1. (1) Exemptions. When the labeling does not claim to contain any plant nutrients or beneficial plant growth properties as defined in section 576.011(14), F.S., unmanipulated animal manure, vegetable manures, potting soils, peat or compost are excluded from the provisions of this rule chapter.
2. (2) Beneficial Substances come within the definition of fertilizer. A Beneficial Substance not presently defined in the “Official Publication 2025” published by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, cannot be distributed unless the information required in subsection 576.151(8), F.S., is provided to the Department. The information shall be provided to the Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Building 8, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650. “Official Publication 2025” published by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference. Copies may be obtained from AAPFCO, https://www.aapfco.org/store.html, and are also available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Florida Administrative Code and Register, R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250 and at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Agricultural Environmental Services, 3125 Connor Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650. Posting of the aforementioned materials on the internet for purposes of public examination would violate federal copyright law. The labeling requirements set forth in section 576.031, F.S., shall be applicable to all Beneficial Substances.

3. (3) In addition, Beneficial Substance labels, except for materials exempt by regulations, shall contain the following information and appear in a readable and conspicuous form:

   1. (a) Purpose Statement – Statement identifying the purpose of the product.
   2. (b) Directions for Use

   3. (c) A statement of composition showing the amount of each ingredient, which is the agent in a product primarily responsible for the intended effects using the following format:

      CONTAINS BENEFICIAL SUBSTANCE(S)

      Name of beneficial substance___% (or acceptable units)

      Genus and species of microorganism___viable CFU/cm3, /mL,/g, or other acceptable units

      Identify and list all beneficial substances. Substances shall include ingredient source, if applicable. Ex. “humic acid from leonardite or saponin from Yucca schidigera”.

      Note: If plant nutrients are guaranteed in the product, the heading would be revised to “ALSO CONTAINS BENEFICIAL SUBSTANCE(S)”.

   4. (d) In case of bulk shipments, this information in written or printed form shall accompany delivery and be supplied to the purchaser at time of delivery.

4. (4) For products that claim microorganisms, labels shall also include:

   1. (a) The expiration date for use, and
   2. (b) Storage conditions.

Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 576.181 FS. Law Implemented 576.011, 576.031, 576.181 FS. History–New 1-23-67, Amended 1-1-77, Formerly 5E-1.02, Amended 5-19-88, 8-3-93, 10-25-98, 12-30-15, 1-27-26.