EN    EN EN  
EN    EN  EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, xxx 
C(20..) yyy final 
  
Draft 
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No …/.. 
of […] 
amending Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
relating to fertilisers for the purposes of adap ting Annexes I and IV thereto to technical 
progress 
(Text with EEA relevance)  
EN 2   EN Draft 
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No …/.. 
of  
amending Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
relating to fertilisers for the purposes of adap ting Annexes I and IV thereto to technical 
progress 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, 
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council of 13 October 2003 re lating to fertilisers
1, and in particular Article 31(1) and (3) 
thereof, 
Whereas: (1) Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 pr ovides that a fertiliser belonging to a 
type of fertiliser lis ted in Annex I thereto and complyi ng with the conditions laid down 
in that Regulation may be designated 'EC fertiliser'. 
(2) Calcium formate (CAS 544-17-2) is a secondary nutrient fertiliser that is used as foliar 
fertiliser for fruit cultivation in one Memb er State. The substance is harmless for the 
environment and human health. Therefore to make it more easily available to farmers 
throughout the Union, calcium formate should be  recognised as an 'EC fertiliser' type. 
(3) Provisions on micro-nutrient chelates and micro-nutrient solutions should be adapted 
to allow the use of more th an one chelating agent, to introduce common values for the 
minimum content of water-soluble micro-nutri ent and to ensure that each chelating 
agent that chelates at least 1 % of the water-soluble micro-nutrient and that is 
identified and quantified by EN standards is  labelled. A sufficient transitional period is 
necessary in order to allow economic operators  to sell off their stocks of fertilisers. 
(4) Zinc oxide powder (CAS 1314-13-2) is a zinc fertiliser listed in Annex I to Regulation 
(EC) No 2003/2003. Zinc oxide in powder form  presents a potential dust hazard in 
use. The use of zinc oxide in the form of  a stable suspension in water avoids this 
hazard. Zinc fertiliser suspension should theref ore be recognised as an ‘EC fertiliser’ 
type to allow a safer use of zinc oxide. To allow flexibility within formulations, the 
use of zinc salts and one or more types of zinc chelate(s) should also be permitted in any such water-based suspensions. 
                                                
 
1 OJ L 304, 21.11.2003, p. 1.  
EN 3   EN (5) Article 23(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2003/ 2003 contains rules for the composition and 
labelling of mixed micro-nutrient fertilisers bu t such mixtures are not yet listed among 
the fertiliser types of Annex I.  Mixed micro-nutrient fertilis ers therefore cannot be sold 
as 'EC fertilisers'. Micro-nutrient fertilise r type designations should therefore be 
introduced in Annex I for so lid and fluid fertilisers. 
(6) Iminodisuccinic acid (hereinafter "IDHA") is a chelating agent whic h is authorised for 
use in two Member States as foliar sprays , for soil application, in hydroponics and in 
fertigation. IDHA should be added to the list of  authorised chelating agents in Annex I 
to make it more easily available to farmers throughout the Union. 
(7) Article 29(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 requires the control of 'EC fertilisers' 
in accordance with the methods of analysis that are descri bed therein. However, some 
methods have not been internationally r ecognised. EN standards have now been 
developed by the European Committee for Standardisation and should replace those 
methods. 
(8) Validated methods published as EN standa rds usually include a ring test (inter-
laboratory test) to check the reproducibility and repeatability  of the analytical methods 
between different laboratories. A distinct ion between validated EN Standards and non-
validated methods should therefore be made  to help to identify the EN Standards 
which have undergone an inter- laboratory test to correctly inform controllers about the 
statistical reliability of EN standards. 
(9) To simplify legislation and f acilitate future revision, it is appropriate to replace the full 
text of the standards in Annex IV to Regul ation (EC) No 2003/2003 with references to 
the EN standards to be published by th e European Committee for Standardisation. 
(10) Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 should th erefore be amended accordingly. 
