PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40: 2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
CONTENTS  Page  
1      Scope  
 1 
2      References  1 
3      Definition  of  terms  1 
4      Product Description  2 
5      Minimum Requirements  3 
 Table 5.1.Specifications for Organic Fertilizer and Compost / Soil 
 conditioner.  3 
 Table 5.2.Allowable level of pathogens for Organic Fertilizers, Compost,  
              Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Supplements  3 
 Table 5.3. Allowable Level of Hea vy Metals for Organic Fertilizers, 
 Compost, Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Food Supplements  3 
 Table 5.4. Minimum Requirements for Plant Growth Regulators and Plant 
 Supplements  4 
6     Sampling Methods  5 
 Table 6.1 Required Number of Samples for Solid Products  5 
 Table 6.2 Required Number of Samples for Liquid Products  5 
7     Labeling  7 
 Figure 1. Sample 4 -Panel Layout for Labeling Bottles and Cartons  7 
 Figure 2. Sample 2-Panel Layout for Labeling Bags and Sachets  8 
 
ANNEXES  
1     List of Allowed Raw Materials as Inputs for Organic Fertilizer Production   
 
 
9 
 
2     List of Restricted and Prohibited Raw Materials as Inputs for Organic Fertilizer  
       Production  10 
 
 
FOREWORD  
The Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Organic Fertilizer was established and adopted in 2008 
with substantial inputs from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority and advice from the Technical 
Working Group (TWG) created through Special Order 565 Series of 2004. Since its ado ption, the 
industry players and the academe called for the revision of the standards.  
 
PNS/BAFPS 40:2008 is hereby revised to reflect the results of the studies and advances related to 
organic fertilizer, compost, plant regulator, and organic plant food su pplements. The revised PNS has 
been prepared to provide a uniform approach on the definition, classification, specifications and 
properties, methods for analysis and sampling, labeling and allowed raw material inputs It is hoped 
that this standard accompli shes the goal of ensuring the consistent quality of organic fertilizers 
available in the market.  
This standard  cancels and replaces PNS/BAFPS 40:2008. 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
1 
 1          Scope  
 
This Standard applies to organic fertilizers, compost, plant growth regulator, and organic plant food 
supplements.  
 
2          References  
 
The titles of the Standards publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.  
 
3          Definition of terms  
 
3.1       
Raw materials  
naturally occurring materials used in the production of organic fertilizer products. Raw materials that 
were mined or naturally extracted should comply with the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) regulations. The list of Allowed (A) raw materials are listed in Annex  1. The list 
of Restricted (R) and Prohibited (P) materials are listed in Annex 2. 
 
3.2 
Pathogens  
organisms (microorganisms and infective parasites) that can cause negative effects on human health  
 
3.3  
Label  
a display of the  written, printed or graphic information on the immediate container of any product . 
Information on the label provides the sellers and the buyers with the safe and effective use of the 
product for which it is registered.   
 
Label must be of such design and material that does not deteriorate easily, become illegible or get 
separated from the container under the rigors of transport, storage and use. It should withstand 
extreme weather conditions.  
 
3.4 Batch  
organic fertilizer/soil amendment/compost/ that is produced from the same type of organic materials, 
at the same time and location, by the same manufacturer/producer, or made during the same cycle or 
period  of manufacture . 
 
3.5 
Sample Size  
number of samples drawn from each batch of organic fertilizers/organic amendments/compost to be 
analyzed.  
 
3.6 
Synthetic  
a substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically 
changes a substance extracted from natural ly occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources, except for 
those substances created by naturally occurring biological processes.  
 
 
 
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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4          Product Descr iption  
 
4.1  
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 with 
a  total Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) of five to seven percent ( 5-7 %). 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.  
 
4.2  
Compost / Soil Conditioner  
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 with 
a total Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium  (K) of  2.5 to  less than five percent (2.5-5%). 
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. 
Compost and soil conditioner are used interchangeably in this Standard.  
 
4.3 
Microbial Inoculant  
biologically active products containing optimum population of one or a combination of active strains 
of bacteria, actinomycetes, algae and fungi that are useful in d ifferent biological activities, such as but 
not limited to:  N 2-fixation, decomposition of organic residues and enhancement of nutrient 
availability.  
 
4.4 
Organic Plant Growth Regulator / Promoter  
any compound of organic origin, in liquid or solid form, which in low concentration promotes or 
modifies physiological process in plants.  
 
