2003R2003 — EN — 18.11.2009 — 006.001

This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents

►B REGULATION (EC) No 2003/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 October 2003 relating to fertilisers (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 304, 21.11.2003, p.1)

Amended by:









▼B

REGULATION (EC) No 2003/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 13 October 2003

relating to fertilisers

(Text with EEA relevance)







THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ( 1 ), Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee ( 2 ), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty ( 3 ), Whereas: (1) Council Directive 76/116/EEC of 18 December 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to fertilisers ( 4 ), Council Directive 80/876/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to straight ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content ( 5 ), Commission Directive 87/94/EEC of 8 December 1986 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to procedures for the control of characteristics of, limits for and resistance to detonation of straight ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content ( 6 ), and Commission Directive 77/535/EEC of 22 June 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to methods of sampling and analysis for fertilisers ( 7 ), have been substantially amended several times. In accordance with the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council ‘Simpler legislation for the internal market’ (SLIM) and the Action Plan for the Single Market those Directives should be repealed and replaced by a single legal instrument, in the interests of clarity. (2) The Community legislation on fertilisers is very technical in its content. A Regulation is therefore the most appropriate legal instrument, as it imposes directly on manufacturers precise requirements to be applied at the same time and in the same manner throughout the Community. (3) In each Member State fertilisers must display certain technical characteristics laid down by mandatory provisions. These provisions, concerning more particularly the composition and definition types of fertilisers, the designations of these types, their identification and their packaging, differ from one Member State to another. By their disparity they hinder trade within the Community and should therefore be harmonised. (4) Since the objective of the proposed action, namely to ensure the internal market in fertilisers, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States if there are no common technical criteria and can therefore, by reason of the scale of the action, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve this objective. (5) It is necessary to determine at Community level the designation, definition and composition of certain fertilisers (EC fertilisers). (6) Community rules on the identification, traceability and labelling of EC fertilisers and on the closure of the packages should also be laid down. (7) A procedure should be established at Community level to be followed in cases where a Member State deems it necessary to restrict the placing on the market of EC fertilisers. (8) The production of fertilisers is subject to varying degrees of fluctuation due to manufacturing techniques or basic materials. Sampling and analytical procedures may also contain variations. It is therefore necessary to authorise tolerances on the declared nutrient contents. In the interest of the agricultural user, it is advisable to keep these tolerances within narrow limits. (9) Official controls on the compliance of EC fertilisers with requirements of this Regulation concerning quality and composition should be carried out by laboratories that are approved by the Member States and notified to the Commission. (10) Ammonium nitrate is the essential ingredient of a variety of products, some of which are intended for use as fertilisers and others as explosives. It is necessary, having regard to the particular nature of ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content and to the consequent requirements regarding public safety, health and protection of workers, to lay down additional Community rules for EC fertilisers of this type. (11) Certain of those products could be hazardous and could in certain instances be used for purposes other than those for which they were intended. This could well endanger the security of persons and property. Manufacturers should therefore be obliged to take appropriate steps to avoid such use, and in particular to ensure the traceability of such fertilisers. (12) In the interest of public safety, it is particularly important to determine at Community level the characteristics and properties distinguishing ammonium nitrate EC fertilisers of high nitrogen content from varieties of ammonium nitrate used in the manufacture of products used as explosives. (13) Ammonium nitrate EC fertilisers of high nitrogen content should conform to certain characteristics to ensure that they are harmless. Manufacturers should ensure that all high nitrogen content ammonium nitrate fertilisers have passed a test of resistance to detonation before those fertilisers are placed on the market. (14) It is necessary to establish rules on the methods of the closed thermal cycles even if these methods may not necessarily simulate all conditions arising during transport and storage. (15) Fertilisers can be contaminated by substances that can potentially pose a risk to human and animal health and the environment. Further to the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE), the Commission intends to address the issue of unintentional cadmium content in mineral fertilisers and will, where appropriate, draw up a proposal for a Regulation, which it intends to present to the European Parliament and the Council. Where appropriate, a similar review will be undertaken for other contaminants. (16) It is appropriate to establish a procedure, to be observed by any manufacturer or its representative that wishes to include a new type of fertiliser in Annex I in order to use the marking ‘EC fertiliser’. (17) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission ( 8 ). (18) Member States should lay down penalties in respect of infringements of the provisions of this Regulation. They may provide that a manufacturer which infringes Article 27 can be fined an amount equivalent to ten times the market value of the shipment that fails to comply. (19) Directives 76/116/EEC, 77/535/EEC, 80/876/EEC and 87/94/EEC should be repealed, Whereas: HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:







TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS







CHAPTER I

Scope and definitions

Article 1

Scope

This Regulation shall apply to products which are placed on the market as fertilisers designated ‘EC fertiliser’.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:

(a) ‘Fertiliser’ means material, the main function of which is to provide nutrients for plants.

(b) ‘Primary nutrient’ means the elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium only.

(c) ‘Secondary nutrient’ means the elements calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur.

(d) ‘Micro-nutrients’ means the elements boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc, essential for plant growth in quantities that are small compared with those of primary and secondary nutrients.

(e) ‘Inorganic fertiliser’ means a fertiliser in which the declared nutrients are in the form of minerals obtained by extraction or by physical and/or chemical industrial processes. Calcium cyanamide, urea and its condensation and association products, and fertilisers containing chelated or complexed micro-nutrients may, by convention, be classed as inorganic fertilisers.

(f) ‘Chelated micro-nutrient’ means a micro-nutrient that is held by one of the organic molecules listed in section E.3.1 of Annex I.

(g) ‘Complexed micro-nutrient’ means a micro-nutrient that is held by one of the molecules listed in section E.3.2 of Annex I.

(h) ‘Type of fertilisers’ means fertilisers with a common type designation as indicated in Annex I.

(i) ‘Straight fertiliser’ means a nitrogenous, phosphatic or potassic fertiliser having a declarable content of only one of the primary nutrients.

(j) ‘Compound fertiliser’ means a fertiliser having a declarable content of at least two of the primary nutrients and obtained chemically or by blending or by a combination of both.

(k) ‘Complex fertiliser’ means a compound fertiliser, obtained by chemical reaction, by solution, or in its solid state by granulation, having a declarable content of at least two of the primary nutrients. In its solid state each granule contains all the nutrients in their declared composition.

(l) ‘Blended fertiliser’ means a fertiliser obtained by dry mixing of several fertilisers, with no chemical reaction.

(m) ‘Foliar fertiliser’ means a fertiliser suitable for application to and nutrient uptake by the foliage of a crop.

(n) ‘Fluid fertiliser’ means a fertiliser in suspension or solution.

(o) ‘Solution fertiliser’ means a fluid fertiliser that is free of solid particles.

(p) ‘Suspension fertiliser’ means a two-phase fertiliser in which solid particles are maintained in suspension in the liquid phase.

(q) ‘Declaration’ means a statement of the amount of nutrients, including their forms and solubility, guaranteed within specified tolerances.

(r) ‘Declared content’ means the content of an element, or its oxide, which, in accordance with Community legislation, is given on a label of an EC fertiliser or on the relevant accompanying document.

(s) ‘Tolerance’ means the permitted deviation of the measured value of a nutrient content from its declared value.

(t) ‘European Standard’ means CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) standards, which have been officially recognised by the Community and whose reference has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

(u) ‘Package’ means a sealable receptacle used to hold, protect, handle, and distribute fertilisers and holding not more than 1 000 kg.

(v) ‘Bulk’ means a fertiliser not packaged as prescribed by this Regulation.

(w) ‘Placing on the market’ means the supply of fertiliser, whether in return for payment or free of charge, or storage for the purpose of supply. Importation of a fertiliser into the customs territory of the European Community shall be deemed to constitute placing on the market.

(x) ‘Manufacturer’ means the natural or legal person responsible for placing a fertiliser on the market; in particular a producer, an importer, a packager working for its own account, or any person changing the characteristics of a fertiliser, shall be deemed to be a manufacturer. However, a distributor who does not change the characteristics of the fertiliser shall not be deemed to be a manufacturer.







CHAPTER II

Placing on the market

Article 3

EC Fertiliser

A fertiliser belonging to a type of fertilisers listed in Annex I and complying with the conditions laid down in this Regulation, may be designated ‘EC fertiliser’.

The designation ‘EC fertiliser’ shall not be used for a fertiliser which does not comply with this Regulation.

Article 4

Establishment within the Community

The manufacturer shall be established within the Community and shall be responsible for the conformity of the ‘EC fertiliser’ with the provisions of this Regulation.

Article 5

Free circulation

1. Without prejudice to Article 15 and other Community legislation, Member States shall not, on grounds of composition, identification, labelling or packaging, and other provisions contained in this Regulation, prohibit, restrict or hinder the placing on the market of fertilisers marked ‘EC fertiliser’ which comply with the provisions of this Regulation.

2. Fertilisers that are marked ‘EC fertiliser’ in accordance with this Regulation shall circulate freely within the Community.

