6/03/2014- Doc 1 OF
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRY DIRECTORATE-GENERAL
Chemicals, metals, mechanical, electrical and construction industries; Raw materials
Chemicals - Classification & Labelling, Specific Products, Competitiveness
Brussels, ENTR G2/KB D(2012)
TYPES OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS BROUGHT ON THE EU MARKET
The following list is a review of existing organic fertilizers marketed in member states of EU (I, Fi, F, BE). This list is not exhaustive and
represents only most of type products encountered on the market. It could be helpful to illustrate the scope of the organic fertilizers, to describe
the designations used in different countries, their specific method of production and their specifications based on nutrient contents.
Explanations on specifications:
The organic fertilisers are specified on the basis of the major nutrient contents (N,P,K) from animal or plant origin
There are overall two main rules to describe the minimum content :
• Either minimum content referring to only one primary nutrient : at least more than or equal to 3%,
• or by the total content of the sum of primary nutrients total must be at least more or equal than 7%
(N or P or K) content ≥ 3 % or ( N+ P+ K) content ≥ 7%
If a fertilising material does not fulfil these two main rules we could consider it as an organic soil improver to be distinguished from organic
fertilisers. Furthermore they are generally described with specifications based on organic matter.
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
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6/03/2014- Doc 1 OF
1. Organic fertilizers of Animal and/or Plant origin
These fertilising materials should be containing 100 % ingredients of either animal, either plant origin : no nitrogen issued from organic synthesis
is allowed.
If the product is soluble, the nutrient content should be expressed in water soluble N, P or K or in water soluble secondary nutrient (e.g. Mg, S)
where relevant.
1.1 Organic nitrogenous fertilisers : Fertilizers N with N min ≥ 3% (N from animal and/or plant origin) ?
Nitrogen expressed as organic N Ù N total – (nitrical N+ ammoniacal N+ ureic N)
No more than 1% of (nitrical N or ammoniacal N or ureic N) is required in France for certain compound organic fertilisers (why ?)
General type
designations /
Material Names
Skin & leather
material
General data on
method of production
and Essential
ingredients
-Product obtained from
the processing of skin
and leather, obtained by
treatment with
(sulphuric acid or
mineral acids ?) drying,
torrefied action, and/or
pressurised hydrolysis,
as well as by blending
parts thereof
Description of original
types with their
ingredients (illustrative
informations)
Min N
nutrient
content (%
dry matter)
-Nitrogen is
expressed as
organic
- leather and leather
6-8% (F),
scraps
4-10% (IT),
- torrefied leather (meal )
4% (BE)
- hydrolised leather and
skin (meal) obtained by
pressurised hydrolysis and
subsequent drying) - skin residues after
gelatine extraction (dried
or not)
- hydrolysed gelatine (cf
Other min
nutrient
content
C/N ratio less
than or equal to
4? (It)
(Hydrolised
products have
specific contents
in It)
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Restrictions –
any requested
mentions on
labelling
-Local names
may be added ?
Organic N:
Organic C :
(requested by
Italy)
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
All types
produced
without any
chrome
treatment( to
Specific
comments (to
remember for
discussion and
also in italic)?
Fertiliser N Ù
N min ≥ 3 % F
-Do we need to
add: hydrolyzed
treatment with
sulphuric acid
or by other
mineral acid ?Is
it different from
pressurised
treatment?
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- under scraps form or
powder/meal (crumbs
also ?)
avoid Cr 6+)
A limit value is
provided in (It)
Specified
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
pH ? in case of
liquid/hydrolised
epithelium
pre-treated ? / in Italy)
-Hydrolysed epythelium
with mineral acids
?(Italy)
- fragments of dried
rabbits skin (specific
interest ?)
- fragments of dried sheep
skin (specific interest ?)
-Feathers/plumes -Product obtained from
- Bristles
the processing of
feathers, plumes and/or
bristles (swines) by
milling, hydrolysis, heat
treatment and
pressurised sterilisation
- Meal feathers,
- Meal bristles from
swines (only swines ?)
11% (F),
10% (IT)
5% (FI) ?
4% (BE) ?
Wool materials
Product obtained from
the processing of wool
and woolen goods
-Wool flocks from
shearing
-Wool fragments after
drying
Silk materials
Product obtained from
degreased silkworm
chrysalises
- silk from chrysalises
- silk fragments after
drying?
3-5% (F),
5 (Fi)
8% (IT) ?
4% (BE)
(Nitrogen
expressed as
organic N )
5% (IT)
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Is fineness
required (BE)?
Organic N:
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
Specified
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
Organic N:
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
Specified
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
Organic N:
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
Specified
-Do we need to
add as skin
types:
- hydrolysed
gelatine
(specific
method of use)?
and hydrolized
epithelium ?)
If blending,
ingredients are
specified
Fertilizer N Ù
N min > =3 %F
Fertilizer N Ù
N min > =3 %F
(local or specific
product in Italy
?)
