SZNS 011:201 2 
  
 ICS 65.080                  Edition 1  
                                    
ESWATINI NATIONAL STANDARD  
  
   
   
Compound fertilizers - Specifications  
                        
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
Published by: Eswatini Standards Authority  
Marble Construction Building, Plot 247,11th Street King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Eswatini  
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526  
Website: www.swasa.co.sz   
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
©Eswatini Standards Authority 201 2 
SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
ii ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved    
  
COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
This Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a Eswatini National Standard and is 
copyright  protected by SWASA. Neither this SWASA document nor any extract from it may be 
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, 
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission being sec ured.  
Requests for permission to reproduce shall be addressed to ; 
The Information Officer  
Eswatini Standards Authority  
P.O. Box 1399, Matsapha   
Tel. + 268 2518 4633  
Fax: + 268 2518 4526  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz    
Website: www.swasa.co.sz   
  
Reproduction may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted.  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
 
iii 
©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   Table of changes  
  
Clause Changed   Date  Change   
      
  
NATIONAL FOREWORD  
This Eswatini National Standard was prepared by Technical committee SWASA TC22 Fertiliser 
and Soil conditioners  in accordance with procedures of the Eswatini Standards Authority, in 
compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement.   
In the development of this standard,  ZS 431:2004 Compound Fertilisers - Specifications  
Fertilizers, and Farm feeds, agricultural remedies and stock remedies Act, 1947 was extensively 
consulted. Assistance derived from this source is hereby acknowledged.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
iv ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved    
 Contents                 Page  
 
