diff --git a/demo/primitives/src/lib.rs b/demo/primitives/src/lib.rs
index eacaf7185aa87..d93b75f3954e4 100644
--- a/demo/primitives/src/lib.rs
+++ b/demo/primitives/src/lib.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ use rstd::prelude::*;
 use runtime_primitives::generic;
 #[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use primitives::bytes;
-use runtime_primitives::traits::{BlakeTwo256, DigestItem};
+use runtime_primitives::traits::BlakeTwo256;
 
 /// An index to a block.
 pub type BlockNumber = u64;
@@ -73,25 +73,12 @@ pub type Signature = runtime_primitives::Ed25519Signature;
 pub type Timestamp = u64;
 
 /// Header type.
-pub type Header = generic::Header<BlockNumber, BlakeTwo256, Log>;
+pub type Header = generic::Header<BlockNumber, BlakeTwo256, generic::DigestItem<()>>;
 /// Block type.
 pub type Block = generic::Block<Header, UncheckedExtrinsic>;
 /// Block ID.
 pub type BlockId = generic::BlockId<Block>;
 
-/// A log entry in the block.
-#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Default, Encode, Decode)]
-#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug))]
-pub struct Log(#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(with="bytes"))] pub Vec<u8>);
-
-//TODO: remove this. Generic primitives should not require DigestItem
-impl DigestItem for Log {
-	type AuthoritiesChange = ();
-	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&()> {
-		unreachable!()
-	}
-}
-
 /// Opaque, encoded, unchecked extrinsic.
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Default, Encode, Decode)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug))]
diff --git a/demo/runtime/src/lib.rs b/demo/runtime/src/lib.rs
index 8a93fef97e782..80ef5647588c7 100644
--- a/demo/runtime/src/lib.rs
+++ b/demo/runtime/src/lib.rs
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ use demo_primitives::{AccountId, AccountIndex, Balance, BlockNumber, Hash, Index
 use runtime_primitives::generic;
 use runtime_primitives::traits::{Convert, BlakeTwo256, DigestItem};
 use version::RuntimeVersion;
+use codec::{Encode, Decode, Input};
 use council::motions as council_motions;
 use substrate_primitives::u32_trait::{_2, _4};
 
@@ -202,8 +203,8 @@ impl_outer_event! {
 }
 
 impl_outer_log! {
-	pub enum Log for Runtime {
-		consensus
+	pub enum Log(InternalLog: DigestItem<SessionKey>) for Runtime {
+		consensus(AuthoritiesChange)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -243,11 +244,11 @@ impl_outer_config! {
 }
 
 impl DigestItem for Log {
-	type AuthoritiesChange = consensus::AuthoritiesChange<SessionKey>;
+	type AuthorityId = SessionKey;
 
