Sewage sludge Directive
Evaluation of Directive 86/278/EEC
WORKSHOP ON SEWAGE SLUDGE MANAGEMENT IN THE DANUBE REGION
FOR A GREENER EU
10 June 2021
European Commission - DG Environment
Sylvie Grajales
The Sewage Sludge Directive (SSD)
Objective: to encourage the correct use of sewage sludge in
agriculture and regulate its use in order to prevent harmful effects on
soil, vegetation, animals and humans
Sampling & Recording &
Rules
analysis reporting
How farmers can use Sets concentration limits Sludge quantities and
sewage sludge as a of 6 heavy metals characteristics, type of
fertiliser allowed in soil and sludge treatment
Bans the use of sewage
To ensure nutrient
sludge that results in
requirements of plants
concentrations of these Triennial
and the quality of the soil
heavy metals in
and of the surface and
soil exceeding these limit
groundwater values
Political context
The European Green Deal
Climate
Transforming the
Adaptation
EU’s economy for a Zero Pollution
Methane Increasing the EU’s Climate ambition for sustainable future A zero pollution ambition Action Plan
strategy 2030 and 2050 for a toxic-free environment
EU Strategies
Chemicals,
pharmaceuticals,
Energy systems Supplying clean, affordable Preserving and restoring ecosystems and Plastics
integration and secure energy
The biodiversity Biodiversity
European Farm to fork
Sewage
Green
Sludge Nutrient
Circular
Mobilising industry Deal From ‘Farm to Fork’: a fair, healthy and Management
Economy for a clean and circular economy environmentally friendly food system Action Plan
Action Plan
UWWTD
Building and renovating in an energy and Accelerating the shift to sustainable and
resource efficient way And leave
smart mobility
No one behind
Financing
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Generation and re-use of Sewage sludge
Sewage sludge re-use per MS in 2016 [% sewage sludge
Sewage sludge re-use by destination for period 2012-2016
reused in soil and agriculture]
Findings from 2014 Evaluation of the SSD
• Fit for purpose and effective in achieving its objectives
• Induced technological development
• Discouraged disposal
• Increased soil organic matter and water retention
* Ex-post evaluation of certain waste stream Directives BioIntelligence Service et al, (2014)
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/target_review/Final%20Report%20Ex-Post.pdf
Findings from 2014 Evaluation of the SSD
• SSD did not fully match the needs and expectations:
− EU circular economy ambitions
− The potential need to regulate other uses of (treated) sewage sludge
− Regulation of pollutants in sludge
− Coherence with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC (UWWTD)
• Variation of rules among Member States
− Stricter heavy metal limits than those in the SSD.
− Limits for other pollutants.
− Ban of sludge use in agriculture.
On-going Evaluation of the Sewage Sludge Directive
86/278/EC
• Evaluation through standard “Better Regulation” criteria
• Verify, build on and complement the evaluation results of 2014
• Stakeholder consultation
open public consultation
targeted consultation – stakeholders and Member States
workshop for SSD and UWWTD stakeholders
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Exploratory study
✓ To identify and prioritise pollutants (and their source) that pose risks in
relation to the use of sludge and its treatment;
✓ To assess and compare the benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness of the
various recycling/recovery uses and disposal routes of sludge in the EU;
✓ To assess the impact of (potential changes in) the UWWTD on the SSD;
✓ To create a baseline scenario and business as usual projection;
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Revision process
1. Consultation
• Public consultation – closed 5 March 2021
• Targeted consultations of Member States, stakeholders
• Workshop 20-21 April
2. Evaluation report: Spring 2022
3. [Impact assessment]
4. [Legislative proposal]
THANK YOU
For more information:
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/sludge/
ENV-WASTE-SEWAGE-SLUDGE-
[email protected]
