# Commission Decision (EU) 2015/2099Show full title

Commission Decision (EU) 2015/2099 of 18 November 2015 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel            for growing media, soil improvers and mulch (notified under document C(2015) 7891) (Text with EEA relevance)         

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U.K.

# Commission Decision (EU) 2015/2099                     

# of 18 November 2015

# establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for growing media, soil improvers and mulch

# *(notified under document C(2015) 7891)*

# (Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel(1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,                        

After consulting the European Union Eco-labelling Board,

Whereas:

(1)Under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, the EU Ecolabel may be awarded to products which have a reduced environmental impact during                              their entire life cycle.

(2)Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 provides that specific EU Ecolabel criteria are to be established according to product groups.

(3)Commission Decision 2006/799/EC(2) and Commission Decision 2007/64/EC(3) have established the ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements for soil improvers and                              growing media, respectively, which are valid until 31 December 2015.

(4)In order to better reflect the state of the art of the market for these product groups and take into account the innovation                              of the last years, it is considered appropriate to merge both product groups into one product group and add mulch to its scope,                              as it is distinguished as a type of soil improver with particular characteristics and functions.

(5)The revised criteria, as well as the related assessment and verification requirements should be valid for 4 years from the                              date of adoption of this Decision, taking into account the innovation cycle for this product group. These criteria aim at                              promoting the recycling of materials, the use of renewable and recycled materials, thus reducing environmental degradation,                              and decreasing soil and water pollution by means of establishing strict limits on pollutants concentrations in the final product.

(6)Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC should therefore be replaced by this Decision.

(7)A transitional period should be allowed for producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for soil improvers                              and growing media on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC, respectively, so that                              they have sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with the revised criteria and requirements.

(8)The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 16 of                              Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

# Article 1U.K.

The product group ‘growing media, soil improvers and mulch’ shall comprise growing media, organic soil improvers and organic                     mulch.                  

# Article 2U.K.

For the purpose of this Decision, the following definitions shall apply:

‘Growing medium’ means a material used as a substrate for root development, in which plants are grown;

‘Mineral growing medium’ means a growing medium totally composed by mineral constituents;

‘Soil improver’ means a material added to soil in situ whose main function is to maintain or improve its physical and/or chemical                              and/or biological properties, with the exception of liming materials;                           

‘Organic soil improver’ means a soil improver containing carbonaceous materials whose main function is to increase soil organic                              matter content;                           

‘Mulch’ means a type of soil improver used as protective covering placed around plants on the topsoil whose specific functions                              are to prevent the loss of moisture, control weed growth, and reduce soil erosion;                           

‘Organic mulch’ means mulch containing carbonaceous materials derived from biomass;

‘Constituent’ means any input material that can be used as an ingredient of the product;

‘Organic constituent’ means a constituent composed by carbonaceous materials;

‘Product family’ means the range of products composed by the same constituents;

‘Annual output’ means annual production of a product family;

‘Annual input’ means the annual amount of materials treated in a waste or animal by-product treatment plant;

‘Batch’ means quantity of goods manufactured by the same process under the same conditions and labelled in the same manner                              and is assumed to have the same characteristics;                           

‘Bio-waste’ means biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, caterers and retail                              premises and comparable waste from food processing plants;                           

‘Biomass’ means the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues from biological origin from agriculture (including                              vegetal and animal substances), forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable                              fraction of industrial and municipal waste.                           

# Article 3U.K.

In order to be awarded the EU Ecolabel under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, a product shall fall within the product group ‘growing                     media, soil improvers and mulch’, as defined in Article 1 of this Decision and shall comply with the criteria as well as the                     related assessment and verification requirements set out in the Annex.                  

# Article 4U.K.

The criteria for the product group ‘growing media, soil improvers and mulch’ and the related assessment and verification requirements                     shall be valid for 4 years from the date of adoption of this Decision.                  

# Article 5U.K.

For administrative purposes the code number assigned to the product group ‘growing media, soil improvers and mulch’ shall                     be ‘048’.                  

# Article 6U.K.

Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC are repealed.

