ABSTRACT
Regulations, guidelines and standards have been established for the composting process and for the use of compost by United States (US) federal government, most states, Canada and Europe. State regulations vary greatly. Some states such as New York have separate compost process and product regulations that cover all feedstocks. Others regulate compost under biosolid or solid waste regulations. The chapter reviews the concepts and approaches to regulations and discusses the elements that should be regulated. US federal regulations dealing with waste materials are under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency. Compost regulations promulgated by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) cover biosolids and any material containing biosolids. States should promulgate regulations for both product criteria and facility design. The regulations use a tier system requiring different levels of permitting depending on the feedstock and quantities of materials composted. It also requires the general design requirements, general operating standards, and facility siting on landfills.
