From May 1, 2021, China began to carry out a new national standard of fertilizer markings “GB 178382-2021 Fertilizer Marking—Presentation and declaration”. The mandatory standard applies to both homemade and imported fertilizers circulated in China, playing an effective role in protecting farmer’s interests and promoting legitimate businesses. Fertilizer marking is the illustration of product characteristics and quality commitment made by its producers and mainly consists of 3 parts: mandatory contents to be labeled on marking, rules and specification, and prohibited contents. The mandatory content includes 8 items and the key points are summarized as follows:
| Mandatory content | Key points | |
| 1 | Product Name | The trade name must be placed on the lower part of the generic name with a smaller font size. Only product names originated from a national standard(GB), industry standard(HG/T、NY/T), and local standard(DB), terms and national product catalog or registered/filled with the provincial/national agricultural authorities. |
| 2 | Nutrient Content | |
| 3 | Executive Standard | national standards (GB) Chemical industry standard (HG) Agriculture standards (NY) Local standards(DB); Market standards such as group standard(T/CPCIF XXXX-2021、T/CPFIA XXXX-2020) or enterprise standard(QXX/XXXX-2020) |
| 4 | Production license number and registration/filing number(if applicable) | |
| 5 | Net content | |
| 6 | Instruction for use and precautions (if applicable) | Including application method， applicable or non-applicable crop, rate and use precautions. Can be either placed on the package or presented in scannable QR code or bar code |
| 7 | Name and address of the producer/Importer | The enterprise should obtain business registration and be liable for quality issues and the importer’s name cannot be abbreviated. |
| 8 | Date pf production or batch number of homemade products, import contract number of imported fertilizers | The production date, batch number and contract number should enable the trackability of quality test results. Microbial fertilizers need to label valid period |
As fertilizer marking crucial for consumer choice and final outputs, certain misleading illustrations are prohibited in avoidance of misleading:
Any direct or indirect language, pictogram, or symbol confusing with other products or producers;
If the production technology or raw material was introduced or imported abroad, the name of the overseas provider shall not be placed, in case of misunderstood as imported fertilizers or branded products；
Exaggerated words or phrases shall not be included in a product name or placed together with the product name in the same row, including high-efficacy, special-efficacy, multi-element, dual-effect, multi-effect, growth-improvement, growth-stimulation, high-fertility, activity, vitality, mightiness, activate, stress-resistant, pest-resistant, high-energy, full-nutrient, green-maintaining, flower maintaining and fruit-maintaining, etc.
