MEMBERS

What does the term “Bio-Based Fertiliser” mean?

EU Communication on “Bio-Based" and relevance to nutrients

The European Commission has published a communication on the use of the term “Bio-Based Plastic” which can be seen as relevant for the term “Bio-Based Fertiliser”. The Communication refers to the CEN/TC4111 definition of Bio-Based and indicates that Bio-Based plastics are made from biomass, with a preference for organic wastes and by-products, whereas conventional plastics are made from fossil resources.

ESPP notes that the term Bio-Based Fertiliser is already being used in R&D and that a comparable discussion is ongoing concerning the wording “nutrients of solely biological origin” in the EU Fertilising Products Regulation. ESPP considers that the definition and usage of these vocabulary terms are important for market clarity and for a possible future European Standard on defining and measuring “Bio-Based nutrient” content to support environmental claims and EU Fertilising Products Regulation certification.

ESPP is therefore developing a Position Paper on the definitions of “Bio-Based Fertiliser” or “Bio-Based Nutrient”, available here, that is open to comment. The objective is to achieve consensus on a proposed definition to submit for consideration by the European Commission and by CEN.