1 Scope .............................. ............................. ...................................................................................... 1 
2 Terms and definitions ........................................ .............................. .................................................. 1 
3 Requirements ..... ............................... ................................................................................................. 2  
4 Labelling.................................................................................................................... ........................ 2  
5 Packaging and storage................................................................................ ....................................... 2  
6 Sampling..................................................................................................................... ....................... 3  
Annex A  (normative) Table 1: Nutrient Content in Compound Fertilizers......................................... 4  
Annex B  (informative) Table 2: Micronutrient sources for fertilizers .................. ............................... 6   
Annex C  (informative) Table 3: Secondary Nutrient Table ....................... ................................... .......7  
Annex D  (informative) Fertilizer terms and definitions....................................................................... 8  
Annex E  (informative) Sampling of Fertilizer ..................................... .............................. .................11   
Annex F  (informative) Table 4: Fertilizers in containers ............................. .............................. ........ 14 
Annex G  (informative) Table 4: Loose Fertilizers............................. ................................................ 15 
Bibliography  ...................................................................... ............................. .................................. 16  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
1 
©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   Compound fertilizers – Specification   
1 Scope   
This national standard specifies the requirements for nutrient contents in compound fertilizers.   
2 Terms and definitions    
2.1   
batch   
material from a single mix or, in the case of a continuous production process, the material from a single 
day’s production   
2.2   
compound fertilizer   
fertilizer containing any combi nation or mixture of fertilizer materials   
2.3   
defective   
fertilizer or its container that fails in one or more respects to comply with the appropriate requirements of 
the specification or not acceptable to the authority administering this standard   
2.4 
fertilizer    
any substance containing one or m ore recognized plant nutrients which is used for its plants nutrient 
content  
2.5   
fertilizer grade   
refers to the minimum guaranteed quantities of the plant nutrient content present in the fertilizer   
2.6  
fertilizer formula   
an expression of the quantity and analysis of the materials in a mixed fertilizer   
2.7   
lot   
material of the same grade in a single consignment drawn from a single batch of manufacture   SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
2    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  3 Requirements   
3.1 General   
3.1.1  The compound fertilizer shall be in the form of granules and shall be free flowing.   
3.1.2  It shall have the minimum chemical composition given in Annex A, Table 1 of this standard.  
3.2 Coating agents, conditioning materials or filler   
Powder or liquid  fertilizer used to enhance the physical chara cteristics of the product (i.e. flow 
ability , hardness etc.) shall not lower the nutrient content of the fertilizer below the stipulated 
limits in Annex A.  
4 Labelling   
4.1 General requirements   
4.1.1  Declara tions shall be legible and indelibly marked on a uniform and contrasting background.  
4.1.2  Declarations shall be marked on a rectangular space, the total area of which shall be at least 
10% of the face selected.   
4.2 The rectangular space shall contain t he following declarations:  
a) registered trade mark where applicable, and the trade name under which the fertilizer has been 
registered;   
b) nutrient value within the fertilizer;   
c) net mass of the fertilizer;   
d) name and address of the manufacturer ;  
e) the eleme nt symbol of the particular plant nutrient expressed in g/kg for macronutrients and 
mg/kg for micronutrients; and   
f) the sum of the total plant nutrients.   
4.3 The name and address of the importer/ vendor;   
4.4 The type and grade of fertilizer and its physical form (for example granular) shall be declared 
on the side of the container;  
4.5 The batch number;  and   
4.6  Instructions for use in respect of a fertilizer shall appear on a label that is affixed to the 
container  or if space is limited on the back of the container or on a pamphlet placed on such a 
container.  
5 Packaging and storage   
5.1 Fertilizers shall be packed in suitable packages that shall be impermeable to moisture.  
5.2 Fertilizers shall be stored in the ir original containers unless damaged.   
5.3 They shall be stored off the floor, on an elevated shelf or pallet.  
5.4 There shall be a containment area large enough to confine the contents of the largest bulk 
container.  SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      3  
  5.5 The storage area shall be secured and clearly labelled as fertilizer storage.   
5.6 Outdoor bagged fertilizer storage shall be covered in a manner that protects the product from 
physical elements.   
5.7 Storage areas shall have sufficient lighting and be a dequately ventilated.    
6 Sampling   
Sampling shall be as described in Annex E of this standard.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
4    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  Annex A  
(normative)  
Table 1: Nutrient Content in Compound Fertilizers   
Bulk Blends  N  P  K  Zn  NPK  
1.0.0 (40) + 6% S  40.0  0.0  0.0  0.0%  40.00%  
1.0.1 (48)  24.0.  0.0  24.0  0.0%  47.92%  
1.0.2 (48)  16.2  0.0  32.4  0.0%  48.60%  
2.0.3 (48)  19.3  0.0  29.0  0.0%  48.32%  
2.1. 0 (38)  25.6  12.8  0.0  0.0%  38.43%  
2.3.2 (22) + 0.5%  Zn  6.3  9.4  6.3  0.5%  22.00%  
2.3.3 (37) + 0.5% Zn  10.8  16.2  10.8  0.5 %  37.72%  
2.3.4 (39) + 0.5% Zn  8.6  12.9  17.2  0.5%  38.62%  
3.1.0 (40)  30.1  10.0  0.0  0.0%  40.08%  
3.1.4 (44)  16.7  5.6  22.3  0.0%  44.50%  
3.1.5 (45)  15.0  5.0  25.0  0.0%  45.05%  
3.2.1 (38)  19.2  12.8  6.4  0.5%  38.38%  
4.0.5 (48)  21.4  0.0  26.7  0.0%  48.14%  
4.1.0 (41)  32.9  8.2  0.0  0.0%  41.14%  
4.1.6 (45)  16.6  4.1  24.8  0.0%  45.55%  
4.1.12 (47)  10.9  2.7  32.8  0.5%  46.44%  
5.0.1 (46)  38.9  0.0  7.8  0.0%  46.63%  
5.1.5 (45)  20.6  4.1  20.6  0.0%  45.22%  
6.1.0 (42)  36.4  6.1  0.0  0.0%  42.42%  
6.1.7 (46)  19.7  3.3  23.0  0.0%  45.90%  
6.1.8 (46)  18.5  3.1  24.6  0.0%  46.16%  
7.1.6 (46)  22.8  3.3  19.6  0.0%  45.64%  
7.1.9 (46)  19.1  2.7  24.5  0.0%  46.36%  
8.0.5 (47)  29.2  0.0  18.3  0.0%  47.47%  
8.1.0(43)  38.4  4.8  0.0  0.0%  43.17%  
8.1.5 (45)  25.9  3.2  16.2  0.0%  45.39%  
8.1.8 (46)  21.7  2.7  21.7  0.0%  46.14%  
18.20.0 (35)  16.6  18.5  0.0  0.5%  35.09%  
            
