On 20th October 2025, the Environment Agency published final versions of the Compost Resource Framework, AD Resource Framework and the Biomethane Resource Framework (RFs).
England
In England, the Compost Quality Protocol (CP), AD Quality Protocol (ADQP) and Biomethane Quality Protocol (BQP) were withdrawn on the same day. It is our understanding that operators producing end-of-waste compost or digestate are required to comply with the relevant RF immediately upon publication and they will be audited for compliance with the relevant RF from the 20th of October (with the exception of new plastics limits – details below).
Wales and Northern Ireland
The CQP and ADQP remain in effect in Wales and Northern Ireland, until further notice.
Scotland
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s end-of-waste guidance on Regulation of outputs from composting processes (updated in June 2025) and Classification of outputs from anaerobic digestion processes remain in effect in Scotland.
Below we have provided a summary of the key changes our members need to know about.
Compost Resource Framework (final version available here)
The key changes in the Compost Resource Framework (as compared to the Compost Quality Protocol) are:
- Waste code changes and updated references to acceptable standards for compostable packaging and non-packaging products
- The point at which compost reaches end of waste
- Tighter plastics limits (see details on RPS 317 below)
- Requirement for dispatch paperwork to include information on nutrient management plans
- Removal of market restriction
A member briefing which explains all the key changes in greater detail is available here. This document also contains a practical checklist to help you make sure you’re on track to comply with the new framework.
Anaerobic digestate resource framework (final version available here)
The key changes in the AD Resource Framework (as compared to the Anaerobic Digestate Quality Protocol) are:
- Waste code changes and updated references to acceptable standards for compostable packaging and non-packaging products
- The point at which digestate reaches end of waste
- Tighter plastics limits (see details on RPS 317 below)
- Requirement for dispatch paperwork to include information on nutrient management plans
- Removal of market restriction, and an additional requirement if supplying to the growing media sector
A member briefing which explains all the key changes in greater detail is available here. This document also contains a practical checklist to help you make sure you’re on track to comply with the new framework.
Biomethane Resource Framework (final version available here)
It is our understanding there are no significant changes between the Biomethane Quality Protocol and the Biomethane Resource Framework.
Regulatory Position Statement 317 (final version available here)
RPS 317 gives composters and AD operators two years to comply with the tighter plastics limits set out in the new CRF and ADRF.
If you expect you’ll need time to comply with the lower plastics limits, you may want to consider registering for this RPS. To do so, you’ll need to email [email protected] by 20th April 2026 and comply with conditions set out in this RPS.
Regulatory Position Statement 358 (final version available here)
RPS 358 gives operators who wish to apply for permits (or permit variations) to store PAS-compliant material prior to dispatch more time to do so. We expect that this will not be needed in the majority of cases as the Compost Resource Framework and AD Resource Framework respectively allow storage of finished compost and digestate for up to 10 months on an unpermitted area under the operators’ control (without the need for waste management controls or a permit), subject to compliance with the conditions in Clause 3.1 of the relevant resource framework.
Webinars
We were pleased to offer two webinars to talk through the changes and hear from the EA and REAL directly about the changes and implementation. Recordings of the webinars are linked below.
Contact
If you have any questions about the Resource Frameworks, please contact Jenny, Emily or Megan.
For questions about what the changes mean in terms of CCS and BCS Certification (including audit-related queries), please contact REAL’s Head of Organic Materials Certification Schemes: [email protected].