The international

Code of Conduct
for the sustainable use
and management
of fertilizers
 The international
Code of Conduct
for the sustainable use
and management
of fertilizers

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Rome, 2019
Recommended citation:
FAO, 2019. The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers. Rome.

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Contents

ForewordIV

Executive summary  V

BackgroundVI

Preamble and introduction  VI

Article 1. Scope, Goals, and Objectives  2

Article 2. Terms and Definitions 6

Article 3. Soil fertility and plant nutrition  12

Article 4. Fertilizer use and management  18

Article 5. Nutrient reuse and recycling  24

Article 6. Composition, limits and testing  28

Article 7. Access, distribution and labelling  32

Article 8. Information, extension and outreach  36

Article 9. Implementation, dissemination, use and evaluation  38

References  40

Members of the Open-ended Working Group 42

Members of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) 2015 – 2018 43

III
Foreword The Partnership has produced
Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable
Soils are the vital source of most of our Soil Management. Their role is to guide
food: if we are to ensure global food strategic and context-specific decision-
security and nutrition, it is crucial that making on soils at all relevant levels to
they be nurtured and protected. Given address major global threats, such as the
soils’ direct association with crops and imbalance of nutrients and nutrient cycles,
trees, sustainable soil management is a and the pollution of soils.
natural priority for the agricultural and
forestry sectors. Soils also provide other The International Code of Conduct for
important ecosystem services, such as the Sustainable Use and Management
water purification and nutrient cycling, of Fertilizers is an important tool for
climate regulation and flood prevention. implementing the Voluntary Guidelines,
Sustainable soil management is thus of with special regard to nutrient imbalances
great importance to food production in the and soil pollution. The Code promotes
aquaculture and fishing industries, as well practices including nutrient recycling,
as to the environment and health sectors. and agronomic and land management
to improve soil health; and recommends
A particular challenge associated with regulation related to the sale, distribution
managing soils to produce food and and labelling of fertilizer products
provide other ecosystem services is the wherever appropriate. It also promotes
management of nutrients. This comes with capacity development and education
two seemingly contradictory risks: on the programs for all stakeholders involved in
one hand, the greenhouse gas emissions the fertilizer value chain, and encourages
and pollution of soils and waterways developed countries to assist others in
caused by overuse or misuse of fertilizers; developing infrastructures and capacity
on the other, the low yields associated to manage fertilizers throughout their life
with underusing fertilizers. These risks cycle.
are all the more severe in light of a rapidly
increasing population, a changing climate, It is hoped that governments, industry,
the growing frequency of natural disasters farmers, traders and civil society in general
and the worsening degradation of natural will make use of the framework provided
capital. in the Fertilizer Code and of the guidelines
pertaining to their respective fields as they
As part of its efforts to achieve the 2030 assign roles, responsibilities and actions to
Agenda for Sustainable Development, the ensure that fertilizers are used sustainably,
Post-2020 Agenda and Land Degradation efficiently and with minimal negative
Neutrality (which aims to maintain or effects on the environment.
increase the amount and quality of land
resources that support ecosystem functions If widely implemented as a multi-
and services), FAO has established the stakeholder tool, the Code can greatly
Global Soil Partnership. This promotes smooth the path towards the Sustainable
sustainable soil management as a means to Development Goals, Land Degradation
achieve food security and nutrition while Neutrality and protecting soil biodiversity
protecting the environment. – all the while maintaining healthy, fertile
and productive soils, and producing
sufficient nutritious food to meet the future
needs of all.

Mr. José Graziano da Silva

Former FAO Director-General

IV
Executive summary It is expected that these stakeholders
will contribute to sustainable agriculture
The International Code of Conduct for and food security from a nutrient
the Sustainable Use and Management of management perspective, by adhering
Fertilizers was developed in response to to and implementing the principles
the Committee on Agriculture’s (COAG) mentioned in this Fertilizer Code.
request to increase food safety and the
safe use of fertilizers. It is also a response The Fertilizer Code is the result of
to the third United Nations Environment an exhaustive consultation process,
Assembly (UNEA3) declaration on soil which was initiated in December 2017
pollution, while ensuring enhanced and unfolded until February 2019, as
support to the implementation of the recommended by the COAG’s Bureau. As
Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil requested by the 6th Plenary Assembly (PA)
Management (VGSSM). The Fertilizer of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), by the
Code aims to address issues of global 26th session of the COAG and by the 160th
importance, thereby contributing to the session of the FAO Council, the current
implementation of the Sustainable text takes account of the feedback and
Development Goals (SDGs). comments received during this thorough
consultation process. The Fertilizer Code
It essentially provides a locally adaptable was finally endorsed by the 41st session of
framework and a voluntary set of practices the FAO Conference in June 2019.
to serve the different stakeholders directly
or indirectly involved with fertilizers.

V
Background SDGs. These include ensuring sustainable
food production systems, ending hunger
Fertilizers, including those from mineral, and malnutrition, enhancing food security
synthetic and organic sources, are and nutrition, reducing pollution and
important and widely used inputs in improving food safety. The Fertilizer
agriculture helping contribute to global Code addresses the judicious use and
food security, farmer livelihoods and management of fertilizers to prevent
essential human nutrition. In addition, the inappropriate use, underuse and overuse.
judicious use of fertilizers may contribute
to preventing deforestation and other land Preamble and introduction
use changes by increasing agricultural
productivity, and therefore reducing the Fertilizers make a significant contribution
need for additional land for cultivation. towards sustaining the population of
They can also prevent soil degradation and the world by supporting food security,
crop failure, especially related to nutrient enhancing farmer livelihoods, providing
mining and the absence or underuse of essential human nutrition, providing
key plant nutrients. However, fertilizers nutrients for the production of renewable
may also have negative impacts on the materials such as timber, fibre and biofuels,
environment, human, animal, and soil and play a role in reducing the conversion
health. of land from native ecosystems or other
uses with beneficial ecosystem services
At a regional level, fertilizers are subject to agricultural production. Fertilizers
to various legislation and regulations dramatically increase the availability of
related to production, trade, distribution, crop nutrition, thus can improve ecosystem
marketing, safety, and use that can vary services of the soils that contribute, directly
among, or within, countries. Responsible and indirectly, to 95 percent of global
use and management of fertilizers at the food production. Proper use of nutrients
farm level requires careful consideration may also promote biomass production
of many parameters including the crop to and contribute to increased soil organic
be grown, soil type and condition, previous matter and soil health. However, impacts
agronomic activities, water application, of fertilizers, if not properly used, include
climate, farm economics, nutrient content contribution to global climate change,
and characteristics of the fertilizer, as well degradation of soil and water resources
as access to fertilizer. In addition, the use and air quality, soil-nutrient depletion
of fertilizers must be considered at the and potential harm to human, animal and
landscape, regional and global levels due to soil health. Some studies have highlighted
potential nutrient losses to the environment that perturbations to the biogeochemical
and the corresponding negative effects of flows of nitrogen and phosphorus due to
such losses. As such, there is a need for a their production for agricultural use have
holistic approach to the use of nutrients exceeded safe margins for human activities.
and their cycles in soils, plants, animals, Overall, the intent of this document is
humans, water and the environment. to maximize the benefits from utilizing
fertilizers while minimizing negative
This document is an International Code impacts. Inherent in all discussion is the
of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and need to preserve the soil itself, through the
Management of Fertilizers designed to minimization of soil erosion in all forms,
support and implement the VGSSM. to be consistent with sustainable soil
It aims to assist countries address the management (SSM) practices including
multiple and complex issues related to the sustainable replenishment of soil
the responsible use and management nutrients. The Fertilizer Code addresses
of fertilizers in agriculture at the farm, the issue of nutrient imbalance preventing
ecosystem and national level. The Fertilizer both the underuse and overuse of fertilizers
Code also aims to address issues of a global equally, as identified in the Status of the
perspective in terms of contributing to the World’s Soil Resources report.

VI
The United Nations (UN) Agencies and
their Member Countries are working
towards achieving the vision of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development
and its 17 SDGs and Land Degradation
Neutrality by responding with various
actions and recommendations in relation to
sustainable soil and nutrient management.

The COAG, during its 25th Session held 26-

30 September 2016, requested the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) to "intensify its food safety
work and technical support to smallholders
at the local level concerning the safe use of
fertilizers and pesticides" (FAO, 2016).

