the umbrella organisation of 5 provincial organisations situated in Tyrol, Styria, Upper and Lower Austria and Carinthia which are in operation since the early 1990ies. From the very beginning their scope was to provide competent extension work and planning and operational assistance to the composting industry as well as accompanying the communication with authorities. The KBVÖ represents more than 450 compost and biogas plants covering all provinces of Austria. On the reference date 1st of September 2024 there are 250 compost facilities members of the KBVÖ participating in the quality assurance scheme of KBVÖ. The size of facilities varies between very small plants to plants with 20.000 to input material.

Further information about KBVÖ its quality assurance scheme can be accessed in the latest country report from Austria.

LIFE BIOBEST project | Guidelines and Video

Proposal for quality standards for bio-waste entering biological recycling facilities

The report, produced under the lead of the ECN, proposes a methodology for the analysis of the quality of separately collected bio-waste and a control value for impurities in such.

The document draws conclusions from the various approaches currently adopted by EU MS, including methodologies for the analysis of bio-waste composition as well as the definition of control or limit values for impurities. Furthermore, consultation with experts in bio-waste management helped shape the recommendations.

The authors would like to thank all ECN members for their contributions. In addition, two further project publications and a newsletter were released:

Summary of Guidelines: This document outlines the key aspects of the four guidelines prepared earlier this year including on separate collection, economic instruments, the production of high-quality compost and digestate as well as communication activities.
Assessment matrix of best practices: This document evaluates contextual factors that affect bio-waste management. The assessment matrix consolidates various contextual factors, providing in-depth descriptions of each. The factors are then placed alongside recommendations and six theoretical scenarios, which stakeholders can use to compare to their own context.
Project newsletter: Reflection on previous events and announcement of events in 2025.
Project video: Together with the guidance, we've created an explainer video that breaks down the current challenges and opportunities in European bio-waste management.

EU Commission I Press release 28 January 2025

Commission’s proposals an tariffs on nitrogen-based fertilisers

European Commission has adopted a proposal to impose tariffs on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain nitrogen-based fertilisers.

The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023 that had not yet been subject to increased tariffs. Once adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, all agricultural imports from Russia would be the subject of EU tariffs.
The aim of the proposal is to reduce dependencies on imports from Russia and Belarus. Such imports, particularly of fertilisers, make the EU vulnerable to potential coercive actions by Russia and thus present a risk to EU food security.
In the same vein, the tariffs will support the growth of domestic production and the EU's fertiliser industry, which has suffered during the energy crisis. It will also allow for the diversification of supply from third countries. This will help ensure a steady fertiliser supply and, most importantly, ensure that fertilisers remain available for EU farmers at an affordable price. The proposal includes mitigating measures, should EU farmers see a substantial increase in fertiliser prices.
The tariffs are expected to negatively impact Russian export revenues thus impacting Russia's ability to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Next Steps
The Commission's proposal will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council under qualified majority voting, under the Common Commercial Policy legal basis of Article 207 of the TFEU.For More Information here.

EU JRC report I Green Deal I 01_2025

Delivering the EU Green Deal - Progress towards targets

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of progress towards the European Green Deal (EGD), the European Union’s transformative agenda for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The analysis encompasses 154 quantifiable targets from 44 policy documents between 2019 and 2024 across key sectors such as climate, energy, circular economy, transport, agriculture and food, ecosystems and biodiversity, water, soil and air pollution.

The study shows that significant achievement has been delivered so far but progress needs to accelerate in many areas. As of mid-2024, 32 of the 154 targets are currently “on track” and 64 are identified as “acceleration needed” meaning that more progress is needed to meet the targets on time. Furthermore, 15 of the targets are found to be “not progressing” or “regressing”, and for 43 of the targets no data is currently available. The timing of the binding policies, most of which have been recently agreed and are expected to deliver results in the coming years, is a significant factor influencing these assessments.

This report integrates all EGD actions and related policies, offering an assessment of the EU’s green transition based on robust data and science. It identifies priority areas for intensified efforts to meet short-term implementation goals and contribute to the long-term ambition of a sustainable, fair, just, and climate-neutral Europe by 2050. This collective work serves as a benchmarking tool, providing scientifically grounded guidance for future EU policies and programmes.

The JRC report can be accessed here.

EU Commission | Communication on the Competitiveness Compass

The new initiatives to come

On 29 January, the Commission presented its first initiative of the mandate, the Competitiveness Compass. This Communication is designed to give a sense of direction to the Commission’s work for the next five years and it enumerates the future initiatives, notably:

The Circular Economy Act
The Commission presented on 23 January the outline of the future Circular Economy Act to the Expert Group on Circular Economy. This Act should take the form of a Regulation and is expected to be presented by the end of 2026. It should include the revision of the Waste Framework Directive and the Landfill Directive, with proposals to improve bio-waste collection and use, improve phosphorus valorisation from sewage sludge, enhance separate collection and reform End-of-Waste criteria and by-product criteria. On this last point, the 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report published by the Commission in January identifies difficulties due to differences in the End-of-Waste criteria from one country to another, impeding free shipment of waste inside the common market.

