1.1 The Horizontal project and the Work Package 7
The revision of the Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC, the upcoming Composting Directive on the
biological treatment of biodegradable waste and the Soil Monitoring Directive call for standards on sampling,
hygienic and biological parameters, methods for inorganic and organic contaminants, and for mechanical
properties of these materials.
1.2 Desk study subject
The Task Group 3 (TG3) of CEN/TC308/WG1 defined 3 physical states for sludge (CEN/TC308/WG1/TG3,
2000):
a) Liquid: sludge flowing under the effect of gravity or pressure below a certain threshold.
b) Paste-like: sludge capable of continuous flow under the effect of pressure above a certain threshold
and having a shear resistance below a certain threshold.
c) Solid: sludge having a shear resistance above a certain threshold.
1.3 Evaluation of needs for control of operations and material characteristics
1.3.1 Evaluation of needs for control of operation
1.3.2 Material characteristics
1.4 Search for existing standards and methods
The first action carried out consisted in searching for existing standards and non-standardised methods to be
possibly used or adapted for utilisation in the specific field of consistency evaluation.
1.5 Basic information