PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 1584  
First Edition  
2017 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
US 1584 : 2017 
© UNBS 2017   
  
Organic Fertilizer  — Specification  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017  
ii © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct appli cation  
© UNBS 2017   
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission fro m UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 4 333 2 50/1/2/3  
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 :2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.1 General quality requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  2 
4.2 Raw materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  3 
4.3 Specific requirements for organic fertilizers  ................................ ................................ ......................  3 
4.3 Microbiological l imits  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
5 Contaminants  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  4 
6 Weights and measures regulations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 5 
7 Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
8 Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
8.1 Required information on the label  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  5 
8.2 Other labelling requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  6 
8.2.1Testimonials/Endorsements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  6 
8.2.2 Other Claims  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  6 
8.2.3 Nutrient guarantees ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 6 
8.2.4 Directions for use  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
8.2.5 Miscellaneous terms  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 6 
8.2.6 Slowly available plant nutrients  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  6 
8.2.7 Low leaching potential  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  6 
9 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  7 
9.1 Sampling for solid organic fertilizers  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
9.2 Sampling for liquid organic fertilizers  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 7 
9.2.1  Procedure for composite sampling:  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 7 
9.2.2  Sample preparation for laboratory analysis for organic liquid fertilizers  ................................ ....... 7 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017  
iv © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Forew ord 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a memb er of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing U ganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other  interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declarati on as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
This Draft Uganda Standard has been developed as a result of a need to provide guidance to industry in 
production and regulation of Organic fertilizers . 
This Draft Uganda Standard was developed by the UNBS/TC 2/SC 20 – Agrochemicals and veterinary drugs 
Sub Committee under the Food and Agricu lture standards Technical Committee, UNBS/TC 2 . 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  US 1584 : 2017  
 
