Safe Fertilizer Information Institute

Your source for information about all aspects of waste-derived fertilizers

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Statute 
Reference - State Fertilizer Statutes
This is the citation to the Fertilizer statute in the states that have one. Many states enacted a Commercial Fertilizer Act during the early 1900s to ensure the guaranteed nutrient levels in the products. 
State Preemption
While a handful of states have amended their Act to regulate the quantity of, or at least disclose the presence of, heavy metals, the greatest trend in fertilizer law amendment in the last 100 yrs has been to preempt local ordinance that would be more protective than state or federal lawSee Beyond Pesticide's explanation of State Preemption and/or the Center for Food Safety's brochure on how to fight State Preemption.
See National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) §7.11 Fertilizer Regulation and Use. Encouraging states to promulgate laws prohibiting regulation of fertilizers below the state level.  
You’d be amazed how difficult it is to find the Fertilizer statute in some states' code. Please let me know if you find a citation has changed.  See Waliser, Shawn. Unpublished. Federalism and the Trend in Fertilizer Regulation (2007) for a plain language comparative analysis of the state fertilizer statutes. 

- Alabama - Ala. Code §§ 2-22-1 to 2-22-23. (2011) 
- Alaska has individual fertilizer provisions but they are not organized under a specific Act. (Last visited 3/27/11)
- Connecticut - Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann §§ 22-111a to 22-111q (2011) (Last updated 7/1/2009)
- Hawaii has individual fertilizer provisions but they are not organized under a specific Act.  (Last visited 3/27/11)
- Idaho - Idaho Code §§ 22-601 (2011)
- Illinois - 505 Ill. Comp. Stat. 80/1 eq seq. (2011)
- Indiana - Ind. Code §§ 15-16-2 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2008) [IC 15-3 was repealed by P.L.2-2008, SECTION

83, effective July 1, 2008. See IC 15-16-2-32.].

- Kentucky - Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 250.361 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 6/26/2007)
- Louisiana - La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 3:1411 et seq. (2011)  (Last updated 2010)
- Maine - Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 7, §§ 741 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009)
- Maryland - Md. Code Ann., Agric. §§ 6-201 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009)
- Michigan - Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 324.8501 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2010)
- Missouri - Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 266.291 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009)
- Montana - Mont. Code Ann. §§ 80-10-101 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009) 
- Nebraska - Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 81-2,162.01 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009) 
- Nevada - Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. 588.010 (2011) (Last updated 2003)
- New Hampshire - N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 431:1 et seq. (2011)
- New Jersey - N.J. Stat. Ann. § 4:9-15:1 et seq. (2011)
- New Mexico - N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 76-11-1 et seq. (2011)
- New York - N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law §§ 143 et seq. (2011)
- North Carolina - N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 106-655 et seq. (2011)
- North Dakota - N.D. Cent. Code §§ 19-20.1-01 et seq. (2009)
- Ohio - Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 905.31 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009)
- Oklahoma - Okla. Stat. tit. 2, § 8-77 et seq. (2011) (Last updated 2009)
- Oregon - Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 633.311 et seq. (2009) use find to go to 633.311)
- Pennsylvania - 3 PA. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 6701et seq. (2011)
- Rhode Island - R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 2-7-1 et seq. (2011)
- South Carolina - S.C. Code Ann. §§ 46-25-10 et seq. (2010)
- South Dakota - S.D. Codified Laws §§ 38-19-1et seq. (2007)
- Tennesee - Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 43-11-101 et seq. (2011) (links to fertilizer, anhydrous ammonium, and liming material statutes).
- Texas - Tex. Agric. Code Ann. §§ 63.001 et seq. (2009) (choose Agriculture Code in the desired format, page down to Chapter 63). (Last updated 2011. Amendments from the 81st and 82nd R.S. available from the Legislature's site until published in the Code in 2012)
- Utah - Utah Code Ann. §§ 4-13-1 et seq. (2011)
- Vermont - Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 6 §§ 361 et seq. (2010)
- Virginia - Va. Code Ann. §§ 3.2-3600 et seq. (2010)
- Washington - Wash. Rev. Code §§ 15.54.265 et seq. (2010)
- West Virginia - W. Va. Code §§ 19-15-1 et seq. (2010)
- Wisconsin - Wis. Stat. Ann. §§ 94.64 et seq. (2011)
 

Regulation

Reference - State Fertilizer Regulations

This is the citation to the state fertilizer regulations identifying any states that require noting metals in fertilizer during any part of the registration/licensing process.

