Alabama, famous for its cotton farming, Orange Beach and its Southern hospitality and a very welcome slower pace of life does not regulate plant biostimulants under a dedicated law - rather, they are generally classified under the broader category of fertilizers, soil conditioners, or soil amendments.

Their regulation falls under state-level administration via the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), using existing fertilizer statutes.

The Alabama Fertilizer Law of 1969 is the reference legislation.

It is about regulates the sale, labeling, licensing, inspection, and quality standards for commercial fertilizers and soil amendments in Alabama, including penalties for deficiencies, misbranding, or adulteration, and outlines enforcement and administrative procedures.

Soil conditioners or soil amendements are defined as follows: "Any material or mixture of materials used for promoting or stimulating the growth of plants, grasses or crops increasing their productivity or producing any chemical or physical change in the soil."

The Alabama Fertilizer Law authorizes the State Board of Agriculture and Industries (SDAI) to establish standards of classification for commercial fertilizers, under which biostimulants are also regulated. These standards are set after a public hearing and consultation with relevant agricultural authorities.

Section 2-22-5 of that law explains that "before any person sells or offers for sale any commercial fertilizer in this state for use herein or before any person sells such fertilizer for importation into this state for use herein where such person is required to comply with the labeling requirements of Section 2-22-7, such person shall apply for and obtain from the commissioner a license authorizing the sale of commercial fertilizer." (...) Such licence expires on every September 30 and must be renewed, through the payment of a fee.

The amount of the licence fee depends on the tonnage sold and ranges between $ 25.00 for less than a ton up to $ 750.OO for 100,000 tons or more. Product labels must be done in accordance with the provisions of that law.

Keep in mind that you must pay an inspection fee for all commercial fertilizer sold or imported into Alabama, file monthly tonnage reports, and maintain accurate sales records for audit purposes and your fertiliser product (which comprises biostimulants) must comply with the minimum analysis ratios, grades, and standards established by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.

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The sciBASICS Team.