62022TJ0560_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 11 September 2024 –Fachverband Eisenhüttenschlacken v Commission
(Case T‑560/22) (
1
)
(EU fertilising products – Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 – Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/973 – Limit values for chromium and vanadium in EU fertilising products using ferrous slags as by-products – Criteria on agronomic efficiency and safety for the use of by-products in fertilising products – Precautionary principle – Legal certainty – Proportionality – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Acts of direct and individual concern to them – Direct concern – Criteria – Regulation laying down criteria on agronomic efficiency and safety for the use of by-products in EU fertilising products – Action brought by an undertaking marketing fertilisers consisting of, or containing, ferrous slag – Admissibility
(Commission Regulation 2019/1009, Arts 2(2) and (3)(a) and (c), 3(1) and 18)
(see paragraphs 28-35)
2.
Approximation of laws – Making available on the market of fertilising products – Laying down criteria on agronomic efficiency and safety for the use of by-products in fertilising products – Empowerment of the Commission to define the criteria concerning the use of a substance or object resulting from a production process in a fertilising product – Scope – Agronomic safety – Concept – Protection of human, animal and plant health, safety and the environment – Included – Regulation adopted by the Commission including consideration of health and the environment – Whether permissible
(Commission Regulation 2019/1009, Art. 42)
(see paragraphs 47, 50-62)
3.
Approximation of laws – Making available on the market of fertilising products – Adaption to scientific and technical progress – Laying down criteria on agronomic efficiency and safety for the use of by-products in fertilising products – Discretion of the Commission – Scope – Judicial review – Limits
(Commission Regulation 2019/1009, Art. 42(7))
(see paragraphs 81-86)
4.
Approximation of laws – Making available on the market of fertilising products – Laying down criteria on agronomic efficiency and safety for the use of by-products in fertilising products – Limit values for chromium and vanadium in EU fertilising products using ferrous slag as by-products – Commission’s margin of discretion – Prior assessment of risks to human health and the environment – Application of the precautionary principle – Scope
(Commission Regulation 2019/1009)
(see paragraphs 133-137, 172, 173, 183, 185, 196, 199, 202)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Fachverband Eisenhüttenschlacken eV to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 424, 7.11.2022.