# Article 7U.K.

1.By derogation from Article 6, applications for the EU Ecolabel for products falling within the product groups ‘soil improvers’                        or ‘growing media’ submitted before the date of adoption of this Decision shall be evaluated in accordance with the conditions                        laid down in Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC, respectively.                  

2.Applications for the EU Ecolabel for products falling within the product groups ‘soil improvers’ or ‘growing media’ submitted                        within 2 months from the date of adoption of this Decision may be based either on the criteria set out in Decision 2006/799/EC                        and Decision 2007/64/EC, respectively, or on the criteria set out in this Decision. Those applications shall be evaluated                        in accordance with the criteria on which they are based.                  

3.EU Ecolabel licences awarded in accordance with the criteria set out in Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC may be                        used for 12 months from the date of adoption of this Decision.                  

# Article 8U.K.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 18 November 2015.

*For the Commission*                            

Karmenu Vella                            

*Member of the Commission*                            

## ANNEXU.K.**FRAMEWORK**

### EU ECOLABEL CRITERIAU.K.

Criteria for awarding the EU Ecolabel to growing media, soil improvers and mulch:

#### *Table 1*

**Applicability of the different criteria to each type of product covered by the scope**

### ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTSU.K.

The specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.

Where the applicant is required to provide declarations, documentation, analyses, test reports, or other evidence to show                     compliance with the criteria, these may originate from the applicant and/or their supplier(s) as appropriate.                  

Competent Bodies shall preferentially recognise attestations which are issued by bodies accredited according to the relevant                     harmonised standard for testing and calibration laboratories and verifications by bodies that are accredited according to                     the relevant harmonised standard for bodies certifying products, processes and services.                  

Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if the Competent Body assessing                     the application accepts their equivalence.                  

Where appropriate, Competent Bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifications.

As pre-requisite, the product must meet all respective legal requirements of the country (countries) in which the product                     is intended to be placed on the market. The applicant shall declare the product's compliance with this requirement.                  

The sampling shall be carried out according to EN 12579 (Soil improvers and growing media. Sampling). Samples shall be prepared                     according to EN 13040 (Soil improvers and growing media. Sample preparation for chemical and physical tests, determination                     of dry matter content, moisture content and laboratory compacted bulk density).                  

For the application year, the sampling and test frequency shall fulfil the requirements set in Appendix 1. For the following                     years, the sampling and test frequency of final products shall fulfil the requirements set in Appendix 2. Different sampling                     and testing frequencies are set for the following types of plants:                  

:

Treatment plants for waste or for animal by-products

:

Product manufacture plants using materials from Type 1 plants

:

Product manufacture plants not using materials derived from waste or from animal by-products.

For Type 2 plants, the sampling and test frequencies for the application year and the following years will be the same as the                     frequencies set for Type 3, if their waste/animal by-product-derived materials' suppliers comply with the EU Ecolabel criteria                     for soil improvers. The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with the test reports from the suppliers, together with                     the documentation to ensure the compliance of the suppliers with the EU Ecolabel criteria. The Competent Body may recognize                     the sampling and testing frequencies within the national or regional legislation and standards as valid to ensure the compliance                     with the EU Ecolabel criteria of the suppliers of waste or animal by-products derived materials. In case when a product constitutes                     or contains material of animal origin reference shall be done to microbiological standards and animal and public health controls                     set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011(4).                  

#### **Criterion 1 — Constituents**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch.

The constituents admitted shall be organic and/or mineral constituents.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a list of constituents of the product.

#### **Criterion 2 — Organic constituents**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch.

##### **Criterion 2.1.**U.K.

A final product shall not contain peat.

##### **Criterion 2.2.**U.K.

The following materials are allowed as organic constituents of a final product.
                -  Materials derived from the recycling of bio-waste from separate collection, as defined in Article 3 of Directive 2008/98/EC                                    of the European Parliament and of the Council(5).                                  
                -  Materials derived from category 2 and 3 animal by-products as laid down in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the                                    European Parliament and of the Council(6) and technical standards which are laid down by implementing Regulation (EU) 142/2011.                                  
                -  Materials derived from faecal matter, straw and other natural non-hazardous agricultural or forestry material as defined in                                    Article 2(1)(f) of Directive 2008/98/EC.                                  
                -  Materials derived from any other biomass by-products, as defined in Article 5 of Directive 2008/98/EC, that are not mentioned                                    above, subject to the provisions of (2) and sub-criterion 2.3.                                  
                -  Materials derived from recycling or recovery of any other biomass waste not mentioned above, subject to the provisions of                                    (2) and sub-criterion 2.3.                                  

