PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD PNS/BAFPS 40: 2013 Organic Fertilizer

Abstract

The new Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Organic Fertilizer was published in 2013 by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) of the Department of Agriculture (PNS/BAFPS 40:2013). It applies to organic fertilizers, compost, plant growth regulator, and organic plant food supplements.

Full text

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40: 2013
Organic Fertilizer
CONTENTS
Page
1 Scope
1
2 References
1
3 Definition of terms
1
4 Product Description
2
5 Minimum Requirements
3
Table 5.1.Specifications for Organic Fertilizer and Compost / Soil
conditioner.
3
Table 5.2.Allowable level of pathogens for Organic Fertilizers, Compost,
Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Supplements
3
Table 5.3. Allowable Level of Heavy Metals for Organic Fertilizers,
Compost, Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Food Supplements
3
Table 5.4. Minimum Requirements for Plant Growth Regulators and Plant
Supplements
4
6 Sampling Methods
5
Table 6.1 Required Number of Samples for Solid Products
5
Table 6.2 Required Number of Samples for Liquid Products
5
7 Labeling
7
Figure 1. Sample 4-Panel Layout for Labeling Bottles and Cartons
7
Figure 2. Sample 2-Panel Layout for Labeling Bags and Sachets
8
ANNEXES
1 List of Allowed Raw Materials as Inputs for Organic Fertilizer Production
9
2 List of Restricted and Prohibited Raw Materials as Inputs for Organic Fertilizer
Production
10
FOREWORD
The Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Organic Fertilizer was established and adopted in 2008
with substantial inputs from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority and advice from the Technical
Working Group (TWG) created through Special Order 565 Series of 2004. Since its adoption, the
industry players and the academe called for the revision of the standards.
PNS/BAFPS 40:2008 is hereby revised to reflect the results of the studies and advances related to
organic fertilizer, compost, plant regulator, and organic plant food supplements. The revised PNS has
been prepared to provide a uniform approach on the definition, classification, specifications and
properties, methods for analysis and sampling, labeling and allowed raw material inputs It is hoped
that this standard accomplishes the goal of ensuring the consistent quality of organic fertilizers
available in the market.
This standard cancels and replaces PNS/BAFPS 40:2008.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2013
Organic Fertilizer
1
1 Scope
This Standard applies to organic fertilizers, compost, plant growth regulator, and organic plant food
supplements.
2 References
The titles of the Standards publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
3 Definition of terms
3.1
Raw materials
naturally occurring materials used in the production of organic fertilizer products. Raw materials that
were mined or naturally extracted should comply with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) regulations. The list of Allowed (A) raw materials are listed in Annex 1. The list
of Restricted (R) and Prohibited (P) materials are listed in Annex 2.
3.2
Pathogens
organisms (microorganisms and infective parasites) that can cause negative effects on human health
3.3
Label
a display of the written, printed or graphic information on the immediate container of any product.
Information on the label provides the sellers and the buyers with the safe and effective use of the
product for which it is registered.
Label must be of such design and material that does not deteriorate easily, become illegible or get
separated from the container under the rigors of transport, storage and use. It should withstand
extreme weather conditions.
3.4 Batch
organic fertilizer/soil amendment/compost/ that is produced from the same type of organic materials,
at the same time and location, by the same manufacturer/producer, or made during the same cycle or
period of manufacture.
3.5
Sample Size
number of samples drawn from each batch of organic fertilizers/organic amendments/compost to be
analyzed.
3.6
Synthetic
a substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically
changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources, except for
those substances created by naturally occurring biological processes.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2013
Organic Fertilizer
2
4 Product Description
4.1
Organic Fertilizer
any product in solid or liquid form, of plant (except by-products from petroleum industries) or animal
origin that has undergone substantial decomposition that can supply available nutrients to plants with
a total Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) of five to seven percent (5-7 %). This may be
enriched by microbial inoculants and naturally occurring minerals but no chemical or inorganic
fertilizer material has been added to the finished product to affect the nutrient content.
4.2
Compost / Soil Conditioner
any product in solid or liquid form, of plant (except by-products from petroleum industries) or animal
origin that has undergone substantial decomposition that can supply available nutrients to plants with
