NENUPHAR D4.1. UE Policies and regulations baseline analysis applicable to Nutrient Management.

This deliverable presents a comprehensive baseline analysis of the European Union's current policies and regulations concerning nutrient management, with a particular focus on nutrient pollution and recovery systems. The report is structured around two core objectives: a comprehensive review of EU regulations pertaining to nutrient management, encompassing policies such as the European Green Deal and sectorspecific directives; and a baseline analysis of regulatory barriers, gaps and opportunities. It identifies the principal obstacles to the control of nutrient pollution and the integration of recycled nutrients into the market, which include policy inconsistencies and the limited availability of economic instruments.
The findings illustrate the intricate nature of the EU's regulatory framework, characterised by a lack of coherence across sectors such as agriculture and wastewater management. Despite the implementation of initiatives such as the Common Agricultural Policy, financial incentives for nutrient recovery remain inadequate. Furthermore, advanced technologies encounter regulatory and economic obstacles, particularly in regions with constrained recycling capabilities. To achieve the EU's nutrient recovery
objectives, the deliverable emphasises the necessity for more integrated governance and stronger economic incentives. These measures are crucial for the expansion of nutrient recovery technologies and the assurance that NENUPHAR's innovations are supported by a conducive regulatory environment.