RWANDA DRS

STANDARD
279

First edition

2015-mm-dd

Solid Organic fertilizer — Specification

Reference number

DRS 279: 2015

© RBS yyyy
© RSB 2015
DRS 279: 2015

In order to match with technological development and to keep continuous progress in industries,
Standards are subject to periodic review. Users shall ascertain that they are in possession of the latest
edition

© RSB 2015

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without
prior written permission from RSB.

Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to

Rwanda Standards Board

P.O Box 7099 Kigali-Rwanda

Tel. +250 252 586103/582945

E-mail: info@rsb.gov.rw

Website: www.rsb.gov.rw

©RSB 2015 All rights reserved ii

 DRS 279: 2015

Contents Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ iv

1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................ 1

3 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................... 1

4 Product description............................................................................................................................... 3

5 General requirements ........................................................................................................................... 4

6 Specific requirements ........................................................................................................................... 4

7 Contaminants ......................................................................................................................................... 5
7.1 Microbiological requirements .............................................................................................................. 5
7.2 Heavy metals .......................................................................................................................................... 5

8 Packaging ............................................................................................................................................... 5

9 Labelling ................................................................................................................................................. 5
9.1 Required information on the label ....................................................................................................... 5
9.2 Other labelling guidelines .................................................................................................................... 6
9.2.1 Testimonials/Endorsements ................................................................................................................ 6
9.2.2 Other Claims .......................................................................................................................................... 6
9.2.3 Nutrient guarantees............................................................................................................................... 6
9.2.4 Directions for use .................................................................................................................................. 6
9.2.5 Miscellaneous terms ............................................................................................................................. 7
9.2.6 Environmentally beneficial ................................................................................................................... 7
9.2.7 Slowly available plant nutrients ........................................................................................................... 7
9.2.8 Low leaching potential .......................................................................................................................... 7

10 Sampling ................................................................................................................................................ 7
10.1 Number of sample ................................................................................................................................. 7
10.2 Procedure for composite sampling ..................................................................................................... 8
10.3 Laboratory sampling (sample preparation for laboratory analysis) ................................................ 8
10.3.1 For samples with uniform fineness ..................................................................................................... 8

Annex A (normative) Allowed raw materials as inputs for organic fertilizer production .......................... 9

Annex B (normative) Prohibited and restricted raw materials as inputs for organic fertilizer ................ 10

iii ©RSB 2015 All rights reserved

DRS 279: 2015

Foreword
Rwanda Standards are prepared by Technical Committees and approved by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)
Board of Directors in accordance with the procedures of RSB, in compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT
agreement on the preparation, adoption and application of standards.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare national standards. Final Draft Rwanda Standards
adopted by Technical committees are ratified by members of RSB Board of Directors for publication and
gazettment as Rwanda Standards.

DRS nnn-n was prepared by Technical Committee RSB/TC 007, Fertilizers, Pesticides and Agro-
Pharmaceutical Products.

In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following standards:

1) PNS/BAFPS 40: 2013: Organic fertilizer

2) KS 2290: Organic fertilizer — Specification

The assistance derived from the above source is hereby acknowledged with thanks.

Committee membership

The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee on Fertilizers, Pesticides and Agro-
Pharmaceutical Products (RSB/TC 007) in the preparation of this standard.

Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)

Africhem

EM

ENAS

AGROPYL

UR-CST

RSB

INATEK

ALICOMEC

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 DRS 279: 2015

MINAGRI

TUBURA

Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) – Secretariat

v ©RSB 2015 All rights reserved

 DRS 279: 2015

Solid organic fertilizers — Specification

1 Scope

This Standard specifies requirements and methods of sampling and test for solid organic fertilizers.

2 Normative 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.

ISO 8157, Fertilizers and soil conditioners — Vocabulary

ISO 10694, Soil quality — Determination of organic and total carbon after dry combustion (elementary
analysis)

ISO 11261, Soil quality — Determination of total nitrogen — Modified Kjeldahl method

ISO 11265, Soil quality — Determination of the specific electrical conductivity

ISO 11465, Soil quality — Determination of dry matter and water content on a mass basis — Gravimetric
method

ISO 14255, Soil quality — Determination of nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and total soluble nitrogen in
air-dry soils using calcium chloride solution as extractant

ISO 10390 Soil quality — Determination of pH

ISO 6598 Fertilizers — Determination of phosphorus content — Quinoline phosphomolybdate gravimetric

method

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this standard, in addition to the terms and definitions provided in ISO 8157, the following
apply.

3.1

Organic fertilizers

carbonaceous materials mainly of vegetable and/or animal origin added to the soil specifically for the nutrition
of plants.

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3.2

raw materials

naturally occurring materials used in the production of organic fertilizer.

3.3

pathogens

organisms (microorganisms and infective parasites) that can cause negative effects on human health; crops
and soil

3.4

label

display of the written, printed or graphic information on the immediate container of any product

3.5

batch

organic fertilizer 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.