The following materials are not allowed as organic constituents of a final product.
                -  Materials totally or partially derived from the organic fraction of mixed municipal household waste separated through mechanical,                                    physicochemical, biological and/or manual treatment.                                  
                -  Materials totally or partially derived from sludges derived from municipal sewage water treatment and from sludges derived                                    from the paper industry.                                  
                -  Materials totally or partially derived from sludges other than those allowed in Criterion 2.3. 
                -  Materials totally or partially derived from category 1 animal by-products according to Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009. 

##### **Criterion 2.3.**U.K.

Materials derived from recycling or recovery of sludges are only allowed if the sludges comply with the following requirements:

they are identified as one of the following types of waste according to the European List of Wastes, as defined by Commission                              Decision 2000/532/EC(7) presented in Table 2:                           

they are single-source separated, meaning that there has been no mixing with effluents or sludges outside a specific production                              process.                           

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with the information about the origin of each organic constituent of the product                     and a declaration of compliance with the above requirement.                  

#### **Criterion 3 — Mineral growing media and mineral constituents**U.K.

##### **Criterion 3.1. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions**U.K.

This criterion applies to mineral growing media only.

The manufacture of expanded minerals and mineral wool shall fulfil the following energy consumption and CO2 emissions thresholds:                  
          -  Energy consumption/product ≤ 11 GJ/t product 
          -  CO2 emissions/product ≤ 0,8 t CO2/t product                         

The ratio energy consumption/product shall be calculated as an annual average as follows:

Where:
          -  *n* is the number of years of the period used to calculate the average                         
          -  *i* is each year of the period used to calculate the average                         
          -  *Production* is the production of mineral wool or expanded minerals in tonnes in the year *i*                          
          -  *F* is the annual consumption of fuels in the production process in the year *i*                          
          -  *Elgrid* is the annual electricity consumption from the grid in the year *i*                          
          -  *Hcog* is the annual consumption of useful heat from cogeneration in the year *i*                          
          -  *Elcog* is the annual consumption of electricity from cogeneration in the year *i*                          
          -  *Ref Hη* and *Ref Eη* are the reference efficiencies for the separate production of heat and electricity as defined in the Directive 2012/27/EU                           of the European Parliament and of the Council(8) and calculated according to the Commission Implementing Decision 2011/877/EU(9)                          
          -  *PEScog* is the primary energy saving of the cogeneration plant as defined in the Directive 2012/27/EU, in the year *i*                          

The ratio CO2 emissions/product shall be calculated as an annual average as follows:                  

Where:
          -  *n* is the number of years of the period used to calculate the average                         
          -  *i* is each year of the period used to calculate the average                         
          -  *Production* is the mineral wool production in tonnes in the year *i*                          
          -  *Direct CO2* is the CO2 emissions as defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012(10), in the year *i*                          
          -  *Indirect CO2* is the indirect CO2 emissions due to final energy consumption in the year *i*, and shall be calculated as:                         

Where:
          -  *FEgrid* is the EU average carbon intensity of the electricity grid, according to MEErP(11) methodology (0,384 tCO2/MWhe = 0,107 tCO2/GJe)                         
          -  *FEfuel cog* is the CO2 emission factor of the fuel consumed in the cogeneration plant                         

The direct CO2 emissions shall be monitored according to Regulation (EU) No 601/2012.                  

The period to calculate the ratios energy consumption/product and CO2 emissions/product shall be the last 5 years before the application. If the operation period of the plant is less than 5 years                     at the date of application, the ratio shall be calculated as an annual average of that operation period, which shall be at                     least 1 year.                  