Article 6

Compulsory statements

1. In order to satisfy the requirements of Article 9, Member States may prescribe that the indication of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of fertilisers placed on their market is to be expressed in the following way:

(a) nitrogen solely in the elemental form (N); and either

(b) phosphorus and potassium solely in the elemental form (P, K); or

(c) phosphorus and potassium solely in the oxide form (P2O5, K2O); or

(d) phosphorus and potassium in both elemental and oxide forms simultaneously.

Where the option is chosen to prescribe that the phosphorus and potassium contents be expressed in the form of elements, all references in the Annexes to the oxide form shall be read as being in elemental form and the numerical values shall be converted using the following factors:

(a) phosphorus (P) = phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) × 0,436;

(b) potassium (K) = potassium oxide (K2O) × 0,830.

2. Member States may prescribe that the calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur contents of secondary nutrient fertilisers and, where the conditions of Article 17 are fulfilled, of primary nutrient fertilisers placed on their markets are to be expressed:

(a) in the oxide form (CaO, MgO, Na2O, SO3); or

(b) in the elemental form (Ca, Mg, Na, S); or

(c) in both of these forms.

To convert the calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium oxide and sulphur trioxide contents into calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur contents, the following factors shall be used:

(a) calcium (Ca) = calcium oxide (CaO) × 0,715;

(b) magnesium (Mg) = magnesium oxide (MgO) × 0,603;

(c) sodium (Na) = sodium oxide (Na2O) × 0,742;

(d) sulphur (S) = sulphur trioxide (SO3) × 0,400.

For the calculated oxide or elemental content, the figure declared shall be rounded to the nearest decimal place.

3. Member States shall not prevent the placing on the market of an ‘EC fertiliser’ labelled in both of the forms mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2.

4. The content of one or more of the micro-nutrients boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, or zinc in the EC fertilisers belonging to the types of fertilisers listed in sections A, B, C and D of Annex I shall be declared where the following conditions are fulfilled:

(a) the micro-nutrients are added at least in the minimum quantities specified in section E.2.2 and E.2.3 of Annex I;

(b) the EC fertiliser continues to satisfy the requirements of sections A, B, C and D of Annex I.

5. Where the micro-nutrients are the normal ingredients of the raw materials intended to supply primary (N, P, K) and secondary (Ca, Mg, Na, S) nutrients, they may be declared, provided that these micro-nutrients are present at least in the minimum quantities specified in sections E.2.2 and E.2.3 of Annex I.

6. The micro-nutrient content shall be declared in the following manner:

(a) for fertilisers belonging to the types of fertilisers listed in section E.1 of Annex I, in accordance with the requirements set out in column 6 of that section;

(b) for mixtures of fertilisers referred to in (a) containing at least two different micro-nutrients and meeting the requirements of section E.2.1 of Annex I and for fertilisers belonging to the types of fertilisers listed in sections A, B, C and D of Annex I, by indicating: (i) the total content, expressed as a percentage of the fertiliser by mass, (ii) the water-soluble content, expressed as a percentage of the fertiliser by mass, where the soluble content is at least half of the total content.

Where a micro-nutrient is totally water-soluble, only the water-soluble content shall be declared.

Where a micro-nutrient is chemically linked with an organic molecule, the content of the micro-nutrient present in the fertiliser shall be declared immediately following the water-soluble content as a percentage by mass of the product, followed by one of the terms ‘chelated by’, or ‘complexed by’, with the name of the organic molecule as set out in section E.3 of Annex I. The name of the organic molecule may be replaced by its initials.

Article 7

Identification

1. The manufacturer shall provide EC fertilisers with the identification markings listed in Article 9.

2. If the fertilisers are packed, these identification markings shall appear on the packages or labels attached. If the fertilisers are in bulk, these markings shall appear on the accompanying documents.

Article 8

Traceability

Without prejudice to Article 26(3), the manufacturer shall, to ensure traceability of EC fertilisers, maintain records of the origin of the fertilisers. These records shall be available for inspection by Member States for as long as the fertiliser is being supplied to the market, and for a further period of 2 years after the manufacturer stopped supplying it.

Article 9

Markings

1. Without prejudice to other Community rules, the packages, labels and accompanying documents, referred to in Article 7 shall bear the following markings:

(a) Compulsory identification — The words ‘EC FERTILISER’ in capital letters; — Where it exists, the designation of the type of fertiliser as set out in Annex 1; — For blended fertilisers, the marking ‘blend’ after the designation of the type; — The additional markings specified in Article 19, 21 or 23; — Nutrients shall be indicated both in words and by the appropriate chemical symbols, e.g. nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), potassium (K), potassium oxide (K2O), calcium (Ca), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium (Mg), magnesium oxide (MgO), sodium (Na), sodium oxide (Na2O), sulphur (S), sulphur trioxide (SO3), boron (B), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn); — If the fertiliser contains micro-nutrients of which all or part are chemically linked with an organic molecule, the name of the micro-nutrient shall be followed by one of the following qualifiers: — (i) ‘chelated by …’ (name of chelating agent or its abbreviation as set out in section E.3.1 of Annex I); (ii) ‘complexed by …’ (name of complexing agent as set out in section E.3.2 of Annex I); — Micro-nutrients contained in the fertiliser, listed in the alphabetical order of their chemical symbols: B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn; — For products listed in sections E.1 and E.2 of Annex I, the specific directions for use; — Quantities of fluid fertilisers, expressed by mass. The expression of quantities of fluid fertilisers by volume or in terms of mass versus volume (kilograms per hectolitre or grams per litre) shall be optional; — Net or gross mass and, optionally, volume for fluid fertilisers. If the gross mass is given, the tare mass must be indicated beside it; — The name or trade name and the address of the manufacturer.

(b) Optional identification — As listed in Annex I; — The directions for the storage and handling, and for fertilisers not listed in Annex I, sections E.1 and E.2, the specific directions for the use of the fertiliser; — Indications of the dose rates and conditions of use suitable for the soil and crop conditions under which the fertiliser is used; — The mark of the manufacturer and the trade description of the product.

The indications referred to in (b) must not conflict with those referred to in (a) and must be clearly separated from them.

2. All the markings referred to in paragraph 1 must be clearly separated from any other information on the packages, labels and accompanying documents.

3. Fluid fertilisers may be placed on the market only if the manufacturer provides suitable additional instructions covering, in particular, storage temperature and prevention of accidents during storage.

4. Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted under the procedure referred to in Article 32(2).

Article 10

Labelling

1. The labels or markings printed on the package and giving the particulars mentioned under Article 9 must be placed in a conspicuous position. Labels must be attached to the package or to whatever system is used for closing it. If this system consists of a seal, that seal must bear the name or mark of the packager.

2. The markings referred to in paragraph 1 must be and must remain indelible and clearly legible.

3. In the cases of fertilisers in bulk referred to in the second sentence of Article 7(2) a copy of the documents containing the identification markings must accompany the goods and be accessible for inspection purposes.

Article 11

Languages

The label, the markings on the package and the accompanying documents must appear in at least the national language or languages of the Member State in which the EC fertiliser is marketed.

Article 12

Packaging

In the case of packaged EC fertilisers, the package must be closed in such a way or by such a device that, when it is opened, the fastening, fastening seal or the package itself is irreparably damaged. Valve sacks may be used.

Article 13

Tolerances

1. The nutrient content of EC fertilisers shall comply with the tolerances established in Annex II, which are intended to allow for deviations in manufacture, sampling and analysis.

2. The manufacturer shall not take systematic advantage of the tolerances given in Annex II.

3. No tolerances are allowed in respect of the minimum and maximum contents specified in Annex I.

Article 14

Fertiliser requirements

A type of fertiliser may only be included in Annex I if:

(a) it provides nutrients in an effective manner;

(b) relevant sampling, analysis, and if required, test methods are being provided;

(c) under normal conditions of use it does not adversely affect human, animal, or plant health, or the environment.

Article 15

Safeguard clause

1. Where a Member State has justifiable grounds for believing that a specific EC fertiliser, although satisfying the requirements of this Regulation, constitutes a risk to safety or health of humans, animals or plants or a risk to the environment, it may temporarily prohibit the placing on the market of that fertiliser in its territory or make it subject to special conditions. It shall immediately inform the other Member States and the Commission thereof, giving the reasons for its decision.

2. The Commission shall adopt a decision on the matter within 90 days from the receipt of the information in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 32(2).

3. The provisions of this Regulation shall not preclude the taking of measures by the Commission or by a Member State which are justified on grounds of public security to prohibit, restrict or hinder the placing on the market of EC fertilisers.







TITLE II

PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF FERTILISERS







CHAPTER I

Inorganic primary nutrient fertilisers

Article 16

Scope

This chapter shall apply to inorganic primary nutrient fertilisers, solid or fluid, straight or compound, including those containing secondary nutrients and/or micro-nutrients, with the minimum nutrient content established in sections A, B, C, E.2.2 or E.2.3 of Annex I.