3.6

sample size

number of samples drawn from each batch of organic fertilizers to be analyzed

3.7

fertilizer

substance containing one or more recognized plant nutrient(s), which is used for its plant nutrient content and
which is designed for use or claimed to have value in promoting plant growth

3.8

naturally occurring minerals

materials that are directly mined from mineral deposits and only subjected to physical processes such as
crushing and drying

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 DRS 279: 2015

3.9

green manure

plants which are mainly succulent and leafy legume crop which are grown for a short duration and then
ploughed in the same field and incorporated by ploughing

3.10

green leafy manure

mainly leguminous plants, grown for a short duration and ploughed back into the soil at their succulent and
leafy stage.

3.11

compost

organic soil improver obtained by decomposition of a mixture consisting principally of various vegetable
residues, occasionally with organic materials of animal origin, and having a limited mineral content

3.12

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 different biological activities, such as but not limited
to: N2- fixation, decomposition of organic residues and enhancement of nutrient availability.

3.13

foreign matters

any matter which is not biodegradable such us glass, plastic and metal

3.14

total primary nutrients

sum of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium

4 Product description

Organic fertilizer comprises any product in solid form, of plant (except by-products from petroleum industries)
or animal origin that has undergone substantial decomposition that can supply available nutrients to plants.
This may be enriched by microbial inoculants and naturally occurring minerals but chemical or inorganic
fertilizer material shall not be added to the finished product to affect the nutrient content.

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5 General requirements

5.1 Only allowed raw materials shall be used (Annex A). Those restricted shall be used after having
undergone recommended treatment or quality control (Annex B)

5.2 For products with microbial inoculants, the genus shall be verifiable as natural source and be indicated
on the label.

5.3 Organic fertilizer shall be free from foul smell and foul odour

5.4 Organic fertilizers shall be homogenous in texture

5.5 Organic fertilizer shall be fine enough for one hundred per cent thereof to pass through a 12 mm
standard sieve

5.7 Organic fertilizer shall be free from pathogens and contaminants such as residual hormones, antibiotics,
pesticides, heavy metals, in amount that may be a hazard to the soil, to the plants, to the applicant or to the
consumers of the harvested product

6 Specific requirements

Organic fertilizer shall comply with the requirements in table 1

Table 1 — Specification for Organic Fertilizer

S/N Properties Very Mature Test Methods

1 Total primary nutrients,%, m/m 5-7 ISO 11261, ISO
6598 and
2 Soluble salts (Conductivity), mmhos/cm, max 5 ISO 11265
3 Total Nitrogen, %, m/m, min 1 ISO 11261
4 Organic carbon,%, m/m, min 12 ISO 10694
5 C:N 10 - 20 -
6 Organic matter content(solid), %, m/m, min 40
7 Moisture content, %, m/m 30 - 35 ISO 11465
0C
8 Temperature 20 -30
9 PH 6-8.4 ISO 10390
10 Stones >5mm size, %, m/m, max 5
11 Foreign matter >2mm, %, m/m, max 0.5
12 Seed, number/kg, max 5

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 DRS 279: 2015

7 Contaminants

7.1 Microbiological requirements

Table 2. — Allowable level of pathogens for Organic Fertilizers

S/N Properties Allowable levels Test methods

1 Faecal Streptococci, CFU/g, 5 x 102
max
2 Total coliforms CFU/g, max 5 x 102
3 Salmonella 0

7.2 Heavy metals

Table 3. — Allowable level of heavy metals for organic fertilizers

S/N Properties Allowable maximum level Test method

(mg/kg, dry weight)
1 Arsenic (As) 5 ISO 17318
2 Zinc (Zn) 5 ISO 11047
3 Lead (Pb) 250 ISO 17318
4 Copper (Cu) 300 ISO 11047
5 Chromium (Cr) 150 ISO 17318
6 Nickel (Ni) 50 ISO 11047
7 Mercury (Hg) 2 ISO 17318
8 Cadmium (Cd) 5 ISO 17318

8 Packaging

Organic fertilizer shall be packaged in such way that protect the product and do not impart undesirable
substances to the product.

9 Labelling

9.1 Required information on the label

The packages shall be legibly and indelibly labelled with the following information:

a) Name of the product “Organic fertilizer”

b) Raw materials used

c) Nutrient content (NPK)

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d) Carbon/Nitrogen ratio

e) Organic matter content

f) Moisture content

g) Batch number

h) Instruction for use

i) Name of the manufacturer/packer/importer

j) Date of packaging

k) Expire date

9.2 Other labelling guidelines

9.2.1 Testimonials/Endorsements

The public has no way of evaluating the status of the endorser in relation to a product. For this reason,
testimonials and endorsements will be viewed as claims and evaluated accordingly.

9.2.2 Other Claims

Any reference to the activity of a product containing plant nutrients that is not generally associated with its
nutritional value shall be substantiated with statistically significant efficacy data derived from field trials.

