Category:  Regulatory Approaches
Policy Type:  Environmental Standards
Sector:  Agriculture
Region:  Asia
Country:  Japan
Description: Japan's Fertilizer Control Law contributes to fair trade and safe soil application of fertilizers through the establishment of standards, registration, inspection, and other measures. Under this law, fertilizer is classified into two types: "special fertilizers" and "ordinary fertilizers". Special fertilizers include rice bran and compost designated by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for which notification must be made at the time of production or importation; while ordinary fertilizers are those that are not special fertilizers, for which registration or notification is required upon production or importation. Official standards have been prescribed for ordinary fertilizers, which define for each type of fertilizer the minimum or maximum amount of main components to be included, the maximum amount allowed for components harmful to plants to be contained, along with other restrictions (particle size and ingredients) as deemed necessary. In addition, guarantee labels must be attached to ordinary fertilizers to provide information on quality, etc. to consumers and to ensure fair trade. The guarantee labels must carry a guaranteed nutrient content, name of the producer and other relevant information.
Outcome:  The manufacture and labeling standards set by Japan's Fertilizer Control Law lead to more consistent and informed application of nutrients.
Reference: 
Fertilizer Control Law