Article 17

Declaration of secondary nutrients in primary nutrient fertilisers

Calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur content may be declared as secondary nutrient content of EC fertilisers belonging to the types of fertiliser listed in sections A, B and C of Annex I, provided that these elements are present in at least the following minimum quantities:

(a) 2 % calcium oxide (CaO), i.e. 1,4 % Ca;

(b) 2 % of magnesium oxide (MgO), i.e. 1,2 % Mg;

(c) 3 % of sodium oxide (Na2O), i.e. 2,2 % Na;

(d) 5 % of sulphur trioxide (SO3), i.e. 2 % S.

In such a case, the additional marking specified in Article 19(2)(ii) shall be added to the type designation.

Article 18

Calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur

1. The declaration of the magnesium, sodium and sulphur content of the fertilisers listed in sections A, B, and C of Annex I shall be expressed in one of the following ways:

(a) the total content expressed as a percentage of the fertiliser by mass;

(b) the total content and the content soluble in water, expressed as a percentage of the fertiliser by mass where the soluble content is at least a quarter of the total content;

(c) where an element is totally soluble in water, only the content soluble in water shall be declared as a percentage of the mass.

2. Unless otherwise stated in Annex I, a declaration of the calcium content shall only be made if it is soluble in water and shall be expressed as a percentage of the fertiliser by mass.

Article 19

Identification

1. In addition to the compulsory identification markings referred to in Article 9(1)(a), the markings set out in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Article shall be stated.

2. The following shall be stated after the type designation of compound fertilisers:

(i) The chemical symbols of the declared secondary nutrients, between brackets and after the symbols of the primary nutrients.

(ii) Numbers indicating the primary nutrient content. The declared secondary nutrient content shall be indicated between brackets after the primary nutrient content.

3. The fertiliser type designation shall only be followed by figures indicating primary and secondary nutrient content.

4. Where micro-nutrients are declared, the words ‘with micro-nutrients’ or the word ‘with’ followed by the name or names and chemical symbols of the micro-nutrients present shall be given.

5. The declared content of primary nutrients and secondary nutrients shall be given as a percentage by mass, as whole numbers or, where necessary, where an appropriate method of analysis exists, to one decimal place.

In fertilisers containing more than one declared nutrient, the order shall be for primary nutrients: N, P2O5 and/or P, K2O and/or K, and for secondary nutrients: CaO and/or Ca, MgO and/or Mg, Na2O and/or Na, SO3 and/or S.

The declared content of micro-nutrients shall give the name and symbol of each micro-nutrient, indicating the percentage by mass as specified in sections E.2.2 and E.2.3 of Annex I and according to solubility.

6. The forms and solubility of the nutrients shall also be expressed as a percentage by mass of fertiliser, except where Annex I explicitly provides that this content shall be otherwise expressed.

The number of decimal places shall be one, except for micro-nutrients where it shall be as specified in sections E.2.2 and E.2.3 of Annex I.







CHAPTER II

Inorganic secondary nutrient fertilisers

Article 20

Scope

This chapter shall apply to inorganic secondary nutrient fertilisers, solid or fluid, including those containing micro-nutrients, with the minimum nutrient content established in sections D, E.2.2, and E.2.3 of Annex I.

Article 21

Identification

1. In addition to the compulsory identification markings referred to in Article 9(1)(a), the markings set out in paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article shall be stated.

2. Where micro-nutrients are declared, the words ‘with micro-nutrients’ or the word ‘with’, followed by the name or names and chemical symbols of the micro-nutrients present, shall be given.

3. The declared content of secondary nutrients shall be given as a percentage by mass, as whole numbers or, where necessary, where an appropriate method of analysis exists, to one decimal place.

Where more than one secondary nutrient is present, the order shall be:

CaO and/or Ca, MgO and/or Mg, Na2O and/or Na, SO3 and/or S.

The declared content of micro-nutrients shall give the name and symbol of each micro-nutrient, indicating the percentage by mass as specified in sections E.2.2 and E.2.3 of Annex I and according to solubility.

4. The forms and solubility of the nutrients shall also be expressed as a percentage by mass of fertiliser, except where Annex I explicitly provides that this content shall be otherwise expressed.

The number of decimal places shall be one, except for micro-nutrients where it shall be as specified in sections E.2.2 and E.2.3 of Annex I.

5. Unless otherwise stated in Annex I, a declaration of the calcium content shall only be made if it is soluble in water and shall be expressed as a percentage of the fertiliser by mass.







CHAPTER III

Inorganic micro-nutrient fertilisers

Article 22

Scope

This chapter shall apply to inorganic micro-nutrient fertilisers, solid or fluid, with the minimum nutrient content established in sections E.1 and E.2.1 of Annex I.

Article 23

Identification

1. In addition to the compulsory identification markings referred to in Article 9(1)(a) the markings set out in paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article shall be stated.

2. Where the fertiliser contains more than one micro-nutrient, the type designation ‘mixture of micro-nutrients’ followed by the names of the micro-nutrients present and their chemical symbols, shall be given.

3. For fertilisers containing only one micro-nutrient (section E.1 of Annex I), the declared micro-nutrient content shall be given as a percentage by mass, in whole numbers or, where necessary, to one decimal place.

4. The forms and solubility of micro-nutrients shall be expressed as a percentage by mass of fertiliser, except where Annex I explicitly provides that this content shall be otherwise expressed.

The number of decimal places for micro-nutrients shall be as specified in section E.2.1 of Annex I.

5. Below the compulsory or optional declarations the following shall be entered on the label and accompanying documents with regard to the products appearing in sections E.1 and E.2.1 of Annex I:

‘To be used only where there is a recognised need. Do not exceed the appropriate dose rates.’

Article 24

Packaging

EC fertilisers covered by the provisions of this chapter shall be packaged.







CHAPTER IV

Ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content

Article 25

Scope

For the purpose of this chapter, ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content, straight or compound, are ammonium nitrate based products manufactured for use as fertilisers and containing more than 28 % by mass of nitrogen in relation to ammonium nitrate.

This type of fertiliser may contain inorganic or inert substances.

The substances used in the manufacturing of this type of fertiliser must not increase its sensitivity to heat or its tendency to detonate.

Article 26

Safety measures and controls

1. The manufacturer shall ensure that straight ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content comply with the provisions of section 1 of Annex III.

2. The checking, analysis and testing for official controls of straight ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content provided for by this chapter shall be carried out in accordance with the methods described in section 3 of Annex III.

3. To ensure the traceability of ammonium nitrate EC fertilisers of high nitrogen content placed on the market, the manufacturer shall maintain records of the names and addresses of the sites, and of the operators of the sites, at which the fertiliser and its principal components were produced. These records shall be available for inspection by Member States for as long as the fertiliser is being supplied to the market, and for a further period of 2 years after the manufacturer stopped supplying it.

Article 27

Test of resistance to detonation

Without prejudice to the measures referred to in Article 26, the manufacturer shall ensure that each type of EC high nitrogen content ammonium nitrate fertiliser placed on the market has passed the test of resistance to detonation described in sections 2, 3 (method 1, point 3) and 4 of Annex III of this Regulation. This test shall be carried out by one of the approved laboratories referred to in Article 30(1) or 33(1). Manufacturers shall submit the results of the test to the competent authority of the Member State concerned at least 5 days before placing the fertiliser on the market, or at least 5 days before the arrival of the fertiliser at the borders of the European Community in the case of imports. Thereafter, the manufacturer shall continue to guarantee that all supplies of the fertiliser placed on the market are capable of passing the abovementioned test.

Article 28

Packaging

Ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content shall be made available to the final user only in packaged form.







TITLE III

CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT OF FERTILISERS

Article 29

Control measures

1. Member States may subject fertilisers marked ‘EC fertiliser’ to official control measures for the purpose of verifying that they comply with this Regulation.

Member States may charge fees not exceeding the cost of tests needed for such control measures, but this shall not oblige manufacturers to repeat tests or to pay for repeated tests where the first test was made by a laboratory which fulfilled the conditions of Article 30 and where the test showed compliance of the fertiliser in question.

2. Member States shall ensure that sampling and analysis for official controls of EC fertilisers belonging to types of fertilisers listed in Annex I are carried out in accordance with the methods described in Annex III and IV.

3. Compliance with this Regulation in respect of conformity to types of fertiliser and compliance with the declared nutrient content and/or the declared content expressed as forms and solubilities of such nutrients may be verified at official inspections only by means of sampling and analysis methods established in accordance with Annex III and IV and taking into account the tolerances specified in Annex II.

▼M6

4. The Commission shall adapt and modernise the measuring, sampling and analysis methods and shall, wherever possible, use European Standards. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3). The same procedure shall apply to the adoption of implementing rules needed to specify the control measures provided for in this Article and in Articles 8, 26 and 27. Such rules shall in particular address the question of the frequency with which tests need to be repeated, as well as measures that are designed to ensure that the fertiliser put on the market is identical with the fertiliser tested.

▼B

Article 30

Laboratories

1. Member States shall notify to the Commission the list of those approved laboratories on their territories that are competent to provide the necessary services for checking compliance of EC fertilisers with the requirements of this Regulation. Such laboratories must meet the standards mentioned in section B of Annex V. Such notification shall be made by 11 June 2004 and on the occasion of each subsequent modification.