Nitrogen            
Urea HB Granular  46.0  0.0  0.0  0.0%  46.00%  
Urea HB Prills  46.0  0.0  0.0  0.0%  460.00%  
            
    
  SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      5  
  Table 1 Nutrient Content in Compound Fertilizers (continued)   
  
Phosphate             
Super 8.3%   0.0  8.3  0.0  0.0%  8.30%  
MAP +075% Zn  11.0  22.0  0.0  0.8%  33.00%  
DAP +0.75% Zn  18.0  20.0  0.0  0.8%  38.00%  
LAN 28%  28.0  0.0  0.0  0.0%  28.00%  
            
Potassium             
Potassium Chloride 
granular   0.0  0.0  50.0  0.0%  8.30%  
Potassium Nitrate   13.0  0.0  38.0  0.0%  51.00%  
Potassium Sulphate 
Granular   0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0%  28.00%  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
6    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  Annex B  
(informative)  
Table 2: Micronutrient sources for fertilizers  
Elements  Source  Formula or  
Principal  
Compound  
Present  Micronutrient 
content  
1 Boron  Sodium tetraborate decahydrate 
(borax)  Na2B40 7.1OH 2O  11% B  
Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate  Na2B4O 7.5H 2O  14% B  
Sodium tetraborate - pentaborate  Na2B4O 7  21% B  
Colemanite  Ca2B5O22.  5H 2O  16% B  
2 Copper  Cupric Oxide  CuO  79% Cu  
Cuprous Oxide  Cu2O  86% Cu  
Cupric Sulphate monohydrate  CuSO 4.H2O  35% Cu  
Cupric Sulphate pentahydrate  CuSO4. 5H 2O  25% Cu  
3 Iron  Ferric Sulphate - nonhydrate  Fe2(SO4) 3.9H 2O  20% Fe  
Ferrous Sulphate -heptahydrate  FeSO 4.7H 2O  20% Fe  
4 Manganese  Manganous Carbonate  MnCO 3  46% Mn  
Manganous Oxide (impure)  Mn O  48% Mn  
Manganous -manganic Oxide  Mn 3O4  69% Mn  
Manganous Sulphate monhydrate  MnSO 4.H2O  24%Mn  
5 Molybdenum  Ammonium Molybdate  (NH 4) 2MoO 4  49% Mo  
Sodium Molybdate (anhydrous)  Na2MoO 4  46% Mo  
Molybdic Oxide (technical grade)  MoO 3  58-62% Mo  
6 Zinc  Calcined Zinc concentrate (impure 
ZnO)  ZnO  74% Zn  
Zinc Carbonate (by product)  ZnCO 3  56% Zn  
Zinc Oxide  ZnO  80% Zn  
Zinc Sulphate monohydrate  ZnSO4.H 2O  36% Zn  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      7  
  Annex C  
(informative)   
Table 3: Secondary Nutrient Table    
Element  Source  
Magnesium   Ground Calcium Magnesium Limestone   
  