a total Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) of 2.5 to less than five percent (2.5-5%).
This may be enriched by microbial inoculants and naturally occurring minerals but no chemical or
inorganic fertilizer material has been added to the finished product to affect the nutrient content.
Compost and soil conditioner are used interchangeably in this Standard.
4.3
Microbial Inoculant
biologically active products containing optimum population of one or a combination of active strains
of bacteria, actinomycetes, algae and fungi that are useful in different biological activities, such as but
not limited to: N2-fixation, decomposition of organic residues and enhancement of nutrient
availability.
4.4
Organic Plant Growth Regulator / Promoter
any compound of organic origin, in liquid or solid form, which in low concentration promotes or
modifies physiological process in plants.
4.5
Organic Plant Supplement
any compound of organic origin in liquid or solid form which in low concentration promotes or
modifies physiological processes in plants. Total NPK is not lower than 0.5% and not more than 2.5%
(0.5-2.5%) and may contain beneficial microorganisms, micronutrients and plant growth regulators.
These plant supplements include, but are not limited to: FPJ (Fermented Plant Juice), FFJ (Fermented
Fruit Juice), FAA (Fish Amino Acid), FE (Fish Emulsion), Seaweed Extracts, Vermi Tea, Compost
Tea and the like.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2013
Organic Fertilizer
3
5 Minimum Requirements
Table 5.1.Specifications for Organic Fertilizer and Compost / Soil conditioner
Properties
Organic Fertilizer
Compost/Soil Conditioner
Total NPK
5-7%
2.5-<5%
C:N
12:1 – 20:1
12:1 – 20:1
Organic Matter
≥ 20%
≥ 20%
Actual Moisture Content
30-35%
30-35%
Color
Brown to Black
Brown to Black
Consistency
Friable
Friable
Odor
No foul odor
No foul odor
Table 5.2.Allowable level of pathogens for Organic Fertilizers, Compost,
Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Supplements
Pathogens
Allowable Level
Fecal Streptococci
<5 x 102CFU/g
Total coliforms
<5 x 102CFU/g
Salmonella
0
Infective parasites
0
Table 5.3. Allowable Level of Heavy Metals for Organic Fertilizers, Compost,
Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Supplements
Heavy Metals
Allowable Level (mg/kg dry wt) (PPM dry wt.)
Arsenic (As)
5
Zinc (Zn)
5
Lead (Pb)
250
Copper (Cu)
300
Chromium (Cr)
150
Nickel(Ni)
50
Mercury (Hg)
2
Cadmium (Cd)
5
5.1 For products with microbial inoculants- The Genus should be verifiable and be stated in the
label.
5.2 For plant growth regulator or organic plant food supplement products such as humin, seaweed
extract, fermented products (Fermented Plant Juices, Fermented Fruit Juices), blood meal, bone meal,
any claim should be verifiable, while products with at least 3% total (soluble) N will be subjected to
other confirmatory test.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2013
Organic Fertilizer
4
Table 5.4. Minimum Requirements for Plant Growth Regulators and Plant Supplements
Main ingredient
Total
NPK
Other Requirements
Animal origin
(bone meal, blood
meal )
5-7%
Products that contain high concentrations of Nitrogen shall have a
maximum of 5-7% NPK
FAA, FE
0.5-2.5%
All claims for contents of macro and micronutrients,
microorganisms and plant growth hormones should be verifiable.
Secondary and micronutrients should not exceed levels that will be
toxic to plants and humans.
Heavy metal content should be within allowable levels as stated in
Table 4.3 of this PNS.
Plant based (FPJ,
FFJ)
0.5-2.5%
Seaweed extracts
0.5-2.5%
Vermi-tea,
Compost tea,
0.5-2.5%
Humin and Humic
acids
0.5-2.5%
5.3 Absence of Foreign Materials
Plastics, aluminum, wrappers, stones and other inert materials must be totally removed from the
product.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2013
Organic Fertilizer
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6 Sampling methods
6.1. Sampling for Laboratory Analysis
all finished products should be subjected to lot sampling for laboratory analysis using the following
procedure:
Table 6.1 Required Number of Samples for Solid Products
Number of bags*/ per batch
Bags to be sampled
<50
2
51 to 100
3
101 to 300
8
301 to 500
15
501 to 1000
20
More than 1000
Multiples of 20
* 1 bag = 50 Kg
Procedure for composite sampling:
1. Present to the inspector the production documents containing the number of bags per batch
number and bag number.
2. The inspector will randomly select the Bag number.
3. The selected bags will be emptied into a clean area. All contents of the selected bags (maximum
of 5 bags) will be thoroughly mixed.
4. Submit five kilograms (5 Kg) of the composite sample to the laboratory.
5. Information relative to the sample taken must be accurate and complete to allow traceability of
the sample back to the lot from which it was sampled.
Note: if the samples analyzed do not conform to the standards, the inspecting Certifying Body (CB)
should review the production process which may include bulk sampling.
Table 6.2 Required Number of Samples for Liquid Products
Number of containers */ per batch
Containers to be sampled
<50
1
51 to 100
2
101 to 300
3
301 to 500
4
More than 500
5
* 1 container = 1L