4.5 
Organic Plant Supplement  
any compound of organic origin in liquid or solid form which in low concentration promotes or 
modifies physiological processes in plants. Total  NPK is  not lower than 0.5% and not more than 2.5% 
(0.5-2.5%)  and may contain beneficial microorganisms, micronutrients and plant growth regulators. 
These plant supplements include, but are not limited to: FPJ (Fermented Plant Juice), FFJ (Fermented 
Fruit Juice) , FAA  (Fish Amino Acid), FE (Fish Emulsion), Seaweed Extracts, Vermi Tea, Compost 
Tea and the like.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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5          Minimum Requirements  
 
Table 5.1.Specifications for Organic Fertilizer and Compost  / Soil conditioner  
Properties  Organic Fertilizer  Compost/Soil Conditioner  
Total NPK  5-7% 2.5-<5%  
C:N 12:1 – 20:1 12:1 – 20:1 
Organic Matter  ≥ 20%  ≥ 20%  
Actual Moisture Content  30-35% 30-35% 
Color  Brown to Black  Brown to Black  
Consistency  Friable  Friable  
Odor  No foul odor  No foul odor  
 
 
Table 5.2.Allowable level of pathogens for O rganic Fertilizers, Compost,   
Plant Growth Regulator   and Organic Plant Supplements  
Pathogens  Allowable Level  
Fecal Streptococci  <5 x 102CFU/g  
Total coliforms  <5 x 102CFU/g  
Salmonella  0 
Infective parasites  0 
 
 
Table 5.3. Allowable Level of Heavy Metals for Organic Fertilizers, Com post,  
Plant Growth Regulator and Organic Plant Supplements  
Heavy Metals  Allowable Level (mg/kg dry wt)  (PPM dry wt.)  
Arsenic (As)  5  
Zinc (Zn)  5 
Lead (Pb)  250 
Copper (Cu)  300 
Chromium (Cr)  150 
Nickel(Ni)  50 
Mercury (Hg)  2 
Cadmium (Cd)  5 
 
 
5.1        For products with microbial inoculants - The Genus should be verifiable and be stated in the 
label.  
 
5.2        For plant growth regulator or organic plant food supplement products such as humin, seaweed 
extract, fermented products (Fermented Plant Juices, Fermented Fruit Juices), blood meal, bone meal, 
any claim should be verifiable, while products with at least 3% total (soluble) N will be subjected to 
other confirmatory test.  
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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Table 5.4. Minimum Requirements for Plant Growth Regulators and Plant Supplements  
Main ingredient  Total  
NPK  Other Requirements  
Animal ori gin 
(bone meal, blood 
meal  )  5-7%  Products that contain high concentrations of Nitrogen shall have a 
maximum of 5 -7% NPK  
 
FAA , FE 0.5-2.5%  All claims for contents of macro and micronutrients, 
microorganisms and plant growth hormones should be verifiable.  
 
Secondary and micronutrients should not exceed levels that will be 
toxic to plants and humans.  
 
Heavy metal content should be within allowable levels as stated in 
Table 4.3 of this PNS.  Plant based (FPJ, 
FFJ) 0.5-2.5%  
Seaweed extracts  0.5-2.5%  
Vermi -tea, 
Compost tea,  0.5-2.5%  
Humin and Humic 
acids  0.5-2.5%  
 
5.3          Absence of Foreign Materials  
Plastics, aluminum, wrappers, stones and other inert materials must be totally removed from the 
product.  
 
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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 6          Sam pling methods   
 
6.1. Sampling for Laboratory Analysis  
all finished products should be subjected to lot sampling for laboratory analysis using the following 
procedure:  
 
Table 6.1 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  Multiples of 20  
 * 1 bag = 50 Kg  
 
Procedure for composite sampling:  
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.  
3. The selected bags will be emptied into a clean area. All contents of the selected bags (maximum 
of 5 bags) will be thoroughly mixed.  
4. Submit five kilograms (5 Kg) of the composite sample to the lab oratory.  
5. Information 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 inspecting Certifying Body ( CB) 
should review the production process which may include bulk sampling.  
 
Table 6. 2 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 
* 1 container = 1L  
 
 
 
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2013  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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 Procedure for composite sampling:  
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 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  
 
 
6.2 Laboratory Sampling  (Sample preparation for laboratory analysis)  
 
A. For samples with uniform fineness  
 
Place sample on a clean piece of paper and mix thoroughly. Reduce sample to a q uantity sufficient 
for analysis by quartering. Mix and store in air -tight container.  
 
B. For Organic Liquid Fertilizers  
 
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.  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2012  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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 7          Labeling  
 
Figure 1. Sample 4 -Panel Layout for Labeling Bottles and Cartons  
 
 
 
 
 
 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2012  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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 Figure 2. Sample 2 -Panel Layout for Labeling Bags and Sachets
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2012  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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Annex 1  
List of Allowed Raw Materials as inputs for Organic Fertilizer Production  
 
Inputs  
Farm animal manure, slurry, and urine  
 
Vermi compost  
 
Compost produced from organic residues  
 
Green manure and green leaf  manure  
 
Azolla  
 
Mulches from sugar cane trash, straw, etc.  
 
Kitchen waste  
 
Coir pith, plantation by -products & wastes  
 
Mushroom beds  
 
Oil cakes, milled by -products, etc.  
 
Tea/coffee grounds  
 
Fish and fish products without preservatives  
 
Seaweed  
 
Crop residues (straw, peanut hulls, etc.)  
 
