REFERTIL is conversion of biochar science into industrial practice. Comprehensive and detailed biochar policy, law harmonization system and common quality standard requirements and recommendations worked out for the EC related to the revision of the Fertilisers Regulation. Plant based biochar is a high carbon content soil improver with doses up to 20 tons/ha, in average 10 t/ha. but having no fertilizer effect with economical importance. Animal Bone bioChar "ABC" is a recovered organic P-fertiliser, made from food grade animal bone grist, having high nutrient density (30% P2O5) and pure P-content. The rendering industrial origin food grade category 3 animal bone grist processed ABC is a macroporous organic fertilizer with as high as 92% pure calcium phosphate and 8% carbon content only. ABC is BIO-NPK-C formulation optimized for significant enhancing of soil microbiological life, having high water holding and macromolecular organic nutrient retention. The fully safe ABC is used at low doses (100–600 kg/ha) and in cases when justified even up to 1,000 kg/ha, in average 300 kg/ha. Therefore the ABC product functionalities are organic fertilizer, soil improver, growing medium and/or fertilising product blend. The substitution of the Cadmium and Uranium toxic contaminated mineral phosphate import by recovered Phosphorus is an important goal for the European agriculture already in short term. [pt1]



The imported mineral Phosphorus agri substitution potential by bio ABC –BIO-NPK-C in European dimension is >5% in short term (<2025) and up to >27% in medium long term (>2030).



As biochar is irrevocably applied in open ecological soil systems, therefore only qualified, safe and EU/MS Authority permitted biochar to be applied. The aim is to ensure the biochar quality and safety that are fully consistent with the EU Directives and Regulations. Any biochar manufacturing and product applications require mandatory EU/MS Authority permits. Moreover biochar manufacturing, import, placing on the market and use above 1 t/year capacity require approved REACH registration as well.



Voluntary biochar certificates having no any legal effects and technical validity. Fertilisers Regulation (EC No. 2003/2003) is only regulating the mineral fertilizers and not applicable to biochar products. REFERTIL provided a strong policy support for the EU Commission in revision of the Fertiliser Regulation and inclusion of biochar as safe organic fertiliser/soil improver. The legal and economical sustainability of the biochar under market based commercial conditions has been evaluated. [pt2]



Harmonized and standardized analytical measurements developed for determination of the physical-chemical properties, Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) content and Organic Pollutants of the biochar materials. Biochar EU quality and safety criterion system has also been set up which is maximizing the PTEs and Organic Pollutant content for safe applications. Detailed policy support report has been submitted to the Commission. The REEFERTIL biochar is Authority permitted. [pt3]