New Rules For Fertilizers: Order On End-of-Waste Status Published

Yesterday, the Diário da República published Order No. 5993/2025, establishing the new rules for the End-of-Waste (EoW) status applicable to fertilizers produced from livestock effluents, plant biomass and other organic by-products.

The aim is to facilitate the reuse of organic materials, allowing them to cease being classified as waste and to be used as agricultural fertilizers, provided they meet specific criteria set out in both national and European legislation — notably Ordinance No. 79/2022 and Regulation (EU) No. 142/2011.

The order also highlights the key role of biomethane and organic recovery in decarbonization, sustainable waste management and the advancement of a circular bioeconomy. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion and composting are now formally recognized as essential tools for both the energy sector and waste policy.