(11) The measures provided for in this Regulati on are in accordance with the opinion of the 
Committee established by Article 32  of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Article 1 
Amendments  
1. Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is amended in accordance with Annex I to this 
Regulation. 
2. Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is amended in accordance with Annex II to 
this Regulation. 
Article 2 
Transitional provisions  
Points (a) to (e) of point (2) of  Annex I shall apply from [18 m onths after the entry into force 
of this Regulation – OJ please insert date] to fe rtilisers that are placed on the market before 
[date of entry into for ce of this Regulation].  
EN 4   EN Article 3 
Entry into force 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of  the European Union. 
This Regulation shall be binding in  its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels,  
 For the Commission 
 On behalf of the President  Antonio Tajani  Vice-President  
EN 5   EN ANNEX I  
Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is amended as follows:  
EN 6   EN (1) In Section D, the following en tries 2.1 and 2.2 are inserted: 
“ 
2.1 Calcium formate Chemically obtained 
product containing calcium 
formate as essential ingredient 33,6 % CaO 
Calcium expressed as water-soluble 
CaO 
56 % formate  Calcium oxide 
Formate 
2.2 Calcium formate fluid Product obtained by 
dissolution in water of calcium formate 21 % CaO 
Calcium expressed as water-soluble 
CaO 
35 % formate  Calcium oxide 
Formate 
” 
(2) Section E.1 is amended as follows: 
(a) In Section E.1.2, entries 2b and 2c  are replaced by the following: 
“ 
2b Cobalt chelate Water-soluble product 
containing cobalt chemically combined with authorised chelating agent(s) 5 % of water-soluble cobalt and at 
least 80 % of the water-soluble cobalt is chelated by authorised chelating agent(s) Name of each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble cobalt and that can be identified and 
quantified by a European 
standard Water-soluble cobalt (Co) 
Optional: Total cobalt (Co) 
chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Cobalt (Co) chelated by 
each authorised chelating  
EN 7   EN agent that chelates at least 
1 % water-soluble cobalt 
and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard 
2c Cobalt fertiliser solution Aqueous solution of types 2a 
and/or types 2b 2 % water-soluble cobalt The designation must include: 
1) the name(s) of the mineral 
anion(s) 
2) the name of any authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble cobalt if present and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble cobalt (Co) 
Optional: Total cobalt (Co) 
chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Cobalt (Co) chelated by 
each authorised chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble cobalt and that can be identified 
and quantified by a 
European standard 
” 
(b) In Section E.1.3, entries 3d and 3f  are replaced by the following: 
“ 
3d Copper chelate Water-soluble product 
containing copper chemically 
combined with authorised chelating agent(s) 5 % of water-soluble copper and at 
least 80 % of the water-soluble 
copper is chelated by authorised chelating agent(s) Name of each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble copper and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble copper (Cu) 
Optional: Total copper 
(Cu) chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Copper (Cu) chelated by 
each authorised chelating agent that chelates at least  
EN 8   EN 1 % water-soluble copper 
and that can be identified 
and quantified by a European standard 
3f Copper fertiliser 
solution Aqueous solution of types 3a 
and/or types 3d 2 % water-soluble copper The designation must include: 
1) the name(s) of the mineral 
anion(s) 
2) the name of any authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble copper 
if present and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble copper (Cu) 
Optional: Total copper 
(Cu) chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Copper (Cu) chelated by 
each authorised chelating 
agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble copper and that can be identified and quantified by a 
European standard 
” 
(c) In Section E.1.4, entries 4b and 4c  are replaced by the following: 
“ 
4b Iron chelate Water-soluble product 
containing iron chemically 
combined with authorised 
chelating agent(s) 5 % of water-soluble iron, of 
which the chelated fraction is at 
least 80 % and at least 50 % of the 
water-soluble iron is chelated by authorised chelating agent(s) Name of each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble iron and 