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2013
Organic Fertilizer
6
Procedure for composite sampling:
1. Present to the inspector the production documents containing the number of containers per
batch number and container number.
2. The inspector will randomly select the container number and subject the selected containers for
analysis.
3. Information relative to the sample taken must be accurate and complete to allow traceability of
the sample back to the lot from which it was sampled.
Note: If the samples analyzed do not conform to the standards, the CB should review the production
process which may include bulk sampling
6.2 Laboratory Sampling (Sample preparation for laboratory analysis)
A. For samples with uniform fineness
Place sample on a clean piece of paper and mix thoroughly. Reduce sample to a quantity sufficient
for analysis by quartering. Mix and store in air-tight container.
B. For Organic Liquid Fertilizers
For liquid fertilizers without suspended particles, stir the sample until it is thoroughly mixed, before
taking a sample.
For liquid fertilizers with suspended particles, take a sample while mixing the material in order to
obtain a representative sample.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2012
Organic Fertilizer
7
7 Labeling
Figure 1. Sample 4-Panel Layout for Labeling Bottles and Cartons

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2012
Organic Fertilizer
8
Figure 2. Sample 2-Panel Layout for Labeling Bags and Sachets

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2012
Organic Fertilizer
9
Annex 1
List of Allowed Raw Materials as inputs for Organic Fertilizer Production
Inputs
Farm animal manure, slurry, and urine
Vermi compost
Compost produced from organic residues
Green manure and green leaf manure
Azolla
Mulches from sugar cane trash, straw, etc.
Kitchen waste
Coir pith, plantation by-products & wastes
Mushroom beds
Oil cakes, milled by-products, etc.
Tea/coffee grounds
Fish and fish products without preservatives
Seaweed
Crop residues (straw, peanut hulls, etc.)
Microbial preparations (i.e.Trichoderma, Rhizobia, Mychorrizae, others) of non-GMO origin

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2012
Organic Fertilizer
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Annex 2
List of Restricted and Prohibited raw materials as inputs for Organic Fertilizer Production
Inputs
Status
Notes/Limitations/Rationale
Raw / undecomposed
Human excrement,
including urine
P
Risk of contamination
Sewage sludge
R
Only sludge from farms/bio-digesters is allowed.
Saw dust, bark, wood
chips, wood ash
R
Wood not chemically treated after felling
By-products of plant origin
of food & textile industries
R
Without synthetic additives and residues
Blood meal, bone, and
other meal brought in from
other sources
R
Origin of materials should be disease - free and without
preservatives
Guano
R
Concerns on environmental sustainability - rate of extraction is
subject to DENR regulations
Segregated biodegradable
market waste
R
Has undergone proper segregation, and does not contain
hazardous materials
Sedimentary rocks
(limestone, dolomite, rock
phosphate)
R
 May contain elevated levels of trace elements. Detailed
chemical analysis is necessary.
 Their widespread extraction can also deplete the natural
deposits and may cause negative environmental impact. Rate of
extraction is subject to DENR regulations
Igneous rocks (andesite,
basalt, gabbro, diorite)
R
 May contain elevated levels of trace elements. Detailed
chemical analysis is necessary.
 May contain high levels of heavy metals and should not be
allowed
 Their widespread extraction can also deplete the natural
deposits and may cause negative environmental impact. Rate of
extraction is subject to DENR regulations
Metamorphic rocks (slate,
schist)
R
 May contain elevated levels of trace elements. Detailed
chemical analysis is necessary.
 May contain high levels of heavy metals and should not be
allowed
 Their widespread extraction can also deplete the natural
deposits and may cause negative environmental impact. Rate of
extraction is subject to DENR regulations
* NOTE: If in case there are raw materials not listed in this Standard, the requirements of the
Philippine National Standards for Organic Agriculture (General Standards) shall be followed