Calcium   
      Ground Calcium Magnesium Limestone  
Ground Burnt Lime   
Hydrated Lime   
Ground Calcium Magnesium Carbonate   
Calcium Sulphate (gypsum)   
Sulphur   Zinc Sulphate   
Iron Sulphate  
Cupric sulphate monohydrate   
Cupric Sulphate pentahydrate   
Ferric Sulphate –nonhydrate    
Ferrous Sulphate – heptahydrate   
Manganous Sulphate monhydrate  
Zinc Sulphate monohydrate   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
8    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  Annex D  
(informative)   
Fertilizer terms and definitions  
acid-forming  
a product that tends to make the soil more acid e.g. Ammonium sulphate and some sulphur 
containing fertilizers  
ammonium nitrate (NH 4NO 3)  
a product containing approximately 33.5% nitrogen, one half of which is in ammonium form and 
one half in the nitrate f orm, ammonium nitrate is water soluble and is also used in fertilizer 
solutions  
ammonium sulphate (NH 4)2SO  
a solid material manufactured by reacting ammonia with sulphuric acid, typically containing 
20.5% - 21% nitrogen  
analysis   
(see also grade)  
perce ntage composition as found by chemical analysis, expressed in those terms that laws require 
or permit. Although analysis and grade sometimes are used synonymously, the term grade usually 
is applied only to the three primary plant nutrients Total Nitrogen ( N), available phosphate (P 2O5) 
and soluble potash (K 2O) and is stated as the guaranteed minimum quantities present  
available phosphate  
the P 2O5 equivalent of a fertilizer soluble in water plus neutral ammonium citrate and considered 
readily available to growing plants. The traditional term has been available phosphoric acid 
(Frequently abbreviated A.P.A). This is a misnomer because, chemically, phosphoric acid is 
H3PO 4. The correct chemical name for P 2O5 is phosphorous pentoxide. The compound, P 2O5, as 
such, never is found in fertilizer, but historically, has been an accepted term for expressing content 
of phosphorus   
borax (Na 2 B4 O7.10H 2O) a salt used in fertilizer as a source of the plant nutrient element boron. 
Fertilizer borax contains about 11% boron  
boron 
see borax 
brand   
the trade name assigned by a manufacturer to his particular fertilizer product  
calcium carbonate (CaCO 3)  
the prin cipal components of calcitic limestone and one of the principal components of dolomitic 
limestone, of which magnesium carbonate, Mg CO 3, is the other   
calcium oxide (CaO)  
(see also liming materials)   
the active ingredient in certain liming materials, liming materials are sometimes compared in 
terms of their calcium oxide equivalents  SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      9  
    