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a declaration which includes the following information.
          -  Ratio energy consumption (GJ)/product (tonne). 
          -  Ratio CO2 emissions (tonne)/product (tonne).                         
          -  Direct CO2 emissions (tonnes) for each year of the period to calculate the average.                         
          -  Indirect CO2 emissions (tonnes) for each year of the period to calculate the average.                         
          -  Fuels consumed, consumption of each fuel (GJ), sub-process/es of the manufacture process where they are consumed for each                           year of the period to calculate the average.                         
          -  Electricity consumption from the grid (GJ final energy) for each year of the period to calculate the average. 
          -  Useful heat consumption from cogeneration (GJ final energy) for each year of the period to calculate the average. 
          -  Electricity consumption from cogeneration (GJ final energy) for each year of the period to calculate the average. 
          -  Reference efficiencies for separate production of heat and electricity. 
          -  Primary energy saving (PES) (%) of the cogeneration for each year of the period to calculate the average. 
          -  Identification of fuels used in cogeneration and their share in the fuel mix, for each year of the period to calculate the                           average.                         

The following documents shall be provided together with the declarations.
          -  Annual emissions report according to Regulation (EU) No 601/2012, for each year of the period to calculate the average. 
          -  Verification report finding the annual emissions report satisfactory according to Commission Regulation (EU) No 600/2012(12), for each year of the period to calculate the average.                         
          -  Records of electricity consumption from the grid provided by the supplier, for each year of the period to calculate the average. 
          -  Records of the useful heat and electricity consumption from cogeneration, both on-site and purchased, for each year of the                           period to calculate the average.                         

##### **Criterion 3.2. Sources of mineral extraction**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch.

Extracted minerals can be used as constituents of the final product provided that:

(Within the EU): If they are extracted from Natura 2000 network areas, composed of Special Protection Areas under Directive                              2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(13) on the conservation of wild birds, and Special Areas of Conservation under Council Directive 92/43/EEC(14) on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora, extraction activities have been assessed and authorised                              in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC and taking into account the EC Guidance document on                              non-energy mineral extraction and Natura 2000(15);                           

(Outside the EU): If they are extracted from protected areas designated as such under the national legislation of the sourcing/exporting                              countries, the extraction activities have been assessed and authorised in accordance with provisions that provide assurances                              equivalent to those under (1).                           

*Assessment and verification*                   

In case mineral extraction activities have been carried out in Natura 2000 network areas (in the EU) or protected areas designated                     as such under the national legislation of the sourcing/exporting countries (outside the EU), the applicant shall provide a                     declaration of compliance with this requirement issued by the competent authorities or a copy of their authorisation issued                     by the competent authorities.                  

##### **Criterion 3.3. Mineral growing media use and after use**U.K.

This criterion is applicable to mineral growing media only.

The mineral growing media shall only be offered for use for professional horticultural applications.

The applicant shall offer customers a structured collection and recycling service, which may use third party service providers.                     The collection and recycling service shall cover a minimum of 70 % v/v of the applicant's sales of the product across the                     European Union.                  

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a declaration that the mineral growing media is only offered for use in                     professional horticultural applications. A statement about the professional horticultural application of the product shall                     be included in the information provided to the end-user.                  

The applicant shall inform the Competent Body about the option(s) on offer of structured collection and recycling service                     and the results of the option(s) implemented. In particular, the applicant shall provide the following documentation and information.                  
          -  Contract documentation between the manufacturer and the service providers. 
          -  Description of collection, processing and destinations. 
          -  Annual overview of the total sales volume of growing media in the European Union Member States and an annual overview of the                           sales volumes in areas of those Member States where collection and processing are on offer.                         
          -  In case of new entrants, an estimation of the annual overview of the total sales volume of growing media in the European Union                           Member States and an estimation of the annual overview of the sales volumes in areas of those Member States where collection                           and processing are on offer, shall be provided. Real data shall be provided 1 year after the EU Ecolabel license is awarded.                         

#### **Criterion 4 — Recycled/recovered and organic materials in growing media**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media only.

Growing media products shall contain a minimum percentage of recycled/recovered content or organic content, as follows:

The growing medium shall contain a minimum of 30 % of organic constituents (expressed as volume of organic constituent per                              total volume of the final product); or                           

The mineral growing medium shall contain mineral constituents manufactured from a process using at least 30 % of recycled                              materials (expressed as the dry weight of recycled/recovered materials per total dry weight of the input materials).                           