that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble iron (Fe) 
Optional: Total iron (Fe) 
chelated by authorised 
chelating agents 
Iron (Fe) chelated by each 
authorised chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble iron and that  
EN 9   EN can be identified and 
quantified by a European 
standard 
4c Iron fertiliser solution Aqueous solution of types 4a 
and/or types 4b 2 % of water soluble iron The designation must include: 
1) the name(s) of the mineral 
anion(s); 
2) the name of any authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble iron if 
present and that can be 
identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble iron (Fe) 
Optional: Total iron (Fe) 
chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Iron (Fe) chelated by each 
authorised chelating agent 
that chelates at least 1 % 
water-soluble iron and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard 
” 
(d) In Section E.1.5, entries 5b and 5e  are replaced by the following: 
“ 
5b Manganese chelate Water-soluble product 
containing manganese chemically combined with 
authorised chelating 
agent(s) 5 % of water-soluble manganese 
and at least 80 % of the water-soluble manganese is chelated by 
authorised chelating agent(s) Name of each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble 
manganese and that can be 
identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble manganese 
(Mn) 
Optional: Total manganese 
(Mn) chelated by 
authorised chelating agents 
Manganese (Mn) chelated 
by each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water- 
EN 10   EN soluble manganese and that 
can be identified and 
quantified by a European standard 
5e Manganese fertiliser 
solution Aqueous solution of types 
5a and/or types 5b 2 % water-soluble manganese The designation must include: 
1) the name(s) of the mineral 
anion(s) 
2) the name of any authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble 
manganese if present and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble manganese 
(Mn) 
Optional: Total manganese 
(Mn) chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Manganese (Mn) chelated 
by each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble manganese and that 
can be identified and 
quantified by a European standard 
” 
(e) In Section E.1.7, entries 7b and 7e  are replaced by the following: 
“ 
7b Zinc chelate Water-soluble product 
containing zinc chemically combined with authorised chelating agent(s) 5 % of water-soluble zinc and at 
least 80 % of the water-soluble zinc is chelated by authorised chelating agent(s) Name of each authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble zinc and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble zinc (Zn) 
Optional: Total zinc (Zn) 
chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Zinc (Zn) chelated by each 
authorised chelating agent  
EN 11   EN that chelates at least 1 % 
water-soluble zinc and that 
can be identified and quantified by a European standard 
7e Zinc fertiliser solution Aqueous solution of types 
7a and/or types 7b 2 % water-soluble zinc The designation must include: 
1) the name(s) of the mineral 
anion(s) 
2) the name of any authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble zinc if present and that can be identified and quantified by a European standard Water-soluble zinc (Zn) 
Optional: Total zinc (Zn) 
chelated by authorised chelating agents 
Zinc (Zn) chelated by each 
authorised chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble zinc and that can be identified and 
quantified by a European 
standard 
” 
(f) In Section E.1.7, the follow ing entry 7f is added: 
“ 
7f Zinc fertiliser suspension Product obtained by 
suspending type 7(a) and/or 
7(c) and/or types 7(b) in water 20 % total zinc The designation must include: 
1. the name(s) of the anions 
2. the name of any authorised 
chelating agent that chelates at 
least 1 % water-soluble zinc if 
present and that can be identified and quantified by a Total zinc (Zn) 
Water-soluble zinc (Zn) if 
present 
Zinc (Zn) chelated by each 
authorised chelating agent that chelates at least 1 % water-soluble zinc and that  
EN 12   EN European standard  can be identified and 
quantified by a European 
standard 
”  
EN 13   EN (3) Section E.2 is amended as follows: 
(a) The title of Section E.2 is replaced by the following:  
 “E.2.  Minimum micro-nutrient content, per centage weight of fertiliser; mixed 
micro-nutrient fertiliser types ” 
(b) The title of Section E.2.1. is  replaced by the following:  
 “E.2.1. Minimum micro-nutrient content in so lid or fluid mixtures of micro-
nutrient fertilisers, percen tage weight of fertiliser ”. 
