The European Parliament, Council and Commission reached an agreement on a revised EU fertiliser products regulation at the end of 2018.
This regulation will replace an EU regulation dating back to 2003 and allow for CE marking of fertilisers.
The new rules will facilitate the trade of organic and waste-based fertilisers through the EU single market. It facilitates the use of recycled materials for producing fertilisers, helping to develop the circular economy, while reducing dependence on imported nutrients.
It also introduces limits for cadmium (heavy metal) and other contaminants.
Main objectives of the regulation
Facilitate nutrient recovery and reduce dependency on critical raw materials: it allows for the increased use of recycled materials for the production of fertilisers. Opening the single market for organic fertilisers: previously not included in an EU regulation.New and innovative fertilisers: for the first time, plant biostimulants will be included as fertilising products. These products stimulate plant nutrition processes to improve nutrient use efficiency and improving plants tolerance to abiotic stress. A category of “inhibitors” is included also. These products improve the nutrient release patterns of a product providing plants with nutrients.Protect health and the environment: requirement for REACH registration (where relevant) and limit values for a range of known contaminants. The regulation will provide common rules on safety, quality and labelling.Optional harmonisation: a manufacturer who does not wish to CE-mark the product can choose to put fertiliser on the market under national regulation.Regulation details
The regulation introduces limits for contaminants in fertilisers. A limit of 60mg/kg P2O5 (phosphorus pent-oxide) for cadmium in mineral fertiliser has been agreed. This will be reviewed four years after the date of application.
The regulation includes seven categories of fertiliser products that can be placed on the market, mineral, organic and organo-mineral products, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and fertilising product blends.
What will the changes mean for Irish farmers?
Irish farmers will be able to avail of new fertiliser formulations including plant biostimulants which can increase nutrient use efficiency. There will be a greater range of fertilisers available on the market allowing more choice for Irish farmers.Farmers purchasing CE-marked fertilisers can be assured that contaminants are limited to safe levels. A new conformity assessment system will ensure quality and consistency of products.More detail and information will be available to the user on the product label. There will be a list of all ingredients above 5% by product weight.Next steps
The regulation will come into force during the spring of 2019.
The regulation allows a period of three years for existing rules to apply.
This is to allow industry and member states time to make the relevant changes.
The regulation will set the framework for making fertilisers more sustainable, while also enabling new and innovative fertilisers access to an EU market.
The European Parliament, Council and Commission reached an agreement on a revised EU fertiliser products regulation at the end of 2018.
This regulation will replace an EU regulation dating back to 2003 and allow for CE marking of fertilisers.
The new rules will facilitate the trade of organic and waste-based fertilisers through the EU single market. It facilitates the use of recycled materials for producing fertilisers, helping to develop the circular economy, while reducing dependence on imported nutrients.
It also introduces limits for cadmium (heavy metal) and other contaminants.
Main objectives of the regulation
Facilitate nutrient recovery and reduce dependency on critical raw materials: it allows for the increased use of recycled materials for the production of fertilisers. Opening the single market for organic fertilisers: previously not included in an EU regulation.New and innovative fertilisers: for the first time, plant biostimulants will be included as fertilising products. These products stimulate plant nutrition processes to improve nutrient use efficiency and improving plants tolerance to abiotic stress. A category of “inhibitors” is included also. These products improve the nutrient release patterns of a product providing plants with nutrients.Protect health and the environment: requirement for REACH registration (where relevant) and limit values for a range of known contaminants. The regulation will provide common rules on safety, quality and labelling.Optional harmonisation: a manufacturer who does not wish to CE-mark the product can choose to put fertiliser on the market under national regulation.Regulation details
The regulation introduces limits for contaminants in fertilisers. A limit of 60mg/kg P2O5 (phosphorus pent-oxide) for cadmium in mineral fertiliser has been agreed. This will be reviewed four years after the date of application.
The regulation includes seven categories of fertiliser products that can be placed on the market, mineral, organic and organo-mineral products, liming materials, soil improvers, growing media, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and fertilising product blends.
What will the changes mean for Irish farmers?
Irish farmers will be able to avail of new fertiliser formulations including plant biostimulants which can increase nutrient use efficiency. There will be a greater range of fertilisers available on the market allowing more choice for Irish farmers.Farmers purchasing CE-marked fertilisers can be assured that contaminants are limited to safe levels. A new conformity assessment system will ensure quality and consistency of products.More detail and information will be available to the user on the product label. There will be a list of all ingredients above 5% by product weight.Next steps
The regulation will come into force during the spring of 2019.
The regulation allows a period of three years for existing rules to apply.
This is to allow industry and member states time to make the relevant changes.
The regulation will set the framework for making fertilisers more sustainable, while also enabling new and innovative fertilisers access to an EU market.
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