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall declare the following information:
          -  for the case (a): volume of organic constituents declared in Criterion 1 per total volume of the final product, or 
          -  for the case (b): dry weight of recycled/recovered materials per total dry weight of the input materials. 

For the case (b), the applicant shall also declare the following information about the mineral constituents:
          -  identification of raw material inputs, dry weight of the raw material input per total dry weight of the input materials, and                           origin, for each raw material input, and                         
          -  identification of recycled/recovered material inputs, dry weight of recycled/recovered material input per total dry weight                           of the input materials and origin, for each recycled/recovered material input.                         

#### **Criterion 5 — Limitation of hazardous substances**U.K.

##### **Criterion 5.1. — Limits for heavy metals**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch.

###### (a)Soil improvers, mulch and organic constituents of growing mediaU.K.

For soil improvers, mulch and organic constituents of growing media, the content of the following elements in the final product                     or constituent shall not exceed the values shown in Table 3, measured in terms of dry weight (DW) of the product.                  

###### *Table 3*

**Heavy metals limits for soil improvers, mulch and organic constituents of growing media**

###### (b)Growing mediaU.K.

For growing media, including mineral growing media, the content of the following elements in the final product shall not exceed                     the values shown in Table 4, measured in terms of dry weight of the product.                  

###### *Table 4*

**Heavy metal limits for growing media, including mineral growing media**

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with test reports conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in the respective EN standards presented in Table 5. In the case of organic constituents of growing media, the test reports                     may be provided by the suppliers.                  

###### *Table 5*

**Standard methods of extraction and measurement of heavy metals**

##### **Criterion 5.2. — Limits for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch, with the exception of mineral growing media.

The content of the following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the final product shall not exceed the value shown in Table                     6, measured in terms of dry weight of the product.                  

###### *Table 6*

**Limit for PAH**

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with test reports conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in CEN/TS 16181 Sludge, treated biowaste and soil — Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by gas chromatography                     (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or equivalent.                  

##### **Criterion 5.3. — Hazardous substances and mixtures**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch.

The final product shall not be classified and labelled as being acutely toxic, a specific target organ toxicant, a respiratory                     or skin sensitiser, or carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction hazardous to the environment, in accordance with                     Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council(16).                  

The product shall not contain substances or mixtures classified as toxic, hazardous to the environment, respiratory or skin                     sensitisers, or carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 and as interpreted                     according to the hazard statements listed in Table 7. Any intentionally added ingredient present at a concentration above                     0,010 % w/w (in terms of wet weight) in the product shall meet this requirement. Where stricter, the generic or specific concentration                     limits determined in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 shall prevail to the cut-off limit value of                     0,010 % w/w (in terms of wet weight) mentioned above.                  

###### *Table 7*

**Restricted hazard classifications and their categorisation**

The most recent classification rules adopted by the Union shall take precedence over the listed hazard classifications. In                     accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, applicants shall therefore ensure that any classifications are                     based on the most recent rules on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.                  

The hazard statements generally refer to substances. However, if information on substances cannot be obtained, the classification                     rules for mixtures shall apply.                  

Substances or mixtures which change their properties through processing and thus become no longer bioavailable or undergo                     chemical modification in a way that removes the previously identified hazard are exempted from criterion 5.3.                  

This criterion does not apply to those final products composed by:
          -  Materials not included in the scope of the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 according its Article 2(2). 
          -  Substances covered by Article 2(7)(b) of the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, which sets out criteria for exempting substances within Annex V to that Regulation from the registration, downstream user                           and evaluation requirements.                         

In order to determine if this exclusion applies, the applicant shall screen any intentionally added substance present at a                     concentration above 0,010 % w/w (in terms of wet weight).                  

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall screen the presence of substances and mixtures that may be classified with the hazard statements reported                     in this criterion. The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a declaration of compliance with this criterion for                     the product.                  

That declaration shall include related documentation, such as declarations of compliance signed by the suppliers, on the non-classification                     of the substances, mixtures or materials with any of the hazard classes associated to the hazard statements referred in Table                     7 in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, as far as this can be determined, as a minimum, from the information meeting                     the requirements listed in Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.                  

