Animal by-products (e.g. dead animals, slaughterhouse waste, food waste, former foodstuffs of animal origin, manure, fermentation residues) are subject to extensive hygiene and animal health regulations in order to prevent or minimize risks to human and animal health. Depending on the risk level, animal by-products are divided into 3 categories:

• Cat. 1 material: highest risk level, e.g. animals with TSE/BSE, diseased animals, but also dead pets
• Cat. 2 material: Medium risk level, e.g. dead farm animals, manure
• Cat. 3 material: Lowest risk level, e.g. food waste (if not from international means of transport), certain slaughterhouse waste, former foodstuffs of animal origin

Depending on the risk level, the animal by-products must be processed or disposed of accordingly.

All operators who carry out activities in connection with the production, transportation, handling, processing, storage, placing on the market, distribution, use or disposal of animal by-products and derived products must notify the competent authority before commencing the activity for the purpose of official registration. The notification must be submitted to the local competent veterinary and food inspection authority.

Plants or businesses that carry out certain activities (processing plants, incineration as waste, co-incineration as waste, use as fuel, biogas plants, composting plants, production of organic fertilizers, intermediate treatment plants, pet food producers, storage plants for animal by-products and storage plants for derived products) require approval. Approval must be applied for separately.

Exemptions are required for certain other uses of animal by-products.