EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) – what it means for home gardeners

EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) -- what it means for gardeners

Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) – what it means for gardeners

The European Union has fundamentally transformed the rules for the production, marketing and use of fertilizers. Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, known as the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR), came into force in July 2022 and has since systematically reshaped the entire European fertilizer market. For the average gardener, this brings specific changes -- a new product offering, clearer labeling on packaging, and stricter safety guarantees.

In this article, we clearly explain what FPR brings, how it will affect your gardening practice, and what to watch out for when buying fertilizers. We have summarized everything essential in one place -- without the need to study hundreds of pages of legal text.

What is FPR and why was it created

The Fertilising Products Regulation replaces the old Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003, which applied exclusively to mineral fertilizers. The new regulation is significantly broader and covers practically all products intended for plant nutrition and soil care.

Main reasons for the new regulation

Market harmonization:
Previously, common EU rules applied only to mineral fertilizers. Organic fertilizers, substrates, biostimulant products and other products were regulated independently by each member state. This unnecessarily complicated cross-border trade and put manufacturers from different countries on unequal footing.

Circular economy:
FPR opens the door to the use of recycled materials as certified fertilizer raw materials. Compost, digestate, struvite from wastewater or ash from biomass -- all of this can serve as the basis for fertilizers with CE marking. The goal is to reduce the EU's dependence on imported raw materials, particularly phosphates.

Safety and environmental protection:
The new rules introduce strict limits for hazardous contaminants, particularly cadmium in phosphate fertilizers. Cadmium accumulates in soil, penetrates plants and enters the food chain -- its rigorous regulation is therefore essential for long-term food safety.

Innovation and biostimulant products:
For the first time at EU level, FPR recognizes and regulates biostimulant products -- products that do not directly supply nutrients to plants but activate their natural nutrient uptake and stress resistance processes. This is an area with dynamic research and growing market potential.

Categories of fertilizer products under FPR

FPR defines seven product function categories (PFC) into which all fertilizer products must be classified.

PFC 1: Fertilizers

Traditional fertilizers that provide nutrient supply to plants. They are divided into three groups:

• Organic fertilizers: nutrients come from organic materials (compost, manure, bone meal, fish meal)
• Organo-mineral fertilizers: a combination of organic and mineral nutrient sources in a single product
• Mineral fertilizers: inorganic nutrient compounds (NPK fertilizers, saltpetre, superphosphate, ammonium sulfate)

For gardeners, it is practically important that new fertilizer labels must clearly state the product category, the guaranteed content of individual nutrients, and the maximum recommended dosage.

PFC 2: Calcium and magnesium fertilizers

Products for regulating soil reaction (pH). They include garden lime, dolomitic limestone and other materials intended for neutralizing acidic soils.

PFC 3: Soil conditioners

Products that improve the physical, chemical or biological properties of soil:
- Compost and vermicompost
- Peat (with increasing restrictions due to peatland protection)
- Perlite, vermiculite, zeolite
- Biochar

PFC 4: Growing media

Materials serving as a growing medium for plant growth. This category is particularly important for indoor growers, horticulture and hydroponic cultivation.

PFC 5: Inhibitors

Products specifically slowing down certain soil processes:
- Nitrification inhibitors: slow the conversion of ammonia to nitrates, thereby reducing nitrogen losses through leaching
- Denitrification inhibitors: limit the escape of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas
- Urease inhibitors: slow down urea hydrolysis and reduce nitrogen losses in the form of ammonia

PFC 6: Plant biostimulant products

An entirely new category at EU level. Biostimulant products demonstrably improve:
- Nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency
- Resistance to abiotic stress (drought, frost, salinity, overheating)
- Crop yields and quality

Typical examples: humic and fulvic acids, seaweed extracts, mycorrhizal fungi, probiotic bacteria supporting phosphorus and nitrogen uptake.

PFC 7: Mixtures of fertilizer products

A combination of products from the various categories listed above in a single package.

Contaminant limits -- cadmium and others

One of the most debated aspects of FPR is the limit for heavy metals in fertilizers, particularly cadmium in phosphate products.

Current cadmium limits

FPR sets a limit of 60 mg of cadmium per kilogram of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) for mineral phosphate fertilizers. Compared to the previous situation, where many member states had no national limit at all, this is a significant step towards soil protection and consumer health.

The European Commission is continuously assessing the possibility of further tightening -- first to 40 mg/kg, then to 20 mg/kg P2O5. This step will have a direct impact on the price of phosphate fertilizers, as the vast majority of the world's phosphate reserves naturally contain higher concentrations of cadmium.

Overview of other regulated contaminants

Contaminant	Type of fertilizer
Chromium VI	Mineral and organic fertilizers
Lead	All categories
Mercury	All categories
Nickel	All categories
Arsenic	All categories
Copper	Organic fertilizers
Zinc	Organic fertilizers
Biuret	Urea fertilizers
Salmonella, E. coli	Organic fertilizers from animal sources

What this means for gardeners in practice

When buying fertilizers, it's good to know:

• Products marked with CE comply with contaminant limits set by FPR -- this is a reliable guarantee of quality
• Fertilizers without CE marking are subject to Czech national legislation (Act No. 156/1998 Coll. on fertilizers)
• Organic fertilizers, such as compost or vermicompost, have different limits than mineral products
• Do not buy unlabeled products of unknown origin -- neither the nutrient content nor the safety can be verified

The role of ÚKZÚZ in the Czech Republic

The Central Control and Testing Institute for Agriculture (ÚKZÚZ) is the main state body supervising the fertilizer market in the Czech Republic.