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  1 
 Organic Fertilizer — Specification  
1 Scope  
This Draft  Uganda Standard specifies requirements  and methods of samp ling and test for  organic fertilizers . 
2 Normative references   
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of th e referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
The Fertilizer Control Regulations, 2010  
ISO 6598 , Fertilizers — Determin ation of phosphorus content — Quinoline phosphomolybdate gravimetric 
method  
ISO 8157 , Fertilizers and soil conditioners —Vocabulary  
ISO 8633,  Solid fertilizers — Simple sampling method for small lots  
ISO 8634,  Solid fertilizers — Sampling plan for the evalu ation of a large delivery  
ISO 10390 , Soil quality — Determination of pH  
ISO 10694 , Soil quality — Determination of organic and total carbon after dry combustio n (elementary 
analysis)  
ISO 11047, Soil quality — Determination of cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and 
zinc - Flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric methods  
ISO 11261 , Soil quality — Determination of total nitro gen — Modified Kjeldahl method  
ISO 11265 , Soil quality — Determination of the specific electrical conductivity  
ISO 11465, Soil quality — Determination of dry matter and water content on a mass basis — Gravimetric 
method  
ISO 14255, Soil quality — Determinat ion of nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and total soluble nitrogen in 
air-dry soils using calcium chloride solution as extractant  
ISO 17318, Fertilizers and soil conditioners — Determination of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and 
mercury contents  
ISO 17 319, Fertilizers and soil conditioners —Determination of water -soluble potassium content — Potassium 
tetraphenylborate gravimetric method  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017  
2 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard,  in addition to the terms and definitions provided in ISO 81 57 the following 
terms and definitions shall apply.  
3.1 
organic Fertilizer  
any product in solid or liquid form, of plant (except by -products from petroleum industries) or animal origin that 
has undergone substantial decomposition that can supply available nutrients to plants. This may be enriched 
by microbial inoculants and naturally occurring minerals but no chemical or inorganic fertilizer material has 
been added to the finished product to affect the nutrient content.  
3.2  
pathogens  
organisms (microorgani sms and infective parasites) that can cause negative effects on  plants, animals and  
human health  
3.3  
microbial i noculant  
biologically active living cells  containing optimum population of one or a combination of active st rains of 
bacteria,  algae and fungi  that are useful in different biological activities , such as but not limited to: Nitrogen 
fixation, decomposition of organic residues and enhancement of nutrient availability.  
3.4 
label 
display of the written, printed or graphic information on the immediat e container of any product  
3.5 
lot 
all containers in a consignment belonging to the  same batch of manufacture  constitute a lot.  
3.6 
batch 
organic fe rtilizer  that is produced from the same type of organic materials, at the same time and location, by 
the s ame manufacturer/producer, or made during the same cycle or period of manufacture.  
3.7 
sample size  
number of samples drawn from each batch of organic fertil izers  to be analyzed.  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General quality requirements  
a) For organic fertilizers  with microbial inoculants, t he genus shall be verifiable as natural source and be 
indicated on the label.  
b) Organic fertilizer shall be free from foul smell and foul odo ur. 
c) Organic fertilizers  in solid form  shall be homogenous in texture . 
d) Organic fertilizer s in s olid form  shall be fine enough for one hundred per c ent thereof to pass through 
a 5 mm standard sieve . 
e) The organic fertilizer shall not contain substances that are likely to be detrimental or injurious to 
vegetation, animals, public health or the environme nt when used according to the directions provided 
by the manufacturer.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  3 
 f) The organic fertilizer shall not contain substances that would, when applied in amounts commonly   
used or as specified in the directions for use, leave in the tissues of a plant a resi due of a poisonous 
or harmful substance.  
g) No chemical or inorganic materials should be added to organic fertilizers  
4.2 Raw materials  
Only allowed  raw m aterials  such as   
a) Farm animal manure, slurry, and urine  
b) Vermi compost  
c) Compost produced from organic resid ues 
d) Green manure and green leaf manure  
e) Azolla  
f) Mulches from sugar cane trash, straw, etc.  
g) Kitchen waste  
h) Coir pith, plantation by -products & wastes  
i) Mushroom beds  
j) Oil cakes, milled by -products, etc.  
k) Tea/coffee grounds  
l) Fish and fish products without preservati ves 
m) Seaweed  
n) Crop residues (straw, peanut hulls, etc.)  
o) Plant growth promoting microbes such as Trichoderma , Rhizobia, Mychorrizae and others  of non -
GMO origin  shou ld be used  
Those restricted shou ld be used after having undergone recommended treat ment or qu ality control (Annex A ). 
4.3 Specific requirements  for organic fertilizers  
Organic fertilizers shall comply with the requirements in table 1.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017  
4 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 Table 1 — Specific requirements for organic fertilizers  
S/N Properties  Organic Fertilizer Limit  Test Methods  
1 Total NPK (%)  5-7 ISO 11261 , ISO 6598  and 
ISO 531 8  
 
2 C:N 12:1 - 15:1 - 
3 Soluble salts (Conductivity), 
mmhos/cm, max . 5 ISO 11265  
4 Total Nitrogen, %, m/m, min . 1 ISO 11261  
5 Organic carbon,%, m/m, min . 12 ISO 10694  
6 Moisture Content  (Solid Organic 
fertilizer)  (%), m/m  30-35 ISO 11465  
7 pH 6.0-10.0 ISO 10390  
8 Stones >5mm size, %, m/m, max . 5  
9 Seed, number/kg, max  5  
4.3 Microbiological limits  
Organic fertilizers shall comply with the limits for  micro -organisms specified in table 2. 
Table 2 — Microbiological limits  for Organic Fertilizers,  
Pathogens  Limit  
Fecal Streptococci (cfu/g) 5 x 102 
Total coliforms (cfu/g) 5 x 102 
Salmonella  Absent  
Infective parasites  Absent  
Escherichia . coli Absent  
Enterococci  Absent  
 
5 Contaminants  
The maximum limits for heavy metal contaminants in organic fertilizers  shall comply with the requirements as 
specified in Table 3.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  5 
 Table 3 ― Contaminant  limits for Organic fertilizers   
Heavy Metals  Limit (mg/kg dry wt)  Test method  
Arsenic (As)  10 ISO 17318  
Lead (Pb)  100 ISO 17318  
Mercury (Hg)  2 ISO 17318  
Cadmium (Cd)  5 ISO 17318  
Copper (Cu) 300 ISO 11047  
Chromium (Cr) 50 ISO 17318  
 
