Figures (2)  Tables (2)

    • Figure 1. 

      Flow paths from composting standard levels to attribute functions.

    • Figure 2. 

      Conceptual framework for the future development of compost standard system. The framework envisages compost standard ingredients-technology-plant-soil-intelligent management to design a compost standard system that conforms to the organic solid waste cycle and precise soil fertilization.

    • Process Category National standard Industry standard Current standard and soil matching bottleneck
      Standard number and name Standard function Standard number and name Standard function
      Raw material and process control (raw material pretreatment, composting process) GB/T 36195-2018 technical specification for sanitation treatment of livestock and poultry manure Specifies the general technical requirements and hygiene indicators for harmless treatment (composting). NY 609-2002 organic matter-decomposing inoculant Standardized compound microbial preparations for accelerating compost maturation. 1. Lack of process standards for bulk raw materials.
      2. Raw material standards are disconnected from soil requirements.
      3. Lack of functional microbial agents.
      NY/T 3442-2019 technical specification for animal manure composting Specific regulations on the process flow, operation, and quality requirements for livestock and poultry manure composting.
      NY/T 3441-2019 technical code of practice for non-hazardouse treatment of high temperature composting of vegetable wastes Specific composting process regulations for designated vegetable waste feedstocks.
      Product and quality (product type, safety limits, detection) GB 38400-2019 limitation requirements of toxic and harmful substance in fertilizers Mandatory safety thresholds set limits for heavy metals
      and other contaminants in fertilizers, including compost products.      		 NY/T 525-2021 organic fertilizer The regulations specify the technical and limit requirements for products derived from composting organic waste, such as livestock manure and crop straw. 1. Product standards lack indicators for soil functions.
      2. The methodology system for detecting soil security and function assessment is inadequate.
      3. The lack of standards for soil-adapted products.
      GB/T 40462-2021 determination of 19 veterinary medicines in organic fertilizer-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry Advanced detection methods for multiple veterinary drug residues in compost products. NY 884-2012 microbial organic fertilizers Technical specifications and heavy metal limits for organic fertilizer products containing functional microorganisms.
      GB/T 32951-2016 determination of oxytetracyline, tetracyline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline content for organic fertilizers-HPLC method Key detection methods for antibiotic residues in compost products. NY/T 3618-2020 biochar-based organic fertilizer Technical specifications for organic fertilizer products with standardized biochar addition.
      HG/T 6082-2022 bio-humic acid organic fertilizer Technical specifications for functional organic fertilizers based on composted biomass.
      NY/T 3167-2017 determination of sulfonamides in organic fertilizer-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry Specific testing methods for sulfonamide residues in compost.
      Application and agronomy (soil, crop applications) GB/T 25246-2025 technical specification for land application of livestock and poultry manure fertlizer General requirements and application rates for the standardized use of compost products (manure) in land application. NY/T 1334-2007 regulation regarding the safe use of livestock and poultry manure Regulations on the safety, hygiene requirements, and application principles that compost products must meet before being returned to farmland. Refined application standard blank.
      NY/T 1868-2021 rule of rational fertilization-organic fertilizer Principles and key points for the scientific and rational application of organic fertilizers.
      Emissions and the environment (process monitoring, impact assessment) GB/T 25169-2022 technical specification for monitoring livestock and poultry manure Specify the monitoring methods for characteristics and pollutants during the collection, treatment, and resource utilization of livestock and poultry manure. HG/T 6026-2022 technical specification for green-design product assessment-organic fertilizers Assessing the 'green' attributes of organic fertilizers from a life cycle perspective (resource consumption, environmental impact). 1. The lack of technical standards for soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas accounting.
      2. The evaluation system for the long-term ecological effects of soil health is inadequate.
      GB/T 26622-2011 criteria for environmental impact assessment of the animal manure land application Stipulate the procedures, methods, and other requirements for environmental impact assessment of the utilization of livestock and poultry manure (compost) in agricultural land.

      Table 1. 

      Representative national and industry standards for each stage of the composting process

    • Standard number Standard name Correlation description
      GB/T 42679-2023 Resource utilization of agricultural wastes—comprehensive utilization of biomass resources The regulations include the technical requirements for straw decomposition and composting.
      GB 14554-1993 Emission standards for odor pollutants Mandatory emission limits for odorous gases from centralized composting facilities must be strictly followed.
      GB 15618-2018 Soil environment quality risk control standard for soilcontamination of agriculture land This provides the environmental foundation for evaluating and ensuring the long-term safety of compost application.
      GB/T 42819-2023 General technical code of practice for immobilization of heavy metal contaminated soil in agriculture production area To provide a framework for the process of passivating and remediating heavy metal-contaminated soil with compost products.
      GB/T 42817-2023 Technical specification for the use of soil conditioners in agricultural production areas Provide technical guidance on the use of compost products for soil fertility enhancement.
      NY/T 3343-2018 Criterion for effectiveness evaluation of pollution control of cultivated land To provide a unified method and a standard framework for evaluating the final effectiveness of cultivated land pollution remediation, including the application of compost.
      CJJ 184-2012 Technical code for food waste treatment Providing engineering guidelines for composting food waste.
      NY/T 3020-2016 Technical guideline on comprehensive utilization of crop straw Composting is categorized as a method for the fertilizer utilization of crop straw, with general requirements proposed accordingly.
      CJ/T 369-2011 Equipment for automatic monitoring and control of composting Key equipment standards for achieving precise control, stable operation, and compliant emissions in composting processes.

      Table 2. 

      Relevant and extended standards within the composting standard system