Fertilizer (Amendments) Regulations, 2017.

These Regulations, consisting of 22 amending provisions, introduce several key changes to the original Fertilizer Regulations. The main points are as follows (i) Registration and Testing: A new fertilizer or supplement must undergo laboratory and field tests in at least two agro-ecological zones for one cropping season. However, blends of already registered fertilizers can be registered without a field test if lab and soil analysis results are satisfactory; (ii) Dealer Licensing: Applications for a fertilizer dealer license must be submitted to the Director. The timeframe for responding to these applications has been shortened from thirty days to fourteen; (iii) Importation: The process for importing fertilizers is now more detailed and requires a non-refundable application to the Director. Importantly, the imported fertilizer cannot be sold until its quality has been analyzed and approved by the Authority; (iv) Enforcement and Penalties: The Director has the authority to suspend or cancel a license if a dealer violates the Regulations. New and stricter penalties are introduced, with selling fertilizer above the indicative price being a serious offense punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both; (v) Controlling Substandard Products: The Authority can implement control measures for illegal or substandard fertilizers. These measures include withdrawing or suspending certificates, confiscating the fertilizer, and, for imported goods, ordering the reshipment of the product back to its country of origin at the owner's expense; (vi) Labeling and Packaging: The standard packaging weight is now flexible. Labels must not contain any incorrect or misleading information. Required label information now includes net content by weight or volume. Furthemore, the amendments introduce new regulations on price control, empowering the Authority to set and announce an indicative price which serves as a maximum selling price at the farm gate level. They also establish new general penalties for violations not specified elsewhere, including fines and imprisonment.