2. The Commission shall publish the list of approved laboratories in the Official Journal of the European Union.

3. Where a Member State has justifiable grounds for believing that an approved laboratory does not meet the standards referred to in paragraph 1, it shall raise this matter in the committee referred to in Article 32. If the committee agrees that the laboratory does not meet the standards, the Commission shall remove the name from the list referred to in paragraph 2.

4. The Commission shall adopt a decision on the matter within 90 days from the receipt of the information in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 32(2).

5. The Commission shall publish the amended list in the Official Journal of the European Union.







TITLE IV

FINAL PROVISIONS







CHAPTER I

Adaptation of the Annexes

Article 31

New EC fertilisers

▼M6

1. The Commission shall adapt Annex I to include new types of fertilisers.

▼B

2. A manufacturer or its representative which wishes to propose a new type of fertiliser for inclusion in Annex I and is required to compile a technical file for that purpose shall do so by taking into account the technical documents referred to in section A of Annex V.

▼M6

3. The Commission shall adapt the Annexes to take account of technical progress.

▼M6

4. The measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 3, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3).

▼M6

Article 32

Committee procedure

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

▼B







CHAPTER II

Transitional provisions

Article 33

Competent laboratories

1. Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 30(1), Member States may for a transitional period until 11 December 2007 continue to apply their national provisions for authorising competent laboratories to provide the necessary services for checking compliance of EC fertilisers with the requirements of this Regulation.

2. Member States shall notify the list of these laboratories to the Commission, giving details of their authorisation scheme. Such notification shall be made by 11 June 2004 and on the occasion of each subsequent modification.

Article 34

Packaging and labelling

Notwithstanding Article 35(1), EC fertiliser markings, packagings, labels and accompanying documents provided for by earlier Directives may continue to be used until 11 June 2005.







CHAPTER III

Final provisions

Article 35

Repealed Directives

1. Directives 76/116/EEC, 77/535/EEC, 80/876/EEC and 87/94/EEC are hereby repealed.

2. References to the Directives repealed shall be construed as references to this Regulation. In particular, derogations from Article 7 of Directive 76/116/EEC that were granted by the Commission under Article 95(6) of the Treaty shall be construed as derogations from Article 5 of the present Regulation and shall continue to produce their effects notwithstanding the entry into force of this Regulation. Pending the adoption of penalties under Article 36, Member States may continue to apply penalties for infringements of national rules implementing the Directives mentioned in paragraph 1.

Article 36

Penalties

The Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

Article 37

National provisions

The Member States shall notify the Commission by 11 June 2005 of any national provisions adopted pursuant to Articles 6(1), 6(2), 29(1) and 36 of this Regulation, and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them.

Article 38

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union with the exception of Articles 8 and 26(3), which shall enter into force 11 June 2005.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.









TABLE OF CONTENTS

ANNEX I — List of types of EC fertilisers A. Inorganic straight primary nutrient fertilisers A.1. Nitrogenous fertilisers A.2. Phosphatic fertilisers A.3. Potassic fertilisers B. Inorganic compound primary nutrient fertilisers B.1. NPK fertilisers B.2. NP fertilisers B.3. NK fertilisers B.4. PK fertilisers C. Inorganic fluid fertilisers C.1. Straight fluid fertilisers C.2. Compound fluid fertilisers D. Inorganic secondary nutrient fertilisers E. Inorganic micro-nutrient fertilisers E.1. Fertilisers containing only one micro-nutrient E.1.1. Boron E.1.2. Cobalt E.1.3. Copper E.1.4 Iron E.1.5. Manganese E.1.6. Molybdenum E.1.7. Zinc E.2. Minimum micro-nutrient content, percentage weight of fertiliser E.3. List of authorised organic chelating and complexing agents for micro-nutrients ANNEX II — Tolerances 1. Inorganic straight primary nutrient fertilisers — absolute value in percentage by mass expressed as N, P2O5, K2O, MgO, CL 2. Inorganic compound primary nutrient fertilisers 3. Secondary nutrients in fertilisers 4. Micro-nutrients in fertilisers ANNEX III — Technical provisions for Ammonium Nitrate Fertilisers of High Nitrogen Content 1. Characteristics of and limits for straight ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content 2. Description of the test of resistance to detonation concerning ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content 3. Methods of checking compliance with the limits specified in annexes III-1 and III-2 4. Determination of resistance to detonation ANNEX IV — Methods of Sampling and Analysis A. Method of sampling for the control of fertilisers 1. Purpose and scope 2. Sampling officers 3. Definitions 4. Apparatus 5. Quantitative requirements 6. Instructions for taking, preparing and Packaging the samples 7. Packaging of final samples 8. Sampling record 9. Destination of samples B. Methods for the analysis of fertilisers General observations General provisions relating to method of analysing fertilisers Method 1 — Preparation of the sample for analysis Methods 2 — Nitrogen Method 2.1 — Determination of ammoniacal nitrogen Methods 2.2 — Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen Method 2.2.1 — Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Ulsch Method 2.2.2 — Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Arnd Method 2.2.3 — Determination of nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen according to Devarda Method 2.3 — Determination of total nitrogen Method 2.3.1 — Determination of the total nitrogen in calcium cyanamide nitrate free Method 2.3.2 — Determination of total nitrogen in calcium cyanamide containing nitrates Method 2.3.3 — Determination of total nitrogen in urea Method 2.4 — Determination of cyanamide nitrogen Method 2.5 — Spectrophotometric determination of biuret in urea Methods 2.6 — Determination of different forms of nitrogen in the same sample Method 2.6.1 — Determination of different forms of nitrogen in the same sample in fertilisers containing nitrogen as nitric, ammoniacal, urea and cyanamide nitrogen Method 2.6.2 —Determination of different forms of nitrogen in fertilisers containing nitrogen only as nitric, ammoniacal and urea nitrogen Methods 3 — Phosphorus Methods 3.1 — Extractions Method 3.1.1 — Extraction of phosphorus soluble in mineral acids Method 3.1.2 — Extraction of the phosphorus soluble in 2 % formic acid (20 g per litre) Method 3.1.3 — Extraction of phosphorus soluble in 2 % citric acid (20 g per litre) Method 3.1.4 — Extraction of phosphorus which is soluble in neutral ammonium citrate Method 3.1.5 — Extraction by alkaline ammonium citrate Method 3.1.5.1 — Extraction of soluble phosphorus according to petermann at 65 °C Method 3.1.5.2 — Extraction of the soluble phosphorus according to Petermann at ambient temperature Method 3.1.5.3 — Extraction of the phosphorus soluble in joulie's alkaline ammonium citrate Method 3.1.6 — Extraction of water soluble phosphorus Method 3.2 —Eetermination of extracted phosphorus (gravimetric method using quinoline phosphomolybdate) Method 4 — Potassium Method 4.1 — Determination of the water-soluble potassium content Method 5 — Method 6 — Chlorine 116 Method 6.1 — Determination of chlorides in the absence of organic material Methods 7 — Fineness of grinding Method 7.1 — Determination of fineness of grinding (dry procedure) Method 7.2 — Determination of the fineness of grinding of soft natural phosphates Method 8 — Secondary nutrients Method 8.1 —Extraction of total calcium, total magnesium, total sodium and total sulphur in the form of sulphates Method 8.2 —Extraction of total sulphur present in various forms Method 8.3 —Extraction of water-soluble calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphur (in the form of sulphates) Method 8.4 —Extraction of water-soluble sulphur where the sulphur is in various forms Method 8.5 —Extraction and determination of elemental sulphur Method 8.6 —Manganimetric determination of extracted calcium following precipitation in the form of oxalate Method 8.7 —Determination of magnesium by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 8.8 —Determination of magnesium by complexometry Method 8.9 —Determination of sulphates Method 8.10 —Determination of the sodium extracted Methods 9 —Micro-nutrients at a concentration of less than or equal to 10 % Method 9.1 —Extraction of total micro-nutrients Method 9.2 —Extraction of water-soluble micro-nutrients Method 9.3 —Removal of organic compounds from fertiliser extracts Method 9.4 —Determination of micro-nutrients in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry (general procedure) Method 9.5 —Determination of boron in fertiliser extracts by means of spectrometry with azomethine-H Method 9.6 —Determination of cobalt in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 9.7 —Determination of copper in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 9.8 —Determination of iron in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 9.9 —Determination of manganese in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 9.10 —Determination of molybdenum in fertiliser extracts by spectrometry of a complex with ammonium thiocyanate Method 9.11 —Determination of zinc in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Methods 10 —Micro-nutrients at a concentration greater than 10 % Method 10.1 —Extraction of total micro-nutrients Method 10.2 —Extraction of water-soluble micro-nutrients Method 10.3 —Removal of organic compounds from fertiliser extracts Method 10.4 —Determination of micro-nutrients in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry (general procedure) Method 10.5 —Determination of boron in fertiliser extracts by means of acidimetric titration Method 10.6 —Determination of cobalt in fertiliser extracts by the gravimetric method with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol Method 10.7 —Determination of copper in fertiliser extracts by the titrimetric method Method 10.8 —Determination of iron in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 10.9 —Determination of manganese in fertiliser extracts by titration Method 10.10 —Determination of molybdenum in fertiliser extracts by the gravimetric method with 8-hydroxyquinoline Method 10.11 —Determination of zinc in fertiliser extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry Method 11 — Chelating agents Method 11.1 — Determination of the chelated micro-nutrient content and of the chelated fraction of micro-nutrients Method 11.2 — Determination of EDTA, HEDTA and DTPA Method 11.3 — Determination of iron chelated by o,o EDDHA and o,o EDDHMA Method 11.4 — Determination of iron chelated by EDDHSA Method 11.5 — Determination of iron chelated by o,p EDDHA Methods 12 — Nitrification and urease inhibitors Method 12.1 — Determination of dicyandiamide Method 12.2 — Determination of NBPT Methods 13 — Heavy metals Method 13.1 — Determination of cadmium content ANNEX V A. List of documents to be consulted by manufacturers or their representatives in order to compile a technical file for a new type of fertilisers to be added to annex I of this regulation B. Requirements to authorise laboratories that are competent to provide the necessary service for checking compliance of ec fertilisers with the requirements of this regulation and its annexes









