Conditions for authorization, registration, importation, labelling and marketing

Editorial note: Regulatory requirements can change. Confirm the current official texts and ONSSA instructions before filing or making a compliance decision.

Registration conditions: the market authorization (AMM)

All fertilizers, adjuvants, and growing media must obtain an AMM before they can be imported, held for sale, distributed, or used.

Applicant eligibility

According to Article 7, the application may only be filed by a person (natural or legal) who already holds an establishment license for manufacturing or importing these products.

Composition of the dossier

The dossier must contain two main parts (Article 8):

• Administrative part: identity of the applicant, proof of establishment approval, and official application.
• Scientific and technical part: Product identity: trade name, integral and detailed formula, and complete certificate of analysis; Physico-chemical data: storage properties, density, pH, solubility, and analytical methods; Safety data: toxicological and ecotoxicological studies; Agronomic efficacy: summary of trials conducted by approved bodies. Doit etre general

Duration of validity and re-evaluation

Marketing authorization (AMM) is granted for a maximum duration of ten years and may be renewed for the same period if the product continues to meet the requirements (Article 13).

However, ONSSA may reevaluate a product at any time if new scientific knowledge suggests that it no longer meets the safety or efficacy conditions (Article 11).

Import conditions and requirements

The importation of any component intended for the production of fertilizers or growing media is strictly subject to the issuance of an import authorization by the competent authority.

Applicant eligibility

Only a person (natural or legal) who already holds an approval for the manufacture of MFSC (Article 23) may submit an import authorization application. This authorization is nominative, non-assignable and non-transferable.

Composition of the dossier

According to Article 23, the application must be accompanied by a technical dossier that allows ONSSA to evaluate the product's safety.

Administrative part includes the full identification of the holder and a copy of the currently valid manufacturing approval, as well as the component's origin and precise destination.

Scientific and technical part: Technical and analytical data demonstrating that the imported component poses no risk to human or animal health or the environment.

Duration of validity, renewal, and withdrawal

Duration of Validity: The import authorization is issued for a maximum period of five years.

Renewal: Upon request by the holder, it may be renewed for the same period, provided that the initial safety and conformity requirements continue to be met.

Withdrawal of the Authorization: ONSSA may withdraw the authorization if the holder provided false information, the manufacturing approval has expired, or the component is used for unauthorized products. In the event of withdrawal, the operator has one year to export the stock or transfer it to another approved manufacturer.

Note on physical control: Once authorization is obtained, the Control and Quality Directorate (DCQ) of ONSSA conducts documentary, identity, and physical controls on every batch arriving at the border to verify final compliance.

Labelling and packaging conditions (articles 19 to 22)

Only fertilizers, adjuvants, and growing media that are packaged and labeled according to legal requirements may be imported, held for sale, or used within the country.

Packaging requirements

Packaging must meet strict safety and preservation standards (article 20):

• Technical safety: they must be leakproof and resistant to shocks and weather conditions to prevent product loss.
• Preservation: They must maintain the stability of the product and prevent any alteration to its agronomic quality.
• Risk prevention: Their design must avoid any confusion with products intended for human or animal consumption.
• Regulatory description: applicants for marketing authorization (AMM) must describe the nature and resistance of the packaging they intend to use in their technical dossier.

Labelling requirements

ONSSA must validate the label, which must be attached to the packaging (or a separate notice must be used if space is insufficient).

Mandatory mentions in Morocco (Procedure Code CP 08):

• Trade name of the product.
• Identity of the operator: The name and address of the specialty importer and supplier.
• Technical composition: The nature and exact contents of the components.
• Safety information: precautions to be taken, contraindications, and antidotes, if applicable.
• Traceability information: net quantity, production date, and batch number.

Expression of contents (Vizirial Order of November 4, 1942):

• For fertilizers, the contents must be expressed exclusively in terms of the weight of elemental nitrogen (Az), anhydrous phosphoric acid (P₂O₅), and anhydrous potash (K₂O) contained in 100 kilograms of goods. The words "nitrogen," "phosphoric acid," and "potash" must be written in full.
• For amendments, the expression is in terms of the weight of lime (CaO), magnesia (MgO), and humus.

Prohibitions and waste management

• Interdiction claim prohibition: any mention of plant protection products properties on a fertilizer label is strictly prohibited and constitutes major noncompliance.
• Reuse prohibition: it is strictly forbidden to reuse MFSC packaging to store other substances, particularly food products.
• Waste status: all used MFSC packaging is considered waste and must be disposed of by the holder at their own expense and risk in accordance with current environmental regulations.
• Sanctions: offering products for sale with non-compliant packaging or labelling may result in a prison sentence of one to six months and a fine ranging from 10,000 to 150,000 dirhams.