6 Weights and measures  regulations  
The volume and fill of the organic fertilizers shall comply with the weights and measures legislation.  
7 Packaging  
The containers, including packaging materials, used to package organic fertilizers shall be made only of 
materi als, which are safe and suitable for their intended uses.  They shall not impart any toxic substance or 
undesirable odour or flavour to the product.  
8 Labelling  
8.1 Required information on the label  
The packages shall be legibly and indelibly labelled  in En glish with the following information:  
a) name of the product as  “Organic fertilizer”;  
b) active ingredient shall appear in close proximity to the name of the product by specifying the genus 
and species of microbial inoculants ; 
c) name and  physical  address of man ufacturer /producer , exporter, packer or distributor ;  
d) type of carrier;  
e) batch or code number;  
f) crops for which it is intended;  
g) storage /disposal  instructions;  
h) date of manufacture;  
i) expiry date;  
j) net content  in metric units ; 
k) nutrient content  
l) product registration n umber;  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017  
6 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 m) risk warning  
n) rate of application; and  
o) directions/instructions for use.  
8.2 Other labelling requirements  
8.2.1 Testimonials/Endorsements  
The public has no way of evaluating the status of the endorser in relation to a product. For this reason, 
testimon ials and endorsements will be viewed as claims and evaluated accordingly.  
8.2.2 Other Claims  
Any reference to the activity of a product containing plant nutrients that is not generally associated with its 
nutritional value shall be substantiated with stati stically significant efficacy data derived from field trials.  
8.2.3 Nutrient guarantees  
Any product represented as a source of plant nutrients shall carry a guaranteed analysis.  
8.2.4  Directions for use  
8.2.4.1  All specialty fertilizers shall  carry instruc tions for use. These instructions shall specify both the rate 
and time and frequency of application based on the growth stage and crop. Suggested rates of application 
shall provide an adequate quantity of nutrients to the plants concerned.  
8.2.4.2  Where th e 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.  
8.2.4.3  Any product containing composted materials or plant nutrien ts may represent a potential hazard 
when misused. In order to avoid giving the impression that reasonable precautions are unnecessary, blanket 
statements suggesting that the product is completely safe and non -toxic to humans, animals or the 
environment sha ll not appear on the label.  
8.2.5 Miscellaneous terms  
8.2.5.1  Words, such as balanced and healthy, shall be avoided as they are often misunderstood and  
consequently misleading.  
8.2.5.2  Also objectionable and  comparatives such as best, superior, and greener , as they imply a 
comparison without indicating the basis of this comparison  
8.2.6 Slowly available plant nutrients  
Only products providing at least 70% of a plant nutrient in a slowly available form may indicate this on the 
label. Such a claim shall be ac companied by the associated guarantee.  
8.2.7 Low leaching potential  
Only products containing at least 70% of a nutrient in a slowly available form may indicate that nutrient will be 
slowly available and thus unlikely to leach when used in accordance with label instructions  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  7 
 9 Sampling  
If the consignment is declared to consist of different batches of manufacture, containers of the same batch 
shall be grouped together and each group so formed shall constitute a separate lot.  
Sample s shall be tested from each  lot for ascertaining conformity to the requirements of this standard.  
9.1 Sampling for solid organic fertilizers  
Sampling shal l be done in accordance with ISO 8633 and ISO 8634  
9.2 Sampling for liquid organic fertilizers  
All finished liquid products sh all be subjected to lot sampling for laboratory analysis in accordance with Table 
5: 
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 = 1L  
9.2.1  Procedure for compo site sampling:  
i. Present to the inspector the production documents containing the number of containers per batch 
number and container number.  
ii. The inspector will randomly select the container number and subject the selected containers for 
analysis.  
iii. Informatio n relative to the sample taken must be accurate and complete to allow traceability of the 
sample back to the lot from which it was sampled.  
Note : If the samples analyzed do not conform to the standards, the CB should review the production process 
which may  include bulk sampling  
9.2.2  Sample prep aration for laboratory analysis for organic liquid f ertilizers  
For liquid fertilizers without suspended particles, stir the sample until it is thoroughly mixed, before taking a 
sample.  
For liquid fertilizers with sus pended particles, take a sample while mixing the material in order to obtain a 
representative sample.  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017  
8 © UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  
 ANNEX A  
(informative)   
 
