Chemicals Omnibus: What the Proposed Changes Mean for the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR)

Chemicals Omnibus: What the Proposed Changes Mean for the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR)

The EU Chemicals Omnibus package introduces a number of targeted amendments to the EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, with the aim of reducing administrative burden, supporting innovation and accelerating market access for new products while maintaining high standards of safety and environmental protection.

A major theme of the proposals is digitalisation. Under the new proposals manufacturers, importers and distributors would be allowed to provide declarations of conformity and supporting technical documentation electronically. Companies would also be required to provide a digital contact on product documentation, making it easier for authorities and users to communicate with economic operators.

The Omnibus also seeks to improve access to the EU market for microbial plant biostimulants. The current process for approving new microorganisms has been criticised as slow and resource-intensive. Under the proposal, the Commission would establish assessment criteria and methodologies that would allow manufacturers and conformity assessment bodies to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of new microbial strains more efficiently, helping innovative products reach farmers faster. Another important change is the creation of a mechanism to assess new fertiliser materials that are not currently covered by existing Component Material Categories (CMCs). This is intended to support innovation and the circular economy by providing a clearer route for novel materials to be used in EU fertilising products.

The proposal also simplifies certain REACH-related registration requirements. Existing FPR provisions can require extensive registration data for substances used in fertilising products regardless of tonnage. The Omnibus aligns these requirements more closely with REACH tonnage thresholds, reducing costs for manufacturers while maintaining additional safeguards for substances with the most hazardous properties.

Overall, the proposed FPR amendments focus on digitalisation, innovation and regulatory simplification. By streamlining administrative requirements and creating more efficient routes for the approval of new materials and microorganisms, the Omnibus aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU fertiliser sector while maintaining high levels of protection for human health, agriculture and the environment.

If you need assistance with the registration of fertilising products in the EU, please do not hesitate to contact the experts at Kerona: info@kerona.ie