-	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&Self::AuthoritiesChange> {
-		match *self {
-			Log::consensus(ref item) => item.as_authorities_change(),
+	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&[Self::AuthorityId]> {
+		match self.0 {
+			InternalLog::consensus(ref item) => item.as_authorities_change(),
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.compact.wasm b/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.compact.wasm
index 6c8c6bb1c82ee..04e6d8dddfd6b 100644
Binary files a/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.compact.wasm and b/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.compact.wasm differ
diff --git a/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.wasm b/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.wasm
index 783b2e6f41721..6a5fdb99d0087 100755
Binary files a/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.wasm and b/demo/runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/demo_runtime.wasm differ
diff --git a/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.compact.wasm b/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.compact.wasm
index c1f5e2bf532f0..1794012886159 100644
Binary files a/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.compact.wasm and b/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.compact.wasm differ
diff --git a/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.wasm b/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.wasm
index b5943d520bd88..31e382242fb91 100755
Binary files a/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.wasm and b/substrate/executor/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/runtime_test.wasm differ
diff --git a/substrate/runtime-support/src/lib.rs b/substrate/runtime-support/src/lib.rs
index 57c8662882858..82c69428dc6de 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime-support/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime-support/src/lib.rs
@@ -174,27 +174,3 @@ macro_rules! impl_outer_origin {
 		}
 	}
 }
-
-#[macro_export]
-macro_rules! impl_outer_log {
-
-	($(#[$attr:meta])* pub enum $name:ident for $trait:ident { $( $module:ident ),* }) => {
-		// Workaround for https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/issues/26925 . Remove when sorted.
-		#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Encode, Decode)]
-		#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize))]
-		$(#[$attr])*
-		#[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
-		pub enum $name {
-			$(
-				$module($module::Log<$trait>),
-			)*
-		}
-		$(
-			impl From<$module::Log<$trait>> for $name {
-				fn from(x: $module::Log<$trait>) -> Self {
-					$name::$module(x)
-				}
-			}
-		)*
-	};
-}
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/consensus/src/lib.rs b/substrate/runtime/consensus/src/lib.rs
index 3e0be21131bcc..852b93bcdfc23 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/consensus/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/consensus/src/lib.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ use runtime_support::{storage, Parameter};
 use runtime_support::dispatch::Result;
 use runtime_support::storage::StorageValue;
 use runtime_support::storage::unhashed::StorageVec;
-use primitives::traits::{MaybeSerializeDebug, OnFinalise, Member, AuthoritiesChangeDigest};
+use primitives::traits::{MaybeSerializeDebug, OnFinalise, Member, DigestItem};
 use primitives::bft::MisbehaviorReport;
 use system::{ensure_signed, ensure_inherent, ensure_root};
 
@@ -80,31 +80,25 @@ pub type Log<T> = RawLog<
 	<T as Trait>::SessionKey,
 >;
 
-/// An logs in this module.
+/// A logs in this module.
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug))]
 #[derive(Encode, Decode, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
 pub enum RawLog<SessionKey> {
 	/// Authorities set has been changed. Contains the new set of authorities.
-	AuthoritiesChange(AuthoritiesChange<SessionKey>),
+	AuthoritiesChange(Vec<SessionKey>),
 }
 
-impl<SessionKey> RawLog<SessionKey> {
+impl<SessionKey: Member> DigestItem for RawLog<SessionKey> {
+	type AuthorityId = SessionKey;
+
 	/// Try to cast the log entry as AuthoritiesChange log entry.
-	pub fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&AuthoritiesChange<SessionKey>> {
+	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&[SessionKey]> {
 		match *self {
-			RawLog::AuthoritiesChange(ref item) => Some(item),
+			RawLog::AuthoritiesChange(ref item) => Some(&item),
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-/// Authorities change log entry.
-#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug))]
-#[derive(Encode, Decode, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
-pub struct AuthoritiesChange<SessionKey> {
-	/// New set of authorities.
-	pub new_authorities: Vec<SessionKey>,
-}
-
 // Implementation for tests outside of this crate.
 impl<N> From<RawLog<N>> for u64 {
 	fn from(log: RawLog<N>) -> u64 {
@@ -114,14 +108,6 @@ impl<N> From<RawLog<N>> for u64 {
 	}
 }
 
