Key takeaway
What This Development Means
The European Commission has introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/2770, setting stricter biodegradability standards for polymers used in fertilisers. Effective from October 2028, the regulation mandates that coating agents and water retention polymers must achieve 90% degradation in soil within 48 months after their active period. This measure aligns with the EU’s environmental strategies, including the "Farm to Fork" initiative aimed at reducing nutrient losses. The regulation also enforces specific degradation rates in aquatic environments to prevent polymer accumulation. Additionally, products must carry labels advising users to maintain a minimum buffer zone near water sources. By harmonising with existing REACH restrictions, this amendment underscores the EU’s commitment to sustainable farming and environmental protection.
What are the new biodegradability requirements for polymers in EU fertilisers under Regulation (EU) 2024/2770?
The updated regulation mandates that polymers in fertilisers, such as coating agents and water retention polymers, must demonstrate a 90% degradation rate in soil within 48 months after their functional period. This applies to polymers intended to control nutrient release and water retention. The regulation also specifies minimum degradation rates for aquatic environments to prevent potential pollution in water systems.
How will Regulation (EU) 2024/2770 impact fertiliser application near water bodies?
To reduce the risk of polymer runoff, products containing these polymers must display labels advising users to avoid application close to water bodies and maintain a minimum buffer of three metres. This buffer requirement ensures that fertiliser polymers have limited impact on aquatic environments, supporting the EU’s broader environmental and water protection goals.
Source basis: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AL_202402770
The European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/2770, amending the existing EU Regulation 2019/1009. This amendment mandates stricter biodegradability criteria for coating agents and water retention polymers used in fertilisers, with the goal of reducing environmental impact. Effective from October 2028, the regulation aims to prevent polymer accumulation in soil and aquatic systems.
New Standards Targeting Polymer Accumulation In Ecosystems
The 2024/2770 amendment requires that polymers in EU fertilising products demonstrate significant biodegradability across both soil and aquatic environments. These polymers, commonly used to control nutrient release and enhance water retention, must now meet a 90% degradation rate within 48 months in soil, post their effective period. This criterion aligns with broader EU environmental strategies, including the "Farm to Fork" initiative, which seeks to halve nutrient losses by 2030.
Testing Protocols And Accelerated Methods
Under the new regulation, polymers’ biodegradability must be tested using recognised standards such as ISO 17556:2019 and ASTM D5988-96:2018 for soil environments. To streamline testing, accelerated methods at temperatures up to 37°C are permitted under certain conditions, potentially reducing the testing period for compliance by simulating higher temperature environments.
Specifics For Aquatic Environments
To mitigate polymer runoff into water bodies, the regulation sets a 12-month degradation benchmark for aquatic conditions, ensuring a minimum degradation of 25% to 43.8%, depending on the polymer's functionality period. The European Commission anticipates further degradation beyond this period, projecting an eventual 90% degradation within 48 months. Products containing these polymers must display clear labelling advising users to avoid application near water bodies and maintain a minimum three-metre buffer zone.
Harmonisation With REACH Restrictions
In line with the REACH regulation, the amendment limits the market availability of non-biodegradable synthetic polymers, which are widely viewed as potential hazards to both soil and aquatic health. The new criteria, however, exempt polymers that naturally degrade or dissolve effectively, preventing negative impacts on soil fertility or nutrient availability.
This updated regulation reflects the EU's continued commitment to sustainable agricultural practices by introducing stringent biodegradability standards. These changes, effective by 2028, not only aim to limit environmental pollution from fertiliser polymers but also reinforce the EU’s goal of creating a greener, more resilient agricultural sector.
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