The Fertilisers Regulations 1991

PART I E+W+S PROVISIONS AS TO THE MANNER OF MARKING MATERIAL

1.  The following markings shall be shown on the package, label or on the accompanying documents:— E+W+S

(a) in the case of material sold or offered for sale designated as an EEC fertiliser, the words “EEC FERTILISER” in capital letters;

(b) the name of the material in accordance with regulation 4, modified as follows where necessary to indicate the presence of secondary nutrients and/or trace elements. Where the presence of one or more secondary nutrients is declared, the following shall be added “containing ... ... ... ...” followed by the name or names of the secondary nutrients or their chemical symbols in the order magnesium, sodium, sulphur. Where the presence of one or more trace elements is declared, one of the following shall be added:—

either

(i) “with trace elements”,

or

(ii) “with ... ... ... ... followed by the name or names of the trace element(s) or their chemical symbol(s). Where several trace elements are present they shall be listed in the alphabetical order of their chemical symbols: B Co Cu Fe Mn Mo Zn;”

(c) in the case of materials specified in Groups 1(a), 2(a) and 3(a) of Section A and in Sections B and C of the table in Schedule 1, the numbers indicating the nutrient content. For materials specified in Groups 1 to 4 of the said Section B and Group 2 of Section C the numbers shall be set out in the same order as the names in the second column of the table. In the case of materials in Groups 5 and 6 of Section B and Groups 3 and 4 of Section C these shall relate to and be in the order N, P₂O₅, K₂O; and, where appropriate, shall include a zero where no nutrient is present; where the presence of one or more secondary nutrients is declared, the figures indicating their contents may be added in parentheses after the numbers for N, P₂O₅ and K₂O;

(d) save as provided in sub-paragraph (g) of this paragraph, the declared content in respect of each nutrient, and the declared content expressed as forms of nitrogen and solubilities of phosphorus pentoxide where these are specified in the fourth column of the table in Schedule 1. The declared content shall be expressed in the manner described in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of this Schedule and, in the case of materials specified in Section B and in groups 2 or 3 of Section C, of the table in Schedule 1, shall be expressed in the order N, P₂O₅ (P) and K₂O (K), as appropriate;

(e) the declared content of magnesium, sodium or sulphur or any mixture of these secondary nutrients, where they are present in accordance with the minimum levels laid down in table 1(b) of this Schedule. The declared content shall be expressed in the manner described in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of this Schedule;

(f) the declared content of any trace element, or mixture of trace elements added to the fertiliser as an ingredient in the course of manufacture or preparation for sale, where they are present in accordance with the minimum levels laid down in table 1(a) of this Schedule. The presence of trace elements which occur naturally in the fertiliser may also be declared if they meet the minimum levels set out in table 1(a) of this Schedule. The declared content shall be expressed in alphabetical order of the chemical name and in the manner described in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of this Schedule;

(g) in the case of materials specified in Group 5 of Section A of the table in Schedule 1, the declared neutralising value expressed as calcium oxide (CaO);

(h) where so indicated in the fourth column of the table in Schedule 1, the declared amount of material passing through the specified sieve expressed as a percentage by weight;

(i) except in the case of materials sold or offered for sale designated as EEC fertilisers, the name of any pesticide or herbicide;

(j) the name or trade name or trade mark and the address of the person established within the European Economic Community responsible for marketing the material;

(k) guaranteed weight for solid fertilisers and guaranteed volume for fluid fertilisers. Quantities of fluid fertiliser, sold or offered for sale as an EEC fertiliser, shall also be expressed by mass;

(l) in the case of fluid fertilisers, directions shall be given as to storage temperature and any special requirements as regards handling or treatment for the avoidance of accidents during storage or use;

(m) in the case of products specified in Section D of the table to Schedule 1 the following instruction—

“To be used only where there is recognised need. Do not exceed the appropriate application rates.”.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 1 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

2.  The following particulars may be shown on the package, label or on the accompanying documents:— E+W+S

(a) any optional declaration specified in the fourth column of the table in Schedule 1;

(b) the manufacturer’s own mark, the trade mark of the product and the trade description of the product;

(c) specified directions for the storage, handling and use of the material.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 2 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

3.  If an indication of the nutrient content, including secondary nutrients, is given in whole numbers as part of the trade description of the product without the words or appropriate chemical symbols to describe the nutrient content, the figures shall relate to and be in the order N, P₂O₅, K₂O, MgO, Na₂O, SO₃ and for N, P₂O₅ and K₂O may include a zero where no nutrient is present. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 3 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

4.  When the markings referred to in paragraphs 2(b) and (c) are shown, they shall be clearly separated from and shall not conflict with those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2(a). All the markings prescribed in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be clearly separated from any other information on the packages, labels and accompanying documents. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 4 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

5.  Each of the markings referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be shown:— E+W+S

(a) clearly and legibly;

(b) in English;

(c) in a conspicuous position; and

(d) indelibly in writing, printing or stencilling.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 5 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

