FPR requires manufacturers to categorize each product in a Product Function Category (PFC).
The chosen PFC comes associated with requirements that the product must meet.

PFC

PFC, short for Product Function Category, is a classification system used by FPR to organise different types of fertilisers by their intended function. A fertilising product can belong to a single PFC only, and must be made up of CMC's.

Manufacturer choice

The FPR leaves it to the manufacturer to choose which PFC the product falls under. In some cases the nature of the product makes this choice clear. In others the manufacturer has a choice and must consider their decision wisely.

In all cases the PFC chosen for the product must be identified by the manufacturer, and this choice must be justified in their technical documentation.

PFC 3/6 is an example of manufacturer choice. A product that can be categorized as a PFC 6 Biostimulant can often also be categorized as a PFC 3 Soil Improver. In this case the manufacturer may want to use PFC 6, as that allows them to be able to label the product as a 'Biostimulant'. However, be aware that PFC 6 comes with more requirements than PFC 3.

Limit values

FPR introduces limit values for PFC's that must be met by a manufacturer to ensure that fertilising products are safe for use by farmers on their land. These limit values relate to the content of specific micro organisms, pathogens and  heavy metals.

Through the use of analytical test reports manufacturers must prove compliance against these limit values. Test reports must be issued using either harmonised standards (if possible) or equivalent methods.

Labelling requirements

The FPR requires you to use the CE mark when labelling your product, furthermore the specific PFC you chose comes attached with requirements that the label must meet.

For example if you have a PFC 1C Inorganic fertiliser then one of the requirements is 

where applicable, the declared primary nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) or potassium (K), by their chemical symbols in the order N-P-K;

So this is something that you must take into account on the label, FPR Annex III contains the labelling requirements. You can also read a labelling guidance document published by the EU Commission here. 

PFC's contained in FPR

The FPR 2019/1009 currently contains the following PFC's

PFC 1A

PFC 1A is for organic fertilisers (liquid or solid) that contain organic carbon and nutrients of solely biological origin.

A fertiliser shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to provide nutrients to plants or mushrooms.

Within PFC 1A there are several subdivisions.

PFC 1B

PFC 1B is for organo-mineral fertilisers that shall be a co-formulation of:

one or more inorganic fertilisers, as specified in PFC 1(C), and

one or more materials containing: organic carbon (Corg); and nutrients of solely biological origin.

A fertiliser shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to provide nutrients to plants or mushrooms.

Within PFC 1B there are several subdivisions.

PFC 1C

PFC 1C is used for inorganic fertiliser which shall be a fertiliser containing or releasing nutrients in a mineral form, other than an organic or organo-mineral fertiliser.

A fertiliser shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to provide nutrients to plants or mushrooms.

Within PFC 1C there are several subdivisions. 

PFC 2 - Liming material

PFC 2 is used for a liming material which shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to correct soil acidity.

A liming material shall contain oxides, hydroxides, carbonates or silicates of the nutrients calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg).

PFC 3 - Soil improver

A soil improver shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to maintain, improve or protect the physical or chemical properties, the structure or the biological activity of the soil to which it is added.

Can be both organic (3a) and inorganic (3b).

PFC 4 - Growing media

PFC 4 is used for growing medium which shall be an EU fertilising product other than soil in situ, the function of which is for plants or mushrooms to grow in.

For the purpose of this point, plants include algae.

PFC 5 - Inhibitors

PFC 5 is used for inhibitors which shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to improve the nutrient release patterns of a product providing plants with nutrients by delaying or stopping the activity of specific groups of micro-organisms or enzymes.

There are three types of inhibitors, which are:

- Nitrification inhibitor

- Denitrification inhibitor

- Urease inhibitor

Requires Module B or D1

PFC 6 - Biostimulants

PFC 6 is used for plant biostimulants which shall be an EU fertilising product the function of which is to stimulate plant nutrition processes independently of the product’s nutrient content with the sole aim of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant or the plant rhizosphere:

(a)

nutrient use efficiency,

(b)

tolerance to abiotic stress,

(c)

quality traits, or

(d)

availability of confined nutrients in the soil or rhizosphere.

Requires Module B or D1

PFC 7 - Blends

PFC 7 is used for blends which shall be an EU fertilising product composed of two or more EU fertilising products of PFC 1 to PFC 6 for which the compliance with the requirements of this Regulation of each component EU fertilising product in the blend has been demonstrated in accordance with the conformity assessment procedure applicable to that component EU fertilising product.