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      KENYA STANDARD              KS 2290 : 2023    
            
 
 
 
 
 
          Organic Fertilizer -Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
               DRAFT KENYA  STANDARD                                   THIRD   EDITION  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 2023           
 
ii  ©   TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
Kenya plant Health Inspectorate service  
Kenya organic Agriculture Network  
Koppert Biological systems  
Sanergy limited  
Osho   Chemicals  
Society o f Crop Agribusiness  Advisors  
Kenya Bureau of Standards-Secretariat 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bure au of Standards, 
are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of standards, 2023  
 
Copyright:  Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 6 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists in all 
Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 7 of this Act, no Kenya Standard may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval 
system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing Director.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
KENYA STANDARD           KS 2290: 20 23   
         . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             Organic fertilizer    -Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
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Coast Region     Lake Region          Rift Valley Region  
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Fax: (+254 041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
  
 
iv  ©   
Foreword  
 
This Kenya standard was  prepared by  the Technical Committee on Organic 
farming and organic products  under the guidance of the standards projects 
committee  and it is  in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya  Bureau  of 
standards.  
 
Organic fertilizers  are natural products used to provide plant nutrients . There  are 
a number of organic fertilizers   like farmyard manure, green manures, compost 
prepared from crop resi dues and other farm wastes, vermicompost, oil cakes, 
biological wastes - animal bones, slaughter house refuse  and natural mineral 
deposits  that include but  not limited to  phosphate rock, greensand, Epsom salt, 
calcium, limestone flour .  Organic    matter li mits, moisture content requirements 
and zinc levels have been revised. The standard covers solid, liquid and natural 
minerals as organic fertilizers.  
 
Recent Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods of analysis are 
adopted.  
 
This standard  has been prepared to promote safe use of organic fertilizers, 
promote fair trade practices and ensure safety of consumers.  
 
During the preparation of this standard reference was made to the following 
document s:  
EAS 456:2007 -Organic products standard  
FAO/ AGL:  fertilizer specifications , 2010  
IFOAM Basic standards  
PNS/BAFPS - 40:2013: Philippine  National Standard For Organic Fertilizers  
 
 
 
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for assistance derived from th ese source s. 
 
 
  
 KENYA STANDARD   
Organic Fertilizer -Specification  
 
1. Scope  
 
This Kenya standard specifies requirements   for organic fertilizers  
 
2. Descriptive Terms : 
In the application of this standard the following definitions shall apply.  
 
2.1 Organic  matter  
 Biomass  of animals and plants. For this rea son, only products that are solely 
derived from organic matter may be identified or described as "organic".  
2.2 O rganic  based product -  
A product that  contains at least 70 % organic material.   
2.3 Fertilizer  
Any material of natural or synthetic origin tha t is applied to soils or plants to 
supply one or more plant nutrients.  substance that increases soil fertility by 
supplying plant nutrients or by conditioning the soil with organic matter.  
 
2.4 Organic fertilizer  
 A fertilizer that  is either in solid or li quid form,  naturally occurring in nature, 
which originates from organic material  and those derived from  natural  mineral 
deposits . Organic fertilizers are substances that increases soil fertility by 
supplying plant nutrients or by conditioning the soil    Examples include : 
farmyard  manure , green manure,  compost,  guano, alfalfa meal, bone meal, blood 
meal, feather meal and  sea weed meal,  night soil, biogas slurry , humic acid, 
urine based , fluvic acid  and other materials found in nature.  
 
 
2.5 Natural    minera l fertilizer  
Materials that are directly mined from mineral deposits and only subjected to 
physical processes such as crushing and drying. Examples of these materials 
may include: phosphate rock; gypsum ; Sulphate of potassium -magnesia and any 
other   natura l mineral deposits.   
  
2.6 Manure  
mixture of litter and /or dung in process of biological change  
2.7 Farmyard manure  
A decomposed mixture of livestock dung and urine with straws and litter used as 
bedding material and residues from the fodder fed to livestock  
2.8 Green manure  
 
A   crop that is incorporated into the soil for the purpose of soil improvement and 
which may include spontaneous crops, plants or weeds  
 
. 
 