6.  The content declared in accordance with paragraph 1(d), 1(e) and 1(f) shall be indicated both in words and by the appropriate chemical symbol as follows: E+W+S

(a) Nitrogen (N)

(b) Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅)

(c) Potassium oxide (K₂O)

(d) Magnesium oxide (MgO)

(e) Calcium oxide (CaO)

(f) Sodium oxide (Na₂O)

(g) Sulphur trioxide (SO₃)

(h) Chlorine (Cl)

(i) Boron (B)

(j) Cobalt (Co)

(k) Copper (Cu)

(l) Iron (Fe)

(m) Manganese (Mn)

(n) Molybdenum (Mo)

(o) Zinc (Zn)

with an organic molecule named in table 2, the name of that element followed by “chelated by ... ... ... ...” followed by the name of the chelating agent or its abbreviation as set out in table 2 to this Schedule.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 6 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

7.  The content expressed in terms of the elemental forms Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na) and Sulphur (S) shall be shown in parentheses alongside the oxide declarations referred to in paragraph 6. The following factors shall be used to convert the oxide numerical values to the elemental form:— E+W+S

(a) Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) × 0.436 = Phosphorus (P);

(b) Potassium oxide (K₂O) × 0.83 = Potassium (K);

(c) Magnesium oxide (MgO) × 0.6 = Magnesium (Mg);

(d) Calcium oxide (CaO) × 0.715 = Calcium (Ca);

(e) Sodium oxide (Na₂O) × 0.742 = Sodium (Na);

(f) Sulphur trioxide (SO₃) × 0.400 = Sulphur (S).

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 7 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

8.  For basic slag, Thomas phosphates, Thomas slag, basic slag medium concentrations and granular basic slag the declared contents and solubilities of phosphorus pentoxide may be expressed as a range of 2% by weight. The forms of nitrogen and solubilities of phosphorus pentoxide shall also be expressed as percentages by weight of the material. Otherwise, and subject to paragraph 9 below, the declared contents referred to in paragraphs 6 and 7 shall be expressed as a percentage of the weight of the material and shall be given as whole numbers or, where necessary, to one decimal place. E+W+S

For fertilisers in Sections A, B and C of the table in Schedule 1 for which a declaration of secondary nutrients or trace elements is made, the total amount expressed as a percentage by weight of the fertiliser shall be given. In addition the water soluble content shall also be expressed as a percentage by weight of the material where the soluble content is at least a quarter of the total content for secondary nutrients or a half of the total content for trace elements. Where the secondary nutrient or trace element is totally water soluble only the water soluble content shall be declared. Where all or part of the trace element is chemically linked with an organic molecule the chelated content of the trace element present in the material shall be declared immediately following the water soluble content, followed by the terms `chelated by' with the name of the organic molecule, as set out in table 2 to this Schedule, or its abbreviated form.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 8 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)

9.  In the case of fluid fertilisers, additional information on the fertilising components may be expressed in equivalent terms of weight versus volume (kilograms per hectolitre or grams per litre). In the case of fluid fertilisers which are for foliage spraying, the soluble calcium content may be declared if it is not less than 8% calcium oxide (5.7% calcium). E+W+S

TABLE 1

(a). MINIMUM TRACE ELEMENT CONTENT (PERCENTAGE WEIGHT OF FERTILISER)

	1. Applied to the soil		2. Leaf Spray
	a) Crops or grassland	b) Horticultural use
Boron (B)	0.01	0.01	0.01
Cobalt (Co)	0.002	–	0.002
Copper (Cu)	0.01	0.002	0.002
Iron (Fe)	0.5	0.02	0.02
Manganese (Mn)	0.1	0.01	0.01
Molybdenum (Mo)	0.001	0.001	0.001
Zinc (Zn)	0.01	0.002	0.002

b). MINIMUM SECONDARY NUTRIENT CONTENT (PERCENTAGE WEIGHT OF FERTILISER)

• 2% magnesium oxide (MgO) ie 1.2% Mg.

• 3% sodium oxide (Na2O) ie 2.2% Na.

• 5% sulphur trioxide (SO3) ie 2% S.

  TABLE 2

  CHELATING AGENTS FOR TRACE ELEMENTS

  Name	Abbreviation	Chemical Symbols
  Sodium potassium or ammonium salts or acid salts of:
  ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid:	EDTA	C10H16O8N2
  diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid:	DPTA	C14H23O10N3
  ethylene diamine — di (O-hydroxyphenyl acetic) acid:	EDDHA	C18H20O6N2
  hydroxy-2 ethylene diamine triacetic acid:	HEEDTA	C10H18O7N2
  ethyldiamine-di (O-hydroxy P-methyl phenyl) acetic acid	EDDHMA	C20H24N2O6
  ethylene diamine di (5-carboxy -2hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid	EDDCHA	C20H20O10N2

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 9 in force at 1.11.1991, see reg. 1(1)