Main objectives

The study will provide scientific and technical assistance to assess:

  • The ability of coating agents and formulation additives contained in EU fertilising products to biodegrade in natural soil conditions and aquatic environments across the Union under Article 42 (6). These coating agents and formulation additives are referred to as “relevant polymers” (polymers referred to in point 1 (a) and (b) in Component Material Category (CMC) 9: “Polymers other than nutrient polymers in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 (hereinafter “The Fertilising Products Regulation” or “FPR”).

  • The ability of mulch films to biodegrade in natural soil conditions and aquatic environments across the Union.

And aims:

  • To determine if polymers comply with the espective requirements while considering environment-dependent factors across the European Union (to develop and validate a model to predict the biodegradation behaviour of relevant polymers).

  • To determine if mulch films comply with the respective requirements while considering environment-dependent factors across the European Union (to develop and validate a model to predict the biodegradation behaviour of mulch films). Additionally, the study aims to analyse the possibility of laying down a biodegradability criteria formed from the data analysis of the models predicting the degradation behaviour of the polymers. In addition, corresponding test methods may be used to prove that the relevant polymers and mulch films comply with the respective criteria.

Biodegradation criteria that ensures that the relevant polymers (such as coatings and formulation supplements) do in fact biodegrade. The study will evaluate the biodegradation process of relevant polymers and biodegradable mulch films currently in use, taking into account polymer and environmental factors that affect the biodegradation process. The relevant polymers and mulch films will be tested in open environments that are representative of major areas across the EU using prediction modelling (soil and aquatic). To complete the assessment, relevant test methods to evaluate the biodegradation process will be proposed.