The information provided shall relate to the forms or physical states of the substances or mixtures as used in the final product.

The following technical information shall be provided to support the declaration of classification or non-classification for                     each substance and mixture:                  

for substances that have not been registered under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 or which do not yet have a harmonised CLP                              classification: information meeting the requirements listed in Annex VII to that Regulation;                           

for substances that have been registered under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and which do not meet the requirements for CLP                              classification: information based on the REACH registration dossier confirming the non-classified status of the substance;                           

for substances that have a harmonised classification or are self-classified: safety data sheets where available. If these                              are not available or the substance is self-classified then information shall be provided relevant to the substances hazard                              classification in accordance with Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006;                           

in the case of mixtures: safety data sheets where available. If these are not available then calculation of the mixture classification                              shall be provided according to the rules under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 together with information relevant to the mixtures                              hazard classification in accordance with Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.                           

Safety data sheets shall be provided for the materials composing the final product and for substances and mixtures used in                     the formulation and treatment of the materials remaining in the final product at a concentration above a cut-off limit of                     0,010 % w/w (in terms of wet weight) unless a lower generic or specific concentration limit applies in accordance with the                     Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.                  

Safety data sheets shall be completed in accordance with the guidance set out in sections 10, 11 and 12 of Annex II to Regulation                     (EC) No 1907/2006 (requirements for the compilation of safety data sheets). Incomplete safety data sheets shall require supplementing                     with information from declarations by chemical suppliers.                  

Information on intrinsic properties of substances may be generated by means other than tests, for instance through the use                     of alternative methods such as in vitro methods, by quantitative structure activity models or by the use of grouping or read-across                     in accordance with Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.                  

The sharing of relevant data across the supply chain is strongly encouraged.

In the case of mineral wool, the applicant shall also provide the following:

Certificate awarded for the right to use the European Certification Board for Mineral Wool Products trademark to demonstrate                              compliance with the Note Q within the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.                           

Test report according to ISO 14184-1 Textiles — Determination of formaldehyde — Part 1: Free and hydrolysed formaldehyde.

##### **Criterion 5.4. — Substances listed in accordance with Article 59(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006**U.K.

The final product shall not contain any intentionally added substances of very high concern and included in the list provided                     for in Article 59(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, present in the final product in concentrations > 0,010 % in terms of                     wet weight.                  

*Assessment and verification:*                   

Reference to the latest list of substances of very high concern shall be made on the date of application. The applicant shall                     provide a declaration of compliance with criterion 5.4, together with related documentation, including declarations of compliance                     signed by the material suppliers and copies of relevant SDS for substances or mixtures in accordance with Annex II to Regulation                     (EC) No 1907/2006 for substances or mixtures. Concentration limits shall be specified in the safety data sheets in accordance                     with Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for substances and mixtures.                  

##### **Criterion 5.5. — Limits for *E. coli* and *Salmonella* spp.**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch, with the exception of mineral growing media.

The content of primary pathogens in the final product shall not exceed the levels set in Table 8.

###### *Table 8*

**Limit values for *E. coli* and *Salmonella* spp.**

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with test reports conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in Table 9.                  

###### *Table 9*

**Standard test method for *E. coli* and *Salmonella* spp.**

#### **Criterion 6 — Stability**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch, with the exception of mulch totally composed of lignocellulosic                     constituents and mineral growing media.                  

Soil improvers and mulch for non-professional applications and growing media for all applications shall meet one of the requirements                     presented in Table 10.                  

##### *Table 10*

**Stability requirements of soil improvers and mulch intended for non-professional applications and growing media intended for                           all applications**

Soil improvers and mulch for professional applications shall meet one of the requirements presented in Table 11.

##### *Table 11*

**Stability requirements of soil improvers and mulch intended for professional applications**

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with test reports conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in Table 12.                  

##### *Table 12*

**Standard test method for stability**

#### **Criterion 7 — Physical Contaminants**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch, with the exception of mineral growing media.

The content of glass, metal and plastic with mesh size of > 2 mm in the final product shall not exceed 0,5 %, measured in                     terms of dry weight.                  

