SF4925

Purpose

• Clarify labeling and composition requirements for soil amendments, plant amendments, and beneficial substances sold in Minnesota.
• Update how these products are registered and what information must be provided to regulators and customers.

Key Definitions

• Active ingredient: An ingredient that is a plant nutrient or an ingredient that actively affects the soil or plants.
• Inert ingredient: An ingredient that is not an active ingredient in the product.
• These terms appear in new or revised sections to distinguish what must be listed on labels and in registrations.

Main Provisions

• Labeling requirements (Sec.4)

  • A label must be placed on every bag or container with:
  • Product name
  • Net weight or net volume (both imperial and metric)
  • Name and address of the guarantor and registrant
  • Purpose of the product
  • Directions for use
  • Guaranteed analysis of each active ingredient
  • If the product contains microorganisms, the label must also include:
  • Expiration date
  • Recommended storage conditions
  • Inert ingredients do not have to be listed on the label.
  • For bulk shipments to a single end consumer, a single printed form with the required information can replace labeling on each bulk bag/container.

• Guaranteed analysis (Sec.3.2)

  • The guaranteed analysis must accurately state the composition and the percentages of each active ingredient.
  • For microbiological products, the analysis must include the number of viable microorganisms per milliliter (for liquids) or per gram (for dry products).

• Registration information (Sec.5)

  • For specialty fertilizers:
  • Include the name and address of the guarantor and registrant
  • Brand and grade
  • Guaranteed analysis
  • Sources from which nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or other elements are derived
  • Amount and formulas of inert ingredients
  • For soil amendments and plant amendments:
  • Include the name and address of the guarantor and registrant
  • Brand name
  • Sources from which ingredients are derived
  • Guaranteed analysis
  • Certificate of composition describing the amounts and formulas of each inert ingredient and any beneficial substances included

• Certification and labeling details

  • A certificate of composition must be provided that describes the amounts and formulas of inert ingredients and beneficial substances in the formula.

Significant Changes to Law

• Expanded labeling and registration requirements to both soil amendments and plant amendments, plus beneficial substances.
• Explicit inclusion of a certificate of composition as part of registration materials.
• Distinct treatment of active vs. inert ingredients in labeling (inert ingredients not required on the customer-facing label).
• For microbiological products, added requirements for expiration dates and storage conditions.
• Administrative instruction requiring the Revisor of Statutes to renumber subdivisions in section 18C.005 in alphabetical order and correct cross-references.

Administrative and Structural Notes

• The bill proposes changes across multiple Minnesota Statutes:
  • Additions to 18C.005 (definitions for active and inert ingredients)
  • Amendments to 18C.211 (guaranteed analysis requirements)
  • Amendments to 18C.411 (registration details for specialty fertilizers and amendments)
• Sec.6 requires the Revisor to renumber subdivisions alphabetically and fix cross-references.

Implementation Notes

• The changes primarily affect manufacturers, guarantors, and registrants of soil amendments, plant amendments, and beneficial substances.
• Stakeholders should prepare to provide more detailed composition information (including certificate of composition) and be ready to comply with stricter labeling when applicable, especially for microbiological products.

Potential Impacts

• Consumers may see more precise information about active ingredients and product purpose on labels.
• Companies will need to maintain more detailed records of ingredient sources and compositions, including certificates of composition.
• Labeling for bulk shipments provides a streamlined option for compliance when shipping directly to a single end consumer.

Relevant Terms - Active ingredient - Inert ingredient - Guaranteed analysis - Microbiological product - Viable microorganisms - Certificate of composition - Guarantor - Registrant - Sources (of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.) - Inert ingredient formulas - Expiration date - Storage conditions - Net weight - Net volume - Product name - Brand name - Brand and grade - Cross-references - Revisor of statutes