Is your fertiliser and biostimulant portfolio compliant with France’s new “Socle Commun”?

The French Ministry has officially published the long-awaited “Socle Commun” framework (2 Decrees & 2 Orders) in the French Journal Officiel. This landmark regulation introduces major safety, traceability, and self-monitoring requirements for fertilisers and biostimulants sold under French national rules.

Entry into application: January 1st, 2027

Transitional Periods & Key Deadlines:
🔹 Heavy Metals Limits: Must be strictly respected by January 1st, 2027 for all products placed on the market (no transition period for heavy metal thresholds).
🔹 Products under NF U standards or technical specifications (cahiers des charges): a 2-year transitional period applies to bring existing market-placed products into full compliance with all other requirements.
🔹 Products with an existing AMM (ANSES approval): compliance with the new rules will be evaluated upon renewal of their current marketing authorisation.

Key operational takeaways for manufacturers:
▪️ New risk categorisation: A1 (Non professional/Professional), A2 (Professional only), B1/B2 (Spreading plans).
▪️ Mandatory self-controls: formalised risk assessment & analytical monitoring plans.
▪️ Strict safety thresholds and annual flows: new limits on heavy metals, organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs, dioxins), inert materials, and microbial pathogens.
▪️ Tightened traceability: updated packaging, labelling, and batch record requirements.

⚠️ Important: These rules apply in addition to existing French fertiliser standards (does not apply to CE-marked fertilisers under EU FPR No. 2019/1009).

At Staphyt Regulatory, we guide plant nutrition and plant biostimulant companies through complex regulatory transitions, analytical gap analyses, and compliance strategies to keep your products market-ready ahead of the deadline.

If you are lost in the impact specific to your portfolio, we can plan a review of situation. Do not hesitate to drop us a private message : Caroline Pigeat, Geoffroy Moulin, Evelyne Güsken.

Or contact us at: contact@staphyt.com