copper sulphate (CuSO 4.5H 2O)  
most common source of copper fertilizer contains 25% copper, also used as an insecticide an d 
fungicide  
dolomite   
(see also liming materials)   
a material used for liming soils in areas where magnesium and calcium are needed, made by 
grinding dolomitic limestone that contains magnesium carbonate, MgCO 3, and Calcium 
Carbonate, CaCO 3  
fertilizer    
any substance containing one or more recognized plant nutrients which is used for its plant 
nutrient content  
formula  
 this is an expression of the quantity and analysis of the materials in a mixed fertilizer  
grade    
(see also analysis)  the guaranteed  analysis of a fertilizer containing one or more of the primary 
plant nutrient elements. Grades are stated in terms of the guaranteed percentages of total nitrogen 
(N), available phosphate (P 2O5), and soluble potash (K 2O) in that order. For example, a 10 - 10-
10- grade would contain 10% total nitrogen. 10% available phosphate and 10% soluble potash  
lime   
(see also liming materials)   
technically, lime is calcium oxide. In agricultural usage, however, the term is used to denote any 
liming material  
liming  materials  
the terms lime and liming materials have come to mean in common agriculture usage of any 
material containing calcium, magnesium or both capable of neutralizing soil acidity. Common 
sources of liming materials are limestone (calcitic  and dolomitic), marl and oyster shells. The 
most commonly used materials are ground calcitic limestone and ground dolomitic limestone, 
both commonly referred to simply as ground agriculture limestone   
molybdenum  
one of the essential micronutrients especi ally for legumes which have nitrogen fixing bacteria  
muriate of potash (KCl)  
the principal source of potassium fertilizer, muriate of potash, the chemical name of which is 
potassium chloride, usually is sold on the basis of the material containing 95% - 99% KCl with a 
K2O equivalent of 60% -62%  
sulphate of ammonia   
(see ammonium sulphate)   SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
10    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  unit  
a unit of plant nutrient is 1% of a ton or 20 pounds. A ton of a 6 -12-12 fertiliser, for instance, 
contains six units of nitrogen, 12 units of phosphate and 12 u nits of potash  
urea CO (NH 2)2   
a solid, synthetic organic material containing approximately 46% nitrogen. In the soil its nitrogen 
changes first to the ammonium form, then the nitrate form  
zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4.7H 2O) 
white  vitriol, a solid material used as a source of zinc for plants, w ith 36% 
zinc  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      11  
  Annex E  
(informative)  
Sampling of Fertilizer   
E.1 The manner of taking, marking and sealing of samples  
E.1.1  For the purposes of this standard samples shall be taken by the Registrar or his delegate and 
any authorised persons.  
E.1.2  In the case of fertilizer in containers, only unopened containers shall be selected for the 
purpose of sampling.   
E.1.3  The sampl e shall be taken and prepared as quickly as possible taking precautions to ensure 
that it remains representative of the sampled portion. Instruments, surfaces and containers used 
in sampling shall be clean and dry.  
E.1.4  Samples shall not be drawn from an y part of the sampled portion, which appears damaged.   
E.1.5  When lumps are naturally present in a fertilizer, they shall be broken up and mixed with the 
quantity from which a sample is to be drawn.  
E.1.6  An inspector who intends to take a sample on prem ises shall:   
a) satisfy himself that the conditions in which the fertilizer is stored are not such as might 
cause undue deterioration of the said fertilizer and that the fertiliser appears not to have been 
contaminated by any other material; and  
b) where he ha s reasonable cause to believe that fertilizer in containers is only part of an 
original consignment, the number of containers to be sampled shall be selected as if not less than 
the whole consignment, were still present, except that sampling shall not take  place if fewer than 
the minimum number of containers as prescribed in Annex F  shall be available.  
E.1.7  The sampling apparatus shall be made of materials which cannot affect the characteristics 
of the fertilizer to be sampled.  
E.1.8  In the case of a sam pling spear the dimensions shall be appropriate to the characteristics of 
the sampled portion in all respects including dimensions of the container and particle size of the 
fertilizer. A shuttered sampling spear, consisting of two metal tubes, one of which  is close 
skidding fit, inside the other shall be used.   
E.1.9  The inner diameter shall be at least 15 mm. Down one side of the outer tube, a series of 
slots is cut with a corresponding series of slots cut on one side of the inner tube. The width of the 
slots shall be at least 12 mm and the combined length of the slots shall exceed 75% of the total 
sampling length of the spear.  
E.1.10  When sampling, the spear is inserted diagonally through the whole width of the container, 
with the slots closed. The inner  tube is then rotated to open the slots and the spear tapped and 
worked to encourage material to flow through the slots. The inner tube is then rotated to close the 
slots and the spear withdrawn. The sample is emptied into suitable container.    
E.1.11  A sampling spear shall not be used if, prior to the taking of a sample, objection is raised 
by the manufacturer on the grounds that the material is unsuitable   
E.1.12  Apparatus designed to divide the sample into approximately equal parts may be used for 
taking incremental samples and for the preparation of reduced and final samples.   
E.1.13  A sample taken in accordance with the methods described in Clause E.3 shall be  deemed 
