Commission Decision of 9 July 2009 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to hard coverings (Notified under document C(2009) 5613) (Text with EEA relevance) (2009/607/EC)

A1 Raw material extraction — indicators and weights definitions U.K.

Confined waterbed U.K.

The expression ‘confined waterbed’ identifies an artesian waterbed.

Average flow of the surface water bodies U.K.

The average flow of the watercourse that interferes with the quarry shall be calculated taking into account the authorised area of the considered quarry. The calculation shall be made multiplying the section of the water body by the velocity of the water. The values shall be representative of at least 12 months.

Indicator description U.K.

I.1. Water recycling ratio U.K.

See A3.

I.2. Quarry impact ratio U.K.

The calculation of I.2 consists of the measurement of the affected area, which includes quarry front and active dump areas, and of the authorised area. These areas should be measured during operating activities.

I.3. Natural resource waste U.K.

The calculation of I.3 consists of the evaluation of the usable material and of the total volume extracted yearly. Usable material refers to all the volume which can be used in any process: for example, commercial blocks, aggregate materials, everything else suitable for further processing and use.

I.4. Air quality U.K.

This indicator is described in Council Directive 1999/30/EC(1). The calculation of I.4 consists of the measurement, along the border of quarry area, of PM 10 suspended particles based on the specific requirements of the test method and the general provisions of that Directive (PM 10 are defined in Article 2(11)). The test method is defined in EN 12341.

I.5. Water quality U.K.

This indicator considers the total emissions of suspended solids after treatment on surface water flowing out of the quarry site. The calculation of I.5 consists of the measurement of total suspended solids using the test method reported in ISO 5667-17.

I.6. Noise U.K.

This indicator considers the noise level recorded along the border of the quarry area. Non-impulsive noises are to be measured. The calculation of I.6 consists in the measurement of the noise using the test method reported in ISO 1996-1.

Weight description U.K.

W1. Soil protection/land capability classification U.K.

According to the European Soil Bureau's indication, land is graded on the basis of its potentialities and the severity of its limitations for crop growth into eight capability classes. An indicative description of the classes is as follows:

• Class I soils have slight limitations that restrict their use,

• Class II soils have moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require moderate conservation practices,

• Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require special conservation practices, or both,

• Class IV soils have very severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or require very careful management, or both,

• Class V soils have little or no hazard of erosion but have other limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their use mainly to pasture, range, forest land, or wildlife food and cover,

• Class VI soils have severe limitations that make them generally unsuited to cultivation and that limit their use mainly to pasture, range, forest land, or wildlife food and cover,

• Class VII soils have very severe limitations that make them unsuited to cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to grazing, forest land, or wildlife,

• Class VIII soils and miscellaneous areas have limitations that preclude their use for commercial plant production and limit their use to recreation, wildlife, or water supply or for aesthetic purposes.

(1)

OJ L 163, 29.6.1999, p. 41.