Guidance Document to the 
Import Health Standard for 
Bulk Inorganic Fertiliser  
 
 
 This document provides information and options about meeting the Import Health Standard (IHS) for Bulk Inorganic Fertiliser and what actions MAF will undertake to verify compliance with the IHS.  The Guidance Document is not legally binding but provides advice and direction as to the expectations and options about how to meet the IHS requirements.       January 2012   Published by MAF  Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  P O Box 2526 Wellington 6011 New Zealand 
 
Review and Amendment 
This Guidance Document is subject to review and amendment at any time to ensure that it 
continues to meet biosecurity objectives.  Re views and amendments will be notified to 
stakeholders and will be published on the MAF website. 
 
Contact Details 
For all matters relating to the interpretation, re view and amendment of the IHS, please contact: 
 Biosecurity and Environment Group  IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertiliser (IHS for INORGFERT) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry PO Box 2526 Wellington 6011 New Zealand Fax: 64 4 894 0662 Email: standards@maf.govt.nz  For all matters relating to the operation of this IHS, including audits, inspections and treatments, please contact your local MAF office.  This IHS is accessible on: (MAF hyperlink)  External Consultation Version  January 2012 
 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  Guidance Document for the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertilisers  i Contents Page 
 
PART A  GENERAL INFORMATION  3  
A.1 INTRODUCTION  3 
A.2 ACTIONS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY MAF FOR NON-COMPLIANCES  3 
A.3 COSTS  4 
PART B  GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  4  
B.1 FERTILISER PRE-SHIPMENT REQUIREMENTS  4 
B.2 REQUIRED CERTIFICATION  4 
B.3 AGRICULTURAL COMPOUNDS AND VETERINARY MEDICINES 
REQUIREMENTS  5 
B.4 DOCUMENTED SYSTEMS  5 
PART C  FERTILISER INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS  6  
C.1 INSPECTION OF DIRECT APPLICATION FERTILISER CONSIGNMENTS NOT COVERED BY A DOCUMENTED SYSTEM  6 
C.2 INSPECTION FOR DIRECT APPLICATION FERTILISER CONSIGNMENTS COVERED BY A DOCUMENTED SYSTEM  6 
C.3 INSPECTION OF FERTILISER FOR FURTHER PROCESSING CONSIGNMENTS  6 
PART D  EQUIVALENCE  6  
 
 External Consultation Version  January 2012 
PART A GENERAL INFORMATION 
 
A.1 INTRODUCTION 
This Guidance Docum
ent is intended to accompany the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertiliser 
(INORGFERT.ALL).  It outlines the accepted or recommended processes and procedures that 
importers should follow to control, manage, mitigate or eliminate biosecurity pests and contamination associated with Bulk Inorganic Fertiliser (referred to as fertiliser from this point in 
this document).  The desired outcomes of the requirements specified in the IHS is to effectively and efficiently manage biosecurity risk material as sociated with importation of fertiliser and to 
provide timely biosecurity clearance for comp liant consignments on arrival in New Zealand 
(NZ).  Note:  Definitions and terms used in this Guidance Document are specified in the Act or 
the IHS.  
A.2 ACTIONS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY MAF FOR NON-COMPLIANCES 
Fertiliser consignments that do not comply with the requirements of the IHS may be treated under the authority of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) by a method approved by a MAF Chief 
Technical Officer prior to release (if possible), or the consignment may be reshipped or destroyed at importer’s expense.  A biosecurity clea rance pursuant to section 26 of the Act will be 
issued when fertilisers meet all the requirements of the IHS.  A.2.1 MAF Actions Undertaken Regarding De liberate Non-Compliances or Negligence 
Deliberate non-compliance with the requirement s of the IHS or negligence leading to non-
compliance will lead to increased intervention re gimes (for example, further audit or inspection 
activities) that will include increased costs an d may lead to delays in obtaining biosecurity 
clearance.  Prosecution of liable parties under the Act may also occur.  Actions that will be taken when non-compliance is identified with the IHS will be split into two areas:-  
(i). biosecurity 
contamination found on or fertilisers; and 
(ii). actions taken by importers that expose NZ to biosecurity risks. 
 
The investigation of the non-compliance will indicate which individual or organisation that MAF considers generally responsible and w ill guide further intervention by MAF. 
 