Fertilizer N Ù
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Horn & nail
materials
Product obtained in its
natural form by grinding
or torrefied
- Meals of horns, hooves
and nails obtained by
grinding
-Meals of horns, hooves
and nails from grinding
and torrefied
11-12% (F),
10% (FI) 9% It
4% (BE)
Dried blood
powder/meal
Product obtained from
dehydrated blood
obtained by coagulation
and drying vaporisation
then by fine milling
-Transformed animal
proteïn from blood
9%(F)10%
(FI)
4% (I)
12% B
Oilcakes
Waste from the
processing of dried
oilseeds by extraction or
plant waste from the
canning industry and the
extraction of fruit juices
3% (F)
Blend of previous
designation types from
3% (F)
Organic
nitrogen
Organic N
Total P2O5
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
Is Fineness
required (BE)?
Organic N:
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
Specified
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
N min > =3 %F
Is Fineness
required (BE)?
Organic N:
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
Specified
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
Organic N:
P2O5 if > 1%
K205 if>1%
Fertilizer N Ù
N min > =3 %F
(Under form
powder or
meal )
Fertilizer N Ù
N min > =3 %F
Fertilizer N Ù
N min > =3 %F
In case of castor
seed oil, mention
"compulsory
disposal by
burying"
Organic N:
Fertilizer N Ù
P2O5 if > 1%
N min > =3 %F
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fertilizers
(blend)
animal and/or plant
origin
K205 if>1%
Specified
mention in BE:
"for fertilizers"
Requested
mentions or
restrictions
relative to the
designations
used
do we need to
add other
designations ?
of soil improvers
?
1.2 Organic NPK, NP, NK fertilizers : Fertilizers NPK, NP, NK with N min > or = 1 % (N from animal and/or plant origin) ?
Meat meal
Product of terrestrial
superior animal obtained
from meat processing,
by heating, degreased,
drying, sterilisation and
grounding then fine
milling
- Transformed animal
proteins from meat
fleshings without any
other added horn, hair,
feather materials
6 % (F)
4 % (IT)
5% (FI)
8% (BE)
N+P+K2O=13% Is Fineness
5% P2O5 (F)
required (BE)?
Organic N:
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
Specified
mention in
BE: "for
fertilizers"?
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Is the treatment
with sulphuric
acid is authorized
as in It ?
Bone meal
Product of terrestrial
superior animal obtained
from bone processing,
by heating, degreased
and degelatinised,
drying, sterilisation and
grounding then fine
- Bone powder without
any other added horn,
hair, feather materials
2% (F),
1-3% (IT),
4% (BE)
N+P+K2O=20% Is fineness
16% P2O5 (F)
required (BE)?
Organic N:
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
Specified
mention in
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Is the treatment
with sulphuric
acid is authorized
as in It ?
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Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
6/03/2014- Doc 1 OF
milling
Fish products
Product obtained from
the processing of fish
dried
BE: "for
fertilizers"?
-Remains of fishing and
canning which have been
heated or dehydrated,
content eventually a few
of crustaceous and
molluscs
4 % (F),
5% (FI),
4-5% (IT)
N+P+K2O=10% The following
4% P2O5 (F)
designations :
Fish guano and
/other area
origin may be
added
Organic N:
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
Specified
mention in
BE: "for
fertilizers" ?
Compost of
fishing byproducts
Bat Guano
Product obtained from
the processing of
transformed fishing
waste
Product obtained from
accumulated natural
deposits by bat
excrements
- By-products from fresh
fishing, shredded and
composted
2,5 % (F)
5% (IT) - FI
4% (F)
2-5% (IT),
3% (BE) ?
N+P+K2O= 6 % Organic N:
3% P2O5 (F)
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
N+P+K2O= 11 The area of
3% P2O5 (F)
origin may be
declared or
must?
Organic N
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Do we need to
distinguish 2
categories (fresh
for compost) and
and the other :
dry products ( Is
there a necessity
for market and a
different
agronomic added
value ?)
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
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The area of
origin may be
declared or
must?
Organic N
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
% of dry
matter> = 75 %
Organic N:
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
MgO or SO3
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
N+P+K2O= 7%
3% P2O5 (F)
% of dry
matter> = 50%
Organic N:
P2O5 total
K2O total
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Processing for
compost should
be described in
preface
N+P+K2O=7%
2% P2O5
C :30% (I)?
C/N: 12 (I) ?
Humidification Fertilizer NPK,
level= 25% ?to NP, NK Ù N min
check
> =1 % F
Organic N
Organic C
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
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Seabirds Guano
Product obtained from
accumulated natural
deposits by sea birds
excrements
2-5% (IT),
3% (BE)
N+P+K2O= 15
8% P2O5 (F)
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
Organic N
Dried poultry
manure
Product obtained by
drying excrements from
domestic poultry with or
without litter
2 %(IT),
3% (BE)?
3% (F)
N+P+K2O= 7%
2,5 % P2O5 (F)
Compost of
dried poultry
manure
Product obtained by
composting excrements
from domestic poultry
with litter
2 %(IT),
3% (BE) ?