2.9 Compost  
Well decomposed organic wastes like plant residues, animal slurry  from livestock 
sheds  
 
2.10 Bone meal  
 Fertilizer made from  degreased bone which may be degelatinized and has been 
ground or crushed   
2.11Guano  
 Well decomposed accumulated and mined excrements of birds,  bats and seals 
valued as fertilizers  2.12 Blood meal  
This is dried, pow dered blood collected from livestock slaughterhouses . 
 
2.13 Fish emulsion  fertilizer  
A partially decomposed blend of finely pulverized fish  
 
2.14 Cottonseed meal  
Milled cotton seeds used as a fertilizer  
 
2.15 Sew age sludge  
A recycled product of sewage  treatment plants  
2.16 Night  soil  
Human urine and  faeces collected separate ly from each other or mixed with flush 
water and amendments  such as soil , ash 
other organic matter.  
2.17 Biosolids  
Organic material from sewage and related materials recycled and treat ed for use 
as a fertilizer  
 
2.18 Vermicompost   
3 
 Product or process of composting using various worms such as earthworms to 
create a heterogenous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding 
materials.  
2.19 Plant extract s 
Substances with desirable properties that are derived from plant tissues used as 
organic fertilizers.  
 
 
 
 
3.0 General requirements  
3.1. General requirements 
3.1 Organic  fertilizer    shall be  practically  free from foul smell  
3.2   Organic   fertilizers  shall be homogenous in nature   
3.3 Organic ferti lizer shall not contain more than the maximum allowed 
substances  such as residual hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides,   
3.4 Organic fertilizer shall not contain any pathogenic organisms which could 
affect plants, animals, human being and the environmen t 
3.5 The carrier used for organic fertilizer shall not be of a nature that is ha rmful 
to plants, animals, human being and the environment  
3.6 All raw   manures sh all   be   subjected to appropriate treatment  
3.7. Dog   and   cat  manures  as well as  untreat ed human waste shall not be 
used as fertilizers  
3.8 The fertilizer shall be free from foreign matter such as plastics, aluminium, 
wrappers, stones,  weed seeds etc.  
 
3.2. Specific Q uality Requirements   
3.2.1 Organic fertilizers shall conform to the composition requirements ; 
Table 1 : Compositional  requirements for   solid organic  fertilizers*  
SL/NO  PARAMETER  LIMIT  
i pH 5.5-8.5 
ii Carbon: Nitrogen ratio  ≤ 25:1 
iii Moisture  content  
                 15-40% 
 
iv Temperature  20-30◦C  
v Nitrogen  >1% 
Vi Organic matter content  20-70 %  
   
viii Total primary 
nutrients (NPK) ,% by weight  ≥3.5  
 * For Natural Based mineral   fertilizers, reference should b e made to relevant 
Kenya standards for   Natural fertilizers . 
 
3.2.2. Organic plant s upplements shall comply with the compositional 
require ment given in table 2. 
Table 2 : Compositional requirements for   organic  plant supplements  
SL/NO  PARAMETER  LIMIT  
 Ph 5.5-8.5 
 Temperature   ≤30◦C 
 Nitrogen  >1% 
 Total primary nutrients(NPK),% 
by weight  ≥3.5 
3.2.3 Secondary Plant Nutrients   
 Secondary Plant Nutrients must not be identified and guaranteed if they are not 
present in at least the following concentrations:  
Table 3-concetrations for secondary plant nutrients  
ELEMENT  LIMIT  
Calcium( %) ≥1.0000  
Magnesium ( %) ≥0.5000  
Sulphur ( %)   ≥1.0000  
Boron ( ppm)    20-140 
Cobalt ( ppm) 0.5-1.0 
Copper ( ppm) 8-300 
Iron ( ppm) 1000 -2500  
Manganese ( ppm)  200-800 
Molybdenum ( ppm) 0.5-1.0 
Zinc ( ppm) 40-300 
 
4.0. Heavy Metal contaminants  
Metal contaminants if present shall conform to the following limits  
  
5 
  PARAMET ER LIMIT, mg/kg   
i) Arsenic, max  10 
ii) Cadmium, max  5 
iii) Chromium, Max  50 
iv) Copper ,max  300 
v) Lead 30 
 Mercury  0.1 
 Nickel  50 
 
•  
 
5.0   Hygiene  
 
The   fertilizer shall be free from pathogenic organisms.  Where applicable,  the 
product shall also comply with microbiological limits in the following table:  
Microorganisms  Allowable Level  
E.coli  1000 cfu/g  
Salmonella  Nil 
Faecal streptococci  <500 cfu/g  
Infective parasites  Nil 
 
 
 
4.0. Packaging  
4.1.1 The organ ic fertilizer  shall be packaged in materials that ensure the product 
integrity and quality .  
 