-impl<SessionKey: Member> AuthoritiesChangeDigest for AuthoritiesChange<SessionKey> {
-	type AuthorityId = SessionKey;
-
-	fn authorities(&self) -> &[Self::AuthorityId] {
-		&self.new_authorities
-	}
-}
-
 pub trait Trait: system::Trait {
 	/// The allowed extrinsic position for `note_offline` inherent.
 	const NOTE_OFFLINE_POSITION: u32;
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/digest.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/digest.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..0616ec8914e39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/digest.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+// Copyright 2017 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// This file is part of Substrate.
+
+// Substrate is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// Substrate is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Substrate.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+//! Generic implementation of a digest.
+
+use rstd::prelude::*;
+
+use codec::{Decode, Encode, Codec, Input};
+use traits::{self, Member, DigestItem as DigestItemT};
+
+#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Encode, Decode)]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize))]
+pub struct Digest<Item> {
+	pub logs: Vec<Item>,
+}
+
+impl<Item> Default for Digest<Item> {
+	fn default() -> Self {
+		Digest { logs: Vec::new(), }
+	}
+}
+
+impl<Item> traits::Digest for Digest<Item> where
+	Item: DigestItemT + Codec
+{
+	type Item = Item;
+
+	fn logs(&self) -> &[Self::Item] {
+		&self.logs
+	}
+
+	fn push(&mut self, item: Self::Item) {
+		self.logs.push(item);
+	}
+}
+
+/// Digest item that is able to encode/decode 'system' digest items and
+/// provide opaque access to other items.
+#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize))]
+pub enum DigestItem<AuthorityId> {
+	/// System digest item announcing that authorities set has been changed
+	/// in the block. Contains the new set of authorities.
+	AuthoritiesChange(Vec<AuthorityId>),
+	/// Any 'non-system' digest item, opaque to the native code.
+	Other(Vec<u8>),
+}
+
+/// A 'referencing view' for digest item. Does not own its contents. Used by
+/// final runtime implementations for encoding/decoding its log items.
+#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug))]
+pub enum DigestItemRef<'a, AuthorityId: 'a> {
+	/// Reference to `DigestItem::AuthoritiesChange`.
+	AuthoritiesChange(&'a [AuthorityId]),
+	/// Reference to `DigestItem::Other`.
+	Other(&'a Vec<u8>),
+}
+
+/// Type of the digest item. Used to gain explicit control over `DigestItem` encoding
+/// process. We need an explicit control, because final runtimes are encoding their own
+/// digest items using `DigestItemRef` type and we can't auto-derive `Decode`
+/// trait for `DigestItemRef`.
+#[repr(u32)]
+#[derive(Encode, Decode)]
+enum DigestItemType {
+	Other = 0,
+	AuthoritiesChange,
+}
+
+impl<AuthorityId> DigestItem<AuthorityId> {
+	/// Returns Some if `self` is a `DigestItem::Other`.
+	pub fn as_other(&self) -> Option<&Vec<u8>> {
+		match *self {
+			DigestItem::Other(ref v) => Some(v),
+			_ => None,
+		}
+	}
+
+	/// Returns a 'referencing view' for this digest item.
+	fn dref<'a>(&'a self) -> DigestItemRef<'a, AuthorityId> {
+		match *self {
+			DigestItem::AuthoritiesChange(ref v) => DigestItemRef::AuthoritiesChange(v),
+			DigestItem::Other(ref v) => DigestItemRef::Other(v),
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+impl<AuthorityId: Member> traits::DigestItem for DigestItem<AuthorityId> {
+	type AuthorityId = AuthorityId;
+
+	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&[Self::AuthorityId]> {
+		match *self {
+			DigestItem::AuthoritiesChange(ref authorities) => Some(authorities),
+			_ => None,
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+impl<AuthorityId: Encode> Encode for DigestItem<AuthorityId> {
+	fn encode(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+		self.dref().encode()
+	}
+}
+
+impl<AuthorityId: Decode> Decode for DigestItem<AuthorityId> {
+	fn decode<I: Input>(input: &mut I) -> Option<Self> {
+		let item_type: DigestItemType = Decode::decode(input)?;
+		match item_type {
+			DigestItemType::AuthoritiesChange => Some(DigestItem::AuthoritiesChange(
+				Decode::decode(input)?,
+			)),
+			DigestItemType::Other => Some(DigestItem::Other(
+				Decode::decode(input)?,
+			)),
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+impl<'a, AuthorityId: Encode> Encode for DigestItemRef<'a, AuthorityId> {
+	fn encode(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+		let mut v = Vec::new();
+
+		match *self {
+			DigestItemRef::AuthoritiesChange(authorities) => {
+				DigestItemType::AuthoritiesChange.encode_to(&mut v);
+				authorities.encode_to(&mut v);
+			},
+			DigestItemRef::Other(val) => {
+				DigestItemType::Other.encode_to(&mut v);
+				val.encode_to(&mut v);
+			},
+		}
+
+		v
+	}
+}
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/header.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/header.rs
index fc4b3d0842223..8425a17bb7b26 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/header.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/header.rs
@@ -14,41 +14,15 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with Substrate.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-//! Generic implementation of a header and digest.
+//! Generic implementation of a block header.
 
