It’s that time of year again—Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) renewals are underway! As a reminder, the STA certification cycle runs from July 1st to June 30th. We’ve already received renewal applications from about 30% of current participants, which is a great start. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, now’s the time—applications are due by Monday, June 30.
The renewal process remains the same as in previous years. For USCC members, you may notice your STA participant fee has changed—either increased or decreased by $25. These small adjustments help simplify billing and support a more equitable program structure.
There’s one new addition this cycle: a TMECC Update Fee of $25 will be included in the renewal invoice for each regular Compost Product (this does not apply to derivative products).
Why the TMECC Update Fee?
The STA Program is proud to partner with the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) on a multi-year effort to modernize and expand the Test Methods for the Examination of Compost and Composting (TMECC). TMECC has served as the backbone of our industry for over 30 years—but as compost science, technology, and application have advanced, it’s time for our lab manual and test methods to evolve too.
This nominal $25 per product fee is a direct investment into that work. Every dollar will go toward reviewing, updating, and maintaining TMECC so it stays current with new lab technologies, regulatory standards, and the science of compost. Through this partnership, we’re building a stronger foundation for the entire composting industry while strengthening the credibility of STA Program and our lab analysis.
Want to learn more about the TMECC update effort? Click here for more details