Cadmium in fertilisers

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal occurring naturally in phosphate rock and concentrated in phosphate fertilisers. Its toxicity to human health — renal accumulation through the food chain — makes it the most closely monitored contaminant in fertiliser products^[1]. Leafy vegetables accumulate more of this metal than other crops; plant uptake rises with soil acidity and salinity, whereas a high zinc content reduces it^[1].

The EU regulation on fertilising products provides for free movement of compliant fertilisers, yet permits certain member states that secured an earlier derogation to retain their stricter national limit values, until harmonised thresholds at least equivalent are adopted^[2][3]. A review of these limit values must be tabled by 16 July 2026, taking into account available technologies, scientific data on exposure, pedo-climatic conditions and supply security^[4].