A.2.2 Contamination Found Associ ated with Fertiliser 
MAF inspection regimes are determined by the leve l of compliance displayed by importers of 
fertiliser.  Compliance is assessed by using the MA F designated contamination thresholds in the 
IHS, historical inspection records, management systems and the effectiveness of any documented system that is operated by the importer (as approved by MAF).   Where contamination thresholds specified in the IHS are exceeded, discharge may be directed to 
stop immediately.  For any contaminated consignment, a MAF Inspector will assess the amount and type of contamination present. Where contaminant removal or treatment is not feasible, the consignment may be destroyed or re-shipped to origin.  Note:  The only exception for 
consignments that exceed the specified threshold le vels is for fertiliser that is directed to a MAF-
approved transitional facility (TF) for further processing under a documented system (as approved by MAF).    A.2.3 Actions Taken by Importers Where an action (or inaction) by an individual importer or importing organisation results in non-compliance with the IHS
, MAF will hold responsibility against the individual importer or 
importing organisation that is considered to have been at fault. The following examples apply: - 
  
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  Guidance Document for the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertilisers  3 External Consultation Version  January 2012 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  Guidance Document for the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertilisers  4  
Non-Compliance Examples Pers on/Organisation Responsible 
Delivery to places other than specified TF (fertiliser for 
further processing) Transporter 
MAF-approved system requirements not met Importer/Transporter/TF Operator 
Required information absent or incomplete Importer/Agent 
Required notification not provided to transporter or TF Importer or agent 
 
A.3 COSTS 
The costs of assessment of informatio
n, development and approval of alternative systems or 
further actions as a result of non-compliance or required inspection activities conducted by MAF are the responsibility of the individual importer or organisation.   
PART B GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
 
B.1 FERTILISER PRE-SHIPMENT REQUIREMENTS 
Only direct application fertiliser consignments require sampling and analysis to determi
ne the 
presence or absence of biosecurity risk material pr ior to shipment to NZ.  The only exception to 
this is for Guano fertiliser, which is required to  be heat treated prior to importation into NZ. 
 The IHS requires fertiliser sampling to be conduc ted according to internationally recognised 
standards, or using another MA F-approved equivalent sampling m ethod to form a 5kg composite 
sample for analysis.    Fertiliser sampling should be in accordance with procedures prescribed in the applicable International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) sampling rules for bulk fertilisers
1 or other 
equivalent fertiliser sampling techniques approved by MAF.  The IHS requires that these rules are the base line sampling rules and techniques for drawing and subsequent testing of fertiliser samples for require d certification for entry of consignments into 
NZ.  Alternative equivalent sampling rules may be  used but must be approved by MAF prior to 
use.  Use the contact details in this Guidance Document to seek further direction on this process.  The International Organisation for Standardisat ion (ISO) sampling rules for Bulk Inorganic 
Fertilisers can be sourced at: http://www.iso.org/iso/home.html
 
 The IHS requires that fertiliser sampling must be conducted by an IVA (or regulatory authority 
where this is applicable) and samples must be analysed at an independent laboratory approved for that purpose.  All independent third party service providers must be approved by MAF prior to shipment.  Failure to gain such approval will result in the holding, re-shipment of the consignment or other actions as deemed necessary by MAF.  
B.2 REQUIRED CERTIFICATION  
The IHS requires that the following documents accompany dir
ect application fertiliser 
consignments as they provide MAF with assurance that the fertiliser consignment has been sampled and tested to meet the requirements specif ied in the IHS.  All consignments of direct 
application fertiliser covered by this IHS (excl uding Guano Fertiliser) must be accompanied by 
the following certification (B. 2.1 – B.2.4):-  B.2.1 Fertiliser Analysis Certificate A Fertiliser Analysis Cer
tificate is a document issued by an Independent laboratory approved by 
MAF.  The laboratory should have the relevant means to analyse submitted samples of fertiliser 
                                                 
1 ISO Standard 8633, 8634 and ISO Technical Report 7553 External Consultation Version  January 2012 
to determine the chemical constituents in the fertiliser and most importantly the presence or 
absence of biosecurity risk material.  Note:  Where biosecurity risk material is detected in the 
sample this should be listed on the certificate of analysis, along with the relevant quantity 
measure, as specified in the IHS. 
 B.2.2 Fertiliser Sampling Certificate A sampling certificate specifies details about the sa
mpling methods used to sample the 
consignment of fertiliser.  The sampling certifica te should specify the specifications used to 
undertake the sampling and the agency who conducted the sampling.  B.2.3 Treatment Certificate 
Only consignments of guano (fertiliser) for di rect application are required to undergo a heat 
treatmen
t prior to importation to the conditions specified in the IHS. 
 B.2.4 Vessel Certification (Hold Cleanliness) All consignments of direct application fertiliser sh
ipped in vessel holds will require offshore 
inspections and subsequent certification of vessel holds to ensure they are free from any biosecurity risk material that may have been left  over from previous cargoes that the vessel had 
carried, particularly grain.  Note:  Fertiliser ingredients and fertilis er for further processing does 
not require mandatory vessel (hold cleanliness) ce rtification as it is required to be processed 
further at a TF.  B.3 AGRICULTURAL COMPOUNDS AND VETERINARY MEDICINES REQUIRE
MENTS 
Importers of fertilisers should ensure that their products are compliant with the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 (A CVM Act) prior to importation.  The ACVM 
Act requires certain compounds (used as agricultural compounds on food or animal feed) to be registered prior to importation.  To establish a product’s status under the ACVM Act importers can request an ACVM Class Determination (a paid discretionary service) for the fertiliser product prior to importation to facilitate its entr y under the ACVM Act.  Depending on the 
determination, either an exemption or non-exempt ion letter containing relevant advice will be 
forwarded to the importer.  More information about an ACVM Class Determination can be found at: http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/class-determination-request-
form/index.htm  
 B.4 DOCUMENTED SYSTEMS  The IHS requires that importers must provide a do cumented importation system for fertiliser for 
further processing (including fertiliser ingredient s).  A system must specify all pertinent details 
relating to the type a
nd constituent make up of the material, the method of transportation from 
the port of entry to the TF, storage at the TF and specific information about the type of processing that has occurred or will follow.  Note:  Any consignment or process that could allow 
the escape of regulated pests or biosecurity risk material into the environment should be identified in advance to MAF as Critical Control Points in the importation process.  Documented systems may be based on an existing accredited system or an equivalent standard.  In this manner, the importer provides objective evidence that any biosecurity risk material or pests are being managed through the documented system and the IHS.    
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  Guidance Document for the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertilisers  5 External Consultation Version  January 2012 
PART C FERTILISER INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS  
 