The Bioeconomy Strategy
The Commission also plans to present an update of the 2018 Bioeconomy Strategy. The review should take into account the current societal, demographic and environmental challenges, reinforcing the bioeconomy’s industrial dimension and its links to biotechnology and biomanufacturing to contribute to a stronger EU economy. The Communication on the Competitiveness Compass mentioned above highlighted the significant growth potential of the bioeconomy market and its potential to reduce EU reliance on fossil fuels. The Commission will launch a call for evidence and a public consultation in Spring and should present its updated Strategy by the end of 2025, possibly in the form of a legislative proposal.

The Water Resilience Strategy
According to the call for evidence opened by the Commission in February, the Water Resilience Strategy will focus on ensuring that sources are properly managed, scarcity is addressed, and that we enhance the competitive innovative edge of our water industry and take a circular economy approach. The target announced by the Environment Commissioner will be to achieve water resilience in 2050. The initiative will focus in particular on restoring and protecting the broken water cycle. It is expected to be a non-legislative proposal to be presented in the second quarter of 2025.
In the Parliament, the ENVI Committee published a draft own-initiative report in January in which the rapporteur calls for the transition to a sustainable farming model with solutions to adapt to lower water use, and indicates that the Common Agricultural Policy funding should support the transition to low-input and organic farming practices to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilisers.

The Commission also published on 11 February its Work Programme for 2025 in which the Bioeconomy Strategy and the Water Resilience Strategy appear.

EUSO | EU Soil Strategy for 2030

Launch of the EU Soil Strategy Actions Tracker

In January, the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) launched the EU Soil Strategy Actions Tracker to track the progress of policy actions listed in the EU Soil Strategy for 2030.

The Tracker provides detailed information on each action including due date, recent updates, links to related EU policies or relevant sources. It shows that nearly 70% of all the actions are completed, such as delivering a legislative proposal on carbon removal certification or evaluate the sewage sludge directive.
This Tracker should be extended to monitor all EU policy actions relevant to soils.

News from ECN Members

Portugal Notional Agriculture Awards

LIPOR is a finalist for the National Agriculture Award

LIPOR is a finalist in the 13th edition of the 2024 National Agriculture Award in the Sustainability category with its NUTRIMAIS product. This initiative, promoted by BPI and Medialivre, sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and supported by PwC, aims to reward and highlight outstanding projects in the agricultural sector in Portugal.
NUTRIMAIS, a brand by LIPOR, is a clear example of how sustainability and agriculture go hand in hand. Developed based on strict quality and environmental standards, NUTRIMAIS offers a range of agricultural products designed to promote soil health and improve farming efficiency. In addition to soil amendments, the NUTRIMAIS product line includes a vermicompost and three substrate formulations: Universal, Horticultural, and Aromatic.

Announcements

ICAW 2025 I 4-10 May 2025

Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!

This theme was chosen with the aim of highlighting composting in all types of communities at all scales - from backyard home composters, to community composters, to large-scale facilities, to all those who recognise the many benefits of using compost on our soils. As in previous years, the theme was chosen by all the international partners who are part of the International Compost Alliance - making it a truly international theme.

This year's theme was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11 "Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable".
Composting empowers communities and cities to manage their own waste locally, create jobs and support healthy soils with locally produced compost. The theme highlights that by reusing food that would otherwise go to landfill or incineration, we're creating fresh nutrients for the soil, regenerating the earth and providing healthier food for everyone in the community.
By separating your food and garden waste at home, you can help create a more sustainable future for our communities by participating in your local community and city's separate collection scheme.
Please celebrate ICAW 2025 with us! Let us know what events and activities you are planning this week by emailing info@compostnetwork.info.

Events

FER-PLAY I 18-19 February 2025

Opportunities and challenges ahead

Circular fertilisers help us protect our soils and ecosystems, decrease EU dependence on fertiliser imports, and improve resource efficiency. However, there is a lack of understanding on the full socio-economic and environmental benefits of circular fertilisers. The adaptation of the existing technical and legal framework as well as targeted support to innovation on nutrient recycling, will facilitate the broader use and production of circular fertilisers across Europe. Circular fertiliser producers, farmers, civil society organisations, academia and policymakers will get together to discuss the state-of-play and the future of circular fertilisers in Europe.

Click here for the full program and more information.

Fachverband Biogas I 26 - 27 February 2025

Day of Anaerobic Digestion of Waste

The Waste Fermentation Day 2025 will focus on alternative hygiene measures for the utilisation of biowaste, the use of industrial waste materials and the material use of screen overflows. After the technical presentations on the first day, there will be an opportunity to visit the DBFZ's test facilities and laboratories. On the second day, in addition to the technical presentations, the programme will also include practical contributions, innovative solutions and synergies as well as a brief presentation of the exhibitors. The third day will conclude with the traditional educational trip to two practical facilities in the region.

Click here for more information.