 #[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use serde::{Deserialize, Deserializer};
 
-use rstd::prelude::*;
 use codec::{Decode, Encode, Codec, Input, Output};
 use traits::{self, Member, SimpleArithmetic, SimpleBitOps, MaybeDisplay,
 	Hash as HashT, DigestItem as DigestItemT};
-
-#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Encode, Decode)]
-#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize))]
-pub struct Digest<Item> {
-	pub logs: Vec<Item>,
-}
-
-impl<Item> Default for Digest<Item> {
-	fn default() -> Self {
-		Digest { logs: Vec::new(), }
-	}
-}
-
-impl<Item> traits::Digest for Digest<Item> where
-	Item: DigestItemT + Codec
-{
-	type Item = Item;
-
-	fn logs(&self) -> &[Self::Item] {
-		&self.logs
-	}
-
-	fn push(&mut self, item: Self::Item) {
-		self.logs.push(item);
-	}
-}
+use generic::Digest;
 
 /// Abstraction over a block header for a substrate chain.
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
@@ -112,7 +86,7 @@ impl<Number, Hash, DigestItem> Decode for Header<Number, Hash, DigestItem> where
 	Number: Decode,
 	Hash: HashT,
 	Hash::Output: Decode,
-	DigestItem: Decode,
+	DigestItem: DigestItemT + Decode,
 {
 	fn decode<I: Input>(input: &mut I) -> Option<Self> {
 		Some(Header {
@@ -129,7 +103,7 @@ impl<Number, Hash, DigestItem> Encode for Header<Number, Hash, DigestItem> where
 	Number: Encode,
 	Hash: HashT,
 	Hash::Output: Encode,
-	DigestItem: Encode,
+	DigestItem: DigestItemT + Encode,
 {
 	fn encode_to<T: Output>(&self, dest: &mut T) {
 		dest.push(&self.parent_hash);
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/mod.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/mod.rs
index fd56cb4015421..3bb7483d9b654 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/mod.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/mod.rs
@@ -20,10 +20,12 @@ mod unchecked_extrinsic;
 mod checked_extrinsic;
 mod header;
 mod block;
+mod digest;
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests;
 
 pub use self::unchecked_extrinsic::UncheckedExtrinsic;
 pub use self::checked_extrinsic::CheckedExtrinsic;
-pub use self::header::{Header, Digest};
+pub use self::header::Header;
 pub use self::block::{Block, SignedBlock, BlockId};
+pub use self::digest::{Digest, DigestItem, DigestItemRef};
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/tests.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/tests.rs
index bbe5d00ed36f8..6d22357d1902c 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/tests.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/generic/tests.rs
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@
 
 use codec::{Decode, Encode};
 use substrate_primitives::{H256, H512};
-use super::{Digest, Header, UncheckedExtrinsic};
+use super::{Digest, Header, DigestItem, UncheckedExtrinsic};
 
 type Block = super::Block<
-	Header<u64, ::traits::BlakeTwo256, Vec<u8>>,
+	Header<u64, ::traits::BlakeTwo256, DigestItem<u32>>,
 	UncheckedExtrinsic<H256, u64, u64, ::Ed25519Signature>,
 >;
 
