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.
