5E-1.003. Labels or Tags

(1) Label requirements for all fertilizer products. (a) Labels setting forth the information specified in this section shall be attached to or accompany any fertilizer distributed in the state. For packaged products, this information shall either (1) appear on the front or back of the package, (2) occupy at least one-third of a side of the package, or (3) be printed on a tag and attached to the package. This information shall be in a readable and conspicuous form. For bulk products, this information in printed form shall accompany delivery and two analysis tags attached to the delivery ticket shall be supplied to the purchaser at time of delivery. The following information is required on labels for all fertilizer products. 1. Brand name. 2. The grade (Provided that the grade shall not be required when no primary nutrients are claimed). 3. Guaranteed analysis, in the following format: Total Nitrogen (N) _______% ___ percent Nitrate Nitrogen ___ percent Ammoniacal Nitrogen ___ percent Other/Water Soluble Nitrogen ___ percent Urea Nitrogen ___ percent Water Insoluble Nitrogen Available Phosphorus (P2O5) ________% Soluble Potassium (K2O) ________% Secondary and Micro Plant Nutrients (list all claimed or advertised) ________% Derived From: 4. Name and address of licensee. 5. The net weight (The term “Bulk” shall suffice for bulk products). (b) The nitrogen breakdown shall be equal to the total nitrogen guarantee. When urea is present it may be guaranteed as other water soluble nitrogen, or urea nitrogen at the option of the licensee. If an amount of nitrogen is designated as organic, then the water insoluble nitrogen or the slow release nitrogen guarantee must not be less than 60% of the nitrogen so designated. Coated urea shall not be included in meeting the 60% requirement. (c) The terms “Available Phosphoric Acid” or “Available Phosphate” and “Soluble Potash” may be used instead of “Available Phosphorus” and “Soluble Potassium”, respectively. (d) Unacidulated mineral phosphatic materials, basic slag, bone meal, and other phosphatic materials shall be guaranteed as to both the total and available phosphorus (P2O5), and, in addition thereto, unacidulated mineral phosphatic materials and basic slag shall be guaranteed as to degree of fineness. (e) Only those materials which actually constitute sources of primary and secondary plant and micronutrients shall be shown on the application for registration and the label under the statement “Derived from: ____”. Commercial, registered or copyrighted brand or trade names shall not be permitted in guarantees or listing of source materials and only in the product name or advertising claims of fertilizer produced by or for the firm holding the rights to such a name. (f) When a chelated form of a plant nutrient is claimed in addition to another form of the same element, the chelated portion shall be guaranteed and the specific chelated nutrient shall be listed as a source in the “Derived from” statement. The chelated guarantee shall be equal to or less than the “Soluble” or “Water Soluble” element guarantee. (g) Guarantees for secondary or micro plant nutrients except chelated forms of secondary or micro plant nutrients shall be as follows: 1. Magnesium (Mg) shall be expressed as “Magnesium” if derived from insoluble compounds; “Soluble Magnesium” or “Water Soluble Magnesium” if derived from “magnesium sulfate or other soluble compounds”; or both if derived from combinations of soluble and insoluble sources. 2. When sulfur (S) is claimed as a plant nutrient, it shall be specified as to the form present, either “free” or “combined”, or both. “Specialty Fertilizer” defined in section 576.011(40), F.S., shall be exempt from Sulfur guarantees. 3. Manganese (Mn) shall be expressed as “Manganese” if derived from insoluble compounds “Soluble Manganese” or “Water Soluble Manganese” if derived from manganese sulfate, manganese nitrate, manganese chloride or other soluble compounds; or both if derived from combinations of soluble and insoluble sources. 4. Iron (Fe) shall be expressed as “Iron” if derived from insoluble compounds. “Soluble Iron” or “Water Soluble Iron” if derived from iron sulfate, iron nitrate, iron chloride or other soluble compounds; or both if derived from combinations of soluble and insoluble sources. 5. Zinc (Zn) shall be expressed as “Zinc” if derived from insoluble compounds. “Soluble Zinc” or “Water Soluble Zinc” if derived from zinc sulfate, zinc nitrate, zinc chloride or other soluble compounds; or both if derived from combinations of soluble and insoluble sources. 6. Copper (Cu) shall be expressed as “Copper” if derived from insoluble compounds; “Soluble Copper” or “Water Soluble Copper” if derived from copper sulfate, copper nitrate, copper chloride or other soluble compounds; or both if derived from combinations of soluble and insoluble sources. 7. Boron (B) shall be guaranteed as to water soluble boron, expressed as “boron”. 8. Other secondary or micro plant nutrients shall be guaranteed as to the total element, expressed as the element. 9. Minimum secondary or micro plant nutrient guarantees for specialty fertilizer shall be as follows, except guarantees for those water soluble nutrients labeled for ready to use foliar fertilizers, ready to use specialty liquid fertilizers, hydroponic or continuous liquid feed programs and guarantees for potting soils. Aluminum (Al) .10% Manganese (Mn) .02% Boron (B) .02% Molybdenum (Mo) .0005% Calcium (Ca) .50% Nickel (Ni) .0010% Cobalt (Co) .0005% Sodium (Na) .10% Copper (Cu) .02% Sulfur (S) 1.00% Iron (Fe) .02% Zinc (Zn) .02% Magnesium (Mg) .10% (2) Labeling requirements for specialty fertilizer for urban turf or lawns (packaged in containers or bags such that the net weight is 49 pounds or less and distributed for home and garden use). (a) Specialty Fertilizer products labeled for use on urban turf or lawns shall be no phosphate or low phosphate. 