In response to public expectations to strengthen the regulations governing the use of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), waste-derived fuels, and other fuels, on January 2, 2025, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) released amended versions of: "Standards for Co-firing Ratios, Components, and Control Facilities for Fuel Used in Stationary Pollution Sources"; "Specified Fuels which Shall Comply with Co-firing Ratios and Component Standards in Stationary Pollution Sources"; "Emission Standards for Air Pollutants from Boilers"; "Stationary Pollution Sources that Should Be Equipped with Continuous Automated Monitoring Facilities and Connected to the Competent Authorities", and; "Stationary Pollution Sources that Should Be Regularly Tested and Reported".

To prevent air pollution and ensure environmental protection, the Ministry of Environment reviewed fuel composition standards, added specifications for process control facilities, tightened end-of-pipe emission standards, and strengthened emission monitoring and testing requirements, thus aligning with related international fuel usage regulations.

The MOENV stated that this comprehensive review was conducted in conjunction with potential air pollution emission increases due to the integration of 2050 Net-Zero pathway and waste resource recycling measures into fuel policy. With the aim of promoting the use of suitable materials in suitable places, the revisions encourage industries to conduct self-assessments of air pollution prevention and control capacities, select appropriate fuel types accordingly, and undergo appropriate transformations to minimize environmental impacts. The key points of the revisions are as follows:

1. Integrating Fuel Composition Requirements: Aligns the composition standards of solid biofuels, SRF, and waste-derived fuels with those established by competent authorities.
2. Setting Up Management of Facilities: Specifications made for fuel users to install high-standard pollution control facilities.
3. Tightening Emission Regulations: Sets up emission standards for heavy metals and dioxins, as well as reference values for exhaust oxygen content, in line with international emission regulations, such as those of the European Union.
4. Monitoring Emissions of Air Pollutants: Requires factories using SRF and waste-derived fuels that are subject to continuous automated monitoring to include dioxin indicator species; others shall regularly conduct pollution emission pipeline tests.

By aligning with international standards, the Ministry of Environment stated that these regulations will tighten up the control of air pollution emissions from SRF and waste-derived fuels. Industries are encouraged to comprehensively examine the capabilities of their own facilities, select appropriate fuels, and conduct pollution monitoring or other tests to reduce environmental risks. By implementing multiple control strategies from pollution source to pipeline, these measures ensure that economic growth is pursued while taking environmental protection and public health into account.

For more information on this regulatory announcement, please visit the Ministry of Environment’s News Zone where the attached file can be  downloaded (https://enews.moenv.gov.tw/Page/B514A5023133ED27), or access it through the Executive Yuan Gazette Information Network. (http://gazette.nat.gov.tw/egFront/index.jsp)