United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW. NOP 5012

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2646-South Building Effective Date: July 22, 2011

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 3

Original Issue Date: 09/14/09 Authorized Distribution: Public

File Name: NOP 5012 Approval of Liquid Fertilizers Internal Rev01 07 22 11

Guidance 

Approval of Liquid Fertilizers for Use in Organic Production

1. Purpose 

This guidance provides clarification on the approval and use of liquid fertilizers in organic production. 

2. Scope

This guidance applies to National Organic Program (NOP) accredited certifying agents and all certified 

and exempt organic producers.

3. Background

On February 20, 2009, the National Organic Program (NOP) issued a notice to its accredited certifying 

agents that it was no longer confident that the following liquid fertilizer products can be shown to be 

compliant with the NOP regulations: MarizymeTM and AgrolizerTM. Both of these products were 

manufactured by Port Organic, Ltd., which was no longer operating at that time. The notice further 

advised that continued use of the products MarizymeTM and AgrolizerTM without the ability to prove 

they are in full compliance with the NOP standards could jeopardize the organic status of operations, 

including land and products. 

NOP announced it will focus increased scrutiny on how inputs are approved for use by certified organic 

operations during accreditation audits of certifying agents conducted beginning in 2009, beginning with 

an emphasis on liquid nitrogen fertilizers. Further, the NOP advised vigilance in the approval of all 

liquid fertilizer products and other inputs and advised certifying agents of steps to be taken by October 

1, 2009 for the review of all nitrogen liquid fertilizers with a nitrogen analysis of greater than 3 percent. 

Included in this announcement, NOP required that reviews must verify that no synthetic nitrogen 

equipment, tanks, or supplies must be present within 100 yards of the facility that produces the organic 

approved inputs at any time of the year.

On March 4, 2009, the NOP issued an amendment to the previous notice to clarify that while fertilizer 

producers were required to obtain third-party verification of their ingredients by October 1, 2009, all 

fertilizers were expected to be in compliance at the time of the notice. The amendment further clarified 

that manufacturers who do not produce liquid fertilizers with nitrogen analysis content greater than 3 

percent are not required to undergo third-party inspections unless further advised by the NOP. 

4. Policy

All liquid fertilizers with a nitrogen analysis greater than 3 percent must be approved by a material 

evaluation program to be used in organic production. When approving organic systems plans (OSP), 

certifying agents must verify and document that all liquid fertilizers with a nitrogen analysis greater than 
United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW. NOP 5012

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2646-South Building Effective Date: July 22, 2011

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 3

Original Issue Date: 09/14/09 Authorized Distribution: Public

File Name: NOP 5012 Approval of Liquid Fertilizers Internal Rev01 07 22 11

3 percent have been approved by a material evaluation program. It is a violation of the NOP regulations 

to apply unapproved liquid fertilizers to certified organic or transitional land. 

For the purpose of this guidance, the following definitions shall apply:

Material evaluation program: An organic certification or other program, independent from the crop 

producer or the input manufacturer, with the expertise to verify compliance of inputs used in organic 

production and handling with the NOP regulations. The expertise and approval of material evaluation 

programs will be a component of the NOP accreditation program. Approved material evaluation 

programs include NOP accredited certifying agents and the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). 

certifying agents and OMRI are audited regularly to evaluate their compliance with the NOP regulations 

and this policy.

5. Procedure

5.1 Procedure for approving liquid fertilizers with a nitrogen analysis greater than 3 percent

Manufacturers seeking approval of liquid fertilizers with a nitrogen analysis greater than 3 percent for 

use in organic production must:

1. Produce inputs that comply with all NOP and other regulatory requirements.

2. Maintain complete records sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the NOP regulations.

3. Submit complete documentation describing all ingredients (active and inactive), manufacturing 

processes, process control information, testing, and other information as required by the material 

evaluation program.

4. Request and complete an onsite audit by a material evaluation program. 

5.2 Approval. 

Upon receipt of complete documentation and request for an onsite audit, the material evaluation 

program must:

1. Conduct a complete review of all documented processes by a qualified inspector.

2. Conduct annual onsite audits of manufacturing facilities and processing by a qualified, 

experienced inspector to verify compliance with NOP requirements and stated procedures.

3. Conduct a balance-in/balance-out analysis of all ingredients and finished products including, 

when appropriate, by nitrogen content.

4. Prepare and issue a complete report of all observations and findings to the manufacturer and 

retain for review by the NOP.

5. Issue a signed certificate or other instrument which specifically lists all products approved under 

the scope of the material evaluation program. Document must state “Approved for use in NOP 

organic production by [name of material evaluation program who conducted the material review 

and onsite inspection].”

6. Conduct at least one annual unannounced inspection during manufacturing to ensure ongoing 

compliance.

7. Not issue approval for any fertilizer or other input which does not fully comply with the 

regulations. 
United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW. NOP 5012

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2646-South Building Effective Date: July 22, 2011

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 3 of 3

Original Issue Date: 09/14/09 Authorized Distribution: Public

File Name: NOP 5012 Approval of Liquid Fertilizers Internal Rev01 07 22 11

5.3 Criteria for approval of fertilizer manufacturers. 

A material evaluation program may issue written approval of the fertilizer manufacturing process if:

1. Written procedures fully describe the manufacturing process. 

2. Procedures fully account for product plant nutrient content and other attributes. 

3. On-site inspections confirm that all NOP requirements are met and there is no evidence of fraud 

in formulation, 

4. The infrastructure necessary to produce the approved finished product is present and 

complete. This may include dry and liquid storage areas, conveyances (such as forklifts, trucks, 

piping), finished product storage, and both the ingredient and finished product transportation 

infrastructure.

5. Shipping and receiving balances for ingredients and finished products support findings of 

product compliance. 

6. Unannounced inspections and analytical testing verify compliance. 

With this guidance, the NOP removes the requirement for a minimum of 100 yards of separation 

between synthetic nitrogen storage facilities and organic fertilizer production areas.

6. Document Control

This document supersedes NOP Notices to Certifiers on this subject dated February 20, 2009 and March 

4, 2009, which are now obsolete.

7. References

Other Definitions

Material evaluation program: An organic certification or other program, independent from the crop 

producer or the input manufacturer, with the expertise to verify compliance of inputs used in organic 

production and handling with the NOP regulations. The expertise and approval of material evaluation 

programs will be a component of the NOP accreditation program. Approved material evaluation 

programs include NOP accredited certifying agents and the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). 

certifying agents and OMRI are audited regularly to evaluate their compliance with the NOP regulations 

and this policy.

Approved on July 22, 2011