UK Statutory Instrument 1989 United Kingdom

Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989

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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

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Any Person 7
  • Manufacturer 6
  • Occupier 1

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

Other Acts binding the same actors

For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Manufacturers also bound by 472 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)

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 Manufacturer
s.sch001

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

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

Each sample shall be analysed so as to determine–

  • Analyse sludge samples for specified parameters Manufacturer
s.sch001

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Use correct analysis method for metal concentration in sludge Any Person
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 Any Person
s.004

Precautions to be taken after sludge is used

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

Supply of information about sludge

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

Penalties

Unlimited fine
  • Contravene sludge use regulations Any Person
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)

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