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2012
Organic Fertilizer
11
References
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
Ang-Lopez M. 2001. Quality and Maturation of Vermicompost Derived from Different Feedstocks.
MSc. Thesis. Nova Scotia Agricultural College/ Dalhousie University. Nova Scotia, Canada.
Avery, DT. 2002. The Hidden Dangers in Organic Food. Center for Global Food Issues - California
Organic Fertilizers, Inc. www.organicag.com
Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines or “Bluebook”
FFTC International Workshop. 1997. Quality Control of Organic Fertilizers
(Compost). Suweon, Korea. June23-28, 1997.
Lazcano C, M. Gómez-Brandón, J. Domínguez. Comparison of the effectiveness of composting and
vermicomposting for the biological stabilization of cattle manure. Chemosphere 72 (2008) 1013–
1019.
Lemunier, M, C. Francou, S. Rousseaux, S. Houot, P. Dantigny, P. Piveteau, and J. Guzzo.
2005. Long-term survival of pathogenic and sanitation indicator bacteria in experimental
biowaste composts. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.71(10): 5779-5786
PNS/BAFPS 40:2008 –Organic Fertilizer
PNS 85:1984/AMD 01:1992 – Fertilizers – Solid Fertilizer – Method of Sampling
PNS 95:1987 – Packaging – Bags for Solid Fertilizers – Specification
PNS 1033:1993 – Fertilizers – Marking – Presentation and Declaration
Russell, S and L. Best. 2006. Setting the standards for compost.BioCycle. Journal of
Composting and Organics Recycling. United Kingdom.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD
PNS/BAFPS 40:2012
Organic Fertilizer
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Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards
Technical Working Group for the Revision of the Philippine National Standards for
Organic Fertilizer
Department of Agriculture Special Order 442 and Series 557 of 2012
Chair
Leo P. Cañeda, CESO III
OIC-Executive Director
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards
Members
1 Ms. Julieta B. Lansangan
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)
8 Dr. Gina V. Pangga
College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines Los Baños
2 Ms. Pelagia Orpia
Bureau of Soils & Water Management
(BSWM)
9 Dr. Blesilda M. Calub
College of Agriculture
University of the Philippine Los Baños
3 Dr. Nora B. Inciong
Board of Agriculture, Professional
Regulation Commission
10 Dr. Nenita E. Dela Cruz
Central Luzon State University (CLSU)
4 Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan Jr.
College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines Los Baños
11 Dr. Victor B. Asio
College of Agriculture
Visayas State University
5 Dr. Erlina S. Paterno
College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines Los Baños
12 Ms. Leilani K. Limpin
Organic Certification Center of the “
Philippines (OCCP)
6 Dr Pearl B. Sanchez
College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines Los Baños
13 Mr. Armand Aquino
Negros Island Certification Agency
(OPTA)
7 Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas
College of Arts & Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños
14 Mr. Patrick Belisario
Organic Producers and Traders
Association (OPTA)
Technical Secretariat
15 Ms. Lara G. Vivas
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries
Product Standards (BAFPS)
17 Mr. Jonathan V. Paz
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries
Product Standards (BAFPS)
16 Ms. Rosemarie V. Calibo
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries
Product Standards (BAFPS)
18 Ms. Cherry V. Lanwang
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries
Product Standards (BAFPS)