Legislation

In principle, the fertiliser recommendations are the same for recycled fertilisers, i.e., based on crop, soil type and fertility, cropping history , ... European and national legislation sets out strict rules for fertilisers, defining minimum nutrient content and maximum limits for contaminants (heavy metals). If a product has been approved and may be sold freely as fertiliser, it has therefore fulfilled these requirements.

In several countries, recycling-derived fertilisers such as digestate and compost have been on the market for many years. Other products, such as mineral concentrates and ammonium salts, are increasingly being approved. Ashes and struvites are generally used as components of blended fertilisers.

 

Two European processes on legislation are expected to facilitate the market entry of recycling-derived fertilisers in the coming years: the new European Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) shall enter into force in July 2022 and will facilitate the trade and use of fertilisers from recycled sources within the EU.

The SAFEMANURE project evaluates whether ammonium salts and mineral concentrates such as liquid fractions recovered from animal manure or digestate can be exempted from the 170 kg N/ha limit for nitrogen of animal origin set by the Nitrates Directive.