France accelerates cadmium reduction limits in fertilizers

The French government has published new regulations in the Official Journal regarding the use of fertilizing materials and culture supports (MFSC). These rules, which include a decree and two orders, establish limit values for heavy metals and organic trace compounds. The new regulations are set to take effect in January.

A central component of this reform is an accelerated reduction of cadmium levels in phosphate fertilizers. To address the toxicity and soil accumulation of this heavy metal, the government has set a target to reduce the authorized threshold from the current 90 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg of phosphorus by 2030. This is a significant acceleration from previous plans that aimed for the 20 mg/kg target by 2038.

The new timeline mandates a reduction to 60 mg/kg by January 1, 2027, aligning with European standards, before reaching the 20 mg/kg limit in 2030. Additionally, a new order sets a reference annual cadmium input of three grams per hectare for several fertilizer categories starting in 2027. These measures follow warnings from health agencies regarding cadmium's status as a carcinogen and its potential for renal, respiratory, and neurological health impacts.