Council Directive of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture (86/278/EEC)

ANNEX I A U.K. LIMIT VALUES FOR CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY METALS IN SOIL(mg/kg of dry matter in a representative sample, as defined in Annex II C, of soil with a pH of 6 to 7)

a Member States may permit the limit values they fix to be exceeded in the case of the use of sludge on land which at the time of notification of this Directive is dedicated to the disposal of sludge but on which commercial food crops are being grown exclusively for animal consumption. Member States must inform the Commission of the number and type of sites concerned. They must also seek to ensure that there is no resulting hazard to human health or the environment.
b Member States may permit the limit values they fix to be exceeded in respect of these parameters on soil with a pH consistently higher than 7. The maximum authorized concentrations of these heavy metals must in no case exceed those values by more than 50 %. Member States must also seek to ensure that there is no resulting hazard to human health or the environment and in particular to ground water.
c It is not possible at this stage to fix limit values for chromium. The Council will fix these limit values later on the basis of proposals to be submitted by the Commission, within one year following notification of this Directive.
Parameters	Limit valuesa
Cadmium	1 to 3
Copperb	50 to 140
Nickelb	30 to 75
Lead	50 to 300
Zincb	150 to 300
Mercury	1 to 1,5
Chromiumc	—

ANNEX I B U.K. LIMIT VALUES FOR HEAVY-METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN SLUDGE FOR USE IN AGRICULTURE(mg/kg of dry matter)

a It is not possible at this stage to fix limit values for chromium. The Council will fix these limit values later on the basis of proposals to be submitted by the Commission within one year following notification of this Directive.
Parameters	Limit values
Cadmium	20 to 40
Copper	1 000 to 1 750
Nickel	300 to 400
Lead	750 to 1 200
Zinc	2 500 to 4 000
Mercury	16 to 25
Chromiuma	—

ANNEX I C U.K. LIMIT VALUES FOR AMOUNTS OF HEAVY METALS WHICH MAY BE ADDED ANNUALLY TO AGRICULTURAL LAND, BASED ON A 10-YEAR AVERAGE(kg/ha/yr)

a Member States may permit these limit values to be exceeded in the case of the use of sludge on land which at the time of notification of this Directive is dedicated to the disposal of sludge but on which commercial food crops are being grown exclusively for animal consumption. Member States must inform the Commission of the number and type of sites concerned. They must also ensure that there is no resulting hazard to human health or the environment.
b It is not possible at this stage to fix limit values for chromium. The Council will fix these limit values later on the basis of proposals to be submitted by the Commission within one year following notification of this Directive.
Parameters	Limit valuesa
Cadmium	0,15
Copper	12
Nickel	3
Lead	15
Zinc	30
Mercury	0,1
Chromiumb	—

ANNEX II A U.K. SLUDGE ANALYSIS

1. As a rule, sludge must be analyzed at least every six months. Where changes occur in the characteristics of the waste water being treated, the frequency of the analyses must be increased. If the results of the analyses do not vary significantly over a full year, the sludge must be analyzed at least every 12 months. U.K.

2. In the case of sludge from the treatment plants referred to in Article 11, if a sludge analysis has not been carried out in the 12 months preceding the implementation, in each Member State, of this Directive, an analysis must be carried out within 12 months of such implementation, or, where appropriate, within six months of the decision authorizing the use in agriculture of sludge from such a plant. Member States shall decide on the frequency of further analyses on the basis of the results of the initial analysis, any changes in the nature of treated waste water and any other relevant factors. U.K.

3. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 4, analysis should cover the following parameters: U.K.

• dry matter, organic matter,

• pH,

• nitrogen and phosphorus,

• cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, mercury, chromium.

4. In the case of copper, zinc and chromium, where it has been shown, to the satisfaction of the competent authority of the Member State concerned that they are either not present at all or present only in negligible quantities in the waste water treated by the sewage plant, Member States shall decide on the frequency of the analyses to be carried out. U.K.

ANNEX II B U.K. SOIL ANALYSIS

1. Whenever sludge other than sludge from the treatment plants referred to in Article 11 is used, Member States must first ensure that the heavy metal content of the soil does not exceed the limit values laid down in accordance with Annex IA. For this purpose, Member States shall decide what analyses to carry out, taking account of available scientific data on soil characteristics and homogeneity. U.K.

2. Member States shall decide on the frequency of further analyses, taking account of the metal content of the soil prior to the use of sludge, the quantity and composition of the sludge used and any other relevant factors. U.K.

3. Analysis should cover the following parameters: U.K.

• pH,

• cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, mercury and chromium.

ANNEX II C U.K. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS METHODS

1. Soil sampling U.K.

The representative soil samples for analysis should normally be made up by mixing together 25 core samples taken over an area not exceeding 5 hectares which is farmed for the same purpose.

The samples must be taken to a depth of 25 cm unless the depth of the surface soil is less than that value; however, the sampling depth in the latter case must not be less than 10 cm.

2. Sludge sampling U.K.

Sludge must be sampled after processing, but before delivery to the user, and should be representative of the sludge production.

3. Methods of analysis U.K.

Analysis for heavy metals must be carried out following strong acid digestion. The reference method of analysis must be that of atomic absorption spectrometry and the limit of detection for each metal should be no greater than 10 % of the appropriate limit value.