C.1 INSPECTION OF DIRECT APPLIC ATION  FERTILISER CONSIGNMENTS 
NOT COVERED BY A DOCUMENTED SYSTEM 
 C.1.1 Inspection for Consignments  with Compliant Certification 
Where certification is compliant, all bulk consignments of fertiliser in vessel holds will be inspected to the extent required to ensure complian ce and receive timely biosecurity clearance or 
further direction from MAF.    
C.1.2 Inspection 
for Consignments without Compliant Certification 
Where required certification has not been provided , full ISO sampling or equivalent sampling is 
required and will be conducted by MAF or an IVA as specified by MAF.  Note:  Full ISO 
sampling is referred to from this point as th at defined under ISO IH Ss: 8633, 8634, and ISO 
Technical Report 7553.  This will be conducted on board the vessel or at the port of first arrival 
or a TF after discussion and agreement with MAF.  C.2 INSPECTION FOR DIRECT APPLICATION FERTILISER CONSIGNMENTS COVERED BY AN EQUIVALENT SYSTEM
 
Inspection of direct application fertiliser consignments where an equivalent system has been approved by MAF will be conducted on an audit-inspection basis to the extent necessary to verify continued compliance as above.  Continued compliance with the requirements of th e IHS will lead to reduced MAF intervention, 
whereas discovery of non-compliances against the requirements of the IHS may result in 
increased MAF intervention or ongoing samp ling under ISO requireme nts or equivalent 
sampling until confidence is regained.  Note:  MAF may conduct inspections at any time during 
the importation process and during storage and processing at the TF.  Generic information 
around the set up of a documented system can be found at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/cont-carg/equivalence-co-management
 
 C.3 INSPECTION OF FERTILISER FOR FURTHER PROCESSING CONSIGNMENTS Inspection of fertiliser fo
r further processing (and  ingredients) will not generally be required at 
the port of arrival as this product type can only be imported under a documented system.  
Further processing of consignments of fertiliser for further processing must include chemical or 
heat treatment or other processing as appr oved by MAF (for example, acidulation).  Note:  The 
requirements of the IHS do not permit the process of simply mixing fertiliser or ingredients (re-
blending) after importation with other products to form a direct application fertiliser without 
MAF inspection or a MAF-approved documented system.   
PART D EQUIVALENCE  
 
The IHS states under section 22 of the Act, th at a MAF Chief Technical Officer (acting under 
delegated authority) may grant th e approval of a documented risk management system (for 
imported fertiliser) for an importing organisation  that under equivalence, meets or exceeds the 
standard importation and management  requirements as specified in Part B and Part C of the IHS.   
 
Equivalence for the system will only be granted on th e basis that it has measures that are equally 
effective or exceed MAF’s minimum requirements for the importation and management of fertiliser. Importers may submit alternative fertiliser sampling techniques or procedures to those required in the IHS, in the systems that mitigate biosecurity risk associated with direct application 
fertilisers or any other alternatives to managing biosecurity risks that differ from the usual 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  Guidance Document for the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertilisers  6 External Consultation Version  January 2012 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  Guidance Document for the IHS for Bulk Inorganic Fertilisers  7 requirements in the IHS.  In approving equivale nt systems there maybe scope for MAF to further 
reduce interventions on arrival at the NZ border for direct application fertiliser.  This may apply 
where the importer has implemented risk mitigation activities in the system that has been approved by MAF.  Importers who are interested in pursuing equivale nce options must apply to MAF for assessment 
and approval of a documented system prior to importation of any consignments (see Contact Details at the beginning of this document).