STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT LATEST DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMMENTS: 2015-08-07 Our ref: AG 001 Draft Number: AG 001 D 870/2 Date: 2015-06-05 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: AG 001: FERTILIZERS AND SOIL STABILIZERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DRAFT SAZ STANDARD FOR FERTILIZERS POTASSIUM NITRATE (NITRATE OF POTASH This draft is now available for public comment. Your views and technical comments on it would be appreciated. If you have no specific comments to make but find it generally acceptable it would be helpful if you would notify us accordingly. Suggestions entailing revisions of the text should indicate the preferred wording using the attached template. The relevant clause number should be quoted against any comment. All comments should be sent to the Committee Secretary Mr P Chindara at the address shown below. Standards Association of Zimbabwe P O Box 2259 Harare E-mail: pchindara@saz.org.zw Website: www.saz.org.zw THIS IS A DRAFT AND MUST NOT BE REGARDED OR USED AS A ZIMBABWE STANDARD.
CONTENTS Page PREFACE... 2 1. SCOPE... 4 2. DEFINITIONS... 4 3. REQUIREMENTS... 4 4. SAMPLING... 5 5. PACKING... 5 6. LABELLING AND MARKING... 5 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS... 6 8. COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD... 6 W.10276 1
PREFACE This Zimbabwe Standard Specification ZWS 870:2015: Fertilizers Potassium nitrate (nitrate of potash). This standard was revised by Technical Committee AG001: Fertilizers and soil stabilizers, under the general direction of the Food and Agriculture Standards Council. First published, 2003 as ZWS 870, First revision, 2015 as ZWS 870. This standard supercedes ZWS 870: 2003 which is now withdrawn. This standard makes reference to the following publications: AOAC 920.01 : Nitrates in fertilizers. ISO 5314 : Fertilizers Determination of ammonical nitrogen content Titrimetric method after distillation (Reference Method). ISO 5318 : Fertilizers Determination of potassium content Potassium tetraphenyl borate gravimetric method (Reference Method). ISO 7497 : Fertilizers Extraction of phosphates soluble in mineral acids. ISO 8157 : Fertilizers and soil conditioners Vocabulary. ISO 8189 : Solid fertilizers Determination of moisture content Gravimetric method under reduced pressure. ISO 8190 : Solid fertilizers Determination of moisture content Gravimetric method by drying at (105 + 2) o C. ISO 8358 : Solid fertilizers Preparation of samples for chemical and physical analysis. ISO 8397 : Fertilizers and soil conditioners Test sieving. ISO 8633 : Solid fertilizers Simple sampling method for small lots. ISO 8634 : Solid fertilizers Sampling plan for evaluation of large delivery. ZWS 294 : Woven polypropylene fertilizer bags. W.10276 2
The following interests were represented on the Technical Committee entrusted with the revision of this standard: Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development, Department of Research and Specialist Services... Mr S Kodani (Chairman) Omnia Fertilizer... Grow Agriculture... Commercial Farmers Union... Min. of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development, Department of Research and Specialist Services... Sable Chemical Industries Ltd... Standards Association of Zimbabwe... Windmill (Pvt) Ltd... Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company Ltd... Fertilizers, Seeds and Grains... Ms S Moyo Mr A Kondonis Mr A Guthrie Mr S Muzvarimwa Mr H Mashinge Mr F P Mungwari Mr S Kunaka Mr L T Gono Mr J Chivasa Mr J Nyagweta Mr D Sithole Mr F Mufunda Mr N Kandeya Standards Association of Zimbabwe... Mr P A Chindara (Committee Secretary) W.10276 3
ZIMBABWE STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR FERTILIZERS POTASSIUM NITRATE (NITRATE OF POTASH) (First Revision of ZWS 870: 2003) 1. SCOPE This Zimbabwe Standard specifies the requirements for potassium nitrate (nitrate of potash) intended for use as a fertilizer. NOTE. The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed in the Preface. 2. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this standard the definitions given in ISO 8157 shall apply: 3. REQUIREMENTS 3.1 General. Potassium nitrate fertilizer shall be in crystalline form or free-flowing and non-caking granules and shall be free from visible impurities. 3.2 Particle Size. The particle size (sieve analysis) of potassium sulfate fertilizer, when determined in accordance with ISO 8397, shall be such that i) Granules. A minimum of 90 % (m/m) shall pass through a 3,35 mm sieve and be retained on a 1,00 mm sieve. ii) Crystals. Not less than 65% of material shall pass through a 1,7 mm sieve and be retained on a 0,25 mm sieve. 3.3 Chemical Requirements. Potassium nitrate fertilizer shall comply with the chemical requirements given in the table below when determined in accordance with the methods of test specified. W.10276 4
TABLE CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POTASSIUM NITRATE FERTILIZERS Characteristics Requirements, % Method of test Total nitrogen content (as N), % (m/m), min 13 ISO 5314 AOAC 920.01 Water soluble potassium content 46 ISO 7497/5318 (as K 2 O), % (m/m), min Moisture content, % (m/m), max 0,3 ISO 8189/8190 4. SAMPLING Sampling shall be carried out in accordance with ISO 8633 and laboratory samples shall be prepared prior to testing in accordance with ISO 8358. NOTE. For delivery larger than the quantity limit prescribed in ISO 8633, the delivery shall be divided in separate consignments each containing a quantity not exceeding the prescribed limit and considered as a separate lot. However, where practicable, the application of ISO 8634 is recommended. 5. PACKING 5.1 Individual Container 5.1.1 Potassium nitrate fertilizer shall be packed in clean, sound and moisture proof containers (packages). Suitable packaging material includes the following: a) plain polyethylene bags b) woven high density polypropylene bags with an internal liner bag of polyethylene film c) woven high density polypropylene bags with an extend bag coating of polyethylene. 5.1.2 The net mass of the fertilizer in a container shall be within the tolerance limit of + 1 % of the nominal net mass. 5.2 Bulk Container. The fertilizer may also be supplied in bulk, in such a case the bulk container shall be clean, dry and capable of protecting the product from adventitious contamination and moisture absorption. A plastic dunnage shall be used to cover the fertilizer. W.10276 5
5.3 Information on International Safety Codes shall also be packed together with the fertilizer in such a way that it can easily be noticed by consumers. 6. LABELLING AND MARKING 6.1 Individual Container. Each container of potassium nitrate fertilizer shall be labelled indelibly with the following particulars: a) name of fertilizer; b) the nominal total nitrogen and water soluble potassium content as K 2 O (see Table); c) the nominal net mass of the fertilizer; d) the month and year of manufacture; e) name and address of the manufacturer or supplier; f) information on safety and storage requirements; and g) any other marking requirements laid down by the purchaser/country of destination. 6.2 Bulk Container. Where the fertilizer is supplied in bulk, the labelling information shall accompany the delivery notice. 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS The manufacturer shall make available handling and storage requirements of the fertilizer. 8. COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD A lot of potassium nitrate fertilizer shall be deemed to comply with this standard if upon inspection and testing the provisions of Clauses 3, 5, 6 and 7 are satisfied. W.10276 6