EN ISO 21912:2021 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 21912:2021 - Solid recovered fuels (SRF): Safe handling and storage provides principles and requirements for the safe handling, treatment and storage of SRF prepared from non‑hazardous waste for energy use. The standard applies from the point of acceptance of material at an SRF facility up to the point of delivery of SRF. It uses a risk‑based approach to identify hazards and determine appropriate safety measures. Unloading and loading of transport units (vessels, trains, trucks) are included; however, safety issues that occur after transport (during transit or at the receiver) are excluded.

Key topics and technical requirements

EN ISO 21912:2021 organizes safety requirements across SRF production, handling and storage processes. Key technical topics include:

• Risk management framework - definition of scope, hazard identification, risk estimation, evaluation and risk control measures.
• Receiving and feeding - safe acceptance, feeding equipment and emergency feeding procedures.
• Size reduction - guidance on crushing, milling and shredding equipment and associated safety controls.
• Conveying systems - chain, screw, belt, bucket elevator and pneumatic conveying safety considerations.
• Storage solutions - design and safe practices for open piles, bales, silos, bunkers, boxes and hoppers; special guidance for mechanically densified SRF.
• Separation and screening - safe operation of screening, ferrous/non‑ferrous separation, density and optical sorting.
• Auxiliary systems - thermal drying, dust collection, moulding and cooling with emphasis on explosion and dust hazards.
• Fire protection and detection - prevention, detection systems, response measures, working‑environment controls and post‑fire actions.
• Operation, maintenance and documentation - housekeeping, maintenance procedures, contractor/visitor controls and emergency planning.
• Personnel safety - roles, training and occupational risk management.

Applications and users

This standard is practical for organizations and professionals involved in the SRF lifecycle and waste‑to‑energy operations, including:

• SRF producers and pre‑treatment facilities
• Waste‑to‑energy plants and cement kilns that accept SRF
• Plant designers, equipment manufacturers and integrators
• Health, safety and environmental managers, auditors and insurers
• Regulators and permitting authorities assessing SRF facility safety

Implementing EN ISO 21912 helps reduce fire, dust, mechanical and human‑factor risks, supports compliant facility design, improves operational reliability and facilitates safer SRF supply chains.

Related standards

• EN ISO 21912:2021 is the CEN‑endorsed adoption of ISO 21912:2021.
• The standard excludes fuels covered by ISO/TC 238 (solid biofuels) and ISO/TC 28 (petroleum and related products) - refer to those standards where applicable.
• For full compliance, apply local fire codes, occupational safety regulations and relevant CEN/ISO norms in conjunction with EN ISO 21912:2021.

Keywords: EN ISO 21912:2021, solid recovered fuels, SRF, safe handling, storage, risk‑based approach, fire protection, SRF production.