Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

On 27 February 2023, the European Commission proposed a regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products which introduces labelling requirements which reflect the social demands and concerns, and highlights the fact that the EU market has opened for products that are innovative, but which require better consumer information. However, overloaded labels can be both difficult to read by consumers and difficult to manage for economic operators. Therefore, the aim of the proposal is to make the readability of labels easier and to facilitate the way the economic operators manage the labels.

In an era of rapid technological developments, the EU is embracing the digital labelling of EU fertilising products, an essential component of the agricultural industry. The new proposal is laying down rules for the voluntary digitisation of labels by the economic operators. This aims to modernise the way fertilisers are labelled, tracked, and managed, bringing numerous benefits to farmers, manufacturers, and consumers alike.

By digitizing fertilising products labels, the EU seeks to enhance accessibility and transparency for the economic operators and consumers. Digital labels can enable easy access to crucial information about fertilising products, such as their composition, recommended usage, health and safety precautions. This empowers economic operators and consumers with accurate and up-to-date information, enabling them to make informed decisions about fertilising products selection and application methods. Moreover, digital labels should provide the economic operator and consumers the possibility to track the origin, production process of fertilising products, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

The digitization of fertilising products labels can simplify regulatory compliance for economic operators. Digital labels allow for rapid and efficient updates to align with evolving regulations and standards, eliminating the need for manual label changes which might be costly. Moreover, digital systems can facilitate information sharing and collaboration between regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and other stakeholders, promoting harmonization and consistency across the EU.

However, the rapporteur believes that the access to digital labels for EU fertilizing products can pose challenges for vulnerable populations. These populations, which may include individuals with limited digital literacy, low-income communities, or those with disabilities, often face barriers that hinder their ability to access important information.

Digital labels for fertilizing products are typically made available online, requiring internet access and digital devices. However, vulnerable populations may have limited or no access to the internet or may lack the necessary devices to browse online content. This limitation prevents them from easily obtaining the information they need about fertilizing products, such as usage instructions, safety precautions, or environmental impact.

Additionally, websites or online platforms may not be designed with proper accessibility features, making it difficult for individuals with visual, hearing or motor disabilities to access the information effectively. To address these access and difficulty issues, efforts should be made to ensure that digital labels are accessible, user-friendly, and available in multiple formats to accommodate diverse populations.

When establishing the rules for the digital labelling of EU fertilizing products, it is also important to take into account the digitization capabilities of SMEs and to offer them training in this regard, if necessary.

Moreover, the rapporteur is of the opinion that since digital labels, similarly to physical labels, are meant to provide mandatory information on EU fertilising products, the economic operators should ensure free access to digital labels for a period of at least 10 years from the moment the EU fertilising product is placed on the market.

It is essential that where economic operators chose the digital labelling of EU fertilising products supplied to consumers in a packaging, they should therefore ensure that a minimum set of relevant information is also available on the physical label. It is also important that the digital label do not excessively increase the cost of products.

As regards the Commission power to supplement the requirements for digital labelling and amending Annex III with regard to which labelling elements economic operators making available on the market EU fertilising products in a packaging to end-users may provide on a digital label only, it is essential that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations and takes into account the views of all stakeholders.

All in all, the digitization of labels for EU fertilising products marks a significant milestone in the agricultural industry's transformation and for the single market. This approach fosters accessibility, transparency, and sustainability while enabling data-driven decision making and simplifying regulatory compliance. As the EU embraces the digital revolution, the digitisation of fertilising products labels represents a promising step towards a more efficient, environmentally conscious, and technologically advanced agricultural sector and single market. By leveraging the power of digital innovation, the EU is paving the way for a future where fertilising products are used responsibly, in an efficient and safe manner and that crop yields are optimized.