Environment Agency alert regarding an updated Quality Protocol and new online compliance tool for recycled aggregates

The NFDC has passed on this important alert from the Environment Agency. We have reporduced it in full below:

NEWS RELEASE: Updated Quality Protocol and new online compliance tool to support quality recycled aggregate producers

The Environment Agency and WRAP have revised the end of waste Quality Protocol (QP) for the production of aggregates from inert waste. The new document updates the original QP (first published in 2004) to reflect the latest approved industry standards, including factory production control, and incorporates other improvements and clarifications to make it easier for producers and users to ensure full compliance with end of waste criteria.

The revised QP is applicable immediately in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a transition period for existing QP producers and users until 1 January 2014.

Co-inciding with the updated QP, the Environment Agency is also inviting feedback on a prototype online self-assessment tool for QP compliance.

New requirements and clarity on standards and input materials

Important changes in the revised QP include the requirements that aggregates:

- are produced under Factory Production Control as set out in the new European Standard BS EN 16236 Evaluation of conformity of aggregates - Initial Type testing and Factory Production Control’; and
- conform with CE marking requirements contained in the Construction Products Regulations, which apply to all aggregates placed on the market conforming to harmonised European Aggregates Standards from July 2013.

Key improvements within the revised QP include the addition of:

- a comprehensive Appendix listing all currently approved industry standards, specifications and quality controls;
- a definitive list of acceptable waste input materials;
- improved guidance on testing procedures and requirements, and
- good practice for the transport, storage and handling of recycled aggregates.

The original QP for aggregates from inert waste was the first to be developed in the UK, providing a model that has since been successfully applied across a range of other waste streams.

John Barritt, Special Adviser - Aggregates, WRAP, said:

“The aggregates QP has been a major success story for business resource efficiency. Early and wide take-up across the construction and demolition sectors has created quality recycled products from waste, and reduced the use of primary materials by more than 200 million tonnes2. The document is now an established reference tool. At least 62% of recycled aggregates in the UK are now produced to QP criteria.”

Roger Hoare, Environment and Business Manager, Environment Agency said:

“In revising the QP, we have worked closely with industry to ensure it is up to date with current legislation and reflects industry best practice. The updated protocol will provide greater clarity for industry and regulators, which can only help improve compliance and uptake of the criteria and the financial and environmental benefits they deliver. Alongside the release of the revised QP we are also trialling a new online compliance tool for aggregates www.qpchecker.info and we’d welcome feedback from existing and potential QP users.”

John Bradshaw-Bullock, Technical Adviser to the Aggregates, Asphalt and Slag Product Groups, Mineral Products Association said:

“The Mineral Products Association have fully supported the Quality Protocol since its inception and are pleased to see the document has now been brought up to date in respect to both the recent changes within the European Standards for aggregates and the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation in July 2013.

“It is now even more important that recycled aggregates are produced in accordance with the requirements of the QP. In doing so they can be CE marked to demonstrate conformity with a harmonised European Standard which both satisfies the requirement for End of Waste and importantly permits the recycled aggregate to be legally placed on the market. The challenge is to now ensure that contract documents and national specifications require the use of QP compliant recycled aggregates.”

Online self-assessment tool to support aggregates QP compliance

Developed under the EU-funded EQual project3user feedback, the QP Checker web tool offers an easy, step-by-step guide for companies to check whether their waste-derived products meet the relevant QP requirements. Designed initially for aggregates, the prototype tool creates a user report that documents performance and pinpoints any areas where improvements could be made. It also provides a template for regulatory enforcement officers to support producers who are working towards achieving a quality standard, and underpin a more consistent compliance regime.

John Lay, Product Quality Director for Cement and Building Products at Cemex, and Chair of TC154, the European aggregates standards committee, said:

“The QP Checker for aggregates is a very straightforward and easy to use tool. It certainly gave us a nudge and a prod in a couple of areas. If this is available to all it would certainly raise the bar and ensure compliance, to the benefit of all responsible businesses like CEMEX, and to the environment.”

The updated Quality Protocol for the production of aggregates from inert waste is at:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/124299.aspx

To give feedback on the new online QP checker, try it out at www.qpchecker.info

For more information contact emer.oconnell@environment-agency.gov.uk Tel 0203 263 8190 / 07785 765914