The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) issued an 5th amendment order on December 13, 2024, to update the procedure for fertilizer sampling. This change aims to improve the way fertilizers are tested and sampled.
When Fertilizer Inspectors collect three samples, one sample is given to the dealer, importer, manufacturer, or marketer. The second sample is sent to the laboratory, and the third is kept by the designated authority.
If the sample is collected by a Central or State Fertilizer Inspector during a joint inspection, one sample is given to the dealer, the second is sent to a Regional Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratory, and the third is kept by the Central Coding Centre.
If the sample fails the quality test, the dealer or manufacturer must apply for re-testing within 15 days. They need to submit the sample and the required fee to the designated authority or the Central Coding Centre.
If the dealer, manufacturer, or marketer submits a sample for re-testing, the State or Central Coding Centre will send two samples to the National Test House for a second analysis. The result from the National Test House will be final.
If the first and second reports differ, the sample will be sent for a third analysis at the Central Fertilizer Quality Control Institute, and that report will be final.
However, if the dealer doesn’t request re-testing within 15 days, the first analysis report will be final. If both the first and second reports show the sample is non-standard in the same parameter, the second analysis will be final, and no third test will be done.
The designated officer or Central Coding Centre must send the sample to the National Test House within three working days after the dealer or manufacturer requests a re-test.
The National Test House will analyze the sample and send the results within 15 days.
If needed, the sample will be sent to the Central Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute for a third analysis within three working days.
The Institute will analyze the sample and send the results within 15 days, and the results will be communicated within three working days after the report is ready.
The designated officer will inform the concerned party of the results within three working days after receiving the final or third analysis report.
