TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 
DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
Organic fertilizer — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 Organic fertilizer — Specification  
 
0 Foreword  
 
Organic fertilizers are natural products used by farmers to provide plant nutrients for the crop plants. 
There are a number of organic fertilizers like farmyard manure, green manures, compost prepared from 
crop residues and other farm wastes, vermicompost, oil cakes, and biological wastes - animal bones, 
slaughter house refuse.  
Organic fertilizer s increase plant nutrients when decomposed by soil microorganisms and increase 
organic matter in the soil. Organic matter enables the plant nutrients to be in available form for use by the 
crops. The organic matter improves the soil structure hence enable a soil to hold more water and also 
help to improve the drainage in soils.  
 
In the preparation of this Tanzania Standard, considerable assistance has been derived from:  
EAS 456:2007 Organic products standard.  
KS 2290: 2011 Organic fertilizer — Specificatio n 
 
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this Tanzania Standard, if the final 
value observed or calculated, is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with TZS 4  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 1 Scope  
 
This Tanzania Standard spec ifies requirements, methods of sampling and test for organic fertilizers.  
 
2 Normative references  
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this standard. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
AOAC 2006.03,  Arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, lead, molybdenum, nickel, and selenium in 
fertilizers — Microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma -optical emission spectrometry  
 
TZS 4 Rounding off numerical values  
 
TZS1108, Fertilizers — Determination of phos phorus content — Quinoline phosphomolybdate gravimetric 
method  
 
TZS 156, Fertilizers and soil conditioners — Vocabulary  
 
TZS 1014 , Solid fertilizers and soil conditioners — Test sieving  
 
ISO 10390 , Soil quality — Determination of pH  
 
ISO 10694, Soil quality — Determination of organic and total carbon after dry combustion (elementary 
analysis)  
 
TZS 119 – Microbiology – General guidance for the enumeration of coliforms – Most Probable Number 
technique (MPN).  
 
TZS 122 – Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for the detection of 
Salmonella spp.  
 
TZS 731 – Microbiology of  food and feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for detection and enumeration of 
presumptive Escherichia coli – Most Probable Number Technique.  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
  
TZS 1015 Fertilizers – Determination of Total Nitrogen Content – Titrimetric method after distillation   
 
TZS 990  Solid fertilizers – Determination of moisture content  
 
ISO 17184, Soil quality — Determination of carbon and nitrogen by near -infrared spectrometry (NIRS)  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
For the purpose of this standard, the terms and definitions in TZS 156 and the following apply.  
3.1 
biosolids  
organic material from sewage and related materials recycled and treated for use as a fertilizer  
3.2 
blood meal  
 dried, powdered blood collected from livestock slaughterhouses used as a fertilizer  
3.3 
bone meal  
fertilizer made from degreased bone which may be degelatinized and has been ground or crushed  
3.4 
compost  
well decomposed organic wastes obtained from  composted livestock and/or plant materials 
supplemented with only natural products.  
3.5 
cottonseed meal  
milled cotto n seeds used as a fertilizer  
3.6 
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  
 
 TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 3.7 
fertilizer  
A substance that increases soil fertility by supplying plant nutrients or by conditioning the soil with organic 
matter.  
3.8 
fish emulsion fertilizer  
a partially decomposed blend of finely pulverized fish  
3.9 
green manure  
Plants which are mainly succulent and leafy legume crop which are grown for a short duration and then 
ploughed in the same field and incorporated by ploughing.  
3.10 
guano  
well decomposed accumulated and mined excrements of birds, bats and seals valued as fertilizers  
3.11 
manure  
mixture of litter and/or dung in process of biological decomposition  
3.12 
natural mineral deposits  
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 that has been derived from ores that have been crushed, washed in water, dried 
and screened.  
3.13 
night soil  
human urine and faeces collected separately or mixed with flush water and amendments such as soil, 
ash and other organic matter  
3.14 
organic based product  
a product that contains at least 70% organic material  
3.15 
organic fertilizer  
fertilizerin solid or liquid form, naturally occurring and originating from organic material.These may 
include: farmyard manure, green manure, compost, guan o, alfalfa meal, bone meal, blood meal, feather 
meal and sea weed meal, night soil, biogas slurry, urine based, and other materials found in nature.  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 3.16 
organic matter  
biomass of animals and plants. For this reason, only products that are solely derived from plant and 
animal biomass may be identified or described as "organic".  
3.17 
sewage sludge  
a recycled product of sewage treatment plants  
3.18 
vermicompost  
product or process of composting using various worms such as earthworms to create a heterogenous 
mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials  
3.19 
raw manure  
Undecomposed animal excreta used to fertilize the land  
 
4 REQUIREMENTS  
 
4.1     General requirements  
 
4.1.1 Manure  
organic fertilizer shall be:  
 of uniform colour  
 homogenous in texture  
 free from foul smell  
 free from pathogens.  
 free from contaminants which include but not limited to  residual hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, 
heavy metals shall not exceed the permitted levels.  
 