@@ -33,7 +33,10 @@ fn block_roundtrip_serialization() {
 			number: 100_000,
 			state_root: [1u8; 32].into(),
 			extrinsics_root: [2u8; 32].into(),
-			digest: Digest { logs: vec![vec![1, 2, 3], vec![4, 5, 6]] },
+			digest: Digest { logs: vec![
+				DigestItem::Other::<u32>(vec![1, 2, 3]),
+				DigestItem::Other::<u32>(vec![4, 5, 6]),
+			] },
 		},
 		extrinsics: vec![
 			UncheckedExtrinsic::new_signed(
@@ -64,3 +67,39 @@ fn block_roundtrip_serialization() {
 		assert_eq!(block, decoded);
 	}
 }
+
+#[test]
+fn system_digest_item_encoding() {
+	let item = DigestItem::AuthoritiesChange::<u32>(vec![10, 20, 30]);
+	let encoded = item.encode();
+	assert_eq!(encoded, vec![
+		// type = DigestItemType::AuthoritiesChange
+		1,
+		// number of items in athorities set
+		3, 0, 0, 0,
+		// authorities
+		10, 0, 0, 0,
+		20, 0, 0, 0,
+		30, 0, 0, 0,
+	]);
+
+	let decoded: DigestItem<u32> = Decode::decode(&mut &encoded[..]).unwrap();
+	assert_eq!(item, decoded);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn non_system_digest_item_encoding() {
+	let item = DigestItem::Other::<u32>(vec![10, 20, 30]);
+	let encoded = item.encode();
+	assert_eq!(encoded, vec![
+		// type = DigestItemType::Other
+		0,
+		// length of other data
+		3, 0, 0, 0,
+		// authorities
+		10, 20, 30,
+	]);
+
+	let decoded: DigestItem<u32> = Decode::decode(&mut &encoded[..]).unwrap();
+	assert_eq!(item, decoded);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/lib.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/lib.rs
index fd0420dc603b8..e9bddc3286d87 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/lib.rs
@@ -242,3 +242,193 @@ macro_rules! impl_outer_config {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+/// Generates enum that contains all possible log entries for the runtime.
+/// Every individual module of the runtime that is mentioned, must
+/// expose a `Log` and `RawLog` enums.
+///
+/// Generated enum is binary-compatible with and could be interpreted
+/// as `generic::DigestItem`.
+///
+/// Requires `use runtime_primitives::generic;` to be used.
+///
+/// Runtime requirements:
+/// 1) binary representation of all supported 'system' log items should stay
+///    the same. Otherwise, the native code will be unable to read log items
+///    generated by previous runtime versions
+/// 2) the support of 'system' log items should never be dropped by runtime.
+///    Otherwise, native code will lost its ability to read items of this type
+///    even if they were generated by the versions which have supported these
+///    items.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! impl_outer_log {
+	(
+		$(#[$attr:meta])*
+		pub enum $name:ident ($internal:ident: DigestItem<$( $genarg:ty ),*>) for $trait:ident {
+			$( $module:ident($( $item:ident ),*) ),*
+		}
+	) => {
+		/// Wrapper for all possible log entries for the `$trait` runtime. Provides binary-compatible
+		/// `Encode`/`Decode` implementations with the corresponding `generic::DigestItem`.
+		#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+		#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize))]
+		$(#[$attr])*
+		#[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
+		pub struct $name($internal);
+
+		/// All possible log entries for the `$trait` runtime. `Encode`/`Decode` implementations
+		/// are auto-generated => it is not binary-compatible with `generic::DigestItem`.
+		#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Encode, Decode)]
+		#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize))]
+		$(#[$attr])*
+		#[allow(non_camel_case_types)]
+		enum $internal {
+			$(
+				$module($module::Log<$trait>),
+			)*
+		}
+
+		impl $name {
+			/// Try to convert `$name` into `generic::DigestItemRef`. Returns Some when
+			/// `self` is a 'system' log && it has been marked as 'system' in macro call.
+			/// Otherwise, None is returned.
+			#[allow(unreachable_patterns)]
+			fn dref<'a>(&'a self) -> Option<generic::DigestItemRef<'a, $($genarg),*>> {
+				match self.0 {
+					$($(
+					$internal::$module($module::RawLog::$item(ref v)) =>
+						Some(generic::DigestItemRef::$item(v)),
+					)*)*
+					_ => None,
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		impl From<generic::DigestItem<$($genarg),*>> for $name {
+			/// Converts `generic::DigestItem` into `$name`. If `generic::DigestItem` represents
+			/// a system item which is supported by the runtime, it is returned.
