Division 1.1 Extraction management (for natural products only)
United Kingdom
General requirements
The raw material extraction management for natural stones shall be ‘scored’ according to a matrix of six main indicators. The total score shall be based on the sum of individual scores given for each indicator, multiplied by a corrective weighting (W). Quarries must obtain a weighted score of at least 19 points to be eligible for the eco-label award. In addition, the score for each indicator must be higher or lower than the threshold specified, as appropriate.
See matrix overleaf.
In addition to the scoring table, all of the following mandatory conditions shall be met:
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there shall be no interference with any deep confined waterbed,
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there shall be no interference with surface water bodies with civil catching or springs, or if the water body is included in the Register of protected areas established by Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Councilf1 or if the watercourse's average flow is > 5 m3/s,
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there shall be a waste water recovery closed system for avoiding sawing waste dispersion to the environment and to feed the recycling loop. Water shall be contained in close proximity to the place where it is used in quarrying operations and then it shall be conveyed by closed pipes to the suitable processing plant. After clearing, water shall be recycled.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the calculation of their total ‘score’ (weighted accordingly), and related data for each of the six indicators (showing, amongst others, that each score is above the minimum score, if one is given) according to the matrix overleaf and to the associated instructions in the Technical appendix — A1. The applicant shall also provide appropriate documentation and/or declarations that prove compliance with all of the abovementioned criteria.
Matrix for scoring raw material extraction management for natural stones
| Indicator | Notes | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5(excellent) | 3(good) | 1(sufficient) | Threshold | Relative weights | ||
| I.1. Water recycling ratio | See Technical appendix — A3 | > 80 | 80 — 70 | 69 — 65 | < 65 | W3 |
| I.2. Quarry impact ratio | m2 affected area (quarry front + active dump) / m2 authorised area [%] | < 15 | 15 — 30 | 31 — 50 | > 50 | W1, W2 |
| I.3. Natural resource waste | m3 usable material / m3 extracted material [%] | > 50 | 50 — 35 | 34 — 25 | < 25 | — |
| I.4. Air quality | Yearly limit value measured along the border of quarry area. PM 10 suspended particles [μg/Nm3] Testing method EN 12341 | < 20 | 20 — 100 | 101 — 150 | > 150 | W2 |
| I.5. Water quality | Suspended solids [mg/l] Testing method ISO 5667-17 | < 15 | 15 — 30 | 31 — 40 | > 40 | W1, W2, W3 |
| I.6. Noise | Measured along the border of quarry area (dB(A)) Testing method ISO 1996-1 | < 30 | 30 — 55 | 56 — 60 | > 60 | W2 |
List of weightings (to be used only where specified):
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W1. Soil protection: (weightings: 0,3 — 0,8, see table) — for quarry impact ratio (I.2) and water quality (I.5) indicators, three different values of weights are considered, as a function of land use potentialities (see Technical appendix — A1 for details):
Soil protection Classes I — II Classes III — IV — V Classes VI — VII — VIII Weight 0,3 0,5 0,8 Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation, including a map, of the land capability classification of the quarry site.
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W2. Population density of settlements which lie within a 5 km radius (distance) from the quarry site: (weightings: 0,5 — 0,9, see table) quarry impact ratio (I.2), air quality (I.4), water quality (I.5) and noise (I.6) indicators are weighted in function of three density ranges:
Population density > 100 hab/km2 20 to 100 hab/km2 < 20 hab/km2 Weight 0,5 (0,6) 0,7 (0,84) 0,9 Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a map and appropriate documentation to verify the population density of settlements lying within 5 km radius (distance) from the quarry border (authorised area). In the case of existing quarries and expanding settlements in the area concerned, the weight factor indicated in brackets shall be used. This does not refer to major extensions of the already authorised area of such quarries (> 75 %).
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W3. (weightings: 0,5) — If the quarry interferes with surface water bodies (average flow < 5 m3/s) there is a weight of 0,5 on both the indicators about water recycling ratio (I.1) and water quality (I.5).
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation to show whether or not there is any interference between the quarry and the surface water body.