ECOFI welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a Chemicals Omnibus simplification package, which includes measures to boost the competitiveness of the European organic-based fertiliser sector. The proposal addresses two longstanding regulatory challenges that have hindered market access for organic-based fertilisers – delivering benefits for farmers without compromising safety.
🧪 Removing extended REACH requirements for substances used in EU fertilising products and restoring “standard” chemical safety registration requirements is a welcome simplification. This change preserves safety standards while easing compliance burdens, helping manufacturers bring high-quality, organic-based products to farmers. ECOFI has consistently called for this change to help unlock circular materials and improve market access for sustainable fertilising products.
📄 The Commission has responded to a core ECOFI and APEP recommendation by taking steps to ease the impact of new CLP formatting requirements that posed particular challenges for fertilising products. This development could help reduce packaging complexity and support multilingual labelling, especially for smaller pack sizes, while further clarification on scope and implementation continues to emerge.
However, ECOFI regrets that the proposal does not address two major barriers to circularity: the absence of a process for incorporating new materials into the FPR, and the ongoing exclusion of many safe animal by-products.
ECOFI will continue to advocate for an EU Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) that actively supports – rather than hinders – the Commission’s Circular Economy objectives.
ECOFI continues to advocate for a more dynamic, science-based approach to evaluating materials under the FPR, aligned with New Legislative Framework (NLF) principles and the Commission’s circular economy goals. Learn more in our recent proposal.
ECOFI’s Secretary General Jessica Fitch said of the proposal:
“It’s a positive step that the Commission acknowledges the need to amend the FPR. Removing extended REACH requirements is welcome, but bolder changes are still urgently needed to make the circular economy work – especially to unlock safe, revalorised materials and recycled nutrients for use in organic-based fertilisers. Too many innovative recycled fertilising products remain blocked from the EU market.”
ECOFI stands ready to work with the Commission and co-legislators to help build a more competitive, circular, and sustainable future for Europe.