ANNEX I

LIST OF TYPES OF EC FERTILISERS

A. Inorganic straight primary nutrient fertilisers

A.1. Nitrogenous fertilisers







No Type designation Data on method of production and essential ingredients Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight) Data on the 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(a) Calcium nitrate (nitrate of lime) Chemically obtained product containing calcium nitrate as its essential ingredient and possibly ammonium nitrate 15 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen or as nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen. Maximum content of ammoniacal nitrogen: 1,5 % N Total nitrogen Additional optional particulars: Nitric nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen 1(b) Calcium magnesium nitrate (nitrate of lime and magnesium) Chemically obtained product containing calcium nitrate and magnesium nitrate as essential ingredients 13 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitric nitrogen. Minimum content of magnesium in the form of water-soluble salts expressed as magnesium oxide: 5 % MgO Nitric nitrogen Water-soluble magnesium oxide 1(c) Magnesium nitrate Chemically obtained product containing as its essential ingredient hexahydrated magnesium nitrate 10 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitric nitrogen When marketed in the form of crystals as note ‘in crystallised form’ may be added Nitric nitrogen Water-soluble magnesium oxide 14 % MgO Magnesium expressed as water-soluble magnesium oxide 2(a) Sodium nitrate (nitrate of soda) Chemically obtained product containing sodium nitrate as its essential ingredient 15 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitric nitrogen Nitric nitrogen 2(b) Chile nitrate Product prepared from caliche, containing sodium nitrate as its essential ingredient 15 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitric nitrogen Nitric nitrogen 3(a) Calcium cyanamide Chemically obtained product containing calcium cyanamide as its essential ingredient, calcium oxide and possibly small quantities of ammonium salts and urea 18 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen, at least 75 % of the nitrogen declared being bound in the form of cyanamide Total nitrogen 3(b) Nitrogenous calcium cyanamide Chemically obtained product containing calcium cyanamide as its essential ingredient, and calcium oxide and possibly small quantities of ammonium salts and urea, plus added nitrate 18 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen, at least 75 % of the non-nitric nitrogen declared being bound in the form of cyanamide. Nitric nitrogen content: — minimum: 1 % N — maximum: 3 % N Total nitrogen Nitric nitrogen ▼M5 4 Sulphate of ammonia Chemically obtained product containing ammonium sulphate as its essential ingredient, possibly with up to 15 % calcium nitrate (nitrate of lime). 19,7 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen. Maximum content of nitric nitrogen 2,2 % N if calcium nitrate (nitrate of lime) is added. When marketed in the form of a combination of ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate (nitrate of lime), the designation must include ‘with up to 15 % calcium nitrate (nitrate of lime)’. Ammoniacal nitrogen. Total nitrogen if calcium nitrate (nitrate of lime) is added ▼B 5 Ammonium nitrate or calcium ammonium nitrate Chemically obtained product containing ammonium nitrate as its essential ingredient, which may contain fillers such as ground limestone, calcium sulphate, ground dolomite, magnesium sulphate, kieserite 20 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitric nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen, each of these two forms of nitrogen accounting for about half the nitrogen present. See Annexes III.1 and III.2 of this regulation, if required. The designation ‘calcium ammonium nitrate’ is exclusively reserved for a fertiliser containing only calcium carbonate (for instance limestone) and/or magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate (for instance dolomite) in addition to ammonium nitrate. The minimum content of these carbonates must be 20 % and their purity level at least 90 % Total nitrogen Nitric nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen 6 Ammonium sulphate-nitrate Chemically obtained product containing as essential ingredients ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate 25 % N Nitrogen expressed as ammoniacal and nitric nitrogen. Minimum nitric nitrogen content: 5 % Total nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen Nitric nitrogen 7 Magnesium sulphonitrate Chemically obtained product containing ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and magnesium sulphate as essential ingredients 19 % N Nitrogen expressed as ammoniacal and nitric nitrogen. Minimum nitric nitrogen content: 6 % N Total nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen 5 % MgO Magnesium in the form of water-soluble salts expressed as magnesium oxide Nitric nitrogen Water-soluble magnesium oxide 8 Magnesium ammonium nitrate Chemically obtained product containing ammonium nitrates and magnesium compound salts (dolomite magnesium carbonate and/or magnesium sulphate) as essential ingredients 19 % N Nitrogen expressed as ammoniacal nitrogen and nitric nitrogen. Minimum nitric nitrogen content 6 % N Total nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen Nitric nitrogen 5 % MgO Magnesium expressed as total magnesium oxide Total magnesium oxide and possibly, water-soluble magnesium oxide 9 Urea Chemically obtained product containing carbonyl diamide (carbamide) as its essential ingredient 44 % N Total ureic nitrogen (including biuret). Maximum biuret content: 1,2 % Total nitrogen, expressed as ureic nitrogen 10 Crotonylidene diurea Product obtained by reaction of urea with crotonaldehyde Monomeric compound 28 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen At least 25 % N from the crotonylidene diurea Maximum ureic nitrogen content: 3 % Total nitrogen Ureic nitrogen where this is at least 1 % by weight Nitrogen from crotonylidene diurea 11 Isobutylidene diurea Product obtained by reaction of urea with isobutyraldehyde Monomeric compound Monomeric compound 28 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen At least 25 % N from isobutylidene diurea Maximum ureic nitrogen content: 3 % Total nitrogen Ureic nitrogen where this is at least 1 % by weight Nitrogen from isobutylidene diurea 12 Urea formaldehyde Product obtained by reaction of urea with formaldehyde and containing as its essential ingredients molecules of urea formaldehyde Polymeric compound 36 % N total nitrogen Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen At least 3/5 of the declared total nitrogen content must be soluble in hot water At least 31 % N from urea formaldehyde Maximum ureic nitrogen content: 5 % Total nitrogen Ureic nitrogen where this is at least 1 % by weight Nitrogen from formaldehyde urea that is soluble in cold water Nitrogen from formaldehyde urea that is only soluble in hot water 13 Nitrogenous fertiliser containing crotonylidene diurea Product obtained chemically containing crotonylidene diurea and a straight nitrogen fertiliser [List A-1, excluding products 3(a), 3(b) and 5] 18 % N expressed as total nitrogen At least 3 % nitrogen in ammoniacal and/or nitric and/or ureic form At least 1/3 of the declared total nitrogen content must be derived from crotonylidene diurea Maximum biuret content: (ureic N + crotonylidene diurea N) × 0,026 Total nitrogen For each form amounting to at least 1 %: — nitric nitrogen — ammoniacal nitrogen — ureic nitrogen Nitrogen from crotonylidene diurea 14 Nitrogenous fertiliser containing isobutylidene diurea Product obtained chemically containing isobutylidene diurea and a straight nitrogenous fertiliser [List A-1, excluding products 3(a), 3(b) and 5] 18 % N expressed as total nitrogen At least 3 % nitrogen in ammoniacal and/or nitric and/or ureic form A least 1/3 of the declared total nitrogen content must derive from isobutylidene diurea Maximum biuret content: (Ureic N + isobutylidene diurea N) × 0,026 Total nitrogen For each form amounting to at least 1 %: — nitric nitrogen — ammoniacal nitrogen — ureic nitrogen Nitrogen from isobutylidene diurea 15 Nitrogenous fertiliser containing urea formaldehyde Product obtained chemically containing urea formaldehyde and a straight nitrogenous fertiliser [List A-1, excluding products 3(a), 3(b) and 5] 18 % N expressed as total nitrogen At least 3 % nitrogen in ammoniacal and/or nitric and/or ureic form At least 1/3 of the declared total nitrogen content must derive from urea formaldehyde The nitrogen from the urea formaldehyde must contain at least 3/5 nitrogen that is soluble in hot water Maximum biuret content: (Ureic N + urea formaldehyde) × 0,026 Total nitrogen For each form amounting to at least 1 %: — nitric nitrogen — ammoniacal nitrogen — ureic nitrogen Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is soluble in cold water Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is only soluble in hot water ▼M5 ————— ▼B ►M5 16 ◄ Urea-ammonium sulphate Product obtained chemically from urea and ammonium sulphate 30 % N Nitrogen expressed as ammoniacal and ureic nitrogen Minimum ammoniacal nitrogen content: 4 % Minimum sulphur content expressed as sulphur trioxide: 12 % Maximum biuret content: 0,9 % Total nitrogen Ammoniacal nitrogen Ureic nitrogen Water-soluble sulphur trioxide (1) Technical information as complete as possible must be provided with each package or bulk consignment by the person responsible for marketing. This information must in particular enable the user to determine the rates and timing of application in relation to the crop being grown.

