Artificial fertilisers and biostimulants

Do you want to bring inorganic (artificial) fertilisers or biostimulants on the Dutch market? You must comply with the European Fertilising Product Regulation. This regulation contains requirements for, among others, nutrient content, safety, and absence of adverse effect on the environment. The product must also meet labelling requirements and have a CE marking.

Manufacturers and suppliers of fertilisers in the Netherlands must be registered with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO). To register, please contact RVO.

EC Fertiliser

So-called EC fertilisers are regulated by the EU Fertilising Product Regulation. These can be sold and used freely within the EU. You can only sell EC fertilisers that comply with the previous EU mineral (inorganic) fertilisers regulation if they were produced before 16 July 2022. After that date, you must comply with the requirements set out in the EU Fertilising Product Regulation.

Member states may only prohibit or limit EC fertilisers if they suspect there is a health risk or a risk to the environment. In such cases, the product is temporarily withdrawn pending a risk assessment study.

Other inorganic fertilisers

All other inorganic fertilisers, such as lime fertilisers, recovered phosphates, and other inorganic fertilisers, can be brought on the Dutch market as long as they comply with the rules laid down in the Dutch Fertilisers Act (Meststoffenwet, in Dutch) and the decrees based upon this Act. The Act contains general, agricultural, and environmental rules, and rules regarding packaging and labelling of fertilisers. To bring new fertilisers made from waste and residues to the market, there is a special admission procedure. You can use one of the two forms to apply (in Dutch) for this to RVO. If admitted, they will be put on a so-called positive list, which is annexed to the Dutch Fertilisers Act Implementation Decree (in Dutch).

Mixed fertilisers

Mixed fertilisers are allowed as long as both the ingredients and the end product meet the requirements for their specific fertiliser category. However, there are exceptions: you may not mix sewage sludge, digestates, and various residues.

Biostimulants

Biostimulants are not qualified as fertiliser, because they aim to improve a plant’s or crop’s environment without providing them with nutrients. Because there is no specific Dutch legislation for this type of product, depending on its characteristics, biostimulants may be subject to the rules for crop protection agents or those for fertilisers. If the product is neither one of them, it may only be brought onto the Dutch market if the product is considered to be safe for human and animal health and the environment.

Conformity assessment and CE marking

Every (artificial) fertiliser or biostimulant that you bring to the European market must undergo a conformity assessment. You can carry out the conformity assessment yourself or have a notified body do it. If you are allowed to carry out the assessment yourself depends on the product category of your product. After the conformity assessment is carried out, you must add a CE marking to your product. A CE marking shows that your product complies with the legal requirements.

Labelling requirements

Labels on fertilisers and biostimulants contain at least:

• the name of the manufacturer
• the (trade) name of the product
• information on how the product works and how to use it, and the percentages of the product’s ingredients
• the product’s net quantity and composition

Additionally, labels on biostimulants should clearly and explicitly state that the product is not a fertiliser or crop protection agent.

Packed products carry the information on the packaging or on the label attached to it. Unpacked products must be accompanied by a separate document containing the required information. It must be clearly legible, indelible, and available in Dutch. Liquid products should also carry instructions regarding storage and safety measures.