List of restricted and prohibited r aw materials as inputs for organic fertilizer 
production  
S/N Input  Status  Limitations/Rationa le 
 
1 Raw / undecomposed  
Human excrement  , including urine  P Risk of contamination  
2 Sewage sludge  R Only sludge from 
farms/bio -digesters is 
allowed  
3 Saw dust, bark, wood  
chips, wood ash   R Wood not chemically 
treated after felling  
4 Blood meal, bone,  and other meal brought in 
from other sources  R Origin of materials should 
be disease - free and 
without preservatives  
5 Guano  R Concerns on 
environmental 
sustainability - rate of 
extraction is  
subject to DENR 
regulations  
6 Segregated biodegradable marke t waste  R Has undergone proper 
segregation, and does 
not contain hazardous 
materials  
7 Sedimentary rocks (limestone, dolomite, rock 
phosphate)  R May contain elevated 
levels of trace elements. 
Detailed chemical 
analysis is necessary.  
8 Igneous rocks (ande site, basalt, gabbro, diorite)  R May contain elevated 
levels of trace elements. 
Detailed chemical 
analysis is necessary.  
9 Metamorphic rocks (slate, schist)  R May contain elevated 
levels of trace elements. 
Detailed chemical 
analysis is necessary.  
NOTE 1: If in case there are raw materials not listed in this Stand ard, the requirements of the  National Organic Agriculture 
Standards shall be followed  
NOTE 2: P and R stands for prohibited and restricted respectively  PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584: 2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  9 
 Bibliography  
[1] Philipine National Standard. O rganic Fertilizer. 2013.  
[2] Ang-Lopez M. 2001. Quality and Maturation of Vermicompost Derived from Different 
Feedstocks. MSc. Thesis. Nova Scotia Agricultural College/ Dalhousie University. Nova 
Scotia, Canada.   
[3] Avery, DT. 2002. The Hidden Dangers in Organic Food. Center for Global Food Issues - 
California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. www.organicag.com  
[4] Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines or "Bluebook"  
[5] FFTC International Workshop. 1997. Quality Control of Organic Fertilizers (Compost). 
Suweon, Korea. June23 -28, 1997.  
[6] Lazcano C, M. Gomez -Brandon, J. Dominguez. Comparison of the effectiveness of 
composting and vermicomposting for the biological stabilization of cattle manure. 
Chemosphere 72 (2008) 1013 — 1019. 
[7] Lemunier, M, C. Francou, S. Rousseaux, S. Houot, P. Dantigny, P. Piveteau, and J. Guzzo. 
2005. Long -term survival of pathogenic and sanitation indicator bacteria in experimental 
biowaste composts. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.71(10): 5779 -5786  
[8] PNS/BAFPS 40 :2008 —Organic Fertilizer  
[9] PNS 85:1984/AMD 01:1992 — Fertilizers — Solid Fertilizer — Method of Sampling PNS 
95:1987 — Packaging — Bags for Solid Fertilizers — Specification PNS 1033:1993 — 
Fertilizers — Marking — Presentation and Declaration  
[10] Russell, S and  L. Best.   2006.   Setting the standards for compost.BioCycle. Journal of 
Composting and Organics Recycling. United Kingdom.  
[11] Agricultural Chemicals (Control) Act, 2006 (Act No.1 of 2007)  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTPUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 :2017  
© UNBS 2017  – All rights reserved  11 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda standards ma y be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those lic ensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply wit h the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFTDUS 1584 : 2017    
 
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