The European Carbon Farming Summit, hosted by Project Credible, is rapidly emerging as a leading meeting point for scientists, policymakers, economic actors, and interested members of the carbon farming and soil management communities. The event aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and the multiplication of climate actions across the EU, fostering credible carbon farming practices, certification schemes, and monitoring.

Visit their website here.

ECN will moderate the session on exploring carbon farming approaches:
This session explores cutting-edge approaches to carbon farming, focusing on the intersection of biomass production & biowaste treatment, with the aim to improve soil organic matter and achieving carbon sequestration in soils. Presenters will highlight how innovative waste transformation, soil amendment practices, and advanced CDR methodologies can drive carbon sequestration, improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to sustainable agriculture, and forestry. By bringing together expertise from diverse fields, the session will examine practical applications, policy implications, and the potential for scalable solutions. Discussions will include the role of circular bioeconomy practices, challenges in monitoring and verification, and the socio-economic and soil benefits for farmers and communities.
The session aims to foster collaboration between farmers, scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance the adoption of impactful carbon farming practices across Europe.

DGAW Research Congress I 13 -14 March 2025 I Kassel (DE)

Presentation of master thesis on waste and resource management

The German Association for Waste Management DGAW invites you to the 14th Scientific Congress “Waste and Resource Management”.

This time, Prof. Dr. David Laner is hosting the congress. The event will take place from March 13 to 14, 2025 at the University of Kassel. The congress sees itself as a platform where the latest results of university and university-related research in the field of waste and resource management from completed master's theses and current, advanced or recently completed dissertations are presented to the specialist public.

Further info here.

Green Energy Expo & Romenvirotec I 9-11 April 2025

The leading fair for green energy, waste, and water management

In 2025, GREEN ENERGY EXPO, ROMENVIROTEC, and the new URBAN SMART EXPO concept come together to create the most comprehensive platform dedicated to technologies and solutions for a sustainable and digitized future.
This unique event highlights regional development programs, providing each region with a dedicated space to showcase their most relevant projects and strategic plans for 2050. ECN's member the Romanian Compost Association (ACR) will welcome you at the stand in the exhibition hall. The ACR is honored to welcome several distinguished leaders from both international and local levels, including:

Mr. Aurel Ciobanu Dordea, Director for Circular Economy at the European Commission
Mr. Marc Tijhuis, Managing Director, ISWA
Ms. Monika Romenska, Regulatory & Public Affairs Manager, EXPRA
Mr. Francesco Lembo, Deputy Secretary General, ACR+
Ms. Claudia Mensi, President, FEAD
Mr. Mircea Fechet, Minister of Environment
…and many more personalities.

Registration and booking a boost can be done here.

Save the date I 14 - 15 May 2025

BVOR-Demodays

The BVOR – Dutch Association of Biowaste Processors – is organizing the 14th edition of the BVOR-Demodays on May 14 and 15, 2025. This year, the event will take place at Den Ouden Organic Vlagheide in Schijndel. The BVOR-Demodays are free to attend, and there is no need to register in advance.
During the event, exhibitors will showcase machines for processing green residual streams into products like compost and wood chips. Demonstrations will feature equipment such as chippers, shredders, windrow turners, and screening machines. This year, several electric and hybrid machines will also be on display.

Guided tours – in Dutch - will take place in the morning and afternoon on both days, with machines operating in turns during the demonstrations. In addition to the demonstration area, there will be an exhibition space featuring companies offering products or services related to the sector. These include businesses specializing in inspections, certifications, and environmental consultancy.

The BVOR represents producers of compost, biomass, and other renewable raw materials, Den Ouden Organic is one of its members. For more information about the BVOR-Demodays, visit bvor.nl/bvor-demodagen.

CYPRUS 2025 I 25-28 June 2025

12th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management

The CYPRUS 2025 12th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management will take place in Paphos, Cyprus from 25th to 28th June 2025. The conference website is available at: https://cyprus2025.uest.gr.

Anaerobic Digestion, Waste-to-Energy, Waste Valorization, Biotechnology & Biorefineries, Symbiosis and Circular Economy, Recycling & Resources Recovery, Plastics & Bioplastics, Hazardous Waste include indicative conference topics.
The conference will take place both with physical presence and virtually. More than 500 abstracts have already been submitted. The deadline for abstract submission has been extended until 28th February 2025 (https://cyprus2025.uest.gr/abstract-submission/ ).

KBVÖ I 8 September 2025

9th International Practitioners' Day for Composting

Following the success of previous International Practitioner Days, the Austrian Compost and Biogas Association invites you to the 9th edition at Erdbau Winkler GmbH in Hartberg, Styria. This event showcases innovations, trends, and visions in composting. With around 404 composting plants in Austria processing 1.56 million tons of biogenic waste annually, new technologies are advancing through partnerships between plant operators and technology suppliers. Leading companies will present mobile shredding machines, and the latest tech in turning, screening, measuring, and more. This event is for plant operators, waste handlers, farmers, contractors, and anyone involved in composting.

More information here.

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.