A comparison of international standards for the beneficial use of biomaterials: Can we see where we might be going?

Stakeholder confidence, environmental protection, and due diligence are fundamental to the sustainable recycling of biosolids and other organic residuals. Open, independent, expert validation of recycling should be an important support to, and underpin, the entire process. This paper (a) draws from information gathered during European Standards' work, and from other sources, to explore the consistencies and differences which exist between countries, (b) explores why some of these differences have arisen, (c) discusses the recommendations for future improvements, and (d) recommends that the recyclers of residuals should be more proactive in order to maximise their opportunity to influence and direct their destinies.