In Arizona most biostimulants with label claims related to plant nutrition (via nutrients or microbial activity), plant growth or soil improvement are regulated under the state fertiliser and soil amendment laws with their specific provisions.

Such products must be licensed and registered with the [Arizona Department of Agriculture] (AZDA).

If your label claims are however about controlling pests or regulating plant growth in terms of being a defoliant or desiccant, then the product will most likely be falling under the FIFRA pesticide regulation at state and federal level.

In terms of definitions,

**“Commercial Fertilizer”** (Definition (A.R.S. §3-262)) means any fertilizer material, mixed fertilizer, specialty fertilizer, or manipulated manure sold or offered for sale for agricultural or horticultural use, except unmanipulated animal or vegetable manures. So “commercial fertilizer” is the broad umbrella term covering all fertilizers sold for plant growth purposes in Arizona. It includes: Bulk agricultural fertilizers, bagged fertilizers, fertilizer materials (e.g., urea, ammonium sulfate) and manipulated manures and specialty fertilizers. All these products require registration and labelling under the AZDA fertiliser law.

**“Fertiliser materials**”, under the [Arizona Revised Statutes Title 3. Agriculture § 3-262. Definitions]: “any substance or mixture of substances intended to be used for promoting or stimulating the growth of plants, increasing the productiveness of plants, improving the quality of crops or producing any chemical or physical change in the soil.”

**“Specialty Fertilizer”** (Definition (A.R.S. §3-262)) means any fertilizer distributed primarily for non-farm use, such as use on lawns, gardens, golf courses, parks, cemeteries, greenhouses, and nurseries, or for research or experimental purposes other than for agricultural production. It means that specialty fertilizers are a sub-category of commercial fertilizer that are not intended for field-crop agriculture. Typical examples include:

- Home-and-garden biostimulant or micronutrient products,

- Turf and ornamental fertilizers,

- Greenhouse / nursery blends,

- Hydroponic nutrient solutions,

- Soil/foliar biostimulants marketed to landscapers, garden centers, etc.

So, in case you want to place your biostimulant product on the market in Arizona, make sure it falls under the applicable fertiliser laws and make sure that it is compliant with it. As regards to the label, there is guidance available and make sure you stick to it, to avoid label claims that will position your product under the pesticide law.

Second, obtain a Commercial Fertilizer License for your company and [register the product with AZDA]. You will need to supply label copy, guaranteed analysis or ingredient statement, manufacturer/distributor name and address, net weight, and pay the applicable fees. See AZDA’s fertilizer registration guidance and the fertilizer packet for the exact forms/fee schedule. AZDA inspects and samples products.

Be ready to supply Certificates of Analysis, ingredient breakdowns, and possibly lab test results (AZDA may sample and test). Keep manufacturing records and MSDS/SDS available.

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The sciBASICS Team.