September 29, 2025

What Is FPR?

The EU Fertilizing Products Regulation (FPR) came into effect on 16 July 2022. It sets clear rules for the safety, quality, and labeling of fertilizer products and creates a single pathway to free trade across all EU member states. For the first time, the FPR also provides a legal pathway for plant bio stimulants to enter the EU Single Market under harmonized rules.

Key Requirements of the FPR

If you are a manufacturer or importer of fertilizer products in the EU, you must follow the FPR. Compliance depends on two key categories:

  • Product Function Categories (PFCs): Define the role of the product (e.g., fertilizer, bio stimulant, liming material).
  • Component Material Categories (CMCs): Define the type of ingredients used.

A dossier must be prepared for each product to show compliance with both PFC and CMC requirements.

This dossier can be used to support CE mark certification, which is required for products to move freely in the EU market.

CE Marking under the FPR

The CE mark is proof that your product meets all FPR requirements and is approved for sale in the EU Single Market.

  • For some products, a notified body (an authorized third-party reviewer) must check the dossier before CE marking.
  • For others, the manufacturer/importer is fully responsible for compliance and must keep proper documentation.

Either way, without the CE mark, fertilizer products cannot legally circulate across EU member states.

Plant Bio stimulants in the FPR

Plant bio stimulants are officially covered under the FPR. In particular:

  • Microbial plant bio stimulants are defined under PFC 6(A).
  • They can only contain microorganisms listed in CMC 7, which currently includes:
    • Azotobacter spp.
    • Mycorrhizal fungi
    • Rhizobium spp.
    • Az spirillum spp.

?? If a product contains microorganisms not on this positive list, it falls outside the FPR. In such cases, companies must follow national rules in individual EU countries.

The European Bio stimulants Industry Council (EBIC) is working to expand the CMC 7 list, since many useful microbes are currently excluded.

Why This Matters for Businesses

The FPR is still evolving, and changes to definitions, categories, and requirements can directly affect your market access.

Not staying compliant can lead to:

  • Blocked access to the EU market
  • Fines and penalties
  • Delays in product launches
  • Reputation risks

How Maven Regulatory Solutions Can Help

At Maven Regulatory Solutions, we support companies in the fertilizer and bio stimulant industry to stay fully compliant with EU and global regulations.

Our services include:

  • FPR Compliance Consulting – Step-by-step guidance on meeting PFC and CMC requirements
  • CE Marking Support – Preparing dossiers and coordinating with notified bodies
  • Labeling & Documentation – Ensuring fertilizer labels meet EU rules
  • Regulatory Updates – Tracking changes in EU fertilizer and bio stimulant regulations
  • Global Market Guidance – Expanding compliance beyond the EU for worldwide sales

With Maven as your partner, you can navigate EU fertilizer rules with confidence, reduce compliance risks, and enter the market faster.

Conclusion

The EU Fertilizing Products Regulation (FPR) is a game-changer for fertilizers and plant bio stimulants. By setting safety, quality, and labeling rules and introducing CE marking, it creates a clear pathway to the EU Single Market.

For plant bio stimulant manufacturers, this is a huge opportunity—but it comes with strict compliance needs.

???? Maven Regulatory Solutions helps you stay compliant, gain CE marking, and ensure your products move smoothly across the EU.