4.1.2  Raw manures  
 
All Raw manures shall be subje cted to appropriate treatment. However, where they are used, the 
following conditions shall apply:  
 TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
  Raw manures shall not be used as preplant or side dress fertilizers on vegetables that are eaten 
raw. 
 Untreated dog, cat or pig manures and those derived fr om equines (donkey and horse family) 
shall not  be used as these species share many parasites with humans.  
 Raw manure may NOT be applied to food crops within 120 days of harvest where edible portions 
have  soil contact.  
 Raw manure may NOT be applied to food  crops within 90 days of harvest where edible portions 
do not  have soil contact (i.e., grain crops, and most tree fruits.) contaminants.  
 Untreated human wastes shall not be used as fertilizer  
 
4.2 Specific requirements  
 
Organic fertilizers shall conform to the composition requirements set out in Table 1  
 
S/No.  Parameter  Limit  Method of test  
I pH in H 2O 6.5 – 8.5 ISO 10390  
Ii Carbon: Nitrogen ratio  ≤ 20:1  ISO 17184  
Iii Moisture content, (solid) %, m/m  15-25% TZS 990  
Iv Temperature, C 20-30  
V Total Nitrogen, %, m/m, min.  1 TZS 1015  
Vi Dry matter content (solid), %, m/m, min.  70 TZS 990  
Vii Organic carbon, %, m/m, min.  12 ISO 10694  
viii Total primary nutrients — N+P 2O5+K2O (solid 
and liquid organic fertilizer), %, m/m, min.  5  TZS 1015 , TZS1108  
 
5 Contaminants  
5.1   Heavy metal contamination in Organic fertilizers shall not exceed the limits given in table 2 when 
determined by the methods prescribed in AOAC 2006.03.  
 
 
 
 
 
 TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 Table 2 — Heavy metal contaminants limits  
 
SL No.  Parameter   Requirement in 
ppm  Test methods  
    
i) Arsenic, As, max.  10.0  
    
ii) Cadmium, Cd, max.  5.0 
AOAC 2006.03     
iii) Mercury, Hg, max.  0.1  
    
iv) Chromium, Cr, max.  50.0  
    
v) Lead, Pb, max.  30.0  
    
 
 
 
6 Hygiene  
 
 The fertilizer shall be free from pathogenic organisms. Where applicable, organic fertilizer shall also 
comply with the following limits;  
 
Table 3. — Pathogenic organism requirements  
Microorganisms  Requirements  Method of test  
E. coli MPN/g,  Absent  TZS 731 
Salmonella spp in 25 g fresh 
mass  Absent  TZS 122  
Faecal streptococci cfu/g  <500  Annex B  
Total coliforms cfu/g  Nil TZS 119  
 
 TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 7 Sampling and Testing  
 
7.1 Sampling for laboratory analysis  
 
All finished products should be subjected to lot sampling for laboratory analysis using the following 
procedure:  
 
For composite sampling of solid products:  
 
(1) Present to the inspector the production documents containing the number of bags per batch 
number and bag number.  
 
(2) The inspector will randomly select the bag number (See Table 4).  
 
(3) The selected bags will be emptied into a clean area. All contents of the selected bags will be 
thoroughly mixed.  
 
(4) Submit five kilograms (5 kg) of the composite sample to the laboratory.  
 
(5) Information relative to th e sample taken must be accurate and complete to allow traceability of 
the sample back to the lot from which it was sampled.  
 
Table 4 — Required Number of Samples for Solid Products  
 
Number of bags* per batch  Bags to be sampled  
<50 2 
51 to 100  3 
101 to 300 8 
301 to 500  15 
501 to 1000  20 
More than 1000  For every extra 100 bags sample 1 additional bag 
from 20  
* NOTE  1 bag = 50 kg  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
  
For composite sampling of liquid products:  
 
(1) Present to the inspector the production documents containing the number of containers per batch 
number and container number.  
 
(2) The inspector will randomly select the container number and subject the selected containers for 
analysis.  
 
(3) Information relative to the sample taken must be accurate and complete to allow traceab ility of 
the sample back to the lot from which it was sampled.  
 
Table 5 — Required number of samples for liquid products  
 
Number of containers* per batch  Containers to be sampled  
≤ 50 1 
51 to 100  2 
101 to 300  3 
301 to 500  4 
More than 500  5 
*NOTE: 1 container should be at least 1 L  
 
7.2 sample preparation for laboratory analysis  
 
(a) For solid samples with uniform fineness  
 
Place sample on a clean piece of paper and mix thoroughly. Reduce sample to a quantity sufficient for 
analysis by quartering. Mix and store in air -tight container.  
 