 

- Alabama - Chapter 80-1-6 Sale of Commercial Fertlizer. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11) 

- Arizona - AAC Title 3, Ch. 3, Art. 8 - No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Arkansas - ASPB Fertilizer Regulations.  No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- California - Requires reporting levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), and selenium (Se). (See CCR 2302 and 2303(s)). (page down or use 'find' to Section 2300). Updated 1/1/2010. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Colorado - 8 CCR 1202-4. (Updated 2008) §7.1 Fertilizer adulteration levels set for: Arsenic, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc. §7.2 Compost adulteration levels set for: Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium.  (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Connecticut - No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Delaware - 3 DE Admin. Code 1201, 1203. No metals requirement. Last updated 2007. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Florida - Chapter 5E-1, F.A.C. Requires reporting Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), and Zinc (Zi). Last updated 2/25/2003 citing Fla Stat Ann §576.181 as authority. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Georgia - Chap 40-6. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Idaho - Idaho Admin Code 02.06.12 et seq. On application for registration of waste-derived fertilizer, requires reporting levels of: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and selenium (Se). Last Updated 2008. (Last visited 3/27/11) 

- Illinois - 8 IAC 210. No metals requirement.  (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Indiana - 355 IAC 2. No metals requirement.(Last visited 3/27/11)

- Iowa - Chapter 43.1(200). No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Kansas - K.A.R. 4-4No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Kentucky - 12 K.A.R. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Louisiana - Title 7, Part XI. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Massachusetts - 330 CMR 15. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Maryland - 15.18.03. No metals requirement for fertilizer. Maximum metals limits set for compost for: Arsenic, Cadmium, CHromium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Zenc, PCBs, film plastic. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Maine - Tit 1, Chap 350. Established levels for metals whereby a fertilizer is adulterated: Arsenic, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc. Last updated 4/11/2010 citing 7 MRS §748 as authority. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Michigan - Reg. No. 634. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Minnesota - Mn. Rules Part 1510.370 et seq. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Mississippi - Subpart 3, Chap. 03. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Missouri - 6 CSR 250-11. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Montana - Subchap. 4.12.6. Maximum levels for: Arsenic, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc.Last updated 8/13/10 (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Nebraska - NAC tit 25, Chap 6. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- Nevada - NAC 588. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/28/11) 

- New Hampshire - Agr 1100. No metals requirement. (Last visited 3/27/11)

- New Jersey - No metals requirement.

- New Mexico - No metals requirement.

- New York - No metals requirement.

- North Carolina - No metals requirement.

- North Dakota - No metals requirement.

- Ohio - No metals requirement.

- Oklahoma - No metals requirement.

- Oregon - OAR 603-059-0100 Maximum levels for arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel in all fertilizer, agricultural mineral, and lime products registered in the state (waste-derived or virgin-derived). (Last visited 730/11)

- Pennsylvania - No metals requirement.

- Rhode Island - No metals requirement.

- South Carolina - No metals requirement.

- South Dakota - No metals requirement.

- Tennessee - No metals requirement.

- Texas -  §65.17(e)(5) Requires reporting levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc.  (Last visited 4/12/11)

- Utah - UAC R68-3 Utah Fertilizer Act Governing Fertilizers and Soil Amendments. Requires reporting levels of, but not limited to: arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and selenium on the registration but does not require any form of notification on the label.  (as of 4/1/2011) (Last visited 4/12/11)

- Virginia - No metals requirement.

- Vermont - No metals requirement.

- Washington -  WAC 16-200-7064. Set standards and method of sample preparation and analysis for Arsenic (As) Cadmium (Cd) Cobalt (Co) Lead (Pb) Molybdenum (Mo) Nickel (Ni) Selenium (Se) Zinc (Zn) and Mercury (Hg). 

Note: Before registering a waste-derived fertilizer or micronutrient fertilizer, WSDA must obtain written approval from the Department of Ecology as provided in RCW 15.54.820 of the Fertilizers, Minerals and Limes law. Once a waste-derived fertilizer or micronutrient fertilizer has been approved by Ecology, its subsequent use in another product during that registration cycle shall not require that agency's review.

 (Last visited 4/12/11)

- Wisconsin - No metals requirement.

- West Virginia - No metals requirement.

- Wyoming - No metals requirement.

 

NERC, Northeast Recycling Council, Summary of Northeast States' Fertilizer Regulations as they Relate to Compost, Nov 2005.