France has updated its fertilizer safety regulations to lower maximum cadmium levels and define acceptable intake during use, implementing stricter trace metal controls for fertilizers and growing media.
France Lowers Cadmium Limits and Classifies Fertilizers
New safety standards, four quality categories, and stricter labeling rules now apply.
What changed
Maximum cadmium content lowered and allowable intake levels defined.
Innocuity criteria set for trace metals and organic compounds like dioxins.
Amendment A2 to Standard NF U42-001-1:2011 is enforced for inorganic fertilizers.
Labels must include mandatory usage and safety information.
Who it affects
Fertilizer manufacturers must meet new cadmium limits and category standards.
Producers of growing media must meet criteria to exit waste status.
France’s Updated Fertilizer Safety Regulations on Cadmium and Trace Metals
France has implemented stricter controls on cadmium and other trace metals in fertilizers and growing media through recent regulatory updates. The key changes include lowered maximum cadmium levels, defined acceptable intake limits during use, and expanded monitoring requirements for trace metals and organic contaminants. Below is a structured analysis of the regulatory framework.
1. Regulatory Framework and Scope
The updated regulations apply to fertilizers and growing media placed on the market or used in France, governed under the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code (Articles L.255-2 to L.255-5, L.255-9-1)1. The rules distinguish between categories of fertilizers based on professional use and trace metal content:
- Category A1: General use (professional and non-professional).
- Category A2: Professional use with specific controls.
- Category B1/B2: Professional use only under an epandage plan (spreading plan)1.
The regulations target:
- Cadmium (primary focus of recent updates).
- Other trace metals (e.g., lead, mercury, arsenic).
- Organic contaminants (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls2, dioxins)3.
2. Key Requirements
A. Maximum Cadmium Levels in Fertilizers
France has introduced phased reductions in cadmium limits, differentiated by phosphorus (P₂O₅) content:
| Fertilizer Type | Cadmium Limit | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral/organo-mineral fertilizers with P₂O₅ > 5% | 20 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅ | 1 January 2038 | 4 |
| Mineral/organo-mineral fertilizers with P₂O₅ ≤ 5% | 1 mg Cd/kg dry matter | 1 January 2038 | 4 |
| Other fertilizers/supports (non-P₂O₅-based) | Reduced "as much as possible" | 1 January 2038 | 4 |
Interim Report Requirement: By 1 January 2032, the government must publish a report assessing the feasibility of achieving the 2038 limits, including a proposed implementation timeline4.
B. Acceptable Cadmium Intake During Use
The regulations define maximum allowable cadmium inputs per hectare, with phased reductions for Category B2 fertilizers (professional use only):
| Period | Annual Reference Flux (g/ha/year) | Punctual Input (g/ha) | Total Over Period (g/ha) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry into force → 31/12/2029 | 10 | 15 | 30 | 3 |
| 01/01/2030 → 31/12/2032 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 3 |
| From 01/01/2033 | 2 | 6 | Not specified | 3 |
Key Notes:
- Category A1/A2 fertilizers are subject to the same limits (2 g/ha/year annual flux, 6 g/ha punctual input) from 1 January 20384.
- Frequency adaptation: Punctual inputs may exceed annual limits if the average over the application period does not exceed the annual reference flux3.
- Exemptions: Cadmium limits do not apply to:
- Soils from vegetable washing.
- Non-hazardous dredged sediments meeting environmental/agronomic criteria3.
C. Trace Metals and Organic Contaminants
i. Maximum Allowable Inputs for Category B2 Fertilizers
| Contaminant | Annual Reference Flux (g/ha) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cadmium | 2 (from 2033) | 3 |
| PAHs (Fluoranthene) | 6 | 3 |
| PAHs (Benzofluoranthene) | 4 | 3 |
| PAHs (Benzopyrene) | 2 | 3 |
| PCBs (6 congeners) | 1.2 | 3 |
Analysis Requirements:
- Producers must conduct pre-epandage analyses for all contaminants (except exempted fertilizers per Annex V2).