Microbial preparations (i.e.Trichoderma, Rhizobia, Mychorrizae, others) of non -GMO origin  
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2012  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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 Annex 2  
List of Restricted and Prohibited raw materials as inputs for Organic Fertilizer Production  
 
Inputs  Status  Notes/Limitations/Rationale  
Raw / undecomposed 
Human excrement , 
including urine  P Risk of contamination  
Sewage sludge  R Only sludge from farms /bio-digesters  is allowed.  
Saw dust, bark, wood 
chips, wood ash  R Wood not chemically treated after felling  
By-products of plant origin 
of food & textile industries  R Without synthetic additives and residues  
Blood meal , bone, and 
other meal brought in from  
other sources  R Origin of materials should be disease - free and without 
preservatives  
Guano  R Concerns on environmental sustainability - rate of extraction is 
subject to DENR regulations  
Segregated biodegradable 
market waste  R Has undergone proper segregation, and does not contain 
hazardous materials  
Sedimentary rocks 
(limestone, dolomite, rock 
phosphate)  R  May contain elevated levels of trace elements . Detailed 
chemical analysis is necessary.                                                   
 Their widespread extraction can also deplete the natural 
deposits and may cause negative environmental impact.  Rate of 
extraction is subject to DENR regulations  
Igneous rocks (andesite, 
basalt, gabbro, diorite)  R  May contain elevated levels of trace elements. Detailed 
chemical analysis is necessary.                                                   
 May contain high levels of heavy metals and should not be 
allowed  
 Their widespread extraction can also deplete the natural 
deposits and may cause negative environmental impact. Rate of 
extraction is subject to DENR regulations  
Metamorphic rocks (slate, 
schist)  R  May contain elevated levels of trace elements. Detailed 
chemical analysis is necessary.                                                   
 May contain high levels of heavy metals and should not be 
allowed  
 Their widespread extraction can also deplete the nat ural 
deposits and may cause negative environmental impact. Rate of 
extraction is subject to DENR regulations  
* NOTE: If in case there are raw materials not listed in this Standard, the requirements of the 
Philippine National Standards for Organic Agricult ure (General Standards) shall be followed  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2012  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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 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 the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
  
 
Ang-Lopez M. 2001.  Quality and Maturation of Vermicompost Derived from Different Feedstocks .    
     MSc. Thesis.  Nova Scotia Agricultural College/ Dalhousie University.  Nova Scotia, Canada.    
 
Avery, DT.  2002.  The Hidden Dangers in Organic Food . Cent er for Global Food Issues  - California  
     Organic Fertilizers, Inc. www.organicag.com  
 
Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines or “Bluebook”  
 
FFTC International Workshop.  1997.  Quality Control of Organic Fertilizers   
     (Compost) . Suweon, Korea. June23 -28, 1997.  
 
Lazcano C, M. Gómez -Brandón, J. Domínguez. Comparison of the effectiveness of composting and  
     vermicomposting for the biological stabilization of cattle manure.  Chemosphere 72 (2008) 1013 –   
    1019.  
 
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  
 
PNS/BAFPS 40:2008 –Organic Fertilizer  
 
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 Declarat ion  
  
Russell, S and L. Best.  2006.  Setting the standards for compost.BioCycle. Journal of  
     Composting and Organics Recycling . United Kingdom.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAFPS 40:2012  
Organic Fertilizer   
 
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Department of Agriculture  
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards  
Technical Working Group for the Revision of the Philippine National Standards for 
Organic Fertilizer  
Department of Agriculture Special Order 442 and Series 557 of 2012  
 
Chair  
Leo P. Cañeda, CESO III  
OIC-Executive Director  
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards  
 
Members  
 
1     Ms. Julieta B. Lansangan  
       Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)  
 8        Dr. Gina V. Pangga  
          College of Agriculture  
          University of the Philippines Los Baños  
 
2     Ms. Pelagia Orpia  
       Bureau of Soils & Water Management  
       (BSWM)  9        Dr. Blesilda M. Calub  
          College of Agriculture  
          University of the Philippine Los Baños  
 
3     Dr. Nora B. Inciong  
       Board of Agriculture, Professional  
       Regulation Commission  
 10      Dr. Nenita E. Dela Cruz  
          Central Luzon State University (CLSU)  
4     Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan Jr.  
       College of Agriculture  
       University of the Philippines Los Baños  
 11      Dr. Victor B. Asio  
          College of Agriculture  
           Visayas State University  
5     Dr. Erlina S. Paterno  
       College of Agriculture  
       University of the Philippines Los Baños  
 12      Ms. Leilani K. Limpin  
          Organic Certification Center of the “  
          Philippines (OCCP)  
6     Dr Pearl B. Sanchez  
       College of Agriculture  
       University of the Philippines Los Baños  
 13      Mr. Armand Aquino  
          Negros Island Certification Agency  
          (OPTA)  
7     Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas  
       College of Arts & Sciences  
       University of the Philippines Los Baños  14      Mr. Patrick Belisario  
          Organic Producers and Traders  
          Association (OPTA)  
 
Technical Secretariat  
  
15  Ms. Lara G. Vivas  
      Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries  
      Product Standards (BAFPS)  17      Mr. Jonathan V. Paz  
          Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries  
          Product Standards (BAFPS)  
 
16  Ms. Rosemarie V. Calibo  
      Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries  
      Product Standards (BAFPS)  18      Ms. Cherry V. Lanwang  
          Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries  
          Product Standards (BAFPS)