to be representative of the sampled portion.  SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
12    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  E.2 Quantitative Requirements   
E.2.1  Sampled portion shall be identified and specified on site in conjunction with manufacturer 
or supplier. Such sampled portion shall be such that each of its constitu ent parts can be sampled 
in accordance with requirements of this standard.    
E.2.2  Incremental samples shall be selected in the following manner:  
a) In the case of solid fertilizers in containers;    
1) where the content of each of the containers in the sampled portion is more than 1 kg in 
mass the number of containers shall be selected in accordance with Annex G; and   
2) where the content of each of the containers in the sampled portion does not exceed 1 k g 
in mass, the number of containers shall be selected in accordance with Annex F, except that 
the number selected shall not be less than four.   
b) In the case of loose solid fertilizers the number of incremental samples shall be selected in 
accordance with A nnex G.   
E.2.3  For composite samples the appropriate mass or volume shall not be less than the 
following:   
a)  Solid fertilizers in container   
1) containers of  more than 1 kg     3 kg ( 6 kg for bulk blends)   
2) containers  not exceeding 1kg     3 kg   
b)  Loose solid fertilizers      3 kg  
E.2.4  For final samples the appropriate mass or volume of each final sample shall not be less 
than 1 000 g (2 000g for bulk blends) for solid fertilizers.    
E.3 Taking and preparation of samples   
E.3.1  Incremental samples of approximately equal sizes shall be taken at random throughout the 
whole sampled portion in the following manner:  
a) in case of solid fertilizers in containers;  
1) having selected the required number of containers for sampling in accordance with clause 
E.2.2 1), part of the content of each selected container shall be taken as the incremental 
sample, except in the case of material to which E.3.1  1) d) applies;  
2) where  necessary, each selected container shall be emptied and worked up with a shovel 
separately and one shovelful taken as the incremental sample;  
3) when the materials of a suitable nature the incremental sample may be taken from each 
selected container by mean s of a sampling spear divider;  
4) when the material is so packed or such a nature that a shovel or spear or divider cannot be 
used, or where the content of the container does not exceed 1 kg, the whole container shall 
be taken as the incremental sample;  
5) where the fertilizer is in coarse or lumpy condition incremental samples shall be taken in 
accordance with E.3.1  1) b) or d) where appropriate. These shall be crushed immediately 
and the whole sample passed through a standard sieve with 5,6 mm apertures; and    SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      13  
  6) where the fertilizer consists of bulky material, uneven in character and likely to get matted 
together, each selected package shall be emptied  separately and the matted portions be 
broken up and the whole of the contents of each package shall be thorou ghly mixed. The 
incremental samples shall be taken in accordance to E.3.1 1) b) or d) where appropriate. 
b) In the case of loose solid fertilizers;  
1) sampling the stationary state is not recommended;   
2) when sampling is being carried out while the material c omprising the sampled portion is 
in motion, the incremental samples shall be taken from the approximately equal parts as 
required in Annex G at equal intervals; and   
3) where the fertilizer is in a coarse or lumpy condition, or consists of bulky material, un even 
in character and likely to get matted together, the incremental samples shall be taken in 
accordance with E.3.1 1) e) or f) where appropriate;  
E.3.2  The incremental samples shall be combined and thoroughly mixed to form a single 
composite sample. In the case of solid fertilizers the material in the composite sample shall be 
carefully mixed to obtain a homogenised sample. Any lumps inconsistent with the nature of the 
material shall be broken up (if need be by separating them out and returning them to b e the 
composite sample)   
E.3.3  In the case of solid fertilizers the composite sample shall, if necessary, be reduced to not 
less than given E.2  in the following manner;  
a) the material shall be heaped to form a ‘cone’, which shall then be fattened and quartered. Two 
diagonally opposite quarters shall be rejected and the remainder shall be mixed and the 
quartering and rejection contained as necessary; or   
b) the reduction method e ffected by the use of a mechanical device.   
E.3.4  The final samples shall be obtained in the following manner;  
a) For solid fertilizers, the reduced sample where necessary the composite sample shall be 
thoroughly mixed and divided into three equal parts,  and each part places in an appropriate airtight 
container.  
E.4 Marking, sealing and fastening up of the final sample   
E.4.1  Each container of a final sample shall be secured and sealed by the person taking the 
samples so that the container cannot be ope ned without breaking the seal.  
E.4.2  A label shall be attached to the container and shall be marked with the following particulars, 
which shall not be hidden by the seal;  
a) name of the inspector as well as the department to which he belongs;   
b) identificati on mark given by the inspector to the sample;  
c) place of sampling;  
d) date of sampling;  
e) name of the material; and  
e) identification code, batch reference number or consignment identification of the material 
sampled, where readily available.   
   SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
14    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  Annex F  
(informative)  
Table 4: Fertilizers in containers  
  