A.2. Phosphatic fertilisers

Where a particle size criterion is prescribed for the basic constituent materials of fertilisers sold in granular form (fertilisers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7), it will be established by an appropriate analytical method.







No Type designation Data on method of production and essential ingredients Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight) Data on the 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 Basic slag: — Thomas phosphates — Thomas slag Product obtained in iron-smelting by treatment of the phosphorus melts and containing calcium silicophosphates as its essential ingredients 12 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as phosphorus pentoxide soluble in mineral acids, at least 75 % of the declared content of phosphorus pentoxide being soluble in 2 % citric acid or P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as phosphorus pentoxide soluble in 2 % citric acid Particle size: — at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm — at least 96 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,630 mm Total phosphorus pentoxide (soluble in mineral acids) 75 % of which (to be indicated as % by weight) is soluble in 2 % citric acid (for marketing in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece ►M1 , Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia,Slovakia, ◄ ►M3 Bulgaria and Romania ◄ ) Total phosphorus pentoxide (soluble in mineral acids) and phosphorus pentoxide soluble in 2 % citric acid (for marketing in the United Kingdom) Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in 2 % citric acid (for marketing in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Austria) 2(a) Single superphosphate Product obtained by reaction of ground mineral phosphate with sulphuric acid and containing monocalcium phosphate as an essential ingredient as well as calcium sulphate 16 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate, at least 93 % of the declared content of P2O5 being water-soluble Test sample: 1 g Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in neutral ammonium citrate Water-soluble phosphorus pentoxide 2(b) Concentrated superphosphate Product obtained by reaction of ground mineral phosphate with sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid and containing monocalcium phosphate as an essential ingredient as well as calcium sulphate 25 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate, at least 93 % of the declared content of P2O5 being water-soluble Test sample: 1 g Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in neutral ammonium citrate Water-soluble phosphorus pentoxide ▼M2 2(c) Triple superphosphate Product obtained by reaction of ground mineral phosphate with phosphoric acid and containing monocalcium phosphate as its essential ingredient 38 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate, at least 85 % of the declared content of P2O5 being water-soluble Test sample: 3 g Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in neutral ammonium citrate Water-soluble phosphorus pentoxide ▼B 3 Partially solubilised rock phosphate Product obtained by partial solubilisation of ground rock phosphate with sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid and containing as essential ingredients monocalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate and calcium sulphate 20 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, at least 40 % of the declared content of P2O5 being water-soluble Particle size: — at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm — at least 98 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,630 mm Total phosphorus pentoxide (soluble in mineral acids) Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in water ▼M7 3(a) Partially solubilised rock phosphate with magnesium Product obtained by partial solubilisation of ground rock phosphate with sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid with the addition of magnesium sulphate or magnesium oxide, and containing as essential ingredients monocalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate 16 % P2O5 6 % MgO Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, at least 40 % of the declared content of P2O5 being water-soluble Particle size: — at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm — at least 98 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,630 mm Total phosphorus pentoxide (soluble in mineral acids) Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in water Total magnesium oxide Water-soluble magnesium oxide ▼B 4 Dicalcium phosphate Product obtained by precipitation of solubilised phosphoric acid from mineral phosphates or bones, and containing dicalcium phosphate dihydrate as its essential ingredient 38 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Petermann) Particle size: — at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm — at least 98 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,630 mm Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate 5 Calcined phosphate Product obtained by heat treatment of ground rock phosphate with alkaline compounds and silicic acid, and containing alkaline calcium phosphate and calcium silicate as essential ingredients 25 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Petermann) Particle size: — at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm — at least 96 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,630 mm Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate 6 Aluminium-calcium phosphate Product obtained in amorphous form by heat treatment and grinding, containing aluminium and calcium phosphates as essential ingredients 30 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, at least 75 % of the declared content of P2O5 being soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Joulie) Particle size: — at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm — at least 98 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,630 mm Total phosphorus pentoxide (soluble in mineral acids) Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate 7 Soft ground rock phosphate Product obtained by grinding soft mineral phosphates and containing tricalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate as essential ingredients 25 % P2O5 Phosphorus expressed as P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, at least 55 % of the declared content of P2O5 being soluble in 2 % formic acid Particle size: — at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,063 mm — at least 99 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,125 mm Total phosphorus pentoxide (soluble in mineral acids) Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in 2 % formic acid Percentage by weight of material able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,063 mm

A.3. Potassic fertilisers







No Type designation Data on method of production and essential ingredients Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight) Data on the 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 Kainit Product obtained from crude potassium salts 10 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Usual trade names may be added Water-soluble potassium oxide Water-soluble magnesium oxide 5 % MgO Magnesium in the form of water-soluble salts, expressed as magnesium oxide 2 Enriched kainit salt Product obtained from crude potassium salts enriched by blending with potassium chloride 18 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Usual trade names may be added Water-soluble potassium oxide Optional mention of the water-soluble magnesium oxide content where higher than 5 % MgO 3 Muriate of potash Product obtained from crude potassium salts and containing potassium chloride as its essential ingredient 37 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Usual trade names may be added Water-soluble potassium oxide 4 Potassium chloride containing magnesium salts Product obtained from crude potassium salts with added magnesium salts and containing potassium chloride and magnesium salts as essential ingredients 37 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Water-soluble potassium oxide Water-soluble magnesium oxide 5 % MgO Magnesium in the form of water-soluble salts, expressed as magnesium oxide 5 Sulphate of potash Product obtained chemically from potassium salts and containing potassium sulphate as its essential ingredient 47 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Maximum chloride content: 3 % Cl Water-soluble potassium oxide Optional mention of the chloride content 6 Sulphate of potash containing magnesium salt Product obtained chemically from potassium salts, possibly with addition of magnesium salts, and containing potassium sulphate and magnesium sulphate as essential ingredients 22 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Usual trade names may be added Water-soluble potassium oxide Water-soluble magnesium oxide Optional mention of the chloride content 8 % MgO Magnesium in the form of water-soluble salts, expressed as magnesium oxide Maximum chloride content: 3 % Cl 7 Kieserite with potassium sulphate Product obtained from Kieserite with potassium sulphate added 8 % MgO Magnesium expressed as water-soluble MgO Usual trade names may be added Water-soluble magnesium oxide Water-soluble potassium oxide Optional mention of the chloride content 6 % K2O Potassium expressed as water-soluble K2O Total MgO + K2O: 20 % Maximum chloride content: 3 % Cl

B. Inorganic compound primary nutrient fertilisers

B.1. NPK fertilisers







B.1.1. Type designation: NPK fertilisers. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically or by blending, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 20 % (N + P2O5 + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % P2O5, 5 % K2O.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (5) Cyanamide nitrogen (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and in water (4) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids only (5) P2O5 soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Petermann) (6a) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which at least 75 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in 2 % citric acid (6b) P2O5 soluble in 2 % citric acid (7) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which at least 75 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Joulie) (8) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which at least 55 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in 2 % formic acid Water soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (5) amounts to at least 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) If above 28 %, see Annex III.2 1. An NPK fertiliser free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, partially solubilised rock phosphate and soft ground rock phosphate must be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (2) or (3): — when the water-soluble P2O5 does not amount to 2 %, solubility (2) only shall be declared; — when the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 %, solubility (3) shall be declared, and the water-soluble P2O5 content must be indicated [solubility (1)]. The P2O5 content soluble in mineral acids only must not exceed 2 %. For this type 1, the test sample for determining solubilities (2) and (3) shall be 1 g. 2 (a) An NPK fertiliser containing soft ground rock phosphate or partially solubilised rock phosphate must be free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate and aluminium-calcium phosphate. It shall be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (3) and (4) This type of fertiliser must contain: — at least 2 % P2O5 soluble in mineral acids only [solubility (4)]; — at least 5 % P2O5 soluble in water and neutral ammonium citrate [solubility (3)]; — at least 2,5 % water-soluble P2O5 [solubility (1)]. This type of fertiliser must be marketed under the designation ‘NPK fertiliser containing soft ground rock phosphate’ or ‘NPK fertiliser containing partially solubilised rock phosphate’. For this type 2(a), the test sample for determining solubility (3) shall be 3 g. (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The indication ‘low in chloride’ is linked to a maximum content of 2 % Cl (3) Chloride content may be declared Particle size of the basic phosphatic ingredients Thomas slag: at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Aluminium-calcium phosphate: at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Calcined phosphate: at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Soft ground rock phosphate: at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,063 mm Partially solubilised rock phosphate: at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm 2 (b) An NPK fertiliser containing aluminium-calcium phosphate must be free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, soft ground rock phosphate and partially solubilised rock phosphate. It shall be declared in accordance with solubilities (1) and (7), the latter applying after deduction of the solubility in water. This type of fertiliser must contain: — at least 2 % of water-soluble P2O5 [solubility (1)]; — at least 5 % of P2O5 according to solubility (7). This type of fertiliser must be marketed under the designation ‘NPK fertiliser containing aluminium-calcium phosphate’. 3. In the case of NPK fertilisers containing only one of the following types of phosphatic fertiliser: Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, soft ground rock phosphate, the type designation must be followed by an indication of the phosphate ingredient. The declaration of the solubility of the P2O5 must be given in accordance with the following solubilities: — for fertilisers based on Thomas slag: solubility (6a) (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece ►M1 , Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, ◄ ►M3 Bulgaria, Romania ◄ ), (6b) (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Austria); — for fertilisers based on calcined phosphate: solubility (5); — for fertilisers based on aluminium-calcium phosphate: solubility (7); — for fertilisers based on soft ground rock phosphate: solubility (8).