2% (F)
Dried pig
manure
Product obtained by
drying and processing
pig excrements
2,5 % (I)
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Excrements
means all kind
dejections
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Compost manure Product obtained from
(NP organic
extracted solid phasis of
fertilisers)
manure then by
composting with or no
vegetal material and/or
drying
- manure from ? (origin
of excrements)
1,5% N (F)
N+P+K2O=6%
3 % P2O5
Dried
vinasse/molasses
By-products from
fermentation, distillation
and concentrated of sugar
1,5 % N (F)
3 % N ( It)
2% (FI) (BE)
N+P+K2O=7%
5% K2O
20% C content ?
Product obtained from
the processing of
molasses
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Is there a min ?
(I) Cu content
(by dry matter)
= max 750
ppm
Zn content (by
dry matter) =
max 1500 ppm
At least 40% of
dry matter
Organic N
P2O5 total
K2O if > or = 2
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
The origin of
the excrement
must be
declared E.g.
"dried
cow/horse
/sheep
manure"?
Is there a min
Cu and Zn
content also for
compost ?
At least (Cl) :
3% of Chlore
Dry matter
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Is there a need for
other manure
designation
manure ?
Processing for
compost should
be described in
preface
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
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beets and/or cane sugar
into sugar
Dried wine
vinasse
Product obtained from
the processing of wine
making-waste
By-products from
fermentation, distillation
and concentrated of grap
materials
1 % N (F)
2 % N ( It)
N+P+K2O=6%
4,5% K2O
Potato cell sap
Product obtained from
the potato processing by
concentration of soluble
protein phasis
By-products from the
starch and cooking
process of potatoes
1,5 % N (F)
N+P+K2O=7%
5% K2O
Seeweed meal
Product obtained from
- Products from sp marin
1 % N (F)
N+P+K2O=5%
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
content ?
K2O total
P2O5 if >2%
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
Organic N
Organic C
Dry matter
content
Dry matter
content?
K2O total
P2O5 if >2%
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
Organic N
Dry matter
content
Must not
contain potato
peel or soil
K2O total
P2O5 if >2%
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
Organic N
Organic C
Dry matter
content
Are marin
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Fertilizer NPK,
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dehydrated and milled
marine algae
algae used in food
industry? (In BE only:
Fucus, Laminaria,
Ascophyllum )
3% K2O
Residues from
the extraction
plant
Waste other than oil
material obtained after
processing of fruit
and/or seed by
extraction
Plant by-products from
food industry
N+P+K2O=7%
Mycelium and
yeast biomass
Product obtained from
fungal and/or yeast
biomass
Products from agrifood
industry ?
6,5 % N (It)
N+P+K2O=6%
1% P2O5
Organic C:30%
C/N : 6-8
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
algae sp for
Industry of
Phycocolloïds
authorized ?
Dry
matter>85%
K2O total
P2O5 if >2%
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
Organic N:
Organic C ?
P2O5 if >2%
K2O if >2%
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
Organic N
Organic C ?
-The products
must not
contain GMOs
-Amount of
antibiotics
must be under
0,1 mg/kg
Origin of raw
materials ?
Organic N
Organic C ?:
P2O5 if >2%
K2O if > 2%?
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
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Bacterial
biomass
Product obtained from
bacterial biomass
Organic NPK,
NP, NK
fertilizers
(blend)
Blend of previous
designation types NPK,
NP, NK from animal
and/or plant origin
Products from agrifood
industry ?
5% N (Fi)-
N+P+K2O=6%
1% P2O5
-Amount of
antibiotics
must be under
0,1 mg/kg
-Origin of raw
materials
P2O5 if >2%
K2O ? if > 2%
Organic C
N+P+K2O=7%
C content min ?
C/N ratio not
greater than ?
Humidification Fertilizer NPK,
rate or dry
NP, NK Ù N min
matter ?
> =1 % F
Organic C ?
P2O5 if > or=2
K2O if > or = 2
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
The origin of
the material
must be
declared
-Requested
mentions or
restrictions
relative to the
designations
used are
appliedSpecify
if NPK, NP,
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Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N min
> =1 % F
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NK or do we
need to create
different types
?
Do we need to add other categories designations such fluid organic fertilisers ?
Do we need to add sewage sludge (reject water), Are the nutrient contents (N,P,K) or (N+P+K) is sufficient ?to include them as fertilisers ?
Organic NPK,
NP, NK, N
fertilizers
(blend)
Blend of previous
designation types NPK,
NP, NK, N from animal
and/or plant origin
N+P+K2O=7%
C content min ?
C/N ratio not
greater than ?
Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11.
Office: BREY 11/254. Telephone: direct line (32-2) 299 48 60. Fax: (32-2) 295 02 81.
DISCLAIMER: This working document does not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission
Humidification
rate or dry
matter ?
Organic C ?
P2O5 if > or=2
K2O if > or = 2
MgO if >or = 2
SO3 if>or=2 %
The origin of
the material
must be
declared
-Requested
mentions or
restrictions
relative to the
designations
used are
applied
Fertilizer NPK,
NP, NK Ù N
min > =1 % F
Do we need to
create a second
category without
any by-products
? or without
manure ?
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