Latest Updates to Fertilizer Registration Requirements in China

October 14, 2019 Announcement No. 222 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Fertilizer Registration Service Guide

October 17, 2025 Fertilizer Registration Service Guide

Impact

10.6.1 Field Experiment Report

Applicants should conduct standardized field experiments in China according to relevant technical requirements, and submit experiment reports for each crop from at least two different regions (one year) or from the same region (two years) or more (one year). Fertilizer field experiments should objectively and accurately reflect the application effects of the tested products, with definite experiment locations, scientific experiment design, and standardized field operations, and should be conducted and signed by personnel with an agronomist (intermediate level) or above. Field experiment reports must indicate the experiment leader and attach proof of their professional title, the name and contact information of the farmers who conducted the field experiments, and relevant experiment records and video data must be retained for future reference. Soil conditioner (including soil remediation microbial agents) experiments should be conducted at two representative locations targeting soil obstacle factors, and submit experiment results for at least three consecutive years (one year). Organic material composting agents specifically for organic material composting or fermentation should submit the results of two (site) composting or fermentation experiments. Applicants may conduct fertilizer field experiments themselves or entrust relevant institutions to conduct them as required. The organization entrusted with conducting field experiments may, depending on the circumstances, require the client to submit a test report of the tested samples.

10.6.1 Field Experiment Report.

Applicants should conduct standardized field experiments in China, either independently or by entrusting a relevant institution, in accordance with the relevant technical requirements, and submit a field experiment report.

Fertilizer field experiments should objectively and accurately reflect the application effects of the tested products. They should have a defined experiment location, a scientifically designed experiment, and standardized field operations, and be conducted by in-service personnel with senior professional titles specializing in soil and fertilizer-related work. Before the experiment begins, a panoramic image of the experiment site should be provided, clearly showing the entire site and the distribution of each plot. Data records should include the experiment start time, experiment location (including coordinates, soil physicochemical properties, previous crop fertilizer application, etc.), and experiment plan (including experiment design, number of replicates, plot arrangement, plot area, etc.). During the experiment, images of fertilization (topdressing) should be provided, clearly showing the fertilization method and dosage. Data records should include the fertilization time, fertilizer dosage, and crop growth status. After the experiment, images of harvest and yield measurement should be provided, clearly showing the yield measurement method. Data records should include the harvest time and yield of each plot. Relevant experiment data records and image data should be retained for at least three years for future reference.

For chemical fertilizer products (excluding soil conditioners and agricultural and forestry water-retaining agents), submit test reports for each crop in two or more different regions for one year or in the same region for two or more years, in accordance with NY/T 2544-2014, NY/T 2274-2012, and NY/T 2543-2014.

For microbial fertilizer products (excluding soil remediation agents and organic material composting agents), submit test reports for each crop in two or more different regions or in the same region for two or more years, in accordance with NY/T 1536-2025.

For soil conditioner and soil remediation microbial agent tests, two representative locations should be selected for each soil obstacle factor. Test results for three consecutive years or more should be submitted, in accordance with NY/T 2271-2016.

The experiments of water-retaining agents for agriculture and forestry were conducted at two locations: an arid and semi-arid region and a seasonally arid region. At least two consecutive experiments covering the entire growth period were carried out at each location, in accordance with NY/T4544-2025.

For organic material composting agents specifically designed for composting or fermenting organic materials, submit the results of two (point) composting or fermentation tests.

Field experiment reports must be signed and approved by the experiment leader, stamped with the official seal of the experiment leader's institution, and include proof of the experiment leader's professional title, the name and contact information of the farmer who conducted the field experiment. Field experiment reports will be considered invalid if the field experiment unit fails to submit the required documents or if the submitted experiment records and video materials have obvious defects.

Test samples must be tested by a legally authorized quality testing institution to confirm that the effective components and their content are consistent with the labeled values.

In order to eliminate false fertilizer efficacy experiment reports, the authorities have set higher requirements for fertilizer efficacy tests.

The fertilizer efficacy test report must be conducted by an in-service person with a senior professional title, and the test image data (including photos and videos) must be complete, along with relevant test data records.

Relevant test data records and image materials must be kept for at least three years for future reference.

10.6.2 Product execution Standards

Applicants should submit the implementation standards for the products for which they wish to register. Domestic enterprise standards should be filed with the local standardization administrative department.

10.6.2 Product execution standards.

Applicants should submit the implementation standards for the products for which registration is sought. Domestic enterprise standards should be filed with the local standardization administrative department. Applicants from overseas countries and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan should submit product quality assurance certificates that include product quality control indicators and corresponding testing methods.

Foreign companies must submit a quality assurance certificate when applying to import fertilizer that does not meet domestic standards.

10.7 Product Label Styles

Applicants should submit product label samples that comply with the "Regulations on Fertilizer Registration Management" and the "Requirements for Fertilizer Registration Materials".