1. “No phosphate” fertilizers shall not contain more than 0.5% of available phosphate expressed as P2O5. The “grade” shall indicate a zero guarantee. 2. Fertilizers labeled as low phosphate shall have use directions that do not exceed an application rate of 0.25 lbs P2O5/1000 sq. ft. and not to exceed 0.50 lbs P2O5/1000 sq. ft. per year. 3. Fertilizers labeled as, or formulated for use as, starter fertilizer shall have use directions that do not exceed an application rate of 1.0 lb of P2O5/1,000 sq. ft. and that subsequent applications shall be made with products meeting the definition of Low or No Phosphate fertilizers. The term “starter fertilizer” shall be part of the brand name. (b) Fertilizers labeled as urban turf or lawn fertilizer shall have directions for use for nitrogen that: 1. Are consistent with the recommendations in the following table: Annual Fertilization Guidelines for Established Turfgrass Lawns in Three Regions of Florida Nitrogen Recommendations (lbs N per 1000 sq. ft)* Species Bahiagrass Bermuda Centipede St. Augustine Zoysia North* Timing of Application: Only Apply to Actively Growing Turf Maximum Pounds N per Application Spring or Summer 2 2 2 2 2 Fall 1 1 1 1 1 Maximum Annual Pounds 2-3 3-5 1-2 2-4 2-3 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Central* Timing of Application Only Apply to Actively Growing Turf Maximum Pounds N per Application Spring or Summer 2 2 2 2 2 Fall or Winter 1 1 1 1 1 Maximum Annual Pounds 2-4 4-6 2-3 2-5 2-4 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ South* Timing of Application Only Apply to Actively Growing Turf Maximum Pounds N per Application Spring or Summer 2 2 2 2 2 Fall or Winter 1 1 1 1 1 Maximum Annual Pounds 2-4 5-7 2-3 4-6 2.5-4.5 *North Florida is defined as north of a line extending from Cedar Key to Daytona Beach. Central Florida is defined as south of the line extending from Cedar Key to Daytona Beach to a line extending from Tampa to Vero Beach. South Florida includes the remaining southern portion of the state. 2. Nitrogen shall not be applied at an application rate greater than 0.7 lbs of readily available nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. at any one time based on the soluble fraction of formulated fertilizer. 3. Not more than 2 lbs. of total nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per application may be applied during the spring or summer; 4. Not more than 1 lb total nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per application may be applied during the fall or winter. 5. If a total controlled release product is applied, not more than 35 percent of the nitrogen in the controlled release fertilizer can be released within the first 7 days after application. 6. Nitrogen applications cannot exceed the annual nitrogen recommendations in the Annual Fertilization Guidelines for Established Turfgrass Lawns in Three Regions of Florida, set forth herein. (c) The following language shall appear conspicuously on bags of fertilizer sold at retail: “Apply only to actively growing turf. Do not apply near water, storm drains or drainage ditches. Do not apply if heavy rain is expected. Apply this product only to your lawn, and sweep any product that lands in the driveway, sidewalk, or street, back onto your lawn. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Agency to obtain specific information on local turf best management practices. Check with your county or city government to determine if there are local regulations for fertilizer use. (d) Rates shall be expressed in units of weight or volume per unit of area coverage (where application rates are given in volume, the label shall provide sufficient information to calculate the application rates by weight). (e) Rates shall be expressed per 1000 square feet. (f) Coverage area per container or bag shall be displayed prominently on the Front of the container or bag. (i.e. This product covers 5000 square feet, This bag feeds 4000 square feet). (3) Labeling requirements for sports turf. (a) Have directions for use not to exceed rates recommended in the document entitled University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences SL191 “Recommendations for N, P, K and Mg for Golf Course and Athletic Field Fertilization Based on Mehlich III Extractant,” Reviewed: 05/2022, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference into this rule. Copies may be obtained from the Soil and Water Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 or online at http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18833. (b) Have directions for use in accordance with the recommendations in “Best Management Practices for the Enhancement of Environmental Quality on Florida Golf Courses,” published by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, dated September 2021, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference into this rule. Copies may be obtained from Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Mail Station #3570, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 or online at http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18830. (4) Labeling requirements for fertilizers other than specialty fertilizers labeled for urban turf. Fertilizers other than specialty fertilizers labeled for urban turf shall have directions for use not to exceed rates recommended in the document entitled “Florida Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries,” published by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Revised 2021, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference into this rule. Copies may be obtained from Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Mail Station #3570, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 or online at http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18832. (5) Labeling requirements for fractional guarantees. (a) Fertilizer material is defined in subsection 5E-1.0012(11) F.A.C. (b) Grade is defined in subsection 5E-1.0012(12) F.A.C. (c) Labeling: 1. The grade for fertilizer materials may be guaranteed in fractional units for total nitrogen expressed as N, available phosphorous expressed as P2O5, and soluble potassium expressed as K2O. 2. Bone meal, manure, and similar materials may be guaranteed in fractional units. 