The recent Status of the World’s

Soil Resources (FAO & ITPS, 2015)
report, published by FAO and the
Intergovernmental Technical Panel on
Soils (ITPS) identified ten major threats to
soils that need to be addressed if the SDGs
are to be achieved (FAO and ITPS, 2015).
Soils contribute, directly or indirectly, to a
number of SDGs (numbers 2, 3, 6, 13, and
15) pertaining to hunger, human health
through nutrition, clean water, climate
change, and life on land. The Global Soil
Partnership (GSP) and FAO subsequently
produced the VGSSM as a first step to
addressing these threats, two of which are
‘nutrient imbalances’ and ‘soil pollution’
and involve fertilizer applications that can
be excessive, insufficient or polluting (none
of which are sustainable) (FAO, 2017). The
relevant chapters in the VGSSM (3.3 -
Foster nutrient balances and cycles, and 3.5
- Prevent and minimize soil contamination)
provide initial guidance on promoting
sustainable nutrient use in relation to
soils, agriculture and the environment, but
further support and guidance is required
to implement these recommendations.
©FAO/Ronald Vargas

VII
In addition, a declaration on managing The Fertilizer Code was presented to
soil pollution to achieve sustainable the 6th GSP PA, 11-13 June 2018. Upon
development was adopted in the recent recommendation by the GSP Plenary, the
UNEA 3 held in Nairobi in December 2017 document underwent another consultation
(UN Environment, 2017). The resolution for final review and comment from 15 June
explicitly expressed concerns about soil to 15 July 2018.
pollution emanating from improper use of
fertilizers in agricultural production. After the consultation, the Fertilizer Code
was then submitted to the 26th session of
During the 7th ITPS working session, 30 COAG (1-5 October 2018). The Committee
October - 3 November 2017, FAO and the provided a number of comments, queries
ITPS agreed to develop an International and suggestions for improvement to
Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use the document, in particular to better
and Management of Fertilizers, hereafter take into account regional specificities.
referred to as the ‘Fertilizer Code’: The Committee mandated its Bureau
to undertake an additional inclusive
I. in response to COAG’s request to consultation process to prepare a revised
increase food safety and the safe text to be submitted to the FAO Council at
use of fertilizers; its next session.
II. to facilitate the implementation During the 5th consultation process,
of the VGSSM to address member countries provided some
nutrient imbalance and soil comments to improve the Fertilizer Code,
pollution; and which were included in a new version that
then was submitted for consideration by
III. to respond to the UNEA3 the 41st Session of the FAO Conference.
declaration on soil pollution.
The International Code of Conduct for
Inputs to, and feedback on the contents the Sustainable Use and Management of
and objectives of the Fertilizer Code were Fertilizers provides a locally adaptable
obtained from a broad range of stakeholders framework and voluntary set of practices
during an online consultation that was with which governments, the fertilizer
open to the public from 21 December 2017 industry, agricultural extension and
to 11 February 2018. The feedback generated advisory services (AEAS), supporting
in the forum was used to produce a zero- academic and research institutions, actors
draft Fertilizer Code with the support in the nutrient recycling industry, civil
and guidance of the ITPS, as well as from society and end-users can contribute to
various experts within FAO. The zero-draft sustainable agriculture and food security
was reviewed by an open-ended working from a nutrient management perspective
group (OEWG) of experts in the field of by following or adhering to the guidelines
fertilizer management and policy, 7-9 May and recommendations provided.
2018. The OEWG constituted persons
selected by member countries to represent
the regions, as well as representatives
from the fertilizer industry, academia, the
research community and civil society. For a
list of members and their affiliations refer
to Annex 1.

VIII
©FAO/Sebastian Liste/NOOR
Article 1. 1.5. The intent of the Fertilizer Code is to
assist stakeholders in the establishment
Scope, Goals, and Objectives of systems for monitoring the
production, distribution (including
1.1. The International Code of Conduct for sale), quality, management and use
the Use and Management of Fertilizers, of fertilizers to achieve sustainable
also referred to as the ‘’Fertilizer Code’’, agriculture and the SDGs by promoting
is a set of voluntary practices and agreed- integrated, efficient and effective use of
upon expectations for behaviour by quality fertilizers with the following
various stakeholders in the use and outcomes:
management of plant nutrients.
1.5.1. Help ensure global
1.2. This Fertilizer Code is complementary food production and food
to the VGSSM and should be read in security while maintaining soil
this systems framework. Appropriate fertility, ecosystem services and
fertilization must take into account the protecting the environment;
global farm system (crop rotation and
1.5.2. Optimize the effective
combination, soil, labour, markets, etc.)
and efficient use of fertilizers
as well as climatic and hydrological
to meet agricultural demands
conditions.
while minimizing nutrient
1.3. The stakeholders to which the Fertilizer losses to the environment;
Code is addressed include governments,
1.5.3. Emphasize the need
policy makers, the fertilizer industry, the
for fertilizers, especially in
waste and recycling industry, National
underserved areas (or areas with
Agricultural Research Systems (NARS),
underuse of plant nutrients);
universities, agricultural and analytical
service laboratories, AEAS, civil society 1.5.4. Preserve ecosystem
and users of fertilizers, especially services and minimize
farmers. environmental impacts from the
use of fertilizers including soil
1.4.
When using the term ‘fertilizer’
and water pollution, ammonia
we refer to a chemical or natural
volatilization, greenhouse gas
substance or material that is used to
emissions and other nutrient
provide nutrients to plants, usually
loss mechanisms;
via application to the soil, but also
to foliage or through water in rice 1.5.5. Maximize the potential
systems, fertigation or hydroponics economic and environmental
or aquaculture operations. Thus, benefits accrued from
multiple nutrient types and sources are sustainable use of fertilizers,
considered within this Fertilizer Code including reducing the need for
and include: chemical and mineral additional land to be brought
fertilizers; organic fertilizers such as into production, increased
livestock manures and composts; and carbon storage in soils, and
sources of recycled nutrients such as improvements in soil health;
wastewater, sewage sludge, digestates
and other processed wastes. 1.5.6. Avoid excess nutrients in
ground and surface waters that
negatively impact human and
animal health;

2
 1.5.7. Avoid additions of 1.6.4. Promote safe recycling

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
contaminants in fertilizers that of nutrients for agricultural
have negative impacts on and and other land uses to reduce
potential toxicity to soil, soil the environmental and human,
biodiversity as well as animal animal and soil health impacts
and human health; of excess nutrients in the
biosphere, atmosphere and
1.5.8. Maintain and improve hydrosphere;
food safety, diets, nutritional
quality and human health 1.6.5. Inspire governments,
through optimal use of plant research, the private sector and
nutrients; civil society to promote and
fund innovation in sustainable
1.5.9. Stimulate and improve agricultural practices,
the recycling of nutrients. technologies and management
1.6. The objectives of the Fertilizer Code are so as to improve soil fertility and
to: nutrient management;

1.6.1. Provide a set of voluntary 1.6.6. Assist countries and

standards of practice for all regions to control and enforce
stakeholders involved in the use fertilizer quality through
and management of fertilizers, appropriate regulatory
including governments, the mechanisms and reducing
fertilizer industry, the waste economic losses to end users;
and recycling industry, farmers 1.6.7. Improve fertilizer safety
and other end users, AEAS, and reduce the risks to human
the private sector, academia and animal health;
and research and other public
entities; 1.6.8. Encourage the promotion
and dissemination of knowledge,
1.6.2. Encourage cooperation including comparable statistics,
and collaboration between all on all matters related to fertilizer
stakeholders involved in the use and management through
fertilizer value chain and waste appropriate mechanisms,
and recycling industry for the institutions and outreach
responsible and sustainable programmes;
development, production, use
and management of fertilizers 1.6.9. Encourage Integrated
and reused and recycled Soil Fertility Management
nutrients; (ISFM) using nutrients from a
range of safe sources;
1.6.3. Promote transparency,
collaboration, partnership and 1.7. This Fertilizer Code is a living document
information exchange among and should be regularly reviewed
all stakeholders regarding by FAO upon implementation, and
the access to and use of updated every five to ten years, or when
fertilizers [consistent with legal and where deemed appropriate by
competition obligations]; Member Countries and through the
appropriate FAO governing bodies.

3
©FAO/Bahag
Article 2. Biostimulant: product that stimulates
plant growth through the synthesis of
Terms and Definitions growth-promoting substances and/or
Agricultural extension and advisory plant nutrition processes independently of
services (AEAS): refers to any organization nutrient content, with the aim of improving
in the public or private sectors (non- one or more of: the plants’ nutrient use
governmental organizations or NGOs, efficiency or uptake; plant tolerance to
farmer organizations, private firms, etc.) abiotic stress; or, crop quality traits.
that facilitates farmers’ and other rural
actors’ access to knowledge, information Civil society: is made up of citizens and
and technologies, and their interactions people from different regions around
with other actors; and assists them to the world organized into constituencies,
develop their own technical, organizational associations and groups to make their
and management skills and practices, so voices heard.
as to improve their livelihoods and well-
being. Civil society organization (CSO): FAO
considers CSOs as the non-state actors that
Agroforestry: the collective term for land- fit within three main categories: Member-
use systems and technologies in which based organizations (MBOs); NGOs; and
woody perennials (e.g. trees, shrubs, palms
Social movements (SMs) that work in
or bamboos) and agricultural crops or
animals are used deliberately on the same areas related to FAO’s mandate. Due to
parcel of land in some form of spatial and their varied nature, categorizing CSOs into
temporal arrangement. distinct groups is a challenge and overlap is
likely to exist.
Advertising: the promotion of the
responsible sale and use of fertilizers by Contaminant: substance contained within
printed and electronic media, social media, fertilizers that is not a plant nutrient. May
signs, displays, gifts, demonstration or include, but is not limited to, heavy metals,
word of mouth. pathogens and industrial by-products.
Ammonia volatilization: the loss of Compost: a mixture of decaying organic
nitrogen to the atmosphere in the form of matter, as from leaves and manure, used to
ammonia after applications of fertilizers. improve soil structure through the addition
Animal manure: materials from livestock of carbon and provide nutrients.
production operations used for fertilization
Digestate: material remaining after various
purposes, including manure, urine, slurry,
straw and other bedding materials. digestion processes have been applied to
biomass or waste products such as livestock
Application rate: the quantity of fertilizer manures, sewage sludge and urban wastes.
applied per unit area including an element
of time, for example per growing season or Disposal: any operation to dispose,
year. recycle, neutralize, or isolate fertilizers and
byproducts, containers and contaminated
Biodiversity: the diversity among living materials.
organisms, which is essential to ecosystems
function and services delivery. Distribution: the process by which
fertilizers are supplied and transported
Biofertilizer: a broad term used for through trade channels to local, national
products containing living or dormant
or international markets and lands.
micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi,
actinomycetes and algae, alone or in Ecosystem: ecological system consisting
combination, which on application help in
of all the organisms in an area and the
fixing atmospheric nitrogen or solubilize/
physical environment with which they
mobilize soil nutrients.
interact.

6
Ecosystem services: the multitude of Fertilizer management: the regulation and

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
benefits that nature provides to society. technical control of all aspects of fertilizers,
including production (manufacture and
Eutrophication: the excessive enrichment formulation), authorization, import,
of surface waters with plant nutrients, export, labeling, distribution, sale, supply,
primarily N and P. transport, storage, handling, application
and disposal of fertilizers to ensure safety,
Fertigation: the application of a plant quality and use efficacy and to minimize
nutrient, soil amendment, or reclaimed adverse health and environmental effects
water from food processing and wastewater and human and animal exposure.
treatment facilities with irrigation water.
Fertilizer misuse: can involve, but is not
Fertilizer: a substance that is used to limited to, the application of one or more
provide nutrients to plants, usually via plant nutrients to the soil, foliage or water
application to the soil, but also to foliage or that would not reasonably be expected
through water in rice systems, fertigation, to produce a positive response on crop
hydroponics or aquaculture operations. growth and development, fertilizer spills,
Further elaborated in Article 1.4. or the application of contaminants to the
Fertilizer additives: substances added to soil that might pose risk to human health
or modifications of fertilizers, or products or the environment. Further elaborated in
added to the soil, designed to increase Article 4.5.5.
fertilizer use efficiency through a variety Fertilizer use efficiency: an estimate or
of actions including, but not limited to, determination of the amount of nutrients
reductions in fertilizer solubility and in a fertilizer that are taken up by the crop
nutrient release, coatings of fertilizer after the fertilizer is applied to the soil as
granules, inhibition of nitrification or a proportion of the amount added. This
urea hydrolysis, or stimulation of soil can be for the crop grown after the initial
microorganisms. fertilizer application is made or after one
Fertilizer application: unless specified or more crops are grown.
otherwise, ‘application of fertilizer(s)’ Fertilizer user: persons who apply
or ‘fertilizer application’ refers to the fertilizers for the specific purpose of making
application of nutrients for the benefit plant nutrients available for plant uptake.
of plant growth in general, and not to Fertilizer users can include farmers, land
any specific type of fertilizer. It includes managers and food producers, public or
applications for agricultural and other private organizations maintaining parks,
purposes, including recreational and gardens and sporting facilities and persons
sporting facilities, public and private using fertilizers for home gardening
gardens and lawns. purposes.
Fertilizer grade or plant available Green manure: plants that are grown in
nutrient content: the total amount of order to provide soil cover and to improve
a plant nutrient in a fertilizer that is the physical, chemical, and biological
considered available for plant uptake. characteristics of soil.
Fertilizer industry: the entire value-chain Groundwater: all water which is below
involved in producing and supplying the surface of the ground in the saturation
fertilizers, including basic production or zone and in direct contact with the subsoil.
mining, processing into final products,
transportation, storage, and ultimate
delivery to the fertilizer user.

7
Inorganic fertilizer: a nutrient-rich Organic fertilizer: a carbon-rich fertilizer
fertilizer produced industrially by derived from organic materials, including
chemical processes, mineral extraction or treated or untreated livestock manures,
by mechanical grinding. Note that though compost, vermicompost, sewage sludge
urea is technically an organic material, it is and other organic materials or mixed
referred to within this Fertilizer Code as an materials used to supply nutrients to soils.
inorganic fertilizer.
Plant nutrients: elements essential for
Integrated soil fertility management normal growth and reproduction of plants,
(ISFM): the application of soil fertility generally not including carbon, hydrogen,
management practices and the knowledge
to adapt these to local conditions, which and oxygen. Plant nutrients include the
optimize fertilizer and organic resource primary nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus
use efficiency and crop productivity. and potassium, and others including sulfur,
calcium, magnesium, boron, chlorine,
International Organization: includes copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum,
intergovernmental organizations of the UN, zinc and others.
UN Specialized Agencies and Programmes,
Development Banks, International Recycled nutrient: plant nutrients applied
Agricultural Research Centres including to and taken up by growing plants that can
CGIAR Member Centres, and international be returned to the plant nutrient cycle after
NGOs. consumption by humans or animals, as
by-products of food processing, or as plant
Liming material: substances added to the residues returned to the soil.
soil to eliminate excess acidity.
Risk: the probability and severity of an
Marketing: the overall process of product adverse health or environmental effect
promotion, including advertising, product occurring as a function of a hazard and the
public relations and information services, likelihood of exposure to fertilizers, to soil
as well as the distribution and sale on local impacted by fertilizer applications, or to
and international markets. fertilizer misuse, including inappropriate
application of fertilizers.
National Agriculture Research System
(NARS): cross section of stakeholders Sewage sludge: solid materials removed
comprising of public agricultural research from the wastewater stream originating
institutes, universities and other tertiary from a public sewage system. May or may
institutions, farmer groups, CSOs, private not be subject to additional treatment to
sector and any other entity engaged in the reduce volume, pathogens, odours, and
provision of agricultural research services nutrient content.
at national scale.
Soil contamination: occurs when the
Nitrification inhibitor: substance that concentration of a chemical or substance
inhibits biological oxidation of ammoniacal is higher than would occur naturally but is
nitrogen to nitrate. not necessarily causing harm.

Non-governmental organization (NGO): Soil fertility: the ability of a soil to sustain

is a formally constituted, legally registered, plant growth by providing essential
free from commercial interest, non- plant nutrients and favourable chemical,
profit organization that provide services, physical, and biological characteristics as a
information and expertise, sensitize public habitat for plant growth.
opinion, and conduct advocacy activities.

8
Soil health: “The capacity of soil to function Sustainable soil management (SSM):

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
as a living system. Healthy soils maintain ‘’Soil management is sustainable if the
a diverse community of soil organisms supporting, provisioning, regulating,
that help to control plant disease, insect and cultural services provided by soil
and weed pests, form beneficial symbiotic are maintained or enhanced without
associations with plant roots, recycle significantly impairing either the soil
essential plant nutrients, improve soil functions that enable those services or
structure with positive repercussions for biodiversity. The balance between the
soil water and nutrient holding capacity, supporting and provisioning services
and ultimately improve crop production.” for plant production and the regulating
services the soil provides for water quality
Soil pollution: refers to the presence and availability and for atmospheric
of a chemical or substance out of place greenhouse gas composition is a particular
and/or present at higher than normal concern.’’
concentration that has adverse effects on
non-target organisms. Urease inhibitor: substance that inhibits
urease enzyme’s hydrolytic action on urea.
Stakeholder: refers to various actors
involved in the production, handling, Wastewater: water, which is of no further
management, regulation and use of immediate value to the purpose for which
fertilizers and includes governments, it was used or in the pursuit of which it was
policy makers, the fertilizer industry, the produced because of its quality, quantity or
waste and recycling industry, NARS, AEAS, time of occurrence.
NGOs, agricultural and analytical service
laboratories, farmer organizations and 4R nutrient stewardship: a framework
other civil society, farmers and other end to achieve cropping system goals, such as
users. increased production, increased farmer
profitability, enhanced environmental
Struvite: a phosphate fertilizer used in protection and improved sustainability by
agricultural production as an alternative incorporating the right fertilizer source at
source of rock phosphate that also contains the right rate, at the right time and in the
nitrogen and magnesium. Struvite can right place.
come from recycled sources or waste
residues such as wastewater or urine.

9
©FAO/Mohammad Rakibul Hasan
Article 3. 3.5.1. Encourage land use and land
tenure policies that incentivize
Soil fertility and plant nutrition farmers to improve soil fertility
and soil health and thus, in some
3.1. With regard to fertilizer management situations, indirectly discourage
decisions, strong consideration should conversion of land from native
be given to the capacity of soil to retain or protected ecosystems or other
and supply plant nutrients, the ability uses with beneficial ecosystem
to support plant growth and crop services into agricultural
demands for nutrients as well as water production;
availability.
3.5.2. Encourage soil conservation
3.2. Soil considerations include its origin, through relevant policies and
composition and classification, as well incentives to offset reductions
as previous management practices that in soil fertility due to the
influence the chemical, physical and loss of fertile topsoil through
biological properties that contribute to erosion or other types of soil
its fertility. degradation such as salinization,
acidification, alkalization and
3.3. Plant nutrition considerations include pollution;
previous and anticipated crop demand
for all nutrients, unique nutrient 3.5.3. Ensure that the analytical
requirements of the crop and cultivar means for assessing plant
to be grown (including the timing of nutrient status and basic soil
such requirement during the plant chemical properties such as
growth phase), and desired nutritional pH, salinity and other soil
composition of the crop and cultivar parameters, are available and
to be grown. Further, the cultivar to utilized in making fertilizer
be grown should be adapted to local recommendations based on the
environmental, soil fertility, water assessment of plant nutrient
availability and sanitary conditions. status and/or soil properties
at a given location. Public and
3.4. There are many sources of plant private laboratory services, or
nutrients available and they should be a combination, can be utilized
considered as complimentary rather to meet these needs. Analytical
than exclusive to one another. There are means can include traditional
many benefits to providing one or more laboratory- based (for example,
plant nutrients from multiple sources wet-chemical) procedures,
including, but not limited to, extended other field or laboratory-based
nutrient availability for plant growth, modern methods (for example,
organic matter additions to soil and spectroscopy), or properly
the avoidance of nutrient deficiencies calibrated field testing kits;
or excesses with the combination of
organic and inorganic fertilizers. 3.5.4. Promote the use of soil and
plant tissue testing, and other
3.5. Governments should, based on the means of assessing soil fertility
most recent scientific analysis, evidence status, by farmers and farmer
and research and drawing on global advisors to determine fertilizer
cooperation, international standards needs before applying fertilizers.
and best practices, and in partnership Public campaigns, educational
with the fertilizer industry and other materials, and demonstrations
stakeholders: are example promotion
methods;

12
 3.5.5. Develop and encourage the 3.6.3. Encourage the use of plant

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
use of geospatial methods or in- nutrition considerations such
situ soil testing for efficient and as the previous and anticipated
effective use of fertilizers; crop demand for all nutrients,
unique nutrient requirements
3.5.6. Where necessary, provide of a crop and cultivar to be
government support for grown, and desired nutritional
extension/outreach activities composition of the crop and
that develop evidence-based cultivar to be grown in soil
fertilizer recommendations fertility management. Promote
based on relevant soil the use of cultivars that are
characteristics, existing nutrient adapted to local environmental
pools, crop and cultivar to be (including climatic and
grown, nutrient considerations hydrological) and soil fertility
for previous crop(s) grown, conditions;
expected yield and quality,
local experience and other 3.6.4. Promote the correction or
site-specific information such management of soil conditions
as climatic and hydrological that prevent crop response to
conditions; plant nutrient additions. Such
conditions would include
3.5.7. Where necessary, facilitate extreme acidity or alkalinity,
infrastructure development for excessive salts or sodium, or
drainage or irrigation, or promote lack of organic matter that limits
access to and affordability for nutrient cycling;
key crop production inputs
that can limit plant response 3.6.5. Establish evidence-based
to nutrient additions such as limits for nutrient levels from
liming materials or gypsum. all sources (including reused/
recycled materials) in soils
3.6. Through their NARS and Agricultural (for example phosphorus), or
Extension and AEAS, in collaboration nutrient application limits to
with international research centres, soils (for example nitrogen),
other research organizations, above which additional
universities and industry, governments applications are prohibited or
should: limited due to a low probability
3.6.1. Encourage integrated of a positive crop response and
farming practices and a high probability of negative
agroforestry with ISFM through environmental impacts on
the use of all relevant sources surface water resources;
of plant nutrients including 3.6.5 Establish evidence-
animal manures, compost, crop based maximum limits for
residues, and other materials, contaminants from fertilizers in
particularly those that are soils (for example heavy metals),
locally available; above which trade and use of
3.6.2. Further through ISFM, fertilizer is controlled due to high
encourage the use of crop probability of soil pollution;
rotations, pulses and other 3.6.6. Develop and refine
legumes, cover crops, and other evidence-based fertilizer
green manures as a means to recommendations at the local
enhance soil health and fertility; and regional levels based on
relevant soil characteristics,

13
 crops to be grown, previous fertilizer source and placement
crops grown, expected yield and in accordance with global
quality, and other site-specific principles of plant nutrient
information such as climatic management such as ISFM and
and hydrological conditions to 4R nutrient stewardship;
promote balanced application
of plant nutrients proportional 3.7.4. Provide adequate training
to expected crop absorption of retail sales and technical
and nutrient export from the staff to promote proper soil and
production site; plant tissue testing and fertilizer
best management practices that
3.6.7. Develop and refine adapted maximize the efficient use of
soil testing methods including plant nutrients while avoiding
local indicators of soil health off-site environmental effects;
in the interest of advancing the
adoption and efficient use of 3.7.5. Develop and encourage the
fertilizers; use of geospatial methods or
in-situ soil testing for efficient
3.6.8. Develop and refine the and effective use of fertilizers
use of geospatial methods and and identification of suitable
precision application equipment fertilizer formulations;
with the goal of advancing the
efficient use of fertilizers; 3.7.6. Carefully develop and
evaluate fertilizer additives (for
3.6.9. Work with agricultural example, nitrification inhibitors,
economists to define urease inhibitors, biostimulants)
economically optimum fertilizer and market these only when
application rates and incorporate demonstrated to be safe for soil
that information into outreach biota, the environment, animal
and extension programmes. health and human health, as
well as effective in increasing
3.7. The fertilizer industry should: fertilizer use efficiency and/
3.7.1. Produce high quality or for the reduction of off-site
fertilizers that comply with the environmental impacts;
legislation that is in force in the 3.7.7. Continue to seek innovations
country where the product is in fertilizers and technologies
placed on the market; for providing adequate plant
3.7.2. Encourage fertilizer nutrition while ensuring soil
recommendations that consider health, environmental health,
all nutrient requirements animal health and human
and are based on site-specific health and safety;
information including relevant 3.7.8. Ensure transparency
soil characteristics, crops and regarding fertilizer uses
cultivars to be grown, previous and impacts, and develop
crops grown, and expected communication material
yields, and if using soil testing regarding appropriate
methods, that the methods are utilization, adapted to the final
calibrated for the particular soil; users (including use of local/
3.7.3. Promote the application applicable languages) by proper
of fertilizers at the proper labelling of the product;
time and amount, as well as
use of the most appropriate

14
 3.7.9. Promote the correction or well as climatic and hydrological

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
management of soil conditions conditions;
that prevent crop response to
plant nutrient additions. Such 3.8.5. Apply fertilizers at the
conditions would include proper time and amount, as well
extreme acidity or alkalinity, as use of the most appropriate
excessive salts, carbonates or fertilizer source and placement
sodium, or lack of organic matter in accordance with global
that limits nutrient cycling; principles of plant nutrient
management such as ISFM and
3.7.10. Wherever possible, partner 4R nutrient stewardship;
with governments, NARS,
universities, AEAS, international 3.8.6. Practice ISFM, as appropriate,
research centres, and other through integrated farming
research organizations towards practices and agroforestry
the goal of maximizing the and use of all relevant sources
beneficial effects of fertilizer of plant nutrients including
use while minimizing negative animal manures, compost, crop
impacts. residues, and other materials,
particularly those that are
3.8 Fertilizer users should: locally available;

3.8.1. Purchase and use high 3.8.7. Further, and where possible,
quality fertilizers that comply use crop rotations, pulses and
with the legislation in force in other legumes, cover crops and
the country where the product is other green manures as a means
placed on the market; to enhance soil health and
fertility.
3.8.2. First correct and/or manage
soil conditions that prevent
crop response to plant nutrient
additions or limit nutrient
cycling. Such conditions would
include extreme acidity or
alkalinity, excessive salts or
sodium, or lack of organic
matter;

3.8.3. When available, utilize

soil testing to identify and
quantify soil conditions that
might limit crop response to
plant nutrient additions and for
the determination of fertilizer
recommendations;

3.8.4. Utilize fertilizer

recommendations by local
AEAS and outreach providers
that are based on site-specific
information including relevant
soil characteristics, crop and
cultivar to be grown, previous
crop grown, expected yields, as

15
©FAO/Orlando Sierra
Article 4. 4.5. Misuse of fertilizers can involve, but is
not limited to:
Fertilizer use and management
4.5.1. Over or excessive use, that
is, the application of one or
4.1. Proper management and use of more plant nutrients to the
fertilizers is the responsible handling, soil, foliage or water that would
storage, transportation, and application not reasonably be expected to
of fertilizers with the express goal of produce a positive response in
enhancing plant growth or attributes growth or composition for plants
(nutritional content, colour, flavour, or crops growing in that soil, or
and so on) while maintaining or to maintain soil health;
improving soil health and minimizing
any potential environmental impacts. 4.5.2. Underuse or no use, that
is, the lack of incorporation of
4.2. Fertilizer nutrients that are not taken plant nutrients to replenish
up by plants or retained in soils may the soils, for the benefit of the
be transported to groundwater by next crop to be grown. This
leaching causing potential human situation is particularly sensitive
health impacts, or to waterways by soil in soils where nutrient mining
erosion or fertilizer misuse, especially is a common process negatively
nitrogen and phosphorus, causing impacting food production;
eutrophication and deterioration of
water quality. Excess nutrients may also 4.5.3. Improper or inappropriate
be released from soils to the atmosphere use, such as the application of
through ammonia volatilization or as fertilizers to the soil surface when
greenhouse gas emissions of nitrous not appropriate, not suited to the
oxide. In addition, excess fertilizer soil type, soil properties or the
application and losses of nutrients due landscape (such as erosion risk
to the misuse of fertilizers can lower due to slope), crop requirement,
profits of farmers and in some cases can or the prevailing weather and
lead to crop failure. climatic conditions, or by
unsuitable application methods,
4.3. Insufficient use of fertilizers entails thus resulting in nutrient losses
adding nutrients at levels below crop to the environment, including
requirement and results in opportunity soil, water and air pollution;
costs for yield potential, nutritional
content, return of carbon to the soil, 4.5.4. Nutrient imbalance resulting
and enhancement of soil health as well from fertilizers composed of
as net nutrient removal from the soil an incomplete or improperly
system. balanced nutritional profile
compared to what the target
4.4. A holistic approach must be taken when crop(s) in question requires for
developing and implementing best optimal growth and product
management practices for fertilizer quality;
use, recognizing that practices to
reduce the negative impacts from one 4.5.5. The application, or
nutrient loss pathway may increase the cumulative application, of
negative impacts from other nutrient contaminants to the soil via
loss pathways. In this case, the best fertilizers that might pose
management practices that produce unacceptable risk to human,
the most positive overall effect should animal and soil health or the
be adopted. environment;

18
 4.5.6. Improper storage or by farmers and which are linked

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
handling of fertilizers that with appropriate and relevant
results in degradation of fertilizer use policy, guidelines
chemical or physical properties, and rural AEAS programmes;
unsafe or unhealthy conditions
for users, diversion to non- 4.7.4. Ensure that any fertilizer
agricultural uses, theft, or harm provided as a result of subsidies,
to the environment; or direct or indirect, or donations
are produced and used in a
4.5.7. Fertilizer leaks or spills. responsible manner according
to this Fertilizer Code. Such
4.6. Entities addressed by the Fertilizer fertilizers should not encourage
Code should consider all available or lead to excessive or unjustified
facts on the negative impacts of the use, cause the displacement of
misuse of fertilizers and should management practices or use
promote responsible dissemination of other fertilizers that offer
of understandable information greater efficiency and/or with
on fertilizers and their uses, the lower environmental impact,
optimization of positive impacts, the and should provide a balanced
risks, and alternatives when available. mix of nutrients for the intended
4.7. Governments should, based on the crops;
most recent scientific analysis, evidence 4.7.5. Draft appropriate legislation
and research and drawing on global to minimize the negative
cooperation, international standards impacts of fertilizer applications
and best practices, and in partnership to agricultural or other lands,
with the fertilizer industry and other including from the misuse and
stakeholders: mishandling of fertilizers, or
4.7.1. Develop policies that support those related to the production
SSM and the responsible process such as exceeding
production and use of fertilizers acceptable limits in terms of
in order to protect soil, improve contaminants;
degraded lands, optimize 4.7.6 Establish evidence-based
agricultural production on application limits for nutrients
existing agricultural land, and from fertilizers, including
minimize the conversion of inorganic and organic fertilizers,
land from native or protected sewage sludge, animal waste
ecosystems or other uses with and organic residues to avoid
beneficial ecosystem services damaging effects on the
into agricultural production; environment, and on human,
4.7.2. Support and stimulate, animal and soil health. Negative
through legislation and incentive nutrient balances should also be
measures, the development of taken into account to avoid risk
holistic and integrated fertilizer of soil fertility decline due to
solutions for a more balanced nutrient mining;
crop nutrition and make sure 4.7.7. Establish evidence-based
that these are available to the output limits from fertilizers,
end users; including organic fertilizers,
4.7.3. As needed, develop policies sewage sludge, animal waste
that facilitate affordable access to and organic residues to avoid
safe and documented fertilizers damaging effects on the
environment, and on human,

19
 animal and soil health; overuse and misuse (source,
rate, timing, and method);
4.7.8. Maintain databases and
statistics on the positive and 4.8.4. Create and disseminate
negative effects of fertilizers soil maps at relevant scales
(including social, economic for the purpose of managing
and environmental aspects), in and monitoring fertilizer
coordination with industry and applications, as well as to identify
relevant international agencies, zones that are particularly
such as FAO (FAO, 2018e). vulnerable to the impacts
Suitably trained personnel and of fertilizer misuse and/or
adequate resources should be environmental impacts, as well
made available to ensure the as assist in the interpretation of
reliability and accuracy of data such maps, to avoid their misuse;
and information collected,
avoiding conflict of interests, 4.8.5. Encourage local
and respecting privacy and data participatory field testing trials
confidentiality; that integrate valuable local
knowledge on soil health and
4.7.9. As possible, align rules responses to fertilizer use and
and regulations with national/ management, while highlighting
international standardization the value of co-creation for
systems related to the enhanced relevance, credibility
responsible use of fertilizers and legitimacy of knowledge
(e.g., ISO/TC 134, CEN/TC 260). sharing processes.

4.8. Through their NARS, and in partnership 4.9. Through national and regional rural
or collaboration with international AEAS, and with support of the fertilizer
centres, other relevant research industry, governments should:
institutions, universities and industry,
governments should: 4.9.1. Provide locally or regionally
relevant and recognized training
4.8.1. Carry out appropriate (in local/applicable languages)
research to determine to fertilizer users and retailers
responsible fertilizer and other on fertilizer use with the goal of
agronomic management for maximizing the balanced and
major soils and crops in their efficient use of plant nutrients to
regions; enhance sustainable agriculture,
food safety and nutrition and
4.8.2. Evaluate new and existing to maximize the potential
products sold as fertilizers to environmental benefits accrued
validate their effectiveness and from using fertilizers, including,
safety and seek advancements reducing the conversion of
in nutrient use efficiency. When land from native or protected
possible and appropriate, such ecosystems or other uses with
information should be shared beneficial ecosystem services
with relevant stakeholders in into agricultural production
other countries; through increased yields,
4.8.3. Develop fertilizer increasing carbon storage in
management tools to help soils, and improvements in soil
provide fertilizer users with health;
the information necessary for
optimal usage in order to avoid

20
 4.9.2. Provide local or regionally the health and safety aspects of

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
relevant and recognized training handling and using fertilizers,
to fertilizer users and fertilizer and how to protect humans and
retailers (in local/applicable animals from possible adverse
languages) to minimize the effects including impacts of low-
environmental impacts from level chronic exposure;
the use of fertilizers including
pollution by loss of nutrients 4.10.4. Provide users and
via runoff, leaching, gaseous environmental authorities with
emissions, disruption of information on appropriate
soil biological processes, remediation measures in case of
and reducing the effects of fertilizer spills;
contaminants on soil, animal, 4.10.5. Wherever possible,
and human health; collaborate with governments,
4.9.3. Disseminate understandable NARS, universities, AEAS,
information (in local/applicable international research centres,
languages) on reducing potential and other research organizations
risks to human, animal and soil towards the goal of maximizing
health associated with fertilizer the beneficial effects of fertilizer
handling and use. use while minimizing negative
impacts.
4.10. The fertilizer industry should:
4.11. Fertilizer retailers, salespersons,
4.10.1. Develop strategies for farmers organizations, analytical
more holistic integrated laboratories, consultants, and/or end-
fertilizer solutions aiming at a users should:
more balanced crop nutrition,
taking crop requirements 4.11.1. Familiarize themselves and
and local soil conditions into comply with locally applicable
account, and through improved regulations and limits and
fertilizer compositions with safe follow guidelines relevant to
composition for soil biota, food fertilizer use;
and the environment and use of 4.11.2. Provide correct
different fertilizer application information and/or adhere to
methods; best management practices
4.10.2. Develop, promote and for fertilizer use including
distribute understandable proper handling, storage,
information (in local/applicable transportation and disposal, and
languages) on fertilizer best follow locally relevant fertilizer
management practices to recommendations;
fertilizer retailers, salespeople, 4.11.3. Keep records of fertilizer
farmers and end-users that sales and/or fertilizer
are based on the principles of applications (source, rate, time,
nutrient stewardship and that and placement) along with
maximize the efficient use of other agronomic practices, data
plant nutrients while minimizing and farm records to support
off-site environmental effects; governments for the purpose
4.10.3. Generate knowledge of statistical information on
and provide understandable fertilizer use.
information (in local/applicable
languages) to fertilizer users on

21
©FAO/Luis Tato
Article 5. 5.3.3. Set appropriate guidelines
and regulations for the use of,
Nutrient reuse and recycling and limits on contaminants
in, reused and recycled
5.1. Potential sources of nutrients from nutrients sources that pose an
reused or recycled materials include unacceptable risk to human,
wastewater, sewage sludge, biosolids, animal and soil health and the
animal manure, urban wastes, environment;
composts, vermicomposts, digestates,
5.3.4. Encourage research
biochar, inorganic or organic by-
and development in
products such as struvite, ammonium
decontamination of sewage
sulfate and residues from food, agro-
sludge and other sources of
industries and other industries.
recycled nutrients.
5.2. The use of nutrients from reused and
5.4. Through their NARS and rural AEAS,
recycled sources should be encouraged,
supported by collaboration with
however consideration should be given
international research centres and other
to quality, safety and environmental
research organizations, universities and
and biosecurity risks associated with
industry, governments should:
managing and using recycled nutrients.
5.4.1. Lead and facilitate
5.3. Governments should, based on the
sharing of information and
most recent scientific analysis, evidence
co-creation of knowledge on
and research and drawing on global
reusing and recycling nutrients
cooperation, international standards
for agricultural and other
and best practices, and in partnership
plant production purposes
with the fertilizer industry and other
between actors in government,
stakeholders:
industry, academia, research
5.3.1. Encourage the reuse and organizations and end-users
recycling of nutrients through including land managers and
advocacy, dialogue, policy, farmers;
financial mechanisms and
the provision of resources for 5.4.2. Test sources of, and products
cross-sectorial innovation and made from, reused and recycled
co-creation and sharing of nutrients to ensure that they
knowledge in nutrient reuse and provide nutritional and other
recycling technologies for use as agronomic benefits to plants
fertilizers across relevant sectors and soil without compromising
including agriculture, water, soil health, animal health,
energy and health; human health and safety or the
environment;
5.3.2. Develop policies that
encourage the safe reuse, 5.4.3. Encourage and promote
recycling and utilization of nutrient recycling and the use
locally-available sources of plant
of reused and recycled materials
nutrients through the use of
for application to soil as a source
animal manures, compost, crop
residues, and other materials of plant nutrients and to enhance
suitable for application to soil as soil health and fertility;
a source of plant nutrients and
5.4.4. Develop technologies for
which may also contribute to
reuse and recycling of nutrients
soil quality in terms of organic
matter or other soil benefits for use as fertilizers;
such as a liming effect;

24
 5.4.5. Ensure available and 5.6. Fertilizer retailers, salespersons, farmer

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
appropriate information, such organizations and users should:
as nutritive and contaminant
contents, of reused and recycled 5.6.1. Familiarize themselves and
nutrients sources for use as comply with locally-appropriate
fertilizers is made available regulations and guidelines
and accessible to the public, relevant to the use of reused
including to farmers and other and recycled materials for use as
end-users. plant nutrients, including upper
limits on nutrient application
5.5. The fertilizer industry, and/or relevant rates and contaminant loadings;
entities from the private sector, should:
5.6.2. Adjust application rates
5.5.1. Encourage and drive of inorganic fertilizers, as
innovation, as well as appropriate, in consideration
provide resources, to develop of the nutrients that are being
technologies for reuse and recycled;
recycling of nutrients for safe
use as fertilizers; 5.6.3. Utilize application rates,
timing, and placement that
5.5.2. Work with governments, maximize the availability of
NARS, universities, research recycled plant nutrients to
organizations and farmers growing crops and minimize
in developing and testing potential negative impacts such
innovative and safe methods as nutrient leaching, odours,
and techniques for reusing runoff, or any other undesirable
and recycling waste and other off-site effects.
materials for use as fertilizers;

5.5.3. Actively engage in dialogue,

co-creation of knowledge and
knowledge-exchange with
and between governments,
industry, academia, research
organizations and clients/
end-users (land managers
and farmers) on the reuse
and recycling of nutrients as
fertilizers.

25
©FAO/Alessia Pierdomenico
Article 6. pathways of contamination
and their impacts on humans,
Composition, limits and testing animals and soils.

6.4. Specify relevant methods to analyse

6.1. The onus of testing and ensuring that fertilizer nutrient content and
fertilizers and sources of recycled bioavailability for crops in agricultural
nutrients are compliant with quality conditions and ensure the availability
and safety standards lies with both and capability of testing facilities for
the government, who should oversee, quality control.
set and regulate standards, and the
fertilizer industry who should ensure 6.5. Through their NARS and rural AEAS,
that fertilizers produced, marketed and supported by international research
sold are compliant, effective and safe. centres, other research organizations,
universities and the fertilizer industry,
6.2. Relevant intergovernmental bodies, in governments should:
partnership with the government and
the fertilizer industry, should assist 6.5.1. Generate knowledge and
development of fertilizer sampling and provide information to fertilizer
testing procedures that are harmonized producers on the health and
at regional levels, and ideally at a global safety aspects related to fertilizer
level. composition in order to protect
soils, humans, and animals
6.3. Governments should, based on the from possible adverse effects of
most recent scientific analysis, evidence fertilizer use, including impacts
and research and drawing on global on food chains;
cooperation, international standards
6.5.2. Oversee and support the
and best practices, and in partnership
field-testing of fertilizers for
with the fertilizer industry and other
their efficacy in providing
stakeholders:
nutrients to match plant nutrient
6.3.1. Be responsible for regulating requirements not met by the soil
the composition and quality of and/or improve soil fertility;
fertilizers in terms of: 6.5.3. Conduct appropriate testing
6.3.1.1. nutrient content; of recycled nutrient sources and
products intended for use in
6.3.1.2. heavy metals linked to plant production to ensure they
the production process and meet appropriate guidelines for
source of raw material; nutritive content and quality, as
well as safety in terms of limits
6.3.1.3. harmful microbes; on contaminants such as heavy
metals, harmful microbes,
6.3.1.4. other dangerous or toxic and other dangerous or toxic
materials; and materials;
6.3.1.5. additives such as sand, 6.5.4. Educate stakeholders
ground rocks and other and fertilizer users on the use
materials used to dilute the of information pertaining
original product. to the safety and efficiency,
composition, quality, and purity
6.3.2. Set and regulate evidence-
of fertilizers offered for sale, and
based safety standards, limits and
on means to remain compliant
guidelines on harmful contents with relevant regulations and
of fertilizer products, taking guidelines.
into consideration the different

28
6.6. The fertilizer industry, or relevant 6.6.6. Only market fertilizer

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
private entity, should: additives for which scientific
evidence supports human
6.6.1. Provide governments with health and safety, enhanced crop
all requested information to response, nutrient use efficiency,
allow the setting of standards, soil health or environmental
regulations and guidelines on quality;
the composition and testing of
fertilizer products; 6.6.7. Verify the quality and purity
of fertilizers offered for public
6.6.2. Develop and adopt own sale.
company quality management
to support self-regulation by 6.7. Fertilizer users should:
the industry, where appropriate,
and subject to legal obligations; 6.7.1. Purchase or apply
fertilizers that have evidence of
6.6.3. Test sources of products appropriate and proper testing
containing reused and recycled for composition, quality, and
nutrients and marketed as purity;
fertilizers so that they comply
with relevant quality and safety 6.7.2. Follow appropriate
standards; guidelines and regulations,
as well as application and
6.6.4. Ensure fertilizer products cumulative application limits
comply with government for nutrients and maximum
standards and that end-users allowable concentrations for
are supplied with safe and high- contaminants;
quality products that have been
tested by recognized standards 6.7.3. Inform the relevant
and comply with appropriate authorities when suspecting an
regulations; issue with a fertilizer product.

6.6.5. Ensure products marketed

and sold as fertilizers are
effective in providing nutrients
for plant production purposes,
based on scientific evidence;

29
©FAO/Bahag
Article 7. logistical costs associated with
fertilizer trade and distribution;
Access, distribution and
labelling 7.1.6. Ensure that the proposed
use, label claims and directions,
7.1. Governments should: packages, safety data sheets,
technical literature, and
7.1.1. Have the overall responsibility advertising of products sold as
for facilitating the access and fertilizers is based on scientific
availability, and regulating evidence and are understandable
the distribution and use of to final users;
fertilizers in their countries and
should ensure the allocation 7.1.7. Ensure products sold as
of adequate resources for this fertilizers are clearly, legibly
mandate; and accurately labelled and are
understandable to final users
7.1.2. Implement a fertilizer policy, in local/applicable languages.
quality control, and registration Governments are encouraged
system when appropriate, to harmonize labelling
which includes penalties for requirements at the global level.
non-compliance when deemed At minimum, labels should
necessary and wherever possible. include:
Governments are encouraged to
harmonize policies at the global 7.1.7.1. net weight of the product;
level, particularly in relation to
7.1.7.2. information on the
quality assurance methods;
fertilizer grade/content of
7.1.3. Ensure specific quality plant available nutrients;
control during fertilizer
7.1.7.3. information on the
distribution, especially related
content of contaminants
to import/export and regional
as required by national
distribution, to ensure supply
regulations;
chain integrity, specifically that
the product loaded and the 7.1.7.4. potential environmental
product delivered are the same and health impacts;
and adhere to the specifications
provided on the packaging 7.1.7.5. release date of the lot or
labels; batch of fertilizer and expiry
date, if appropriate;
7.1.4. Ensure locally or regionally
relevant and recognized training 7.1.7.6. relevant information on
relating to the retail sale of the storage, safe handling and
fertilizers, so as to ensure that necessary safety precautions;
those involved are capable
of providing end-users with 7.1.7.7. information, or where
sound advice on fertilizer use to find information, on
and management and on the recommended rates, time of
environmental and health risks application and placement of
associated with the misuse of fertilizers.
fertilizers; 7.2. The fertilizer industry should:
7.1.5. Develop, and maintain 7.2.1. Ensure that persons involved
transportation infrastructure in the sale of fertilizers along the
to improve access and reduce fertilizer value chain are trained

32
 adequately to be capable of 7.2.6. Ensure that advertising

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
providing relevant information materials, statements and
to the related actors in the promotional activities:
supply chain, including relevant
safety information, advice on 7.2.6.1. are technically justifiable
risk reduction, and information and ethically correct;
on the responsible and efficient 7.2.6.2. do not encourage the use
use of the fertilizer products; of the fertilizers for uses other
7.2.2. Ensure that persons involved than those specified on the
in the sale of fertilizers to users approved label;
are trained adequately and are 7.2.6.3. do not contain
capable of providing sound recommendations other than/
advice on the use of the fertilizer or varying from any existing
products they are selling, and on applicable regulations;
the environmental and health
risks associated with the misuse 7.2.6.4. make no guarantees or
of fertilizers; imply results unless explicit
evidence to authenticate such
7.2.3. Ensure that technical claims are available;
literature provides sufficient
information on adequate 7.2.6.5. do not include any
practices for different contexts inappropriate incentives
consistent with nutrient or gifts to encourage the
stewardship, including the purchase of fertilizers.
observance of right rate, right
source, right placement, and 7.3. Fertilizer users should:
right timing;
7.3.1. When and where possible,
7.2.4. Provide fertilizers in a obtain fertilizers from officially
range of pack sizes consistent recognized dealers and that are
with national, sub-regional or properly and clearly labelled;
regional requirements, and
7.3.2. Follow appropriate
appropriate for the needs of
guidelines and instructions
small-scale farmers, households
regarding the safe handling
and other local users, in order
and use of fertilizers according
to reduce costs as well as any
to the labelling and other
environmental risks associated
technical materials and advice
with misuse or inappropriate
from suitably recognized and
storage, and to discourage sellers
qualified individuals providing
from repackaging products in
the product;
unlabelled or inappropriate
containers; 7.3.3. Recycle and/or dispose
of fertilizer containers as and
7.2.5. Clearly, legibly and
where appropriate;
accurately label fertilizers in line
with Article 7.1.7, according to 7.3.4. Contact the relevant
relevant regulations/guidelines authorities when the quality of
on good labelling practices, and the product does not correspond
consistent with regulations/ to the claims made on the label,
guidelines of the relevant or when they experience issues
authorities in the country of sale; with the product.

33
©FAO/Believe Nyakudjara
Article 8. improve fertilizer use efficiency,
and/or minimize off-site impacts
Information, extension and of fertilizers);
outreach
8.1.7. Collaborate with all relevant
8.1. Governments should: stakeholders to facilitate the
use of appropriate machinery
8.1.1. Encourage and support and technology to support the
collaboration and coordination enhancement of soil fertility,
between all relevant stakeholders improvement of fertilizer use
to provide education efficiency, and/or the minimizing
programmes, technology of off-site impacts of fertilizers;
development and technology
transfer as needed within a 8.1.8. Governments whose
country adequately servicing all programmes for regulating
areas, that is, without creating fertilizers are well developed
underserved areas; should, to the extent possible,
provide technical assistance,
8.1.2. Provide support for including training, to other
extension/outreach activities for countries in developing their
farmers, to provide advice and infrastructure and capacity to
assistance in the responsible use manage fertilizers throughout
of fertilizers and other sources of their life-cycle;
plant nutrients;
8.1.9. Ensure that all analytical
8.1.3. Provide government funded laboratories doing soil and plant
research, extension and outreach or crop testing and analysis have
programmes to meet needs not proper quality controls to ensure
covered by NARS, NGOs, farmer that they provide reliable results
cooperatives and organizations, in a timely manner;
and universities;
8.1.10 Advocate for a proper control
8.1.4. Facilitate the adoption, and enforcement body that
co-creation or importation of controls the fertilizer industry
technologies that will enhance and fertilizer users regarding
soil fertility, farm productivity the rules and legislation on
and quality, improve fertilizer use fertilizers that is in force in the
efficiency, and minimize off-site territory of their jurisdiction.
impacts of fertilizers including
environmental impacts caused 8.2. The fertilizer industry, in
by runoff, leaching and gaseous collaboration with governments and
emissions; other relevant stakeholders, should:

8.1.5. Promulgate and control 8.2.1. Provide education

appropriate safety regulations programmes and technology
for the production, distribution, transfer as needed within
storage, handling, transport, and a country without creating
application of fertilizers; underserved areas;

8.1.6. Use science-based 8.2.2. Share relevant information

regulations and guidelines to and data to facilitate the delivery
regulate new technologies (that of complete and objective
will enhance soil fertility, farm education programmes
productivity and product quality, that promote fertilizer best
management practices that

36
 maximize the efficient use of 8.3.3. Collaborate with

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
plant nutrients while minimizing governments and the fertilizer
off-site environmental effects; industry to provide education
programmes and technology
8.2.3. Voluntarily take corrective transfer as needed within a
actions when problems occur country without duplication of
with fertilizers, and when efforts or creating underserved
requested by governments, help areas;
find solutions to difficulties;
8.3.4. Seek out collaborations
8.2.4. Develop and facilitate the with other disciplines such
use of appropriate machinery as economics, engineering,
and technology to support the sociology, plant breeding, plant
enhancement of soil fertility, pathology and other relevant
improvement of fertilizer areas to identify and overcome
use efficiency, and/or the barriers to the responsible use
minimization off-site impacts of of fertilizers and the adoption
fertilizers. of practices that maximize the
8.3. AEAS and outreach providers efficient use of plant nutrients
(NARS, NGOs and farmer cooperatives while minimizing off-site
and organizations) should: environmental effects;

8.3.1. Commit to continual 8.3.5. Work with governments

professional development to and the fertilizer industry to
remain current on technological take corrective actions when
advances and innovation problems occur with fertilizers
processes that encourage at any stage of the fertilizer life-
co-creation and sharing of cycle, and when requested, help
knowledge aiming to maximize find solutions to challenges.
the impact of educational and
research efforts;

8.3.2. Collaborate with

governments and other
stakeholders to provide
educational programmes on
adherence to safety regulations
for the storage, handling,
transport, and application of
fertilizers at the local level,
compliance with national
legislation as regards children’s
involvement, and work toward
identifying and solving safety
issues which regulations are yet
to address;

37
Article 9. 9.6. Governments and policy makers
should consider the Fertilizer Code
Implementation, when drafting regulations, laws,
dissemination, use and policies or other instruments related
evaluation to fertilizers used for agriculture and
other plant production purposes.

9.7. Governments and other entities

9.1. FAO and all other relevant
addressed by this document, with the
international organizations should
assistance of FAO, are encouraged to
give their full support to implementing
monitor progress on its observance
this Fertilizer Code and any related
and report relevant information to
materials.
FAO within 4 years of the launch of the
9.2. To ensure the accessibility and Fertilizer Code, if applicable.
availability of the Fertilizer Code and
9.8. The International Code of
any relevant supporting materials, it
Conduct for the Sustainable Use and
is made available on the FAO website
Management of Fertilizers is a living
in the six official languages of the UN,
document and should be reviewed and
and translated into other languages as
revised regularly. Any changes to the
required.
Fertilizer Code due to new information
9.3. This document should be made or developments related to fertilizers
available and brought to the attention and their impacts will be made by FAO
of all stakeholders referred to within; through consultation with relevant
governments, the private sector, actors technical experts and approval of the
in the fertilizer supply chain, actors appropriate FAO governing bodies.
in the nutrient recycling industry, Any changes and their implications
supporting academic and research will be communicated to all the
institutions, analytical laboratories, entities addressed by this Code. FAO
AEAS, farmer organizations and end- and all other relevant international
users. organizations should give their full
support to implementing the Fertilizer
9.4. Governments are encouraged to Code and any related materials.
implement the Fertilizer Code within
their countries and promote its
objectives regarding the sustainable
and responsible use and management
of fertilizers for agriculture and other
plant production purposes in order
to avoid negative impacts on human,
animal and soil health and the
environment.

9.5. The stakeholders addressed in this

document, and all others dealing
directly or indirectly with fertilizers,
should understand their responsibility
in adhering to and promoting its
objectives.

38
©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
References
Chapin III, F. S., Matson, P. A., and Mooney, H. A. 2002. Principles of terrestrial ecosystem
ecology. New York, Springer-Verlag.

Christoplos, I. 2010. Mobilizing the potential of rural and agricultural extension. Rome, FAO. 57 pp.
(also available at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1444e/i1444e00.pdf )

FAO. 2006. Plant nutrition for food security. Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin No.16. Rome,
FAO. 348 pp. (also available at http:// www.fao.org/3/a-a0443e.pdf )

FAO. 2011. Green manure/cover crops and crop rotation in conservation agriculture on small farms.
Integrated Crop Management Vol. 12. Rome, FAO. 97 pp. (also available at http://www.fao.org/
fileadmin/user_upload/agp/icm12.pdf )

FAO. 2013. The FAO Strategy for Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations. Rome, FAO. 32 pp.
(also available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3443e.pdf )

FAO. 2016. Report of the 25th Session of the Committee on Agriculture, C 2017/21. FAO internal
document. Rome. (also available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-mr949e.pdf )

FAO. 2017. Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management. Rome, FAO. 16 pp. (also
available at http://www.fao.org/3/i6874en/I6874EN.pdf )

FAO. 2018a. Ecosystem Services & Biodiversity (ESB). In: Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations [online]. Rome. [Cited 10 May 2018]. http://www.fao.org/ecosystem-services-
biodiversity/en/

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FAO. 2018b. Civil Society. In: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [online].

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
Rome. [Cited 10 May 2018]. http://www.fao.org/partnerships/civil-society/en/

FAO. 2018c. Civil Society - Frequently Asked Questions. In: Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations [online]. Rome. [Cited 10 May 2018]. http://www.fao.org/partnerships/civil-
society/faq/en/

FAO. 2018d. AQUASTAT - FAO’s Global Information System on Water and Agriculture. In:
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [online]. Rome. [Cited 10 May 2018].
http://www.fao.org/aquastat/en/

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[online]. Rome. [Cited 10 May 2018]. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN

FAO and ITPS. 2015. Status of the World’s Soil Resources – Main Report. Rome, FAO. 648 pp. (also
available at: www.fao.org/3/a-i5199e.pdf )

Bruulsema, T.W., Fixen, P.E. and Sulewski, G.D., eds. 2012. 4R Plant Nutrition Manual: A
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Sanginga, N. & Woomer, P.L., eds. 2009. Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Africa: Principles,
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EA.3/Res.1– UNEP/ EA.3/Res.11 (also available at http://web.unep.org/environmentassembly/
node/41405)

©FAO/Matteo Sala

41
Members of the Open-ended
Working Group

Name Organization Country

Cristina Grandi International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Argentina
Robert Edis Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Australia
Vinicius Benites Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) Brazil
Craig Drury Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Canada
Tom Bruulsema International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Canada
Wang Xu Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) China
Ke Jin Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) China
Weifeng Zhang China Agricultural University (CAU) China
Esteban Roberto
Costa Rican Soil Science Society Costa Rica
Loría Solano
Dunieski
Domínguez Ministerio de la agricultura de Cuba Cuba
Palacio
Patrice Annequin International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) Ghana
Poasa Nauluvula The Pacific Community (SPC) in the Northern Pacific Fiji
Patrick Heffer International Fertilizer Association (IFA) France
Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria
Anna Benedetti Italy
(CREA)
Debra Turner Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Italy
Zineb Bazza Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Italy
Ronald Vargas Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Italy
Francesco Tubiello Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Italy
Gunsham
World Farmers Organization (WFO)/Falcon Citizen League (FCL) Mauritius
Seeborun
Javier Zaragoza
Instituto Tecnológico de Roque Mexico
Castellanos Ramos
Jeroen Huising International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Nigeria
Russian Federation/
Andrea Ulrich PhosAgro
Switzerland
William Brownlie Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh United Kingdom
United States of
Gary Pierzynski Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS)
America

42
Members of the

The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers
Intergovernmental Technical
Panel on Soils (ITPS) 2015 – 2018

Name Country
Miguel Taboada Argentina
Neil McKenzie Australia
Maria de Lourdes Mendonca Santos Brazil
Isaurinda Dos Santos Baptista Costa Cabo Verde
Martin Yemefack Cameroon
Daniel John Pennock Canada
Gan Lin Zhang China
Oneyda Hernandez Lara Cuba
Nsalambi V. Nkongolo Democratic Republic of the Congo
Luca Montanarella European Union
Rainer Horn Germany
Parmar Brajendra India
Ahmad S. Muhaimeed Iraq
Kazuyuki Yagi Japan
Saeb AbdelHaleem Khresat Jordan
Talal Darwish Lebanon
Botle Mapeshoane Lesotho
Bhanooduth Lalljee Mauritius
Peter de Ruiter The Netherlands
Amanullah Kahn Pakistan
Pavel Krasilnikov Russian Federation
Sopon Chomchan Thailand
Siosiua Halavatau Tonga
Gunay Erpul Turkey
Fernando Garcia Prechac Uruguay
Gary Pierzynski United States of America
Juan Antonio Comerma Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of )

43
 The Global Soil Partnership
(GSP) was established in 2012 as
a globally recognized
mechanism for positioning soils
in the Global Agenda through
collective action. Our key
objectives are to promote
Sustainable Soil Management
(SSM) and improve soil
governance to guarantee healthy
and productive soils, and
support the provision of
essential ecosystem services
towards food security and
improved nutrition, climate
change adaptation and
mitigation, and sustainable
development.

Thanks to the financial support of

Ministry of Finance of the

Russian Federation

ISBN 978-92-5-131705-1

9 789251 317051
CA5253EN/1/08.19