Guidance

Waste quality protocols review

Updated 1 December 2021

Applies to England

Waste quality protocols (QPs) are end of waste frameworks that industry can volunteer to follow. They set out the requirements for when certain wastes can become non-waste once they’ve been fully recovered.

This means that you can use the waste-derived material without waste regulation controls.

There are 13 QPs for a range of waste-derived materials. However, these may now be out of date – for example, they might not:

  • meet current technical standards
  • include latest best practice

For each QP, we will decide if:

  • we will continue to support it and republish it as a resources framework on GOV.UK, if it meets current standards
  • it needs revising before we can republish it as a resources framework
  • we will withdraw support because it no longer meets current standards

We will update this page with the outcomes of completed reviews.

How we will revise QPs

We will do an initial review of each QP to find out:

  • if there are any issues that need to be addressed
  • what the new resources framework should include

Revising each QP:

  • involves setting up a ‘task and finish group’ with industry
  • involves a comprehensive technical assessment of what is required to ensure that end of waste is met
  • takes into account current information, technologies, scientific evidence and legislation

If the task and finish group is not set up by the date listed in the ‘completed QP reviews’ section, we will withdraw support for the QP. If this happens, industry can still ask us to set up a task and finish group, but they will not be able to use the original QP as an end of waste framework.

Even if we start to revise a QP, we do not guarantee that we will agree and publish a new resources framework on GOV.UK.

If the review ends without agreement between us and industry, we will withdraw support for the QP.

Agreeing costs and funding

We will invite industry to work with us to set up a task and finish group to review each QP. Industry must meet the cost of this.

We will follow the definition of waste charging scheme to work out the costs that industry need to pay. We will charge an initial fee to assess the scope of the project.

We will not start revising a QP until:

  • we have agreed the cost estimate for the full project
  • we have agreed the contract that sets out the roles and responsibilities of the task and finish group
  • the contract is signed

When you can still use a QP

While a QP is being revised, industry can continue using it until either:

  • a new resources framework is agreed
  • the revision concludes without resolution and the QP is withdrawn

When a new resources framework is published

We have the final say on whether a revised resources framework will be published.

Once a new resources framework has been published, industry can use it to achieve end of waste.

If a revision is agreed, we will support the transition from the original QP to the new resources framework.

You must comply with full waste regulatory controls if you want to use the original QP after we have published a replacement resources framework.

Completed QP reviews

We have completed reviews of the following QPs.

Anaerobic digestate

Review date: February 2020

Review outcome: needs revising

Current status: the task and finish group is set up and the revision process has started

Compost

Review date: February 2020

Review outcome: needs revising

Current status: the task and finish group is set up and the revision process has started

Poultry litter ash

Review date: February 2020

Review outcome: needs revising

Current status: the task and finish group is set up and the revision process has started

Aggregates from inert wastes

Review date: October 2020

Review outcome: needs revising

Current status: the task and finish group is set up and the revision process has started

Processed fuel oil

Review date: January 2021

Review outcome: needs revising

Issues that may need to be addressed:

  • end markets in the QP do not reflect current markets for this material
  • update specifications and standards to add additional end markets
  • regenerated oils cannot be used as fuel
  • should third party certification be made a mandatory requirement of compliance with the QP?

Date we will withdraw support, pending setup of a task and finish group: 1 April 2022.

Tyre-derived rubber material

Review date: May 2021

Review outcome: needs revising

Issues that may need to be addressed:

  • a health impact assessment is required
  • make sure the document is clear
  • should third party certification be a mandatory requirement?

Date a decision will be made whether to withdraw support, pending setup of a task and finish group: 1 June 2022.

Ongoing QP reviews

Pulverised fuel ash and furnace bottom ash – review starting in December 2021.

QP reviews that have not started

The following QPs still require review:

  • biodiesel
  • biomethane from waste
  • recycled gypsum from waste plasterboard
  • non-packaging plastics
  • aggregate from steel slag
  • flat glass

Contact us

If a QP has been reviewed and needs revising you can apply to be part of a task and finish group to revise it. Please either: