Update and Key Changes of China’s Fertilizer Registration, Renewal Registration, and Change Registration Guidelines

Reported by AgroPages Chinese Website: In October 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs updated the Fertilizer Registration Guidelines, Fertilizer Renewal Registration Guidelines, and Fertilizer Change Registration Guidelines. This article summarizes the key changes in the 2025 new guidelines; enterprises are advised to pay timely attention.  

I. Fertilizer Registration Guidelines

1. Higher requirements for field trials:

❖ Trial host: Shall be hosted by an in-service personnel engaged in soil and fertilizer-related work with a senior professional title.

❖ Trial requirements: Detailed trial requirements and standards are specified. Trial Requirements:

Trial Standards:

2. Clarified that applicants from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions shall submit a product quality assurance certificate that includes product quality control indicators and corresponding testing methods. 3. For product labels, in addition to the paper sample, an electronic draft is also required.

4. Clarified that for products from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions, the applicant shall submit fertilizer samples along with product import certification documents.

5. Clarified that a letter of commitment to comply with the mandatory national standard *Limit Requirements for Toxic and Harmful Substances in Fertilizers* (GB38400-2019) shall be submitted.

6. Registration process:

❖ Cancelled the sample re-inspection application.

❖ The fertilizer registration certificate is changed to an electronic certificate.

❖ Clarified the addition of a re-submission channel: Starting from the date of receiving the notice of non-acceptance or the decision of non-approval, the applicant may re-submit the application in accordance with the law after improving relevant materials or conditions as required in the notice.

II. Fertilizer Renewal Registration Guidelines

1. No need to submit a copy of the fertilizer registration certificate.

2. Annual product quality inspection report: Clarified that only 1 batch of quality inspection report per year needs to be provided.

3. New renewal requirements for applicants from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions: Shall submit production and sales certification documents, which shall be confirmed by the Embassy (or Consulate) of the People’s Republic of China in the country (region) where the enterprise is located, or affixed with an Apostille.

4. Submit the fertilizer label design.

5. Only the electronic version of the original documents needs to be submitted for materials.

III. Fertilizer Change Registration Guidelines

※ In addition to the above materials for change registration, the fertilizer label design shall also be submitted.

※ For the above change registration materials, only the electronic version of the original documents needs to be submitted.