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Anaerobic digestion of animal by-products: regulations

Updated: Dec 16, 2021

All products of animal origin (terrestrial or aquatic) or other products obtained from animals, which are not intended for human consumption are by definition covered by the European Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009.


The regulation classifies animal by-products into three categories based on their potential risk to human and animal health and the environment:



  • Category 1: very high risk

  • Category 2: high risk (e.g., manure)

  • Category 3: low risk (e.g., food waste)


Category 2 and 3 animal by-products can be

recovered by anaerobic digestion according to

specific rules.


The European regulation provides, for materials presenting a low risk (cat. 2 and 3), a hygienisation step before conversion into biogas (anaerobic digestion).


Tank hygienizer for biowaste treatment
Viwade hygienisation system

Hygienisation consists of heating the material at 70°C for at least 1 hour to a maximum particle size of 12 mm (only for cat. 3). This step reduces the risk of serious diseases and health crises for livestock and the food chain as a whole.


French regulations provide for a derogation from prior processing (hygienisation) for manure and certain specific materials for conversion into biogas (anaerobic digestion).


Historically, approved anaerobic digestion plants convert hygienised food waste and unhygienised manure into biogas in the same digester.


French regulations changed by ministerial decree on 9 April 2018, installations approved under different conditions have until 1 January 2023 to comply.


Food waste from the retail sector, whether or not mixed with bio-waste, may no longer be converted into biogas with unhygienised manure in the same digester.

In order to keep the hygienisation in place, it is necessary to add a specific methanisation line for food waste.


BioRenGaz offers a concrete solution for the regulatory compliance of installations that recover livestock manure and food waste.


Contact us to learn more about our solution!


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