Instruction No. 1893/MAF on Increasing Attention Toward the Inspection of Labeling for Fertilizers, Pesticides, and Plant Seeds

his instruction from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) mandates stricter labeling oversight for agricultural inputs to mitigate risks to human health and the environment caused by poor-quality or mislabeled products. It requires all domestic and imported fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds to feature Lao-language labels—or bilingual versions—approved by the Department of Agriculture. Specific technical standards are established, including requirements that labels cover three-quarters of the container surface and remain clearly legible. To ensure compliance, provincial and district authorities are empowered to conduct inspections and penalize violators. Penalties range from formal warnings for first-time offenses to heavy fines and the permanent revocation of business licenses for repeat offenders.