+			/// Otherwise we expect a `Other` log item. Trying to convert from anything other
+			/// will lead to panic in runtime, since the runtime does not supports this 'system'
+			/// log item.
+			#[allow(unreachable_patterns)]
+			fn from(gen: generic::DigestItem<$($genarg),*>) -> Self {
+				match gen {
+					$($(
+					generic::DigestItem::$item(value) =>
+						$name($internal::$module($module::RawLog::$item(value))),
+					)*)*
+					_ => gen.as_other()
+						.and_then(|value| Decode::decode(&mut &value[..]))
+						.map($name)
+						.expect("not allowed to fail in runtime"),
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		impl Decode for $name {
+			/// `generic::DigestItem` binray compatible decode.
+			fn decode<I: Input>(input: &mut I) -> Option<Self> {
+				let gen: generic::DigestItem<$($genarg),*> = Decode::decode(input)?;
+				Some($name::from(gen))
+			}
+		}
+
+		impl Encode for $name {
+			/// `generic::DigestItem` binray compatible encode.
+			fn encode(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+				match self.dref() {
+					Some(dref) => dref.encode(),
+					None => {
+						let gen: generic::DigestItem<$($genarg),*> = generic::DigestItem::Other(self.0.encode());
+						gen.encode()
+					},
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		$(
+			impl From<$module::Log<$trait>> for $name {
+				/// Converts single module log item into `$name`.
+				fn from(x: $module::Log<$trait>) -> Self {
+					$name(x.into())
+				}
+			}
+
+			impl From<$module::Log<$trait>> for $internal {
+				/// Converts single module log item into `$internal`.
+				fn from(x: $module::Log<$trait>) -> Self {
+					$internal::$module(x)
+				}
+			}
+		)*
+	};
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+	use codec::{Encode, Decode, Input};
+
+	pub trait RuntimeT {
+		type AuthorityId;
+	}
+	
+	pub struct Runtime;
+
+	impl RuntimeT for Runtime {
+		type AuthorityId = u64;
+	}
+
+	#[test]
+	fn impl_outer_log_works() {
+		mod a {
+			use super::RuntimeT;
+			pub type Log<R> = RawLog<<R as RuntimeT>::AuthorityId>;
+
+			#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Encode, Decode, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
+			pub enum RawLog<AuthorityId> { A1(AuthorityId), AuthoritiesChange(Vec<AuthorityId>), A3(AuthorityId) }
+		}
+
+		mod b {
+			use super::RuntimeT;
+			pub type Log<R> = RawLog<<R as RuntimeT>::AuthorityId>;
+
+			#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Encode, Decode, PartialEq, Eq, Clone)]
+			pub enum RawLog<AuthorityId> { B1(AuthorityId), B2(AuthorityId) }
+		}
+
+		use super::generic; // required before macro invocation
+
+		// TODO try to avoid redundant brackets: a(AuthoritiesChange), b
+		impl_outer_log! {
+			pub enum Log(InternalLog: DigestItem<u64>) for Runtime {
+				a(AuthoritiesChange), b()
+			}
+		}
+
+		// encode/decode regular item
+		let b1: Log = b::RawLog::B1::<u64>(777).into();
+		let encoded_b1 = b1.encode();
+		let decoded_b1: Log = Decode::decode(&mut &encoded_b1[..]).unwrap();
+		assert_eq!(b1, decoded_b1);
+
+		// encode/decode system item
+		let auth_change: Log = a::RawLog::AuthoritiesChange::<u64>(vec![100, 200, 300]).into();
+		let encoded_auth_change = auth_change.encode();
+		let decoded_auth_change: Log = Decode::decode(&mut &encoded_auth_change[..]).unwrap();
+		assert_eq!(auth_change, decoded_auth_change);
+
+		// interpret regular item using `generic::DigestItem`
+		let generic_b1: generic::DigestItem<u64> = Decode::decode(&mut &encoded_b1[..]).unwrap();
+		match generic_b1 {
+			generic::DigestItem::Other(_) => (),
+			_ => panic!("unexpected generic_b1: {:?}", generic_b1),
+		}
+
+		// interpret system item using `generic::DigestItem`
+		let generic_auth_change: generic::DigestItem<u64> = Decode::decode(&mut &encoded_auth_change[..]).unwrap();
+		match generic_auth_change {
+			generic::DigestItem::AuthoritiesChange(authorities) => assert_eq!(authorities, vec![100, 200, 300]),
+			_ => panic!("unexpected generic_auth_change: {:?}", generic_auth_change),
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/testing.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/testing.rs
index 3442bfedf4729..764828bfe5662 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/testing.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/testing.rs
@@ -41,8 +41,12 @@ impl traits::Digest for Digest {
 	}
 }
 
