New EU Fertilizer Regulation

08/01/2022

Fertilizers made from organic waste could replace 30 percent of mined fertilizers. Under the old rules, however, only conventional, non-organic fertilizers, usually extracted from mines or produced chemically, could be traded freely in the EU. Previously, innovative fertilizers made from organic material could only enter the internal market based on the principle of mutual recognition between member states, which is often difficult due to differing national regulations. These products were therefore at a competitive disadvantage, hindering innovation and investment in the circular economy.

The new EU regulation on fertilizers has now been in force since mid-July. It opens up the EU's internal market for organic and waste-based fertilizer products, sets common rules for labeling and introduces limits for toxic substances in fertilizers for the first time. The new rules are intended to reduce environmental and health risks and dependence on imports. Companies had three years to adapt their manufacturing processes and comply with the new rules. To support companies beyond that, the EU Commission issued a guide on fertilizer labeling in the EU. Based on extensive scientific research by the EU's Joint Research Centre, the new rules were also expanded to allow the marketing of additional fertilizers containing ingredients from recovered waste. Accompanying legislation has also been adopted for the safe use of by-products from other industries, such as the petrochemical or metals industries.

The new EU regulation

opens the EU internal market for organic and waste-based fertilizer products, such as. organic and organic-mineral fertilizers, soil improvers, inhibitors, plant biostimulants, growing media or mixtures;
establishes common rules for safety, quality and labeling requirements for fertilizer products;
introduces for the first time in fertilizers limits for toxic substances such as cadmium, mercury or arsenic. This ensures a high level of soil protection and reduces health and environmental risks, while allowing manufacturers to adapt their manufacturing processes to the new limits;
maintains optional harmonization: as fertilizers are sometimes manufactured locally, manufacturers remain free to choose whether to apply the new EU rules or continue to comply with the national rules of EU countries in order to place their products on the EU market. Companies that want to apply the national rules without affixing the CE marking can continue to sell their products in other EU countries under the mutual recognition principle.

https://www.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/apply-funding/call-proposals-2022/call-proposals-2022_en https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnrweuropa.de%2Findex.php%3Fid%3D2162%26mid%3D1348%26rid%3DP_625%26aC%3D981d771e%26jumpurl%3D3&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cc4c3f784c7a34d09276108da193afb6d%7C91d60b0f572843f186d8e497a20b56d7%7C0%7C0%7C637850038511806840%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=V%2FKSixbIM1fhmWHP5QiwWx37IbIVFHMfBtRt%2F3rlC%2Fk%3D&reserved=0

For more information on the new fertilizer regulation, see here .

Source: European Commission