Number of containers in sampled portion   Number of containers to be selected for sampling   
1  2  
1 to 7  
8 to 49   
50 to 64  
65 to 81  
82 to 100  
101 to 121  
122 to 144  
145 to 169  
170 to 196  
197 to 225  
226 to 256  
257 to 289  
290 to 324  
325 to 361  
362 and above   All containers   
Not less than 7  
Not less than 8  
Not less than 9   
Not less than 10  
Not less than 11  
Not less than 12   
Not less than 13  
Not less than 14   
Not less than 15   
Not less than 16  
Not less than 17  
Not less than 18  
Not less than 19  
Not less than 20  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                    SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      15  
  Annex G  
(informative)   
Table 4: Loose Fertilizers  
Size of Sampled Portion in tons  Number of incremental samples required  
1  2  
Up to and including 2.5  
Greater than 2.5 and up to and including 3  
Greater than 3 and up to and including 4  
Greater than 4 and up to and including 5  
Greater than 5 and up to and including 6  
Greater than 6 and up to and including 7  
Greater than 7 and up to and including 8  
Greater than 8 and up to and including 9  
Greater than 9 and up to and including 11  
Greater than 11 and up to and including 12  
Greater than 12 and up to and including 14  
Greater than 14 and up to and including 16  
Greater than 16 and up to and including 18  
Greater than 18 and up to and including 20  
Greater than 20 and up to and including 22  
Greater than 22 and up to and including 24  
Greater than 24 and up to and inclu ding 26  
Greater than 26 and up to and including 28  
Greater than 28 and up to and including 31  
Greater than 31  and up to and including 33  
Greater than 33 and up to and including 36  
Greater than 36 and up to and including 39  
Greater  than 39 and up to  and including 42  
Greater than 42 and up to and including 45  
Greater than 45 and up to and including 48  
Greater than 48 and up to and including 51  
Greater than 51 and up to and including 54  
Greater than 54 and up to and including 57  
Greater than 57 a nd up to and including 61  
Greater than 61 and up to and including 64  
Greater than 64 and up to and including 68  
Greater than 68 and up to and including 72  
Greater than 72 and up to and including 76  
Greater than 76 and up to and including  Not less than 7  
Not less than 8  
Not less than 9  
Not less than 10  
Not less than 11  
Not less than 12  
Not less than 13  
Not less than 14  
Not less than 15  
Not less than 16  
Not less than 17  
Not less than 18  
Not less than 19  
Not less than 20  
Not les s than 21  
Not less than 22  
Not less than 23  
Not less than 24  
Not less than 25  
Not less than 26  
Not less than 27  
Not less than 28  
Not less than 29  
Not less than 30  
Not less than 31  
Not less than 32  
Not less than 33  
Not less than 34  
Not less than 35  
Not less than 36  
Not less than 37   
Not less than 38  
Not less than 39  
Not less than 40  
  
  
         SZNS 011:2012  
Edition 1  
  
16    ©SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   
  Bibliography  
Noman, A.G. and Pierre W.H. (1953). Academic Press Inc. New York. Soil and fertilizers.  
South African Department of Agriculture. (2007). pg 20 -24. Fertilizers, farm feeds agricultural 
remedies and stock remedies Act.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  SZNS 011:2012 
Edition 1  
©SWASA 201 2 – All rights reserved      17  
    
   
   
         
   
   
         
  
    
         
  
    
   
  
          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS 65.080   
Price based on 16 pages.