10.7 Product label style.

Product label samples that comply with the "Regulations on Fertilizer Registration Management" and the "Content and Requirements for Fertilizer Labeling" (GB 18382-2021). An electronic copy should be provided along with the paper sample for product information disclosure.

Because the authorities have been considering making fertilizer label information public, companies are required to submit both paper samples and electronic copies of their fertilizer labels.

10.10 Fertilizer Sample

10.9.4 Samples should be packaged in unmarked bottles (bags). The sample collection form should indicate the manufacturer's name, product name, active ingredients and content, production date, and other information. For domestic products, fertilizer samples should be collected and sealed by the provincial agricultural authority where the applicant is located or its authorized unit, and the seal should be signed and stamped with the official seal of the sealing unit.

10.9 Fertilizer sample.

10.9.5 Samples should be packaged in unmarked bottles (bags). The sample collection form should indicate the manufacturer's name, product name, active ingredients and content, production date, and other information. For domestic products, fertilizer samples should be collected and sealed by the provincial agricultural and rural affairs department where the applicant is located or its authorized unit, with the seal signed and stamped with the official seal of the sealing unit. For products from foreign countries and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, the applicant should submit fertilizer samples, indicating the above information as for domestic products, and attach import documentation.

The requirements for overseas fertilizer samples must be clearly defined. They must include the manufacturer's name, product name, active ingredients and their content, production date, and other information, similar to domestic products, and must be accompanied by import documentation.

10.10 Commitment Letter. The product shall comply with the mandatory national standard "Limits of Toxic and Hazardous Substances in Fertilizers " (GB38400-2019).

To reduce the burden on enterprises, for certain toxic and hazardous substances, applicants can simply issue a commitment letter without conducting routine testing.

12.3 The Secretariat of the Fertilizer Registration Review Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs conducts technical reviews of the application materials and organizes product quality testing and fertilizer safety evaluation tests in accordance with relevant regulations.

12.3 The Secretariat of the Fertilizer Registration Review Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs conducts technical reviews of application materials and organizes product quality testing and fertilizer safety evaluation tests in accordance with relevant regulations. For chemical fertilizers, product quality testing includes anti-explosion performance testing and degradation testing for specific varieties; safety evaluation tests include acute oral toxicity testing. For microbial fertilizers, product quality testing includes microbial strain identification and product testing; safety evaluation tests include acute oral toxicity testing and microbial toxicology testing.

The testing items for chemical fertilizers and microbial fertilizers are clearly defined.

12.4 If the product quality inspection or safety evaluation test results do not meet the requirements, the applicant may submit a re-inspection application within 15 days from the date of receiving the written notification from the Secretariat of the Fertilizer Registration Review Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Businesses must ensure that the products they submit pass quality inspection. The new guidelines have eliminated the need for re-inspection applications. If a product fails quality inspection, the application will be rejected outright.

12.6 The Department of Crop Production Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shall, in accordance with relevant regulations and based on technical review and evaluation opinions, submit its approval opinions and apply for approval according to procedures.

12.7 The Crop Production Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shall process the approval documents and issue the "Fertilizer Registration Certificate" based on the signed approval documents.

12.5 The Department of Crop Production Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shall, in accordance with relevant regulations and based on technical review and evaluation opinions, propose approval opinions, submit them for approval according to procedures, and issue the "Fertilizer Registration Certificate" (electronic certificate).

Fertilizer registration certificates have been changed from paper certificates to electronic certificates.

16. Approval Results

If the application is approved, a "Fertilizer Registration Certificate" will be issued; if the application is denied, the applicant will be notified in writing with reasons given.

16. Approval Results

If the application is approved, a fertilizer registration certificate (electronic certificate) will be issued; if the application is denied, the applicant will be notified, and the reasons will be explained.

17 Results delivered

Within 10 days of the decision, if the application is approved, a Fertilizer Registration Certificate bearing the official seal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China will be prepared and delivered to the applicant; if the application is not approved, a completion notice bearing the official seal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China will be issued to the applicant. The applicant may choose to collect the certificate in person at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' government service hall or have it delivered by mail, depending on their preference.

17 Results Delivered

If the application is approved, a fertilizer registration certificate (electronic certificate) will be issued to the applicant within ten working days from the date of the decision. If the application is denied, a decision of denial will be issued to the applicant.

18.4 Upon receiving the notice of non-acceptance or the notice of completion (non-approval), the applicant may apply for administrative reconsideration to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs within 60 days, or file an administrative lawsuit with the Third Intermediate People's Court of Beijing within 6 months.

18.3 From the date of receiving the notice of non-acceptance or the decision of non-permission, the applicant can resubmit the application in accordance with the requirements of the notice after improving the relevant materials or conditions, or may apply for administrative reconsideration to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs within 60 days, or file an administrative lawsuit with the Third Intermediate People's Court of Beijing within six months.

If a company's fertilizer registration application is not accepted or approved, it can resubmit the application after completing the necessary documentation.