3. Specialty fertilizer as defined in s. 576.011(40), F.S., may be guaranteed in fractional units of less than one percent of total nitrogen, available phosphate, and soluble potash or as set forth in Rule 5E-1.008, F.A.C. 4. When guaranteeing grade numerals in fractional units, they shall be expressed as decimal fractions not to exceed three places after the decimal point and those guaranteed at less than one percent shall have a zero preceding the decimal. (d) The grade may not be guaranteed in fractional units for a mixed fertilizer or a combination of more than one fertilizer material. (6) Slow or controlled release, stabilized nitrogen and enhanced efficiency fertilizers. (a) When one or more slow or controlled release, stabilized nitrogen or enhanced efficiency fertilizers are claimed or advertised, the guarantees for such nutrients shall be shown as a footnote following the listing of source materials and shall be expressed as percent of actual nutrient. (b) Listing of source materials providing slow or controlled release characteristics by controlling the water solubility of a naturally soluble material (as by coating or occlusion) shall constitute a claim of slow or controlled release nutrient, and a guarantee for such nutrient shall be required. (c) Listing of source materials in which availability of nitrogen is controlled through slow hydrolysis of water soluble organic nitrogen compounds shall constitute a claim of slow or controlled release nutrient and a guarantee for such nutrient shall be required. The reference for such availability shall be the enzymatic hydrolysis of urea. (d) No guarantee, claim or advertisement shall be made or required when a slow or controlled release, stabilized nitrogen or enhanced efficiency nutrient is less than 15 percent of the total guarantee for that nutrient. (7) Chlorine guarantee. (a) Chlorine shall be guaranteed as to maximum percentage content, when applicable, in agricultural fertilizer. “Specialty Fertilizer” defined in section 576.011(40), F.S., shall be exempt from chlorine guarantees. (b) Maximum chlorine shall be guaranteed in all brands which contain one percent (1%) or more, or in which potassium chloride or other materials bearing substantial amounts of chlorine are present. (c) The maximum chlorine shall be guaranteed in all brands intended for use on tobacco. (d) Maximum chlorine guarantees shall be reasonably accurate and not misleading, and consistent with source materials present. Two percent (2%) shall be the maximum permissible guarantee in fertilizers, except where potassium chloride, fish emulsion, or other high chlorine materials are present. (8) Declaration of Florida licensee number. (a) The Florida Licensee Number, shall appear and be clearly identified on all fertilizer labels with a capital “F” preceding the license number. (b) The number must be clear, legible and appear prominently and conspicuously on the label in proximity to the brand name or guaranteed analysis. The number must be placed in such a manner as to avoid any misinterpretation or confusion with percentages, pounds, or figures, statements, and in no way be misleading. (9) Registration or specialty fertilizer products. All specialty fertilizers to be sold within the state must be registered with the Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement prior to any sale. Each product will be registered by using either of the following methods: (a) Through the Department’s Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer Regulatory Website located online at http://lims.flaes.org/HomeNew.aspx. An illustration of the Web Based Licensing and Registration process dated October 30, 2014, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference in this rule and is available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04746, or (b) Submission of completed Application for Specialty Fertilizer Registration, FDACS-13220, (Rev. 11/14), online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04703 and Application for Registration of Specialty Fertilizer, FDACS-13203, (Rev. 07/14), online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04704 for each product, which are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and shall be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Building 8, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650. (10) Licensee. (a) Any person whose name is on a fertilizer label and who guarantees the fertilizer must obtain a license prior to distribution of that fertilizer to a non-licensee. (b) A license may be obtained using either of the following methods: 1. Through the Department’s Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer Regulatory Website located online at http://lims.flaes.org/HomeNew.aspx. An illustration of the Web Based Licensing and Registration process dated October 30, 2014, is adopted and incorporated by reference in paragraph (9)(a) of this rule, or 2. Submitting an Application for Fertilizer License, FDACS-13222, Rev. 11/14, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference and available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04705 and shall be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement Revenue Processing Section, 407 S. Calhoun Street, Room 121 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800.