B.1.2. Type designation: NPK fertiliser containing crotonylidene diurea or isobutylidene diurea or urea formaldehyde (as appropriate). Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin and containing crotonylidene diurea or isobutylidene diurea or urea formaldehyde. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 20 % (N + P2O5 + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: — — 5 % N. At least ¼ of the declared content of total nitrogen must derive from nitrogen form (5) or (6) or (7). At least 3/5 of the declared nitrogen content (7) must be soluble in hot water, — 5 % P2O5, — 5 % K2O.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (5) Nitrogen from crotonylidene diurea (6) Nitrogen from isobutylidene diurea (7) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde (8) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is only soluble in hot water (9) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is soluble in cold water (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and in water Water-soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to at least 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) One of the forms of nitrogen (5) to (7) (as appropriate). Nitrogen form (7) must be declared in the form of nitrogen (8) and (9) An NPK fertiliser free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, partially solubilised rock phosphate and rock phosphate must be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (2) or (3): — when the water-soluble P2O5 does not amount to 2 %, solubility (2) only shall be declared, — when the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 %, solubility (3) shall be declared, and the water-soluble P2O5 content must be indicated [solubility (1)]. The P2O5 content soluble in mineral acids only must not exceed 2 %. The test sample for determining solubilities (2) and (3) shall be 1 g. (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The indication ‘low in chloride’ is linked to a maximum content of 2 % Cl (3) Chloride content may be declared

B.2. NP fertilisers







B.2.1. Type designation: NP fertilisers. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically or by blending without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 % (N + P2O5); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % P2O5.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (5) Cyanamide nitrogen (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and in water (4) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids only (5) P2O5 soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Petermann) (6a) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which at least 75 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in 2 % citric acid (6b) P2O5 soluble in 2 % citric acid (7) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids of which at least 75 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Joulie) (8) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids of which at least 55 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in 2 % formic acid (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (5) amounts to at least 1 % by weight, it must be declared 1. An NP fertiliser free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, partially solubilised rock phosphate and soft ground rock phosphate must be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (2) or (3): — when the water-soluble P2O5 does not amount to 2 %, solubility (2) only shall be declared; — when the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 %, solubility (3) shall be declared, and the water-soluble P2O5 content must be indicated [solubility (1)]. The P2O5 content soluble in mineral acids only must not exceed 2 %. For this type 1, the test sample for determining solubilities (2) and (3) shall be 1 g. 2 (a) A NP fertiliser containing soft ground rock phosphate or partially solubilised rock phosphate must be free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate and aluminium-calcium phosphate. It shall be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (3) and (4). This type of fertiliser must contain: — at least 2 % P2O5 soluble in mineral acids only [solubility (4)]; — at least 5 % P2O5 soluble in water and neutral ammonium citrate [solubility (3]; — at least 2,5 % water soluble P2O5 [solubility (1)]. This type of fertiliser must be marketed under the designation ‘NP fertiliser containing soft ground rock phosphate’ or ‘NP fertiliser containing partially solubilised rock phosphate’. For this type 2(a), the test sample for determining solubility (3) shall be 3 g. Particle size of the basic phosphatic ingredients: Thomas slag at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Aluminium-calcium phosphate at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Calcined phosphate at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Soft ground rock phosphate at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,063 mm Partially solubilised rock phosphate at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm 2 (b) A NP fertiliser containing aluminium-calcium phosphate, must be free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, soft ground rock phosphate and partially solubilised rock phosphate. It shall be declared in accordance with solubilities (1) and (7), the latter applying after deduction of the solubility in water. This type of fertiliser must contain: — at least 2 % water-soluble P2O5 [solubility (1)]; — at least 5 % P2O5 according to solubility (7). This type of fertiliser must be marketed under the designation ‘NP fertiliser containing aluminium-calcium phosphate’. 3. In the case of NP fertilisers containing only one of the following types of phosphatic fertiliser: Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, soft ground rock phosphate, the type designation must be followed by an indication of the phosphate ingredient. The declaration of the solubility of the P2O5 must be given in accordance with the following solubilities: — for fertilisers based on Thomas slag: solubility (6a) (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece ►M1 , Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, ◄ ►M3 Bulgaria, Romania ◄ ), (6b) (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Austria); — for fertilisers based on calcined phosphate: solubility (5); — for fertilisers based on aluminium-calcium phosphate: solubility (7); — for fertilisers based on soft ground rock phosphate: solubility (8).







B.2.2. Type designation: NP fertiliser containing crotonylidene diurea or isobutylidene diurea or urea formaldehyde (as appropriate) Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin and containing crotonylidene diurea or isobutylidene diurea or urea formaldehyde Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 % (N + P2O5); — For each of the nutrients: — — 5 % N. — At least ¼ of the declared content of total nitrogen must derive from nitrogen form (5) or (6) or (7). — At least 3/5 of the declared nitrogen content (7) must be soluble in hot water, — 5 % P2O5.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (5) Nitrogen from crotonylidene diurea (6) Nitrogen from isobutylidene diurea (7) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde (8) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is only soluble in hot water (9) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is soluble in cold water (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and in water (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to at least 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) One of the forms of nitrogen (5) to (7) (as appropriate). Nitrogen form (7) must be declared in the form of nitrogen (8) and (9) An NP fertiliser free of Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, partially solubilised rock phosphate and rock phosphate must be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (2) or (3): — when the water-soluble P2O5 does not amount to 2 %, solubility (2) only shall be declared; — when the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 %, solubility (3) shall be declared, and the water-soluble P2O5 content must be indicated [solubility (1)]. The P2O5 content soluble in mineral acids only must not exceed 2 %. The test sample for determining solubilities (2) and (3) shall be 1 g.

B.3. NK fertilisers







B.3.1. Type designation: NK fertilisers. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically or by blending, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 % (N + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % K2O.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (5) Cyanamide nitrogen Water-soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (5) amounts to at least 1 % by weight, it must be declared (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The indication ‘low in chloride’ is linked to a maximum content of 2 % Cl (3) Chloride content may be declared







B.3.2. Type designation: NK fertiliser containing crotonylidene diurea or isobutylidene diurea or urea formaldehyde (as appropriate). Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin and containing crotonylidene diurea or isobutylidene diurea or urea formaldehyde. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 % (N + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: — — 5 % N — At least ¼ of the declared content of total nitrogen must derive from nitrogen form (5) or (6) or (7). — At least 3/5 of the declared nitrogen content (7) must be soluble in hot water, — 5 % K2O.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (5) Nitrogen from crotonylidene diurea (6) Nitrogen from isobutylidene diurea (7) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde (8) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is only soluble in hot water (9) Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is soluble in cold water Water-soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to at least 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) One of the forms of nitrogen (5) to (7) (as appropriate). Nitrogen form (7) must be declared in the form of nitrogen (8) and (9) (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The indication ‘low in chloride’ is linked to a maximum content of 2 % Cl (3) Chloride content may be declared

