Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 603 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Division 59 - FERTILIZERS, AGRICULTURAL MINERALS, AND LIMES › Section 603-059-0060 - Definition of Labeling Terms

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1)
			 For labels and labeling, the State Department of Agriculture uses the following
			 definitions:
(a) Organic. Organic materials
			 are the remains, residues, or waste products of any organism, have a carbon
			 base, are 100% natural, and are allowed as inputs in organic crop production
			 under the USDA National Organic Program. If mixed with synthetic materials,
			 such as processing aids for extraction, stabilization, or isolation, the
			 combined material is no longer considered organic. An example of an organic
			 material would be ground kelp meal to which nothing has been added. An example
			 of a non-organic material would be kelp extract, processed with potassium
			 hydroxide, as the added potassium hydroxide is not an organic
			 material.
(b) Natural. Natural
			 materials exist in nature and have been altered from their original structure
			 only by physical manipulation (e.g. ground, screened, or pelletized), and may
			 or may not have a carbon base. Natural materials are allowed as inputs in
			 organic crop production under the USDA National Organic Program and must not be
			 mixed with synthetic materials. Examples of non-carbon based natural materials
			 would be mined limestone and mined potassium sulfate, to which nothing has been
			 added.
(c) Organic-based.
			 Organic-based materials are a mixed product in which more than half of the
			 materials are organic. If it is an organic-based fertilizer, more than half of
			 the sum of the guaranteed primary nutrient percentages must be derived from
			 organic materials. If it is an organic-based agricultural mineral, more than
			 half of the sum of the guaranteed nutrient percentages must be derived from
			 organic materials. If it is an agricultural amendment, more than half of the
			 total materials (by weight) must be derived from organic materials.
(d) Natural-based. Natural-based materials
			 are a mixed product in which more than half of the materials are natural. If it
			 is a natural-based fertilizer, more than half of the sum of the guaranteed
			 primary nutrient percentages must be derived from natural materials. If it is a
			 natural-based agricultural mineral, more than half of the sum of the guaranteed
			 nutrient percentages must be derived from natural materials. If it is an
			 agricultural amendment, more than half of the total materials (by weight) must
			 be derived from natural materials.
(e) Natural and Organic. Products containing
			 both natural and organic ingredients may be listed as "natural and organic."
			 Product labels may list the proportions of these materials, i.e., "95%
			 organic." As an example a product made of 30% blood meal, 20% bone meal, 20%
			 kelp meal, and 30% greensand could be described as "70% organic."
(f) Organic Input. A product in which all
			 ingredients comply with the requirements for producing organic agricultural
			 products under the USDA National Organic Program Final Rule, 7 CFR Part
			 205.
(g) Synthetic. A substance
			 that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that
			 chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant,
			 animal, or mineral sources, except that such term shall not apply to substances
			 created by naturally occurring biological processes.
(h) Biotic or Bioactive. A product with a
			 guaranteed content of microbiological inoculum.
(i) No Phosphate Fertilizer. Fertilizer
			 products with less than 0.5% available phosphate (P2O5). This definition also
			 applies to other acceptable phrases used as descriptors which include, but are
			 not limited to, "phosphate free" and "phosphorus free".
(j) Low Phosphate Fertilizer. Fertilizer
			 products with available phosphate levels (P2O5) equal to, or greater than,
			 0.5%, but less than 1%.
(k)
			 Non-toxic. Materials incapable of causing harmful effects to living organisms.
			 As determined by the department, the claim must be adequately substantiated by
			 supporting data.