Interim Report published to expand CMC 7 list under the FPR
Interim Report published to expand CMC 7 list under the FPR
The European Commission (EC) is exploring updates to the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) (EU) 2019/1009, aiming to expand the list of microorganisms allowed in Component Material Category 7 (CMC 7). Currently, only four microorganisms (Azotobacter spp., Mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizobium spp., and Azospirillum spp.) are permitted, but innovation in microbial biostimulants is driving demand for more to be included. To assess new candidates, the EC has commissioned the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) to provide a technical study to support the inclusion of new materials and microorganisms under the FPR. Recently they published their 2nd interim report which can be downloaded via CIRCABC following on from the 1st Interim Report which was published in January 2025. The study is comprised of four main tasks:
- Creating an Evaluation Framework – AIT developed tools to assess safety, efficiency, and environmental impact.
- Market Screening – Identifying strains already in use or with strong commercial potential.
- Scientific Assessment – Reviewing data and literature to evaluate candidate strains.
- Regulatory Proposals – Drafting amendments to include new strains in the FPR.
Stakeholder workshops have helped refine the process, ensuring transparency and practicality. With strong data protection measures in place, the study could pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative regulatory framework, potentially opening the door for a wider range of microbial biostimulants to enter the EU market.
If you need advice or assistance with the regulation of fertilising products, plant protection products, biocides or chemicals in the EU and UK, please do not hesitate to contact the experts at Kerona info@kerona.ie