B.4. PK fertilisers







Type designation: PK fertilisers. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically or by blending, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 % (P2O5 + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 5 % P2O5, 5 % K2O.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and in water (4) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids only (5) P2O5 soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Petermann) (6a) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which at least 75 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in 2 % citric acid (6b) P2O5 soluble in 2 % citric acid (7) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids of which at least 75 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate (Joulie) (8) P2O5 soluble in mineral acids, of which at least 55 % of the declared P2O5 content is soluble in 2 % formic acid Water soluble K2O 1. A PK fertiliser free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, partially solubilised rock phosphate and soft ground rock phosphate must be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (2) or (3): — when the water-soluble P2O5 does not amount to 2 % solubility (2) only shall be declared; — when the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 % solubility (3) shall be declared and the water-soluble P2O5 content must be indicated [solubility (1)]. The P2O5 content soluble in mineral acids only must not exceed 2 %. For this type 1, the test sample for determining solubilities (2) and (3) shall be 1 g. 2 (a) A PK fertiliser containing soft ground rock phosphate or partially solubilised rock phosphate must be free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate and aluminium-calcium phosphate. It shall be declared in accordance with solubilities (1), (3) and (4) This type of fertiliser must contain: — at least 2 % P2O5 soluble in mineral acids only [solubility (4)]; — at least 5 % P2O5 soluble in water and neutral ammonium citrate [solubility (3)]; — at least 2,5 % water-soluble P2O5 [solubility (1)]. This type of fertiliser must be marketed under the designation ‘PK fertiliser containing soft ground rock phosphate’ or ‘PK fertiliser containing partially solubilised rock phosphate’. For this type 2(a), the test sample for determining solubility (3) shall be 3 g (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The indication ‘low in chloride’ is linked to a maximum content of 2 % Cl (3) Chloride content may be declared Particle size of the basic phosphatic ingredients: Thomas slag at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Aluminium-calcium phosphate at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Calcined phosphate at least 75 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm Soft ground rock phosphate at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,063 mm Partially solubilised rock phosphate at least 90 % able to pass through a sieve with a mesh of 0,160 mm 2 (b) A PK fertiliser containing aluminium-calcium phosphate must be free from Thomas slag, calcined phosphate and partially solubilised rock phosphate. It shall be declared in accordance with solubilities (1) and (7), the latter applying after deduction of the solubility in water. This type of fertiliser must contain: — at least 2 % water-soluble P2O5 [solubility (1)]; — at least 5 % P2O5 according to solubility (7). This type of fertiliser must be marketed under the designation ‘PK fertiliser containing aluminium-calcium phosphate’. 3. In the case of PK fertilisers containing only one of the following types of phosphatic fertiliser: Thomas slag, calcined phosphate, aluminium-calcium phosphate, soft ground rock phosphate, the type designation must be followed by an indication of the phosphate ingredient. The declaration of the solubility of the P2O5 must be given in accordance with the following solubilities: — for fertilisers based on Thomas slag: solubility (6a) (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece ►M1 , Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, ◄ ►M3 Bulgaria, Romania ◄ ), (6b) (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Austria) — for fertilisers based on calcined phosphate: solubility (5); — for fertilisers based on aluminium-calcium phosphate: solubility (7); — for fertilisers based on soft ground rock phosphate: solubility (8).

C. Inorganic fluid fertilisers

C.1. Straight fluid fertilisers







No Type designation Data on method of production and essential ingredients Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight) Data on the expression of nutrients Other requirements Other data or type designation Nutrient content to be declared Forms and solubilities of the nutrients Other criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Nitrogen fertiliser solution Product obtained chemically and by dissolution in water, in a form stable at atmospheric pressure, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin 15 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen or, if there is only one form, nitric nitrogen or ammoniacal nitrogen or ureic nitrogen Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026 Total nitrogen and, for any form that amounts to not less than 1 %, nitric nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen and/or ureic nitrogen If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added 2 Urea Ammonium nitrate fertiliser solution Product obtained chemically and by dissolution in water, containing ammonium nitrate and urea 26 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen, where the ureic nitrogen accounts for about half of the nitrogen present Maximum biuret content: 0,5 % Total nitrogen Nitric nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen and ureic nitrogen If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added 3 Calcium nitrate solution Product obtained by dissolving calcium nitrate in water 8 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitrogen in nitric form with a maximum 1 % nitrogen as ammonia Calcium expressed as water soluble CaO The type designation may be followed, as appropriate, by one of the following indications: — for foliar application; — for making nutrient solutions; — for ferti-irrigation. Total nitrogen Water soluble calcium oxide for the uses stipulated in column 5 Optionally: — nitrogen in nitric form; — nitrogen as ammonia. 4 Magnesium nitrate solution Product obtained chemically and by dissolving magnesium nitrate in water 6 % N Nitrogen expressed as nitric nitrogen Nitric nitrogen Water-soluble magnesium oxide 9 % MgO Magnesium expressed as water-soluble magnesium oxide Minimum pH: 4 5 Calcium nitrate suspension Product obtained by suspension of calcium nitrate in water 8 % N Nitrogen expressed as total nitrogen or nitric and ammoniacal nitrogen maximum content of ammoniacal nitrogen: 1,0 % The type designation may be followed by one of the following indications: — for foliar application; — for making nutrient solutions and suspensions; — for fertigation. Total nitrogen Nitric nitrogen Water soluble calcium oxide for the uses stipulated in column 5 14 % CaO Calcium expressed as water soluble CaO 6 Nitrogen fertiliser solution with urea formaldehyde Product obtained chemically or by dissolution in water of urea formaldehyde and a nitrogenous fertiliser from list A-1 in this regulation, excluding products 3(a), 3(b), and 5 18 % N expressed as total nitrogen At least one third of the declared total nitrogen content must derive from urea formaldehyde Maximum biuret content: (ureic N + urea formaldehyde N) × 0,026 Total nitrogen For each form amounting to at least 1 %: — Nitric nitrogen; — Ammoniacal nitrogen; — Ureic nitrogen. Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde 7 Nitrogen fertiliser suspension with urea formaldehyde Product obtained chemically or by suspension in water of urea formaldehyde and a nitrogenous fertiliser from list A-1 in this regulation, excluding products 3(a), 3(b), and 5 18 % N expressed as total nitrogen At least one third of the declared total nitrogen content must derive from urea formaldehyde of which at least three fifths has to be soluble in hot water Maximum biuret content: (ureic N + urea formaldehyde N) × 0,026 Total nitrogen For each form amounting to at least 1 % — Nitric nitrogen; — Ammoniacal nitrogen; — Ureic nitrogen. Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is soluble in cold water Nitrogen from urea formaldehyde that is only soluble in hot water

C.2. Compound fluid fertilisers







C.2.1. Type designation: NPK-fertiliser solution. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically and by dissolution in water, in a form stable at atmospheric pressure, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight) and other requirements: — Total: 15 %, (N + P2O5 + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 2 % N, 3 % P2O5, 3 % K2O; — Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen Water-soluble P2O5 Water-soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to not less than 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added Water-soluble P2O5 (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The words ‘low in chloride’ may be used only where the Cl content does not exceed 2 % (3) The chloride content may be declared







C.2.2. Type designation: NPK-fertiliser suspension. Data on method of production: Product in liquid form, in which the nutrients are derived from substances both in suspension in the water and in solution without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight) and other requirements: — Total: 20 %, (N + P2O5 + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 4 % P2O5, 4 % K2O; — Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and water Water-soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen 2 to 4 amounts to not less than 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added The fertilisers must not contain Thomas slag, aluminium calcium phosphate, calcined phosphates, partially solubilised phosphates or rock phosphates (1) If the water-soluble P2O5 is less than 2 %, only solubility 2 shall be declared (2) If the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 %, solubility 3 and the water-soluble P2O5 content shall be declared (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The words ‘low in chloride’ may be used only where the Cl content does not exceed 2 % (3) The chloride content may be declared







C.2.3. Type designation: NP-fertiliser solution. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically and by dissolution in water, in a form stable at atmospheric pressure, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 %, (N + P2O5); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % P2O5; — Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen P2O5Water-soluble (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to not less than 1 % by weight, it must be declared. (3) If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added Water-soluble P2O5







C.2.4. Type designation: NP-fertiliser suspension. Data on method of production: Product in liquid form, in which the nutrients are derived from substances both in solution and in suspension in the water, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 %, (N + P2O5); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % P2O5; — Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen (1) Water-soluble P2O5 (2) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate (3) P2O5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate and water (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to not less than 1 % by weight, it must be declared. (3) If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added (1) If the water-soluble P2O5 is less than 2 % only solubility 2 shall be declared (2) If the water-soluble P2O5 is at least 2 %, solubility 3 will be declared and the water-soluble P2O5 content must be stated. The fertilisers may not contain Thomas slag, aluminium calcium phosphate, calcined phosphates, partially solubilised phosphate or rock phosphates







C.2.5. Type designation: NK-fertiliser solution. Data on method of production: Product obtained chemically and by dissolution in water, in a form stable at atmospheric pressure, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 15 % (N + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % K2O; — Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal nitrogen (4) Ureic nitrogen Water-soluble K2O (1) Total nitrogen (2) If any of the forms of nitrogen (2) to (4) amounts to not less than 1 % by weight, it must be declared (3) If the biuret content is less than 0,2 %, the words ‘low in biuret’ may be added (1) Water-soluble potassium oxide (2) The words ‘low in chloride’ may be used only where the Cl content does not exceed 2 % (3) The chloride content may be declared







C.2.6. Type designation: NK-fertiliser suspension. Data on method of production: Product in liquid form, in which the nutrients are derived from substances both in solution and in suspension in the water, without addition of organic nutrients of animal or vegetable origin. Minimum content of nutrients (percentage by weight): — Total: 18 % (N + K2O); — For each of the nutrients: 3 % N, 5 % K2O; — Maximum biuret content: ureic N × 0,026.







Forms, solubilities and nutrient content to be declared as specified in columns 4, 5 and 6 Particle size Data for identification of the fertilisers Other requirements N P2O5 K2O N P2O5 K2O 1 2 3 4 5 6 (1) Total nitrogen (2) Nitric nitrogen (3) Ammoniacal ni