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— Regulatory Update

EU Cadmium Regulations 2026: What Fertilizer Buyers Need to Know

·5 min read

Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 on EU fertilising products has applied since 16 July 2022. For CE-marked inorganic and organo-mineral fertilisers with a phosphorus content of 5% P₂O₅ or more, it sets a cadmium limit of 60 mg Cd per kg P₂O₅. This article summarises what applies in 2026 and what it means for phosphate sourcing.

The Cadmium Limits: What Is in Force

  • In force: 60 mg Cd / kg P₂O₅ (since 16 July 2022)
  • Proposed 2016, not adopted: 40 then 20 mg Cd / kg P₂O₅
  • Low-cadmium label: ≤ 20 mg Cd / kg P₂O₅ (voluntary)

The step-down from 60 to 40 and then 20 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅ was part of the European Commission's 2016 proposal; it was not adopted. Instead, the Regulation requires the Commission to review the cadmium limits (Article 49). There is currently no adopted EU-wide 2026 limit of 40 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅ and no adopted 2033 limit of 20 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅. Some Member States may apply stricter national limits under derogations.

Impact on Sourcing

The limits apply to the fertilising product placed on the market, not to phosphate rock as a raw material; the rock itself is not CE-marked. Whether a finished fertiliser meets the limit depends on the cadmium content of the rock, the process route and the product formulation.

Units matter. The EU limit is expressed per kg of P₂O₅. A cadmium value for rock reported in mg/kg of material cannot be compared with the EU limit without converting it to the P₂O₅ basis. Cadmium data for a specific origin or grade should therefore always be requested with its unit and basis stated.

What Buyers Should Do

  1. Verify the current legal text of Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 and any national rules in the target market
  2. Confirm how your end product is classified and which cadmium limit applies to it
  3. Request cadmium data per grade and per shipment, with the unit and basis (mg/kg material or mg/kg P₂O₅) stated
  4. Agree in the contract how cadmium is sampled and analysed, for example by an independent inspection company (SGS, BV, Intertek) where arranged

Key Takeaway

In 2026 the EU limit for CE-marked phosphate fertilisers remains 60 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅, with a voluntary low-cadmium label at 20 mg Cd/kg P₂O₅ while the Regulation requires the Commission to review the limits. Buyers should follow that review and national rules, and specify cadmium requirements clearly in their purchase contracts.