# COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2076/2004
of 3 December 2004
adapting for the first time Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to fertilisers (EDDHSA and triple superphosphate)
(Text with EEA relevance)
## Preamble
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 relating to fertilisers [^1] , and in particular Articles 31 (1) and (3) thereof,
Whereas:
**(1)** Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 provides that a fertiliser belonging to a type of fertiliser listed in Annex I thereto and complying with the conditions laid down in that Regulation may be designated ‘EC FERTILISER’.
**(2)** Among the phosphatic fertilisers listed in table A2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is Triple superphosphate (TSP) and one of the criteria for its labelling is ‘phosphorus expressed as P 2 O 5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate, at least 93 % of the declared content of P 2 O 5 being water soluble’.
**(3)** The higher the water solubility of the TSP fertiliser, the better is its agronomic efficiency. In the past, European soils were in general deficient in phosphorous and a high minimum value of 93 % water solubility was justified in order to correct this deficiency.
**(4)** Today, the situation has changed in that many soils are no longer deficient in phosphorous and while there are soil conditions or crops for which TSP with a minimum of 93 % water solubility is still desirable, TSP with a minimum of 85 % of water solubility will be equally effective for many European soils and crops.
**(5)** TSP users should therefore be allowed to choose between a TSP with a minimum water solubility of 85 %, or one with a higher solubility, to suit the local soil and crop requirements. The entry concerning TSP in table A2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) 2003/2003 should be adapted accordingly.
**(6)** Sodium salt of EDDHSA and its condensation products (EDDHSA) have been in use, particularly in Spain, France and Italy for 15 years as an organic chelating agent for micro-nutrients. Experience shows that it is an efficient fertilising agent and that it poses no risk to the environment.
**(7)** In particular, iron chelated with EDDHSA is used to correct iron shortages and to remedy ferric chlorosis. It is recommended for a large variety of vegetal species, particularly fruit trees such as citrus fruit, apricot, avocado plum and peach; it is also used for grapes, for small bushes and strawberries.
**(8)** The elimination of ferric chlorosis and its symptoms ensures green foliage, with good growth and development of the fruit for harvest.
**(9)** Concerning the effect on the soil and the environment, EDDHSA undergoes a chemical degradation process in the soil which is relatively slow but which does not create any dangerous substances. Nor does it cause any salinity problems in the soil.
**(10)** EDDHSA should therefore be added to the list of authorised organic chelating agents for micro-nutrients in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003.
**(11)** Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 should therefore be amended accordingly.
**(12)** The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
## **Article 1**
Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
## **Article 2**
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the *Official Journal of the European Union* .
## Final provisions
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 3 December 2004. *For the Commission* Günter VERHEUGEN *Member of the Commission*
[^1] [OJ L 304, 21.11.2003, p 1](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_2003_304_R_TOC) . Regulation as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 885/2004 ( [OJ L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 1](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_2004_168_R_TOC) ).
Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 is amended as follows:
| (a) | \| No \| Type designation \| Data on method of production and essential ingredients \| Minimum content of nutrients (% by weight);
Data on the expression of nutrients;
Other requirements \| Other data on the type designation \| Nutrient content to be declared;
Forms and solubilities of the nutrients;
Other criteria \|; \| --- \| --- \| --- \| --- \| --- \| --- \|; \| 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \|; \| ‘2(c) \| Triple superphosphate \| Product obtained by reaction of ground mineral phosphate with phosphoric acid and containing monocalcium phosphate as its essential ingredient \| 38 % P 2 O 5
Phosphorus expressed as P 2 O 5 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate, at least 85 % of the declared content of P 2 O 5 being water-soluble
Test sample: 3 g \| \| Phosphorus pentoxide soluble in neutral ammonium citrate
Water-soluble phosphorus pentoxide’ \| |
| --- | --- |
| (b) | \| ‘Sodium salt of: \| \| \|; \| --- \| --- \| --- \|; \| ethylenediamine di-(2-hydroxy 5-sulfophenylacetic) acid and its condensation products \| EDDHSA \| C 18 H 20 O 12 N 2 S 2 + n*(C 12 H 14 O 8 N 2 S)’ \| |
| --- | --- |
[^1]: . Regulation as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 885/2004 ().