National Fertiliser also meet the requirements set out in Finnish Fertiliser Act (539/2006). The Fertiliser Product Act ensures that all fertiliser products placed on the market in Finland are safe, of good quality, and suitable for plant production.
The Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Fertiliser Products 24/11 regulates the requirements for the type designation list and the requirements for quality, marking, packaging, transporting, storage, usage and other requirements and the raw materials used in fertiliser products.
EC-fertiliser meet the requirements set out in Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 (Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 relating to fertilisers. Official Journal of the European Union number L304 published on 21/11/2003.)
There is no registration or approval process for fertilizer products but the entrepreneur responsible for placing fertilizer on the market has to be registered.
Mutual recognition
An EU fertilizer product that does not meet the Finnish Fertilizer Act or Regulation 2003/2003 may still be able to be imported under the mutual recognition. Mutual recognition is the principle that a product lawfully marketed in one Member State and not subject to EU harmonization may be marketed in another Member State, even when the product does not comply fully with the technical rules of the importing State.
An application for mutual recognition can be made by letter or e-mail to Finnish Food Authority (in Finnish, Swedish or English), e-mail: lannoite.ilmoitukset(a)foodauthority.fi
More information about mutual recognition of fertilisers.
Requirements for fertiliser products
By-products of animal origin
Within the trade in the internal market with organic fertilisers of animal origin and other fertiliser products containing by-products of animal origin (including manure), the Decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 1002/2010 and 977/2006 also have to be complied with. According to these regulations, the importer has to report to the register maintained by the Animal Health and Welfare Unit.
Category 2 material is not permitted to be imported for use as fertiliser products, with the exception of manure and manure products which are treated in accordance with the regulation on by-products.
Cadmium
Fertilisers with a phosphorus content of a minimum of 2.2 per cent (5 % P 2O 5) are permitted to contain a maximum of 50 mg cadmium (Cd) per kilo of phosphorus (P). This also covers fertilisers in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003. In other fertiliser products the maximum permitted cadmium content is 1.5 mg/kg dry matter.
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium nitrate fertilisers containing over 28 % nitrogen have to meet the requirements set out in EU regulation 2003/2003. Manufacturers should ensure that ammonium nitrate fertilisers with high nitrogen content have passed a test of resistance to detonation before they are placed on the market.
Obligations of entrepreneur
The entrepreneur responsible for placing fertilizer on the market has to be registered. A written notice about the activity has to be submitted to Finnish Food Authority at the latest one month before starting. A plan for own checks and product information have to be attached to the notice. Registration fee is 85 €.
An advance notice on the fertiliser products or raw materials for these that are to be imported from non-EU countries has to be made at least three working days before the goods arrives at the point of import. The notice has to be made on a form approved by Finnish Food Authority.
An official certificate on the cadmium content of the product and for animal by-products a health certificate or a certificate of treatment in an approved establishment has to accompany the advance notice as attachments. As to inorganic fertilisers, a cadmium certificate is required only for fertilisers containing phosphorous exceeding 2.2 per cent. A product description has to be attached to the notice, if the information has not been supplied to Finnish Food Authority previously.
An advance notice also has to be made for EC fertilisers when they enter the EU for the first time when they arrive in Finland.
At the end of the calendar year the entrepreneur has to supply Finnish Food Authority with the details of the quantities of fertilisers and raw materials imported. This annual notification is requested for at the end of the year.
Forms and instructions related to fertiliser products are found on web site at https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/tietoa-meista/asiointi/oppaat-ja-lomakkeet/yritykset/lannoitevalmisteet (in Finnish).
Contact information:
Finnish Food Authority
Plant Import and Fertiliser Section
PL 200
FI-00027 RUOKAVIRASTO
e-mail: lannoitevalvonta(a)foodauthority.fi