The TMECC is a comprehensive laboratory manual that provides detailed protocols for the composting industry to evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological properties of composting feedstocks, materials in process, and compost products.
It is time to update the TMECC due to significant changes in technology and evolving scientific understanding.
Resources Required:
Research Scientists – Write and update methods
Reviewers – Review chapters
Laboratories — Round robin testing
Funding — New methods
Have a method to contribute? Fill out this form if you would like to have a method considered for inclusion in TMECC III.
Donate to the TMECC by clicking the button below.
In this video, Michele Francis, PhD introduces the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) — the industry’s leading set of standardized protocols for evaluating composting processes and finished compost quality — and discusses several of the planned updates currently in development.
Trusted by laboratories, compost producers, researchers, and regulators, TMECC ensures accurate, consistent, and transparent compost testing. This presentation highlights how TMECC supports better data, better decisions, and better compost for healthier soils and communities.
Phase I TMECC updates address current protocols that are used in the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program aside from compost sample collection, processing, and digestion techniques.
Topics to be addressed in Phase I includes plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium), moisture content, organic matter, pH, soluble salts, particle size, stability, maturity, pathogens (fecal coliforms and salmonella), and trace metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc).
Phase II TMECC updates will address compost sampling and processing protocols, digestion methods, and protocols that are not included in the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program.
Phase II will also incorporate newly proposed methods and parameters into the TMECC, which will require new authors, reviewers, and more collaboration.
These methods and parameters require additional funding to support research and development needs.
Methods that have been proposed include the following:
Phase III TMECC updates will address compost sampling and processing protocols, digestion methods, and new protocols that are not included in the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program. Phase III will also continue to incorporate newly proposed methods and parameters into the TMECC, which will require new authors, reviewers, and more collaboration. Phase III updates require additional time and funding resources beyond Phase II.
Contributors listed in alphabetic order. List is revised as new updates are submitted.
Michele Francis – TMECC Associate Program Manager
Shelby Hoglund – Standards and Practices Committee Chair and TMECC Program Manager
Frank Shields – Soil Control Lab, Watsonville, CA (Chapters 4.12-F Digestion Techniques and 5.8-F Respirometry)
John T. Spargo – Penn State University, University Park, PA (Chapter 4.3-C Phosphorus)
Wayne H. Thompson – Washington State University Extension, WA; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, TX (Chapter 4.12-F Digestion Techniques)
Ron Alexander – R. Alexander Associates, Inc., Cary, NC (Chapter 5.5 Biological Assays)
Jessica Anderson – A1 Organics, Eaton, CO (Chapter 4.2 Nitrogen)
Peter Heiman – Kellogg Garden Products
Rebecca Harvey – Woods End Laboratories, Augusta, ME (Chapter 4.2 Nitrogen)
Tera Lewandowski – Scotts Miracle Gro, Marysville, OH (Chapters 4.11 Electrometric pH Determinations for Compost and 5.5 Biological Assays)
Monica Ozores-Hampton – Terranutri, LLC, Miami Beach, FL (Chapters 4.10 Electrical Conductivity for Compost, 4.11 Electrometric pH Determinations for Compost, and 5.5 Biological Assays)
Assaf Sadeh – Soil Control Lab, Watsonville, CA (Chapter 4.11 Electrometric pH Determinations for Compost)
John T. Spargo – Penn State University, University Park, PA (Chapter 4.2 Nitrogen)
David C. Weindorf – Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA (Chapter 4.10 Electrical Conductivity for Compost)
We welcome new reviewers and contributors for upcoming chapters, and proposals for additional methods. If you are interested, we have a form you can fill out here with the methods we are working on in Phase I revisions. Please get in touch!
The Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) is the industry standard for evaluating compost quality and performance. It provides the trusted methods used by producers, regulators, consultants, and researchers to ensure compost is safe, reliable, and effective.
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We invite stakeholders, researchers, TMECC users, and compost advocates to participate in our mission. Whether through partnership or volunteering, your voice can help shape the future of composting standards.
Have questions about the TMECC or committee activities or want to get involved?
Shelby Hoglund
Standards and Practices Committee Chair
TMECC Program Manager
Email: shelbyhoglund@compostfoundation.org
P.O. Box 19246
Raleigh, NC 27619
Michele Francis
TMECC Associate Program Manager
Email: michelefrancis@compostfoundation.org
P.O. Box 19246
Raleigh, NC 27619
