UK Statutory Instrument 1989 United Kingdom

Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989

View on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab) Ask Guv about this Act

At a glance

What's here

15 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide

Penalty landscape

1 of 15 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 14 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Who this Act binds

Plus 1 non-business duty on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.

Supporting — topic alignment

1 guides

What this Act requires

Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.

Schedules

s.sch001

Every sludge producer shall ensure that sludge produced by him...

  • Test sludge for agricultural use at least every six months
s.sch001

Representative samples of sludge intended to be used on agricultural...

  • Take representative sludge samples after processing but before delivery
s.sch001

Each sample shall be analysed so as to determine–

  • Analyse sludge samples for specified parameters
s.sch001

The average annual rate of addition referred to in regulation...

  • Calculate ten-year average metal addition rate from sludge
s.sch001

The analysis requisite to ascertain the concentration of metals referred...

  • Use prescribed testing methods for sludge metal analysis
s.sch002

The sludge producer shall ensure that agricultural soil is tested...

  • Test or assess agricultural soil before using sludge
s.sch002

(1) Where– (a) sludge has been used on an agricultural...

  • Test agricultural soil for heavy metals at required intervals
s.sch002

For each agricultural unit on which sludge is to be...

  • Take representative soil samples before using sludge on agricultural land
s.sch002

Each representative sample shall be analysed so as to ascertain–...

  • Analyse soil samples for pH, chromium and other metals before sludge use
s.sch002

The analysis requisite to ascertain the concentration of metals referred...

  • Use correct analysis method for metal concentration in sludge
Browse 1 other Schedule — structural / supplementary
s.sch002

For the purposes of regulation 3(4), the specified limit of...

s.003

Prohibition on use or supply of sludge

  • Do not use or supply sludge on agricultural land unless tested and within limits
s.004

Precautions to be taken after sludge is used

  • Take prescribed precautions after using sludge on agricultural land
s.007

Supply of information about sludge

  • Allow Environment Agency to inspect your sludge register and provide requested information
s.009

Penalties

Unlimited fine
  • Contravene sludge use regulations
s.012

Reporting

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • The appropriate authority must publish reports on implementation of the Sludge Regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 7 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.001

Citation, commencement and application

s.002

Interpretation

s.005

Information to be supplied to sludge producer

s.006

Register to be kept by sludge producer

s.008

Dedicated sites

s.010

Civil sanctions

s.011

Civil sanctions, Wales

Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Explore more

Browse legislation

Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.