(c) In Section E.2.1, the two sentences below the table are deleted.  
(d) The title of Section E.2.2. is  replaced by the following:  
 “E.2.2. Minimum micro-nutrient content in EC fertilisers containing primary 
and/or secondary nutrient(s) with micr o-nutrient(s) app lied to the soil, 
percentage weight of fertiliser ”. 
(e) The title of Section E.2.3. is  replaced by the following:  
 
“E.2.3. Minimum micro-nutrient content in EC fertilisers containing primary 
and/or secondary nutrient(s) with micro-nu trient(s) for leaf sprays, percentage 
weight of fertiliser ”. 
(f) The following Section E.2.4. is added:  
 “E.2.4. Solid or fluid mixtures of  micro-nutrient fertilisers  
No Type designation Data on method of 
production and 
essential ingredients Minimum total content of 
micro-nutrients (percentage by 
weight) 
Data on expression of nutrients 
Other requirements Other data on the type 
designation Nutrient content to be 
declared 
Forms and solubilities of 
the nutrients 
Other criteria 
1 2 3 4 5 6 
1 Mixture of 
micro-nutrients Product obtained by 
mixing two or more 
E.1 type fertilisers Total of micro-nutrients: 5 % by 
mass of the fertiliser 
Individual micro-nutrient 
according to Section E.2.1 The designation must 
include: 
1) the names of any 
mineral anions if present 
2) the name(s) of any 
authorised chelating agents if present Total content of each 
nutrient 
Water soluble content of 
each nutrient if present 
Micro-nutrient chelated 
by each authorised 
chelating agent(s) if present 
2 Fluid mixture of 
micro-nutrients Product obtained by 
dissolving and/or suspending two or 
more E.1 type 
fertilisers in water Total of micro-nutrients: 2 % by 
mass of the fertiliser 
Individual micro-nutrient 
according to Section E.2.1 The designation must 
include: 
1) the names of any 
mineral anions if 
present 
2) the name(s) of any 
authorised chelating Total content of each 
nutrient 
Water soluble content of 
each nutrient if present 
Micro-nutrient chelated 
by each authorised 
chelating agent(s), if 
present  
EN 14   EN agents if present 
” 
(4) In Section E.3.1, the following entry is added:  
 “Iminodisuccinic acid IDHA C
8H11O8N 131669-35-7”.  
EN 15   EN ANNEX II  
Section B of Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is amended as follows: 
(1) Method 2.6.2 is replaced by the following: 
“Method 2.6.2  
Determination of different forms of nitrogen in fertilisers containi ng nitrogen only as 
nitric, ammoniacal and urea ni trogen by two different methods 
EN 15750: Fertilizers and liming ma terials. Determination of di fferent forms of nitrogen in 
fertilisers containing nitrogen only as nitric, ammoniacal and urea nitrogen by two different 
methods 
This method of analysis has been ring-tested.” (2) The following method 2.6.3 is added: 
“Method 2.6.3  
Determination of urea condensates using HPLC – Isobutylenediurea and 
crotonylidenediurea (method A) and methylen-urea oligomers (method B) 
EN 15705: Fertilizers and liming materials. Determination of urea condensates using HPLC. 
Isobutylenediurea and crotonylidenediurea (meth od A) and methylen-urea oligomers (method 
B) 
This method of analysis has been ring-tested.” 
(3) The following title of method 5 is inserted: 
"Carbon dioxide "  
(4) The following method 5.1 is inserted: 
“Method 5.1  
Determination of carbon dioxide – Pa rt I: method for solid fertilisers 
EN 14397-1: Fertilizers and liming materials. De termination of carbon dioxide. Part I: method 
for solid fertilisers 
This method of analysis has been ring-tested.”  (5) Method 8.9 is replaced by the following: 
“Method 8.9  
Determination of the sulphates co ntent using three different methods  
EN 16   EN EN 15749: Fertilizers and liming materials. De termination of the sulphates content using 
three different methods 
This method of analysis has been ring-tested.”