- Frequency:
- Initial analysis before first use.
- Triennial analysis thereafter (minimum).
- Immediate re-analysis after major incidents or changes in input composition2.
- Testing Methods: Follow Article R. 255-32 of the Rural Code2.
ii. Maximum Concentrations in Fertilizers
- Category A1/A2/B2 fertilizers must comply with Annex III (until 36 months post-entry into force, when replaced by Annex IV)2.
- Exemptions: Some fertilizers may be exempt from specific analyses (e.g., if PAH limits for fluoranthene, benzofluoranthene, and benzopyrene are met, the sum of 16 PAHs analysis is optional)2.
D. Compliance and Enforcement
i. Responsibilities
| Entity | Obligation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Producer/Marketer | – Ensure fertilizers meet maximum concentration limits (Annexes I–IV). | 2,3 |
| – Conduct required analyses (pre-epandage and periodic). | 2 | |
| – Provide documentation for inspections. | 5 | |
| Professional User | – Respect input limits (annual/punctual fluxes). | 3 |
| – Use Category B1/B2 fertilizers only under an epandage plan1. | 1 |
ii. Normative References
Fertilizers must comply with mandatory French standards (e.g., NF U 42-004, NF U 44-001/A1 (2024), NF U 44-551)6. Key standards include:
- NF U 44-001/A1 (2024): Basic mineral amendments.
- NF U 44-295 (2017): Composts with P₂O₅ ≥ 3%.
- NF U 44-551 (2002–2009): Growing media specifications.
iii. Penalties
Non-compliance may trigger sanctions under:
- Consumer Code (Article L. 214-1)6.
- Rural Code (Articles L.255-2 to L.255-5)1.
- Law No. 79-595 (13 July 1979) on fertilizer control5.
3. Regulation Analysis Table
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrêté (Cadmium Limits)4 | – 20 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅ (P₂O₅ > 5%) – 1 mg Cd/kg dry matter (P₂O₅ ≤ 5%) | 1 January 2038 | Ministry of Agriculture4 |
| Arrêté (Input Limits for B2 Fertilizers)3 | – 2 g/ha/year Cd flux (from 2033) – 6 g/ha punctual Cd input | Phased: 2029, 2030, 2033 | Ministry of Agriculture3 |
| Article R. 255-32 (Analysis Requirements)2 | – Pre-epandage + triennial analyses for contaminants – Immediate re-analysis after incidents | Entry into force + 36 months (Annex IV) | Rural Code2 |
| Annex III/IV (Trace Metal Limits)2 | – Maximum concentrations for Cd, Pb, Hg, etc. – PAH/PCB limits (e.g., 2 g/ha benzopyrene) | Annex IV replaces Annex III post-36 months | Ministry of Agriculture2 |
| Decree No. 80-478 (Control Framework)5 | – Documentation obligations for producers – Official control methods | In force (updated 2015) | Prime Minister5 |
4. Summary Answer
France’s updated fertilizer regulations impose stricter cadmium limits (20 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅ for high-phosphorus fertilizers, 1 mg Cd/kg for others by 2038) and phased reductions in allowable cadmium inputs (2 g/ha/year from 2033)4,3. Category B2 fertilizers (professional use only) face additional controls on trace metals and organic contaminants (e.g., PAHs, PCBs), with mandatory pre-epandage and triennial analyses2,3. Compliance is enforced through documentation requirements, normative standards (e.g., NF U 44-001/A1), and penalties under the Rural and Consumer Codes6,5,1. Exemptions apply to vegetable-washing soils and non-hazardous dredged sediments3. The government must report on implementation progress by 20324.
Sources
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 25-07745 — France https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/FRA/25_07745_00_f.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 25-07746 — France https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/FRA/25_07746_00_f.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 25-07747 — France https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/FRA/25_07747_00_f.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-03126 — France https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/FRA/26_03126_00_f.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 25-07744 — France https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/FRA/25_07744_00_f.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 25-09178 — France https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/TBT/FRA/25_09178_00_f.pdf