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19 May 2026Press Release
Brussels, 19 May
The Commission published today its Fertiliser Action Plan, which aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on imports and increase domestic production, while increasing the use of alternative, low-carbon fertilisers.
The approach taken, in particular on lead markets for fertilisers, is the right one. The Action Plan proposes blending requirements as well as voluntary or mandatory labelling schemes as key demand-creation measures.
An upcoming assessment on the use of state aid instruments to support lead markets for low-carbon fertilisers is also encouraging, but what is still missing is a robust certification mechanism and associated criteria that would develop a truly single market for fertilisers in the EU.
Laurent Donceel, Director for transport, sustainability, and industrial policy, commented: “We commend the Commission on some promising first steps in the proposal, but the plan stops short of creating the scale, certainty, and price signals needed to turn green ammonia into Europe’s next industrial success story. We must accelerate the work of determining how best to reward clean fertilisers and find agreement on certification – both for the climate and for European industrial advancement.”
It is also important that the Commission has reconsidered altering the CBAM scope with regards to fertilisers. Regulatory certainty regarding CBAM has a tangible impact on the viability of clean fertiliser projects both in and outside the EU.
The proposed flexibilities for ETS, even if conditional on increased homegrown production of low-carbon fertilisers (as well as bio-based), risk sending the wrong price signals to green ammonia producers. These could result in a slower phase-out of free allowances, which would dilute investment signals for low-carbon products.
Hydrogen Europe looks forward to advocating for a decarbonised fertilisers sector that secures European domestic supply for decades to come.
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