9.2.3 Nutrient guarantees

Any product represented as a source of plant nutrients shall carry a guaranteed analysis.

9.2.4 Directions for use

9.2.4.1 All specialty fertilizers shall carry instructions for use. These instructions shall specify both the rate
and time and frequency of application based on the growth stage and crop. Suggested rates of application
shall provide an adequate quantity of nutrients to the plants concerned.

8.2.4.1 Where the product does not contain all 3 major plant nutrients, the label should carry a statement
indicating that some plants may require an additional source of the nutrient(s) that are lacking.

8.2.4.1 Any product containing composted materials or plant nutrients may represent a potential hazard
when misused. In order to avoid giving the impression that reasonable precautions are unnecessary, blanket
statements suggesting that the product is completely safe and non-toxic to humans, animals or the
environment shall not appear on the label.

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 DRS 279: 2015

9.2.5 Miscellaneous terms

9.2.5.1 Words, such as balanced and healthy, shall be avoided as they are often misunderstood and
consequently misleading.

9.2.5.2 Also objectionable are comparatives such as best, superior, and greener, as they imply a comparison
without indicating the basis of this comparison

9.2.6 Environmentally beneficial

Any product represented as "environmentally sound", etc. shall identify the rationale for the claim and list all
ingredients in order to allow the consumer to determine the validity of the statement.

9.2.7 Slowly available plant nutrients

Only products providing at least 70% of a plant nutrient in a slowly available form may indicate this on the
label. Such a claim shall be accompanied by the associated guarantee.

9.2.8 Low leaching potential

Only products containing at least 70% of a nutrient in a slowly available form may indicate that nutrient will be
slowly available and thus unlikely to leach when used in accordance with label instructions.

10 Sampling

Sampling for Laboratory Analysis - all finished products should be subjected to lot sampling for laboratory
analysis using the following procedure:

10.1 Number of sample

Table 5 — Required number of Samples

Number of bags* per batch Bags to be sampled

Less than 50 2

51 - 100 3

101 - 300 8

301 - 500 15

501 - 1000 20

More than 1000 Multiples of 20

* 1 bag = 50kg

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10.2 Procedure for composite sampling

10.2.1 Select randomly the bag number.

10.2.2 The selected bags shall be emptied into a clean area. All contents of the selected bags (maximum of
5 bags) shall be thoroughly mixed.

10.2.3 Submit five kilograms (5 Kg) of the composite sample to the laboratory.

10.2.4 Information relative to the sample taken shall be accurate and complete to allow traceability of the
sample back to the lot from which it was sampled.

10.3 Laboratory sampling (sample preparation for laboratory analysis)

10.3.1 For samples with uniform fineness

10.4.1.1 Place sample on a clean piece of paper and mix thoroughly.

10.4.1.2 Reduce sample to a quantity sufficient for analysis by quartering. Mix and store in air-tight container.

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 DRS 279: 2015

Annex A
(normative)

Allowed raw materials as inputs for organic fertilizer production

a) Farm animal manure, slurry, and urine

b) Vermi compost

c) Compost produced from organic residues

d) Green manure and green leaf manure

e) Azolla

f) Mulches from sugar cane, trash, straw, etc.

g) Kitchen waste

h) Coir pith, plantation by-products and wastes

i) Mushroom beds

j) Oil cakes, milled by-products, etc.

k) Tea / coffee grounds

l) Fish and fish products without preservatives

m) Seaweed

n) Crop residues (straw, peanut hulls, etc.)

o) Microbial preparations (i.e. Trichoderma, Rhizobia,Mychorrizae, others) of non-GMO origin

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 Annex B
(normative)
Prohibited and restricted raw materials as inputs for organic fertilizer

Inputs Status Notes / Limitations / Rationale

Raw / Undecomposed human
excrement, including urine
Sewage sludge
Saw dust, bark, wood chips, wood ash
By-prducts of plant origin of food and
textile industries
Blood meal, bone, and other meal
brought in from sources
Guano
Segregated biodegradable market
waste
Sedimentary rocks (limestone,
dolomite, rock phosphate)
Igneous rocks (andesite, basalt,
gabbro, diorite)
Metamorphic rocks (slate, schist)
Note: Status P = Prohibited
R = Restricted
Prohibited Risk of contamination
Restricted Only sludge from farms/biodigesters is allowed
Restricted Wood not chemically treated after felling may be used
Restricted Without synthetic additives and residues
Restricted Origin of materials should be disease-free and without
preservatives
Restricted Concerns on environmental sustainability - rate of extraction
is subject to the regulations
Restricted Has undergone proper segregation, and does not contain
hazardous materials
Restricted May contain elevated levels of trace elements. Detailed
chemical analysis is necessary.
Restricted May contain elevated levels of trace elements and heavy
metals. Detailed chemical analysis is necessary.
Restricted

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DRS 2015: 2015

ICS 65.080

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