4.1.2. The fill of the package shall comply with the Weight and measures A ct CAP 
513 of the Laws of Kenya . 
 
 
5.0 Environment  
The disposal of condemned organic fer tilizer  and used packaging  shall be done as 
stipulated in the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 
(EMCA ,1999) , Public Health Act, Cap 242  and The  Plant Protection Act, Cap 324 
of the Laws of Kenya.  
 
 
6.0. Labelling  
The packages shall be legibly  and indelibly labelled with the following  
information:   
  
 i)       Product name,  
ii)       Brand name  
iii) Net weight  
iv)      Batch number,  
v)       Manufacturer/importer name and (contacts) physical address, 
telephone/email/fax. :  
Vi) Nutrient content  
i. Carbon /Nitrogen  ratio  
ii. Organic matter content  
Moisture content  
     
vi)Date of manufacture  
vii) Expiry date/Best before Date  
viii)       Instructions for use  eg Rate,  frequency, time, method of 
application etc  
ix) Ingredients  
x) Storage conditions  
xi) Directions on Disposal  
xii) Compatibility  
xiii) Declarat ion on GMO Status  
xiv) Liability clause and guarantee analysis  
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.2 Other labelling guidelines  
 a) Testimonials/Endorsements  
The public has no way of evaluating the status of the endorser in relation to a 
product. For this reason, testimonials and endorsem ents will be viewed as claims 
and evaluated accordingly.  
b) Other Claims  
Any reference to the activity of a product containing plant nutrients that is not 
generally associated with its nutritional value must be substantiated with 
statistically significant efficacy data.  
c)  
 
 
e) Where  the product does not contain all 3 major plant nutrients, the label 
should carry a statement indicating that some plants may require an additional 
source of the nutrient(s) that are lacking.   
7 
 f) Blanket statements suggesting th at the product is completely safe and non -
toxic to humans, animals or the environment must not appear on the label  
unless verified and approved  
 
 
 
. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
. 
 
 
 
 
ANNEXXE A ( INFORMATIVE ) 
SUBSTANCES THAT MAY BE USED AS FERTILIZERS OR SOIL 
CONDITIONERS  
 
S/NO  SUBSTANCE  DESCRIPTION;  COMPOSITIONAL 
REQUIREMENTS;  CONDITIONS OF 
USE 
I Farmyard and poultry 
manure  Products comprising a mixture of animal 
excre ments and vegetable matter (animal 
bedding).  
Indication of animal species.  
Coming from extensive farmin g, but if 
sourced from intensive farming or not 
sourced from organic pro duction systems, 
need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation and shall be 
composted.  
  
 S/NO  SUBSTANCE  DESCRIPTION;  COMPOSITIONAL 
REQUIREMENTS;  CONDITIONS OF 
USE 
ii Slurry or urine (not from 
human origin)  If not from organic  farming   sources, 
need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Use after controlled fer mentation and/or 
appro priate dilution.  
Factory farming sources not permitted.  
Indication of animal species.  
 
iii Composted animal 
excrements, including 
poultry manure   
Need  recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Indication of animal species.  
 
v Dried farmyard manure and 
dehydrated poultry manure  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Indication of animal species.  
Coming from extensive farmin g, but if 
from intensive farming sources it must be 
composted.  
 
vi Guano  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
vii Straw  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
viii Composts from spent 
mushroom & dejecta of 
worm s and insects 
(vermiculture substrates)  The initial composition limited to 
products on this list.  
 
ix Composted or fermented 
organic household refuse  Organic vegetable and animal waste 
separated from household waste, which 
has been subjected to composting  or 
anaerobic fermentation for biogas 
production.  
Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Maximum concentrations in mg/kg of dry 
matter:  Cadmium:  0,7;  Copper:  70;  
Nickel:  25;  Lead:  45;  Zinc:  200; 
Mercury:  0,4;  Chromium (total) :  70;  
Chromium (VI):  0(*).  
(*) = limit of determination.  
 
