Updated 5/22/09

• Commercial fertilizer product registration
  • Fertilizer renewal registration checklist
  • Fertilizer new product registration checklist
  • Fertilizer Registration Guidance Document
• Labeling requirements
• Metals analysis requirement
• Tips for Registrants

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Commercial fertilizer product registration

All fertilizer products distributed in Washington must first be registered with WSDA. An additional registration requirement for waste-derived fertilizers was added to the fertilizer law in 1998. Waste-derived and micronutrient fertilizers must go through a Department of Ecology (Ecology) review before being registered by WSDA.

To register a fertilizer, please refer to the checklist below:

Fertilizer Renewal Registration Checklist

Submit originals to WSDA and keep copies for your file

1. Form 4300A "Application for Registration of Commercial Fertilizers"
2. Remittance of $50.00 per product
   Add $10.00 per late renewed product (submitted after June 30th).
3. Fertilizer Product Renewal List
   Put a checkmark next to the products you wish to renew. Leave the others blank.
4. Product Label: Enclose any labels revised since the last registration period.

• An internet statement regarding metals levels in the product is required. Be sure your labeling includes one of the Washington State Internet Statements.
  

5. Ecology Questionnaire

Fertilizer New Product Registration Checklist

Submit originals to WSDA and keep copies for your file

1. Form 4300A "Application for Registration of Commercial Fertilizers"
2. Remittance of $50.00 per product
3. Form 4300B "Commercial Fertilizer Product Registration"
   or
   Form 4300C "Alternative Registration form for packaged Single Chemical Compounds" (for limited exceptions only).
4. Copies of laboratory analyses of the nine metals for each product.
   Be certain the laboratory has used the methods required by WSDA.
5. Product label: Enclose the most recent copy.
   • Be sure your labeling includes the Washington State Internet statement.
6. Ecology Questionnaire for all new products.

(See the Fertilizer Registration Guidance Document for additional guidance.)

As part of the registration process, the registrant must identify those products that are waste-derived fertilizers, micronutrient fertilizers, or a fertilizer material containing phosphate. In addition, waste-derived fertilizers and micronutrient fertilizers shall include information to determine if the product complies with the Ecology Hazardous Waste Management law, Chapter 70.105 RCW, and the Environmental Protection Agency's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6901 et seq. For further information on these laws, contact Tom Cusack, Department of Ecology , at (360) 407-6755.

Before registering a waste-derived fertilizer or micronutrient fertilizer, WSDA must obtain written approval from the Department of Ecology as provided in RCW 15.54.820 of the Fertilizers, Minerals and Limes law. Once a waste-derived fertilizer or micronutrient fertilizer has been approved by Ecology, its subsequent use in another product during that registration cycle shall not require that agency's review. Applications for the Department of Ecology's review can be obtained from WSDA fertilizer registration staff. They will be included in all fertilizer registration renewal packets.

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Labeling requirements

Any commercial fertilizer distributed in Washington must have a label attached to the package which provides the following information:

1. net weight;
2.  product name, brand, and grade. The grade is not required if no primary nutrients are claimed;
3.  guaranteed analysis and list the sources in a derivation statement below the completed guaranteed analysis;
4.  name and address of the registrant or licensee. The name and address of the manufacturer, if different from the registrant or licensee, may also be stated;
5.  Any information required under the Department of Labor & Industries - Hazardous Communications rule, WAC 296-62-054; the Labor & Industries rule has changed to the WAC 296-839, Content and Distribution Of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and Label Information;

At a minimum, one of the following label statements:

1. "Information received by the Washington state department of agriculture regarding the components in this product is available on the internet at http://agr.wa.gov."
2. "Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available on the internet at http://agr.wa.gov."
3. "Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available on the internet at http://www.regulatory-info-xx.com."
1. Each registrant must substitute a unique alphanumeric identifier for "xx." This statement may be used only if the registrant establishes and maintains the internet site and the internet site meets the following criteria:
   (i) There is no advertising or company-specific information on the site; and
   (ii) There is a clearly visible, direct hyperlink to the department's internet site specified in (a) and (b) of this subsection.
4. "Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available on the internet at: "http://www.aapfco.org/metals.htm."

