Fertilizing Products

1. Fertilizers: This category includes various types of fertilizers, such as organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, and organo-mineral fertilizers. These products provide essential nutrients to plants to promote growth and enhance crop yields.
2. Liming Materials: Liming materials are substances used to adjust soil pH levels, typically by increasing soil alkalinity. These materials help to neutralize soil acidity and improve nutrient availability to plants.
3. Soil Conditioners: Soil conditioners are products that improve soil structure, water retention, and aeration. They can enhance soil fertility and promote healthier plant growth by increasing nutrient uptake and root development.
4. Growing Media: Growing media, also known as substrates or potting mixes, are materials used for planting and growing plants in containers or controlled environments. These media provide support, moisture, and nutrients to plant roots.
5. Urease Inhibitors: Urease inhibitors are additives used in fertilizers to slow down the conversion of urea into ammonia in the soil. This helps to reduce nitrogen losses through volatilization and improve nitrogen use efficiency by plants.
6. Plant Biostimulants: Plant biostimulants are products that enhance plant growth, development, and stress tolerance through various physiological mechanisms. These products may contain substances such as amino acids, seaweed extracts, or humic acids.
7. Fertilizing Product Mixtures: This category includes mixtures of different fertilizing products or fertilizers blended with other materials, such as soil amendments or additives.
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The Component Material Categories (CMC) specified in Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 on Fertilizing Products define the types of materials that may be used in fertilizing products. These categories help in classifying and regulating the composition of fertilizing products. Here's a brief overview of the Component Material Categories:

1. Unprocessed Material Substances and Mixtures: This category includes raw materials that have not undergone significant processing and may be used directly in fertilizing products. It covers substances such as minerals, natural ores, and raw organic materials.
2. Plants, Plant Parts, or Plant Extracts: Plant-derived materials, including whole plants, plant parts (such as leaves, stems, or roots), and extracts obtained from plants, fall under this category. These materials may be used for their nutrient content or other beneficial properties.
3. Composts: Composts are organic materials that have undergone decomposition and partial decomposition through microbial activity. They are rich in organic matter and nutrients, making them valuable soil amendments and components of fertilizing products.
4. Fresh Crop Digestion Products: This category includes materials derived from the digestion of fresh crops, such as crop residues or by-products from agricultural processes. These materials may contain nutrients and organic matter suitable for use in fertilizing products.
5. Digestion Materials Other Than Fresh Crop Digesters: Materials derived from the digestion of organic matter other than fresh crops, such as animal manure or food waste, fall under this category. These materials undergo anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and digestate, which can be used as fertilizer components.
6. By-products of the Food Industry: This category encompasses by-products generated during food processing and manufacturing, such as spent grains, fruit pomace, or dairy whey. These by-products may contain nutrients or organic matter suitable for use in fertilizing products.
7. Microorganisms: Microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and algae, are categorized separately due to their unique role in fertilizing products. Beneficial microorganisms may be used as biofertilizers or biostimulants to enhance soil fertility and plant growth.
8. Nutrient Polymers: Polymers specifically designed to release nutrients slowly over time are classified under this category. These polymers help to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce nutrient losses from leaching or volatilization.
9. Polymers Other Than Nutrient Polymers: This category includes polymers used for purposes other than nutrient release, such as soil conditioning or moisture retention. These polymers may be added to fertilizing products to enhance their physical properties or performance.
10. Products Derived under Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009: Materials derived from non-animal by-products not intended for human consumption, regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, fall under this category. These materials may include processed animal proteins or fats suitable for use in fertilizing products.
11. By-products Falling under Directive 2008/98/EC: Materials classified as by-products under Directive 2008/98/EC on waste management fall under this category. These materials may include residues from industrial processes or waste streams suitable for use in fertilizing products.

These Component Material Categories help in classifying the diverse range of materials used in fertilizing products, ensuring their safe and effective use while promoting environmental sustainability.

The certification process for Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 on Fertilizing Products involves several steps to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements. Here's a description of the typical certification process:

1. Assessment of Product Category: The first step is to determine the appropriate Product Function Category (PFC) and Component Material Category (CMC) for the fertilizing product. This classification helps in selecting the relevant certification module and understanding the specific requirements applicable to the product.
2. Selection of Certification Module: Based on the identified PFC and CMC, the appropriate certification module is selected from the options provided in the regulation. The certification modules include internal production control, type examination certificate, conformity to type based on internal production control, and quality management system for the production process.
   The modules defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 on fertilizing products are listed below.

Module A - Internal production control

Module A1 - Internal production control and supervised product testing

Module B - Type examination certificate

Module C - Conformity to type based on internal production control

Module D1 - Quality management system for the production process

3. Preparation and Submission of Documentation: The manufacturer or economic operator prepares documentation demonstrating compliance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. This documentation typically includes technical specifications, test reports, quality control procedures, and other relevant information.
4. Conformity Assessment: Depending on the selected certification module, the conformity assessment process is conducted. This may involve on-site audits, product testing, documentation review, and evaluation of the quality management system.
5. Issuance of Certificate: Upon successful completion of the conformity assessment process, the certification body issues the appropriate certificate to the manufacturer or economic operator. The certificate confirms that the fertilizing product complies with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 and is eligible for market placement within the European Union.
6. CE Marking: Economic operators who have obtained certification under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 may affix the CE marking on their products. The CE marking indicates conformity with EU requirements and allows the free movement of products within the EU market.
7. Ongoing Compliance Monitoring: After certification, ongoing compliance monitoring may be conducted by regulatory authorities or certification bodies to ensure continued adherence to the regulatory requirements. This may involve periodic audits, product sampling, and review of documentation.
8. Renewal and Maintenance: Certificates issued under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 may have expiration dates, requiring renewal through periodic reassessment. Manufacturers and economic operators must maintain compliance with regulatory requirements to retain certification and continue market placement of their products.