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with test reports conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in the Technical Specification CEN/TS 16202 (Sludge, treated biowaste and soil — Determination of impurities and stones),                     or another equivalent testing procedure authorised by the Competent Body.                  

#### **Criterion 8 — Organic matter and dry matter**U.K.

This criterion applies to soil improvers and mulch.

The organic matter as loss on ignition of the final product shall be at least 15 % dry weight (% DW).

The dry matter content of the final product shall be at least 25 % of the fresh weight (% FW).

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with test reports conducted in accordance with the testing procedure presented                     in Table 13.                  

##### *Table 13*

**Standard test methods for Dry matter and Organic matter**

#### **Criterion 9 — Viable weed seeds and plant propagules**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media and soil improvers, with the exception of mineral growing media.

Final products shall not contain more than two units of viable weed seeds and plant propagules per litre.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a test report in accordance with the testing procedure indicated in the                     Technical Specification CEN/TS 16201 (Sludge, treated biowaste and soil — Determination of viable plant seeds and propagules),                     or another equivalent testing procedure authorised by the Competent Body.                  

#### **Criterion 10 — Plant response**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media and soil improvers.

Final products shall not adversely affect plant emergence or subsequent growth.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a valid test conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in EN 16086-1 (Soil improvers and growing media — Determination of plant response — Part 1: Pot growth test with Chinese cabbage).                  

#### **Criterion 11 — Growing media features**U.K.

This criterion only applies to growing media.

##### **Criterion 11.1. — Electrical conductivity**U.K.

The electrical conductivity of the final product shall be below 100 mS/m.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a test report conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in EN 13038 (Soil improvers and growing media — Determination of electrical conductivity).                  

##### **Criterion 11.2. — pH**U.K.

The pH of the final product shall be in the range 4-7.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a test report conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in EN 13037 (Soil improvers and growing media — Determination of pH).                  

##### **Criterion 11.3. — Sodium content**U.K.

The sodium content in water extracts of the final product shall not exceed 150 mg/l of fresh product.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a test report conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in EN 13652 (Soil improvers and growing media — Extraction of water soluble nutrients and elements).                  

##### **Criterion 11.4. — Chloride content**U.K.

The chloride content in water extracts of the final product shall not exceed 500 mg/l of fresh product.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a test report conducted in accordance with the testing procedure indicated                     in EN 13652 (Soil improvers and growing media — Extraction of water soluble nutrients and elements).                  

#### **Criterion 12 — Provision of information**U.K.

This criterion applies to growing media, soil improvers and mulch.

The following information shall be provided with the product either on the packaging or in accompanying fact sheets.

##### **Criterion 12.1. — Soil improvers**U.K.

The name and address of the body responsible for marketing;

A descriptor identifying the product by type, including the wording ‘SOIL IMPROVER’;

A batch identification code;

The quantity (in weight);

Range of moisture content;

The main materials (those over 5 % by weight) from which the product has been manufactured;

The recommended conditions of storage and the recommended ‘use by’ date;

Guidelines for safe handling and use;

A description of the purpose for which the product is intended and any limitations on use, including a statement about the                              suitability of the product for particular plant groups (e.g. calcifuges or calcicoles);                           

pH (reference of the test method used);

Organic carbon content (%), total nitrogen content (%) and inorganic nitrogen content (%) (reference to the test method used);

Carbon/Nitrogen ratio;

Total phosphorus (%) and total potassium (%) (reference to the test method used);

For products for non-professional use, a statement about the stability of organic matter (stable or very stable);

A statement on recommended methods of use;

In non-professional applications: recommended rate of application expressed in kilograms of product per unit surface area                              (m2) per annum.                           