If a commercial fertilizer is distributed in bulk, a written or printed statement meeting the labeling requirements must accompany delivery and be supplied to the purchaser at the time of delivery. This includes truckloads and railcar loads.

Each delivery of a customer-formula fertilizer must contain those ingredients specified by the purchaser. The fertilizer must be accompanied by either a statement, invoice, a delivery slip, or a label if bagged, containing the following information: The net weight; the brand; the guaranteed analysis which may be stated to the nearest tenth of a percent or to the next lower whole number; the name and address of the registrant or licensee, or manufacturer, or both; and the name and address of the purchaser. The registrant or licensee must maintain a record of all invoices of customer-formula grade mixes for twelve months and must make them available to the department upon request.

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Metals analysis requirement

Except for one LIMITED EXCEPTION (below) fertilizer registrants are required to submit information regarding the levels of metals in each of their fertilizer products.

To do this, the values for each of the nine metals from the lab report must be entered on the Commercial Fertilizer Product Registration FORM 4300B. In addition, you must submit a copy of the laboratory report. The lab report must include the:

1. method of analysis for each metal;
2. method of sample preparation;
3. minimum detection limits for each method used as required in WAC 16-200-7061 of the Rules Relating to Fertilizers, Minerals and Limes; and,
4. level (in ppm) of each metal detected.

You must use one of the analytical methods detailed in WAC 16-200-7062 of the Rules Relating to Fertilizers, Minerals and Limes. Registration of your fertilizer product(s) will be denied unless you have followed one of these required analytical method.

LIMITED EXCEPTION

If all of the following apply, you do not need to perform a metals analysis.

You are repackaging a single chemical compound (i.e. urea, MAP, DAP, muriate of potash or similar products); AND,

the single chemical compound is already registered in Washington by your supplier(s); AND,

you do not amend or blend the product with any additional materials.

If this applies to you, use the Alternative Registration Form for Packaged Single Chemical Compounds FORM 4300C. You will be required to list each of your suppliers and their product registration numbers.

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Tips for registrants

The following tips should help registrants successfully register their commercial fertilizers.

• Be sure to complete and submit the proper registration forms. (Refer to the section on Commercial Fertilizer Product Registration above.)
• When selecting a laboratory to perform your metals analysis, be sure that it can perform the metals analysis using the methodology, sample preparation and format as required by WAC 16-200-7061(1)&(2) and WAC 16-200-7062(1) of the Rules Relating to Fertilizers, Minerals and Limes.
• Registrants should understand that the registration staff can not review labels without the full registration package being submitted. Registrants are invited to contact fertilizer registration staff at (360) 902-2025 if they have questions when preparing their registration package.
  
• Common mistakes made when completing/submitting the required forms include:
  • Failure to meet the metals analysis requirement because the laboratory did not use the only acceptable digestion method and the analysis methods as required in WAC 16-200-7062 of the Rules Relating to Fertilizers, Minerals and Limes.
  • Failure to submit the laboratory analysis with the application form.
  • Failure to submit current labels with the application.
  • Failure to submit correct fee.
  • Submission of labels with typos and other mistakes.
  • Submission of labels without an application or required attachments.
  • Failure to follow the application instructions.
  • Submission of labels which do not meet all labeling requirements including omission of the required label statement for consumers.
  • Products containing a fertilizer and pesticide must be registered separately as a fertilizer and pesticide product.  Commercial pesticide product registration information is available on the internet at http://agr.wa.gov/pestfert/pesticides/productregistration.aspx

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WSDA Contact Information for Fertilizer Registration

If you have any questions, you can email the WSDA Fertilizer Registration section at fertreg@agr.wa.gov.  The phone number for fertilizer registration is (360) 902-2025 and the fax number is (360) 902-2093.

If you know the individual with whom you would like to speak to or have a specific fertilizer question, the telephone contact information is as follows:

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