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Government strengthens fertiliser quality testing
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Saturday, 01 August, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Central Government has outlined a strengthened, time-bound mechanism for fertiliser quality testing under the amended Fertiliser (Control) Order (FCO), 1985, ensuring greater transparency and accuracy in the testing of fertiliser samples. The revised provisions, notified on December 13, 2024, introduce a structured system of second and third analyses for samples initially found to be non-standard.
Under the amended FCO, Fertiliser Inspectors collect three samples during inspection. One sample is handed over to the dealer, manufacturer, importer, pool handling agency or marketer, the second is sent to the designated laboratory for testing, and the third is retained by the designated authority appointed by the State Government.
If the first laboratory declares a sample non-standard, the concerned dealer, manufacturer, importer, pool handling agency or marketer can seek a second analysis by applying to the designated State authority within 15 days of receiving the report. The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee and the sample provided by the Fertiliser Inspector. The designated authority is required to forward one of the two available samples to the National Test House (NTH), Ghaziabad Coding Centre, for testing at any of its centres in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur or Ghaziabad.
The NTH report is treated as final unless the first and second analyses identify different parameters as non-standard. In such cases, the State authority must suo motu send the retained sample for a third analysis to the Central Fertiliser Quality Control and Training Institute (CFQC&TI), Faridabad, whose findings are considered final.
However, if the concerned party fails to apply for a second analysis within the stipulated 15-day period, the report of the first analysis becomes final. Similarly, where both the first and second analyses identify the same parameter as non-standard, no third analysis is conducted, and the NTH report is treated as final.
Data for 2025-26 show that the National Test House conducted a second analysis on 3,906 fertiliser samples, of which 2,128 met quality standards while 1,778 were found non-standard. During the same period, the Central Fertiliser Quality Control and Training Institute carried out a third analysis on 1,078 samples, confirming 215 as standard and 863 as non-standard.
During 2026-27, up to June 2026, the National Test House received 578 samples for second analysis. Of these, 321 were declared standard and 257 non-standard. The CFQC&TI conducted third analysis on 223 samples, finding 51 to be standard and 172 non-standard.
The amended FCO also prescribes strict timelines for analysis and communication of results. The designated State authority must send samples for second analysis to the National Test House within three working days of receiving an application. The NTH is required to complete testing and communicate its findings within 15 days of receiving the sample.
Where the first and second analyses differ on the parameters of failure, the designated authority must forward the retained sample to CFQC&TI within three working days. The institute must complete the third analysis within 15 days of receiving the sample and communicate the results to the State authority within three working days of generating the report. The designated authority must, in turn, inform the concerned party of the outcome within three working days of receiving the report.
The revised framework aims to ensure faster dispute resolution, improve the reliability of fertiliser quality testing, and strengthen enforcement of quality standards across the country.
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