Fertilizer sales must have 'professional training certificate'

The Government has just issued Decree No. 108/2017/ND-CP on fertilizer management with the aim of overcoming shortcomings and loopholes in management and promptly preventing the massive development of fertilizer products on the market.

According to the provisions of the above Decree, fertilizers are not recognized for circulation when: They contain harmful elements exceeding the maximum limits prescribed in National Technical Regulations and National Standards; there is scientific evidence that fertilizers have a high risk of causing adverse effects on human health and the environment; They have the same name as other fertilizers that have been recognized for circulation.

Fertilizers will have their Decision on fertilizer circulation recognition revoked in Vietnam when: There is scientific evidence that the fertilizer has a high risk of causing adverse effects on human health and the environment; Detection of the use of fake documents or provision of information in documents that are not consistent with the fertilizer proposed for circulation recognition; Fertilizers have been recognized for circulation but the circulation period has expired without re-recognition.

The person directly managing and operating production must have a university degree or higher in one of the following majors: cultivation, plant protection, soil chemistry, agronomy, chemistry, or biology.

The Decree also stipulates the conditions for fertilizer production, in which organizations and individuals producing fertilizers must ensure the following conditions: being established in accordance with the provisions of law; having a production location and factory area suitable for the capacity of the fertilizer production line, machinery and equipment; production lines, machinery and equipment from the raw material processing stage to the final product must meet the technological process. The stages and systems must use mechanized or automated machinery and equipment according to regulations. Machinery and equipment with strict safety requirements and measuring and testing equipment must be inspected, calibrated and adjusted according to the provisions of law;

Have separate areas for storing raw materials and finished products; have shelves or lining for arranging goods; have a recognized testing room or have a contract with a designated testing organization to evaluate the quality indicators of the fertilizers produced by themselves; have a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001 or equivalent, for newly established facilities, at the latest after 1 year from the date of establishment;

The person directly managing and operating production must have a university degree or higher in one of the following majors: cultivation, plant protection, soil chemistry, agronomy, chemistry, or biology.

Notably, the Decree clearly states that organizations and individuals trading in fertilizers must ensure the following conditions: being registered or established in accordance with the provisions of law; having a fertilizer trading store. Fertilizer trading stores must have: Signs, books recording the purchase and sale of fertilizers; public price lists for each type of fertilizer posted in a visible and easy-to-read place; having an area to store fertilizers; having shelves or lining for arranging goods;

People who directly sell fertilizers must have a Certificate of professional training in fertilizers, except in cases where they have an intermediate level or higher in one of the following majors: cultivation, plant protection, agrochemistry, soil science, agronomy, chemistry, or biology.

In case a fertilizer trading establishment does not have a store, it must have a business registration; have a fixed, legal transaction location; have a book to record the purchase and sale of fertilizers and meet the regulations on the person directly selling fertilizers.

According to VnEconomy