 
 
 
(b) For organic liquid fertilizers  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
  
For liquid fertilizers without suspended particles, stir the sample until it is thoroughly mixed before taking a 
sample.  
 
For liquid fertilizers with suspended particles, take a sample while mixing the material in order to obtain a 
representative sample.  
 
7.3    Testing   
 
Testing of the fertilizer shall be done as prescribed in the methods of analysis indicated in respective test 
methods standards.  
 
8 Packaging, Marking and labelling  
 
8.1 Packaging  
 
The fertilizer shall be packaged in materials that are clean and non -defective that protects the product 
from physical, chemical and moisture contamination and withstand multiple stages of handling 
(transportation and storage).  
 
8.2 Labelling  
 
8.2.1  The following shall be legibly and indelibly marked on the package in either Kiswahili or Kiswahili 
and English  
i.            Name of the fertilizer i.e. Organic fertilizer (only if it conforms to this standard)  
ii. Name and address of the manufacturer/packer/importer  
iii.          Nutrient content  
iv. Carbon/Nitrogen ratio  
v. Organic matter content  
vi. Moisture content  
vii. Batch number  
viii. Production date and Expiry Date  
ix. Handling instructions  
x.           Directions for Use   TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 x.         Storage instructions  
xi.         Country of origin  
 
 
8.3 Marking  
 
The containers/bags may also be marked with the TBS Standards Mark of Quality.  
 
NOTE – The TBS Standards Mark of Quality may be used by the manufacturers only under license from 
TBS. Particulars of conditions under which the licenses are granted, may be obtained from TBS.  
 
 
 
8.4    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 endorsements 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 substantiate d with statistically significant efficacy 
data derived from field trials.  
 
c) Nutrient guarantees — Any product represented as a source of plant nutrients must carry a 
guaranteed  analysis.  
 
 
d) Any product containing organic materials or plant nutrients may repr esent a potential hazard 
when misused. Thus, unnecessary blanket statements suggesting that the product is completely safe and 
non-toxic to humans, animals or the environment must not appear on the label.  
 
e) Miscellaneous terms — Words, such as balanced and healthy, should be avoided as they are 
often  misunderstood and consequently misleading.  
 
Also objectionable are comparatives such as best, superior, and greener, as they imply a comparison 
without indicating the basis of this comparison  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
  
h) Environmentally be neficial — Any product represented as "environmentally sound", etc. must 
identify the  rationale for the claim and list all ingredients in order to allow the consumer to determine the 
validity of the statement.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annex A  
 
(Informative)  
 
Substances that  May be Used as Fertilizers or Soil Conditioners  
 
Substance  Description; Compositional requirements; Conditions of 
use 
Plant and animal origin   
Farmyard and poultry manure  Products comprising a mixture of animal excrements and 
vegetable matter (animal bedding).  
Indication of animal species.  
Coming from extensive farming, 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.  
Slurry or urine (not from human 
origin)  If not from organic farming sources, need recognition by the 
approved certifying organisation.  
Use after controlled fermentation and/or appro priate dilution.  
Factory farming sources not permitted.  
Indication of animal species.  
Composted animal excrements, 
including poultry manure  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Indication of animal species.  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 Substance  Description; Compositional requirements; Conditions of 
use 
Dried farmyard manure and 
dehydrated poultry manure  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Indication of animal species.  
Coming from extensive farming, but if from intensive farming 
sources it must be composted.  
Guano  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Straw  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Compos ts from spent 
mushroom and dejecta of 
worms and insects (vermiculture 
substrates)  The initial composition limited to products on this list.  
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.  
 
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 for biogas production.  
Products and by -products of 
animal origin from 
slaughterhouses & fish 
industries:  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
 blood meal  — 
 hoof meal  — 
 horn meal  — 
 bone meal or 
degelatinized bone 
meal  Heavy metal contamination monitoring necessary  
 fish meal  — 
 meat meal  — 
 feather, hair and 
"chiquette" meal   
 wool 
 fur TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 Substance  Description; Compositional requirements; Conditions of 
use 
 hair — 
 dairy products  — 
By-products of food & textile 
industries  Not treated with synthetic additives.  
Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Seaweeds and seaweeds 
products  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Directly obtained by — physical processes; extraction with 
water or ac id and/or alkaline solution; and fermentation.  
Sawdust, bark and wood waste  From wood not chemically treated after felling.  
Wood ash  From wood not chemically treated after felling.  
  
