The Compost Quality Alliance (CQA)
is
a voluntary program established by the
Compost Council of Canada and the compost producers utilizing standardized
testing methodologies and uniform operating protocols to improve customer
confidence
in compost selection and utilization.
Read
the License Agreement
Download a brochure
(PDF
format)
Key
Elements of the Program
- Standardized product
sampling
- Uniform laboratory
testing
- Appropriate product
attributes and usage guidelines
Benefits
of the Program
To
Consumers
- ability to select the
right compost for the right use
To
the Compost Industry
- supports regulatory
compliance
- enhances compost market
development
- builds industry credibility
and reputation
How
the CQA Program Works:
- open to all compost
producers
- focused on product
versus process
- participants follow
prescribed sampling frequency and reporting methods
- annual licensing arrangement
to use CQA logo on packaging and product promotion
- CQA program managed
by the Compost Council of Canada and marketed by both the CCC as well as
CQA licensees
The
Specifics:
- compost facility
signs up to be part of Compost Quality Alliance
- frequency
of product testing based on annual production volume (Table 1)
- product samples submitted to CQA-accredited laboratory
- product testing involves regulatory requirements as well
as agronomic parameters
- lab results reported back to compost producer and the Compost
Council of Canada
- product attributes to be communicated on an ongoing basis
to product users in a prescribed manner (Table 2)
- if the compost product sample fails to meet analytical
requirements, producer has the right to rework and resubmit for further
testing. Inability to achieve satisfactory analytical results would lead
to non-compliance.
- annual license timeframe: September 1st - August
31st
- annual licensee fee: $700 for CCC members; $1,000 for non-members
(each licensee is also responsible for the costs of lab testing)
About
the CQA laboratory accreditation program:
Participating
CQA-laboratories across Canada and the United States are involved
in the CAP (Compost Analysis Proficiency) program, a laboratory quality
assurance program to calibrate procedures and evaluate inter-lab method performance.
The Test Methods for Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) forms
the basis of
the analytical test methods. CAP is administered by Dr. Robert Miller of Colorado
State University.
