Fertiliser legislation
Circular Bioeconomy and Biogas in Europe
This policy summary from the European Biogas Association explains the role of biogas and its co-products in Europe’s circular bioeconomy. It describes how organic materials that were once considered waste — such as manure and food residues — can be converted into energy and nutrient resources through anaerobic digestion. The article highlights how aligning waste legislation and fertiliser rules can unlock the full potential of nutrient recycling and circular resource use in rural areas.
See full article here
Portugal paves the way: digestate no longer a waste – a turning point for EU biogas?
Portugal has officially reclassified digestate — the nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion, from “waste” to “by-product”, enabling it to be used as a fertiliser without the burdensome waste regulations.
This regulatory change unlocks environmental benefits (less synthetic fertiliser use, better soil health), economic opportunities (lower costs, stronger biogas sector) and improved circular-economy outcomes across the value chain.
The move sets a precedent for other EU countries, showing how policy clarity can boost biogas uptake and promote sustainable agriculture.
Read the full article here
Safe and effective fertilising products on the EU market
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 opens the European Union (EU) single market for fertilising products that previously had not been covered by harmonisation rules, such as organic and organo-mineral fertilisers, soil improvers, inhibitors, plant biostimulants and growing mediums.
- The regulation lays down common rules on safety, quality and labelling requirements for fertilising products.
- It introduces limits for contaminants for the first time. This guarantees a high level of soil protection and reduces health and environmental risks, while allowing producers to adapt their manufacturing process to comply with the new limits.
- It maintains optional harmonisation, as it does not prevent non-harmonised fertilising products from being made available on the internal market in accordance with national law and the general free-movement rules.
- As from 16 July 2022, Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 replaced and repealed Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003, which concerned, in particular, inorganic fertilisers.
Fertilizer products according to VO EU 2019/1009 and their conformity assessment
The new EU Fertilizer Products Regulation (FPR) has created a common legal framework for fertilizer products in the form of a “conformity assessment mechanism” that fundamentally changes product labeling requirements and the way fertilizers are CE marked. As of July 16, 2022, manufacturers, importers, agents and distributors can market CE-marked fertilizer products such as organic fertilizers, organic-inorganic fertilizers, growing media or biostimulants in the EU, provided they comply with the requirements of the new legislation. The conformity assessment procedure must be followed by manufacturers, whether they are based in an EU country or in a third country, if their products are made available on the market in the EU. The regulation provides four possible procedures for assessing the conformity of an EU fertilizer, each of which can be applied to specific products based on product function categories (PFCs) and material categories (CMCs). Three of the four conformity assessment procedures require the involvement of a designated certification body.
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Characteristics, limitations and global regulations in the use of biogas digestate as fertilizer: A comprehensive overview
Biogas digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, offers a valuable source of nutrients for sustainable agriculture but poses risks including nutrient overload, heavy metals, pathogens, antibiotics, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants. Current regulations, such as the EU limit of 170 kg N/ha/year, manage some risks, but controls for antibiotics, microplastics, and other chemicals remain limited. Expanding regulatory frameworks is recommended to ensure safe and sustainable use of digestate as fertilizer.
For a detailed overview of digestate characteristics, risks, and regulations, the full study can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177855
Understanding the future of bio-based fertilisers: The EU’s policy and implementation
Bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) offer the EU a way to reduce reliance on imported mineral fertilizers by recycling nutrient-rich by-products, but their implementation remains complex. This study reviews current policies and previous research to provide insights for policymakers. While the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) sets rules for raw materials and product functions, compliance can be challenging for farmers and SMEs, though regional use under national regulations is still possible. Greater policy support is needed to improve public acceptance, adoption by farmers, and availability at competitive prices. The study also identifies research opportunities to support the further development and uptake of BBFs.
Understanding-the-future-of-bio-based-fertilisers.pdfTechnical Guidance Water Reuse Risk Management for Agricultural Irrigation Schemes in Europe
The EU created new rules in 2020 to encourage reusing treated wastewater for farming, while keeping people and the environment safe. These rules set minimum water quality, monitoring, and safety requirements. Using international guidelines and EU laws, the Joint Research Centre developed technical guidance to help manage health and environmental risks in water reuse systems. Experts, national authorities, and stakeholders helped create these guidelines through workshops and consultations. Real case studies from different EU countries were also included to support the guidance.
Technical-Guidance.pdf