+impl traits::DigestItem for () {
+	type AuthorityId = ();
+}
+
 impl traits::DigestItem for u64 {
-	type AuthoritiesChange = ();
+	type AuthorityId = ();
 }
 
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Encode, Decode)]
diff --git a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/traits.rs b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/traits.rs
index 5ec2879ad490f..649f8ec2a305f 100644
--- a/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/traits.rs
+++ b/substrate/runtime/primitives/src/traits.rs
@@ -433,35 +433,10 @@ pub trait Digest: Member + Default {
 ///
 /// If the runtime does not supports some 'system' items, use `()` as a stub.
 pub trait DigestItem: Member {
-	/// Events of this type is raised by the runtime when set of authorities is changed.
-	/// Provides access to the new set of authorities.
-	type AuthoritiesChange: AuthoritiesChangeDigest; // TODO: = () when associated type defaults are stabilized
+	type AuthorityId;
 
  	/// Returns Some if the entry is the `AuthoritiesChange` entry.
-	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&Self::AuthoritiesChange> {
+	fn as_authorities_change(&self) -> Option<&[Self::AuthorityId]> {
 		None
 	}
 }
-
-/// Authorities change digest item. Created when the set of authorities is changed
-/// within the runtime.
-pub trait AuthoritiesChangeDigest {
-	/// Type of authority Id.
-	type AuthorityId: Member;
-
-	/// Get reference to the new authorities set.
-	fn authorities(&self) -> &[Self::AuthorityId];
-}
-
-/// Stub implementations for the digest item that is never created and used.
-///
-/// Should be used as a stub for items that are not supported by runtimes.
-impl DigestItem for () {
-	type AuthoritiesChange = ();
-}
-
-impl AuthoritiesChangeDigest for () {
-	type AuthorityId = ();
-
-	fn authorities(&self) -> &[Self::AuthorityId] { unreachable!("() is never created") }
-}
diff --git a/substrate/test-runtime/src/lib.rs b/substrate/test-runtime/src/lib.rs
index 0bf753a9443a4..4cf8c79353d99 100644
--- a/substrate/test-runtime/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/test-runtime/src/lib.rs
@@ -111,12 +111,14 @@ pub type Hash = H256;
 pub type BlockNumber = u64;
 /// Index of a transaction.
 pub type Index = u64;
+/// The item of a block digest.
+pub type DigestItem = runtime_primitives::generic::DigestItem<u64>;
 /// The digest of a block.
-pub type Digest = runtime_primitives::generic::Digest<()>;
+pub type Digest = runtime_primitives::generic::Digest<DigestItem>;
 /// A test block.
 pub type Block = runtime_primitives::generic::Block<Header, Extrinsic>;
 /// A test block's header.
-pub type Header = runtime_primitives::generic::Header<BlockNumber, BlakeTwo256, ()>;
+pub type Header = runtime_primitives::generic::Header<BlockNumber, BlakeTwo256, DigestItem>;
 
 /// Run whatever tests we have.
 pub fn run_tests(mut input: &[u8]) -> Vec<u8> {
diff --git a/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.compact.wasm b/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.compact.wasm
index cf8f84941149b..1ea084433d1a5 100644
Binary files a/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.compact.wasm and b/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.compact.wasm differ
diff --git a/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.wasm b/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.wasm
index 077f3a03879d3..ae7e0e7a50fbf 100755
Binary files a/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.wasm and b/substrate/test-runtime/wasm/target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/substrate_test_runtime.wasm differ