Green Label — Your key to healthy soil *
* The Green Label environmental statement affirms that the product is free from dangerous cadmium concentrations capable of harming soils.
We have developed the Green Label to communicate the absence of cadmium concentrations harmful to human health and soils in PhosAgro products.
Cadmium content in our fertilizers is significantly less than the scientifically confirmed level of 20 mg/kg P2O5 (complies with the ANSES (France) recommendation). This is a major factor in reducing the impact on the soil, which ultimately contributes to a healthier yield.
Heavy metals, such as cadmium, are particularly dangerous to humans
Due to the application of fertilizers containing high cadmium levels, this toxic element accumulates in soils and transfers from the soil to people through the food chain. Cadmium is particularly dangerous to human health.
Heavy metals, such as cadmium, are introduced into the human body through food that contains vegetable components grown using fertilizers with a high content of hazardous impurities.
High levels of heavy metals in the human body can lead to serious immune-system deficiencies and can also cause cancer.
Adverse effects of cadmium and other heavy metals are confirmed by a number of studies
Expert appraisal regarding exposure to cadmium,
France, 2019
The cadmium content limit in fertilizers recommended by ANSES is 20 mg/kg P2O5. This is important for reducing the rate of accumulation in soils and further penetration in crops and food products.
Research on impact of cadmium levels in fertilizers on Cd accumulation in soil and uptake by food crops
Wageningen, 2018
Long term (100 years) calculations for EU-25 show that the content of Cd in P fertilizers does affect both levels in soil and in crops. The accumulation of Cd in soil continues if the Cd content in P fertilizers exceeds 20 mg/kg P2O5.
EU regulations on content of contaminants in mineral fertilizers
48
Cd
112.41
To prevent the pollution of European soils and additional adverse effects of cadmium, the European Union has imposed restrictions on phosphate-based fertilizers containing high amounts of heavy metals. The restrictions on fertilizer companies came into effect on 16 July 2022.
At this stage, products containing more than 60 mg cadmium /kg P2O5 will be prohibited.
Today in Europe, phosphate products with a high cadmium content (from
** The estimates are based on IFA and CRU data and take into account the share of phosphate-based products with high cadmium content in the total turnover of phosphate-based products in Western Europe, Central Europe and the Baltic.
To inform consumers, the EU has also developed rules for the voluntary labelling of safe fertilizers with cadmium content of less than 20 mg/kg P2O5.
To this end, PhosAgro’s phosphate-based products are labelled in accordance with the EU regulations.
In addition, companies may use their own labels highlighting low cadmium content confirmed by product testing. PhosAgro has already exercised this right, as the cadmium content in our products is below the threshold marked by the relevant label.
The Green Label was developed as part of the EU initiatives to restrict fertilizers with higher content of heavy metals and will guarantee that the product is of high quality and its cadmium content is significantly lower than 20 mg per kg of P2O5.
The Green Label was developed as part of the EU initiatives to restrict fertilizers with higher content of heavy metals and will guarantee that the product is of high quality and its cadmium content is significantly lower than 20 mg per kg of P2O5.