The Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply throughout Great Britain, consolidate and supersede the Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations 1991 (SI. 1991/973), the Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) (Amendment) Regulations 1991 (SI. 1991/2824) and the Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SI. 1994/129). They implement the Directives listed in paragraph 2 below.

2.  The Directives implemented are:

• Commission Directive 77/535/EEC (OJ No. L213, 22.8.77) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to methods of sampling and analysis for fertilisers;

• Commission Directive 79/138/EEC (OJ No. L39, 14.2.79, p. 3) amending Directive 77/535/EEC in respect of methods of analysis for magnesium;

• Commission Directive 87/94/EEC (OJ No. L38, 7.2.87) on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to procedures for the control of characteristics of, limits for, and resistance to detonation of straight ammonium nitrate fertilisers of high nitrogen content;

• Commission Directive 87/566/EEC (OJ No. L342, 4.12.87, p.32) amending Directive 77/535/EEC in respect of methods of sampling for fluid fertilisers;

• Commission Directive 88/126/EEC (OJ No. L63, 9.3.88, p. 12) amending Directive 87/94/EEC, in respect only of its date for implementation by the Member States.

• Commission Directive 89/519/EEC (OJ No. L265, 12.9.89, p.30) supplementing and amending Directive 77/535/EEC (OJ No. L213, 22.8.77, p. l) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to methods of sampling and analysis of fertilisers.

• Commission Directive 93/1/EEC (OJ No. L113, 7.5.93, p.17) which amends Commission Directive 77/535/EEC (OJ No. L213, 22.8.77, p.l) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to methods of sampling and analysis of fertilisers.

• Commission Directive 95/8/EC (OJ No. L86, 20.4.95, p. 41) amending Directive 77/535/EEC (OJ No. L213, 22.8.77, p.l) on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to methods of sampling and analysis of fertilizers.

3.  The Regulations provide for a number of matters concerning the sampling and analysis of fertilisers including:

(a) the amounts of fertilisers from which samples are to be taken (regulation 2);

(b) the manner of taking, marking, sealing and fastening up of samples (regulation 3 and Schedule 1);

(c) the methods of sending part of a sample (regulation 4);

(d) the required qualifications of agricultural analysts and deputy agricultural analysts (regulation 5);

(e) the methods by which analyses are to be carried out (regulation 6 and Schedule 2) and the form of certificate of analysis (regulation 7 and Schedule 3).

4.  The principal changes from the superseded Regulations are the introduction of sampling procedures for trace elements in fertilisers at a concentration greater than 10%, (Method 26 in Part 1 of Schedule 2) and of a method for the determination of fineness by wet sieving of certain lime products (Method 9 in Part 2 of Schedule 2) and the deletion of certain otiose methods (5a and b, 6, 7b, 8, 9a and b, and 10 – 14 in Part 2 of Schedule 2).

5.  The Regulations come into force on 21st June 1996.