Fertilizer Regulation Revision: Stakeholder Feedback on Harmonization and Safety

The Biorefine Cluster Europe position paper revises the EU Fertilizer Regulation, integrating stakeholder input from EU projects, workshops, and expert consultations. It addresses legislative inconsistencies, especially on animal manure and waste status, and proposes a technical working group to resolve regulatory conflicts. Key recommendations include harmonised heavy metal limits (Cu, Zn, Cd), clearer product categories, and allowing up to 1.5% organic matter in inorganic fertilisers. The paper supports traceability of origin and process data, preserves national systems like Belgium’s FOD, and facilitates cross-border trade under French NFU norms. It draws on projects like ARBOR, BIORFINE, and INEMAD, and input from experts such as Gerard Velthof and Lars Stoumann Jensen. The focus is on evidence-based reform to support biobased fertilisers while ensuring environmental safety and market consistency.