 
  
9 
 S/NO  SUBSTANCE  DESCRIPTION;  COMPOSITIONAL 
REQUIREMENTS;  CONDITIONS OF 
USE 
 
 
 
x Composted or fermented 
plant residues  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Mixtures of plant matter which has been 
subjected to composting or anaerobic 
fermentation f or biogas production.  
 
xi Products and by -products of 
animal origin from  
slaughterhouses & fish 
industries:  
 
- blood meal  
- hoof meal  
- horn meal  
- bone meal or degelatinised 
bone meal  
- fish meal  
 
- meat meal  
- feather, hair and 
"chiquette" meal  
- wool 
- fur 
 
 
- hair 
- dairy products  
 Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Heavy metal contamination monitoring 
necessary.  
- 
- 
- 
maximum concentration in mg/kg of dry 
matter of Chromium (VI):0 (*).  
(*) = limit of determination  
- 
- 
xii By-products of food & textile 
industries  Not treated with synthetic additives.  
Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
xiii Seaweeds and seaweeds 
products  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Directly obtained by -- 
physical processes;  
extraction with water or acid and/or 
alkaline solution; and  
fermentation.  
 
xiv Sawdust, bark and wood 
waste  From wood not chemically treated after 
felling.   
 S/NO  SUBSTANCE  DESCRIPTION;  COMPOSITIONAL 
REQUIREMENTS;  CONDITIONS OF 
USE 
 
xv Wood ash  From wood not chemically treated after 
felling.  
 
xvi Natur al phosphate rock  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Cadmium should not exceed 90 mg/kg of 
P205. 
 
xv Basic slag  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
xvi Rock potash, mined 
potassium salts (e.g. kainite, 
sylvin ite) Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
xvii Potassium sulphate, possibly 
containing magnesium salt  Obtained by physical procedures but not 
enriched.  
Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Derived from crude pota ssium salt.  
 
 
xviii Calcium carbonate of natural 
origin (e.g. chalk, marl, 
maerl, limestone, phosphate 
chalk)  
 - 
 
xix Magnesium and calcium 
carbonate of natural origin 
(e.g. magnesian chalk, 
ground magnesium 
limestone)  
 - 
 
- 
xx Industrial lime from suga r 
production  
 Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
xxi Epsom salt (magnesium -
sulphate)  -Only of natural origin  
 
xxii Gypsum (calcium sulphate)  Only of natural origin.  
 
 Stillage and stillage extract  Ammonium stillage excluded.  
 
xxiii Sodium chloride  Only mined salt.  
Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
  
11 
 S/NO  SUBSTANCE  DESCRIPTION;  COMPOSITIONAL 
REQUIREMENTS;  CONDITIONS OF 
USE 
xxiv Aluminium calcium 
phosphate  Cadmium should not exceed 90 mg/kg of 
P2O5. 
Use lmited to basic soils (pH > 7,5).  
 
xxv Trace elements (e.g. boron, 
copper, ir on, mangese, 
molybdenum, zinc)  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
 
xxvi Sulphur  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
 
xxvii Stone meal  - 
 
xxviii  Clay (e.g. bentonite, 
vermiculite, perlite, zeolite)  - 
 
xxix Naturally occurring biological 
organisms (e.g. worms)  - 
 
xxx Peat Excluding synthetic additives; permitted 
for seed, potting module composts 
(limited to hor ticulture).  
 
xxxi Calcium chloride solution  Need recognition by the approved 
certifying organisation.  
Foliar treatment of apple trees after 
identification of deficit of calcium.  
 
xxxii By-products of industries 
processing ingredients from 
organic agriculture  Need recognition by the approved 
certify ing organisation.  
 
xxxiii  Night soilfaeces and material 
containing faecal matter  Subjected to either of the following 
treatments: 
composting,incineration/drying,anaerobic 
digestion and ammonia treatment  
xxxiv  Sewage Sludge  Subjected to anaerobic 
digestio n/fermentation , composting or 
long time treatments  
xxxv Human urine  Proper storage ( based on the action of 
ammonia in combination wiyh 
temperature.