ÚKZÚZ competencies

• Fertilizer registration: products placed on the Czech market outside the CE system must be registered with ÚKZÚZ
• Market surveillance: inspectors regularly take samples and verify product compliance with declared parameters
• Application records: the obligation to keep records of fertilization applies to agricultural entrepreneurs, not hobby gardeners
• Advice and soil analysis: ÚKZÚZ provides information on proper plant nutrition and recommends soil analysis as the basis for targeted fertilization

Dual system -- CE versus national registration

Currently, two parallel systems operate legally in the Czech Republic:

1. CE marked products: comply with FPR, can be freely sold throughout the EU without further approval
2. Nationally registered products: comply with Czech legislation, registered with ÚKZÚZ

Both systems are fully legal. Over the next few years, it is expected that most manufacturers will switch to the CE system, as it opens access to the entire European market without administrative obstacles.

Practical impacts for hobby gardeners

If you grow exclusively for your own needs, no bureaucratic obligations await you. FPR primarily applies to fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, not end users. Nevertheless, you will feel several changes directly when shopping and growing.

Changes in fertilizer offerings

• New products on the market: harmonization allows easier import of biostimulant products and organic fertilizers from across the EU
• More understandable labels: standardized marking states the exact nutrient content, dosage and product category
• Recycled raw materials: more fertilizers made from struvite, ash or digestate from biogas plants are appearing on the market
• Peat withdrawal: substrates gradually replace peat with alternative materials -- coconut fibers, compost and biochar

What to watch out for when buying

• Choose fertilizers with CE marking or ÚKZÚZ registration -- you can be sure of composition and safety
• Read labels carefully: new marking clearly states nutrient content, recommended dosage and method of application
• Do not buy unlabeled products without a clearly stated manufacturer

What to watch out for when applying

• Follow recommended dosages -- overdosing with fertilizer damages plants and soil microbiota
• Observe protective distances from water sources (minimum 3 m from a well, 5 m from a natural water course)
• Apply organic fertilizers during the growing season, dose mineral fertilizers according to current plant needs and soil analysis results
• Store fertilizers in closed packaging, in a dry place, away from children and animals

Safety data sheets

Every CE certified fertilizer product must have an accessible safety data sheet. It contains information about composition, instructions for safe handling, first aid in case of accident and environmental risks. As a consumer, you have the right to request it from the seller at any time.

Future developments -- what to expect

FPR is not a static document. The European Commission continuously updates it based on scientific findings and technological development.

Tightening of cadmium limits

A gradual reduction of the cadmium limit in phosphate fertilizers is likely. In the short term, this will lead to higher prices for some mineral fertilizers, in the long term to cleaner soil and safer food.

Restrictions on peat extraction and use

In accordance with EU climate commitments, a gradual phase-out of peat in growing substrates is expected. Alternatives -- coconut fibers, compost, biochar and wood fibers -- will play an increasingly important role in substrate offerings for gardeners and professional growers alike.

Digital product passport

The European Commission is preparing the introduction of a digital product passport for fertilizers. It would contain all product information in electronic form -- from composition and raw material origin to instructions for safe waste disposal.

Expansion of circular economy

The category of permitted raw materials (Component Material Categories, CMC) will be expanded continuously. The goal is to enable certified fertilizer production from the widest possible range of recycled and by-product materials.

Find a complete selection of fertilizers meeting current legislation on Pestik.cz.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to keep fertilization records as a gardener?
No. The obligation to keep records on fertilizer use applies exclusively to agricultural entrepreneurs, not hobby gardeners growing for their own consumption. Nevertheless, it's worthwhile to keep simple notes -- when, what and at what dosage you fertilized. This will help you compare results between seasons and optimize plant nutrition.

Are organic fertilizers from stores safer than regular mineral fertilizers?
Both categories must meet strict safety requirements set by FPR or national legislation. The "organic" label does not automatically mean a safer product -- it means the product is suitable for use in organic farming. What is essential is to always follow the dosage and conditions of use specified on the label, regardless of the type of fertilizer.

What does CE marking on fertilizer mean?
CE marking on a fertilizer product means that the manufacturer declares the product's compliance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 (FPR). The product has undergone testing in an accredited laboratory, complies with contaminant limits and its label complies with the requirements of the regulation. CE marked products can be sold in any EU member state without further approval.

Can I make my own fertilizer from compost?
Yes, without any restrictions. Home composting and fertilizer production for own use are not affected by FPR in any way -- the regulation applies to the production and sale of fertilizer products on the market. However, if you wanted to sell compost or distribute it for free to third parties in larger quantities, you would need to meet legal requirements for product composition and safety.