June 2026

While plant biostimulants are not clearly defined or mentioned in Congolese legislation, three legislative instruments adopted between 2022 and 2023 define the current market access framework for plant biostimulants and fertilisers in the Republic of Congo. Operators must navigate three parallel approval tracks before any product may be commercially distributed.

THE THREE MANDATORY APPROVAL TRACKS:

Track 1 — Agricultural homologation (Ministry of Agriculture)
Legal basis: Loi portant réglementation du secteur agricole, Art. 63–66 & 74. A national homologation and quality control system for agricultural inputs is mandated by decree. Import/export requires a prior declaration to the competent agricultural services specifying the nature, type, quantities, and purpose of the product.

Track 2 — Industrial product approval (Ministry of Industry)
Legal basis: Décret n° 2022-259 du 18 mai 2022, Art. 3–13. A certificat d'agrément from the Minister of Industry is required for all manufactured products placed on the Congolese market. The dossier must include an application, an internal test or analysis report, and a technical data sheet. All analysis costs are borne by the applicant. The certificate is valid for 2 years and renewable. Pre-shipment conformity evaluation also applies to imported goods, though market surveillance continues after arrival.

Track 3 — Environmental authorisation (Ministry of Environment + CEMAC)
Legal basis: Loi n° 33-2023 du 17 novembre 2023, Art. 42 & 85. Prior authorisation is required for the production, import, distribution, and use of fertilisers and similar products. Critically, only products approved by CEMAC and homologated by the national pesticide management committee may be imported into Congo.

SANCTIONS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

Importing or selling agricultural inputs without authorisation carries 3–12 months imprisonment and fines of 1–5 million FCFA (Loi agricole, Art. 196). Placing pesticides or fertilisers on the market without authorisation carries 3–12 months imprisonment and fines of 5–10 million FCFA (Loi 33-2023, Art. 132). Products found without an industrial agrément during market controls are immediately withdrawn from sale (Décret 2022-259, Art. 13). Import, sale, or distribution of chemical substances without national homologation is prohibited outright (Loi 33-2023, Art. 85).

So, none of the three instruments defines "biostimulant" as a distinct regulatory category, which makes their handling and placing on the market not quite straightforward. Depending on composition and mode of action, a biostimulant may be treated as a fertiliser, a plant protection product, or a chemical substance, each triggering different dossier requirements. Pre-submission consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture is strongly recommended to establish the applicable classification before compiling any dossier

Note: Implementing decrees referenced in the agricultural law have not yet been published — operators should monitor the Journal Officiel for updates. This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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