##### **Criterion 12.2. — Growing media**U.K.

The name and address of the body responsible for marketing;

A descriptor identifying the product by type, including the wording ‘GROWING MEDIUM’;

A batch identification code;

The quantity (in volume or number of slabs, in case of mineral wool, specifying the dimensions of the slab);

Range of moisture content;

The main materials (those over 5 % by volume) from which the product has been manufactured;

The recommended conditions of storage and the recommended ‘use by’ date;

Guidelines for safe handling and use;

A description of the purpose for which the product is intended and any limitations on use, including a statement about the                              suitability of the product for particular plant groups (e.g. calcifuges or calcicoles);                           

pH (*EN 13037*);                           

Electrical Conductivity (1:5 extraction);

Germination inhibition (*EN 16086-1*);                           

Growth inhibition (*EN 16086-1*);                           

A statement about the stability of organic matter (stable or very stable);

A statement on recommended methods of use;

For mineral growing media, a statement about the professional horticultural application.

##### **Criterion 12.3. — Mulch**U.K.

The name and address of the body responsible for marketing;

A descriptor identifying the product by type, including the wording ‘MULCH’;

A batch identification code;

The quantity (in volume);

Range of moisture content;

The main materials (those over 5 % by volume) from which the product has been manufactured;

Guidelines for safe handling and use;

A description of the purpose for which the product is intended and any limitations on use, including a statement about the                              suitability of the product for particular plant groups (e.g. calcifuges or calcicoles);                           

pH (reference of the test method used);

A statement about the stability of organic matter (stable or very stable), where applicable, for non-professional uses;

A statement on recommended methods of use;

In non-professional applications: recommended rate of application expressed in mm.

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall declare that the product complies with this criterion and provide the Competent Body with a sample of                     the packaging or fact sheets or the text of the user information written on the packaging or accompanying fact sheets.                  

#### **Criterion 13 — Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel**U.K.

The optional label with text box shall contain the following text:
          -  promotes the recycling of materials 
          -  promotes the use of renewable and recycled materials 

For soil improvers and mulch, the additional information shall be included:
          -  reduces soil and water pollution, by limiting heavy metals concentrations 

The guidelines for the use of the optional label with the text box can be found in the ‘Guidelines for the use of the EU Ecolabel                     logo’ on the website:                  

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/documents/logo_guidelines.pdf

*Assessment and verification:*                   

The applicant shall provide the Competent Body with a sample of the product packaging showing the label, together with a declaration                     of compliance with this criterion.                  

### Appendix 1**Sampling and test frequency for the application year**

### Appendix 2**Sampling and test frequency for the following years**

1

OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1.                           

2

Commission Decision 2006/799/EC of 3 November 2006 establishing revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and                              verification requirements for the award of the Community eco-label to soil improvers (OJ L 325, 24.11.2006, p. 28).                           

3

Commission Decision 2007/64/EC of 15 December 2006 establishing revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and                              verification requirements for the award of the Community eco-label to growing media (OJ L 32, 6.2.2007, p. 137).                           

4

Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 of 25 February 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament                              and of the Council laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption                              and implementing Council Directive 97/78/EC as regards certain samples and items exempt from veterinary checks at the border                              under that Directive (OJ L 54, 26.2.2011, p. 1).                           

5

Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives                              (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3).                           

6

Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules as                              regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002                              (Animal by-products Regulation) (OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 1).                           

7

Commission Decision 2000/532/EC of 3 May 2000 replacing Decision 94/3/EC establishing a list of wastes pursuant to Article                              1(a) of Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and Council Decision 94/904/EC establishing a list of hazardous waste pursuant                              to Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste (OJ L 226, 6.9.2000, p. 3).                           

8

Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives                              2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).                           

9

Commission Implementing Decision 2011/877/EU of 19 December 2011 establishing harmonised efficiency reference values for separate                              production of electricity and heat in application of Directive 2004/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and                              repealing Commission Decision 2007/74/EC (OJ L 343, 23.12.2011, p. 91).                           

10

Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant                              to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 181, 12.7.2012, p. 30).                           

11

Methodology for the Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (http://www.meerp.eu/).

12

Commission Regulation (EU) No 600/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the verification of greenhouse gas emission reports and tonne-kilometre                              reports and the accreditation of verifiers pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council                              (OJ L 181, 12.7.2012, p. 1).                           

13

Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds                              (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).                           

14

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).                           

15

EC Guidance on undertaking new non-energy extractive activities in accordance with Natura 2000 requirements (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/docs/neei_n2000_guidance.pdf).

16

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling                              and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation                              (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1).