Calcium lignosulfate  Recognized by the competent authority  
Naturally  occurring biological 
organisms e.g. worms   
Peat Should not be extracted or treated using inorganic chemicals; 
permitted for seed, potting module composts.  
By-products of industries 
processing ingredients from 
organic agriculture  Need recognition by the approved certifying organisation.  
Night soil -faeces and material 
containing faecal matter  Subjected to either of the following treatments: composting, 
incineration/drying, anaerobic digestion and ammonia 
treatment  
Sewage Sludge  Subjected to anaerobic digestion/fermentation, composting or 
long-time treatments  
Human urine  Proper storage (based on the action of ammonia in 
combination with temperature.  
Stillage and stillage extract  Ammonium stillage excluded.  
 
 
 
Annex B  
1. Materials and Culture Media  
Preferably use commercially available medium. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for storing and 
discarding after preparation. If the medium must be prepared from basic ingredients, follow directions 
below.  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
 a. Azide dextrose broth:  
Beef extract .....................................................................................4.5 g  
Tryptone or polypeptone ..............................................................15.0 g  
Glucose................................................................. ...........................7.5 g  
Sodium chloride, NaCl ...................................................................7.5 g  
Sodium azide, NaN3 .......................................................................0.2 g  
Reagent -grade water ............ ...........................................................1 L  
 
CAUTION: Sodium azide is a dangerous chemical requiring special attention and care. It is toxic and 
mutagenic. Take precautions to avoid contact with this compound. Azide also can form explosi ve 
compounds if it contacts metal pipes.  
 
Adjust pH so it is 7.2 _ 0.2 at 25°C after sterilization. If pH  
is out of range, adjust and retest pH; discard if pH remains out  
of range. The media described in this section are available  
commercially; follow manu facturer’s instructions for storage  
and disposal after preparation.  
 
b. Bile esculin azide agar:  
Yeast extract................................................................................ 5.0 g  
Proteose peptone No. 3..................................... .......................... 3.0 g  
Tryptone ......................................................................................17.0 g  
Oxgall ..........................................................................................10.0 g  
Esculin.......... ............................................................................... 1.0 g  
Ferric ammonium citrate ............................................................ 0.5 g  
Sodium chloride ............................................................... ........... 5.0 g  
Sodium azide............................................................................... 0.15 g  
Agar.............................................................................................15.0 g  
Reagent -grade water ............... ......................................................1 L  
 
CAUTION: Sodium azide is a dangerous chemical requiring special attention and care. It is toxic and 
mutagenic. Take precautions to avoid contact with this compound. Azide also can form explosive 
compounds if it contacts metal pipes.  TBS/AFDC 10 (5440) P 3 
  
2. Presumptive Test Procedure  
Inoculate a series of tubes of azide dextrose broth with appropriate graduated quantities of sample. Use 
sample volumes of 10 mL or less. Use double -strength broth for 10 -mL inocula . The sample portions 
used will vary in size and number with the sample character. Use only decimal multiples of 1 Ml. Incubate 
inoculated tubes at 35± 0.5°C. Examine each tube for turbidity at the end of 24 ±2 h. If no definite turbidity 
is present, reinc ubate, and read again at the end of 48 ±4 h.  
 
3. Confirmed Test Procedure  
After 24 or 48 h incubation, subject all azide dextrose broth tubes showing turbidity to the confirmed test 
for streptococci. Streak a portion of growth from each positive azide dext rose broth tube on bile esculin 
azide agar (BEA). Invert and incubate the dish at 35 ± 0.5°C for 24 _ 2 h. Brownish -black colonies with 
brown halos confirm the presence of fecal streptococci. Then, transfer brownish -black colonies with 
brown halos to two t ubes of brain – heart infusion (BHI) broth: one with 6.5% NaCl and one without NaCl. 
If growth is observed when tube is incubated at 35 ± 0.5°C after 48±4 h (BHI broth with 6.5% NaCl) or 24 
± 2 h (BHI broth without NaCl), the colony is confirmed as a member  of the Enterococcus genus. The 
aforementioned procedure is expected to offer an acceptably accurate confirmation of the presense of the 
Fecal  Streptococci . However, more accuracy (≥90%) can be achieved by doing all of the following: 
observing gram -positiv e cocci, a catalase -negative reaction, growth on BHI agar at 10 ± 0.5oC, positive 
pyrrolidonylarylamidase (PYR) activity, and positive leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) reaction 3,4 using a 
commercially available test kit.  
 
4. Computing and Recording MPN  
Calcul ate the total fecal streptococci density from the number of confirmed positive cultures on bile 
esculin azide agar and corresponding positive tubes of BHI broth with 6.5% NaCl at 35±0.5°C after 48 ±4 
h. Compute the combination of positive and negative tube s and record as the most probable number 
(MPN).