Cotecna, Ensuring Fertilizer Quality, Safety and Compliance Across Global Markets

Quality fertilizer is essential to achieving sustainable crop yields, protecting soil health, and meeting international trade requirements. As a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, Cotecna provides end-to-end fertilizer services designed to help producers, traders, and regulators maintain integrity throughout the supply chain. 

Cotecna supports the entire fertilizer supply chain from input sourcing, processing, storage, and shipping. We leverage over 50 years of experience and the strength of our global network to deliver solutions that ensure that fertilizers meet contractual, regulatory, and safety standards.  

Cotecna fertilizer services cover products including: 

• Nitrogen (AS.AN,Urea Granulated/Prilled)
• Phosphate (DAP, MAP, TSP, SSP, rock phosphate)
• Potash (MOP, SOP, NOP)
• Compounds (NPK, NPS)
• Others (Sulphur, Kieserite, etc). 

Fertilizer Scope of Services Provided by Cotecna 

 As a member of the IFA (International Fertilizer Industry Association), Cotecna is committed to helping our clients trade securely and confidently worldwide. 

Our services are optimised to support each stage of the fertilizer supply chain as follows: 

• Cotecna Fertilizer Testing 

Cotecna offers state-of-the-art laboratory testing to verify the chemical composition, nutrient content, and safety of fertilizers. Our laboratories operate within a global network, including accredited facilities, equipped with advanced technologies to deliver accurate and reliable analytical results. Cotecna also offers testing services for organic fertilizers, reinforcing quality and authenticity globally. 

• Cotecna Fertilizer Inspections

Cotecna inspection services are supported by teams of experts available at key trade, production, and agricultural hubs across the world. Cotecna inspectors are trained to expertly handle various types of inspections including bulk shipments, warehouses, packaging, and loading offloading processes. At Cotecna, we ensure that fertilizers comply with buyer specifications and international standards. We also provide damage and investigative surveys and minimal weight loss for insurance. Our fertilizer inspections help stakeholders mitigate risk, enhance transparency, and ensure contractual compliance.  

• Cotecna Fertilizer Certification 

Cotecna offers various certification, verification and audit services that help fertilizer producers and traders meet quality and regulatory standards. Our expertise covers management system certifications, supply-chain compliance, sector-specific standards, and verification of conformity. Cotecna certifications enable our clients to confidently and efficiently access markets globally.

Verification of Conformity is essential for exporting fertilizer into regulated markets. Cotecna works with businesses to ensure that their fertilizer meets regulatory requirements for the destination market. Cotecna is a trusted VOC partner authorized to issue Certificates of Conformity for several countries. We provide pre-export verification, regulatory checks, and compliance audits for our clients, helping them meet importing country requirements. 

Essential Fertilizer Tests 

Fertilizer testing is essential to prevent substandard or unsafe products from harming or contaminating soil and water. Many regulators require fertilizers to meet certain standards and limits. Essential fertilizer test include: 

1. Nutrient Content Analysis  

• Nitrogen Analysis (nitrate, ammoniacal, urea forms) using recognized testing methods like AFPC, AOAC, and TFI protocols.
• Phosphorus Analysis using chemical extraction and spectroscopic techniques.
• Potassium Analysis to quantify soluble potash levels. 

2. Secondary Nutrient Analysis for Magnesium, Calcium, and Sulphur using ICP-AES, FAAS, OR MP-AES. 

3. Trace Element Analysis for micronutrients like Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, etc. 

4. Heavy Metal and Contaminant Testing 

Common fertilizer contaminants include Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Chromium, and Mercury. These are analysed using ICP or chromatographic methods. 

Regulators often require fertilizer testing for toxic substances like nitrous acid, thiocyanates, and sulfamic acid. 

5. Physical and Chemical Property Tests 

• Moisture content
• pH measurement
• Granulometry/Particle size analysis
• Solubility and water-soluble nutrient tests
• Organic fertilizer composition testing 

6. Internationally Recognised Compliance and Certification Tests 

Fertilizer testing methods validated by: 

• AFPC (Association of Fertilizers & Phosphate Chemists)
• AOAC International
• CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
• FAMIC (Japan) 

Global Standards with Local Expertise 

Cotecna has a global network of over 180 offices and laboratories in more than 50 countries. Our strong global network enables us to deliver seamless, international standard fertilizer services delivered by local experts. Key strategic locations offering fertilizer inspection and other verification services include Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Bulgaria, Latvia, United States of America, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. 

Zoom on Regions: Cotecna Global Fertilizer TIC Services

• Americas  

Cotecna delivers specialized inspection and testing services for fertilizers across Latin America, ensuring quality, quantity, and regulatory compliance throughout the supply chain—from production and storage to port operations. Working with both dry and liquid mineral fertilizers, including nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulphur, kieserite, and compound blends, Cotecna operates strategically in Brazil and Uruguay.  

In Brazil, we provide integrated vessel discharge solutions such as hold inspections, warehouse checks, sampling, analysis, and supervision. Our fully MAPA‑accredited Santos laboratory strengthens compliance capabilities, complemented by additional MAPA‑approved services like phosphine transit fumigation first accredited in Pará. 

Cotecna supports all key operational stages with loading and unloading supervision, weighing, sampling and testing, draft surveys, inventory control, environmental monitoring, and seal verification—reducing risk and increasing transparency. Our portfolio includes urea, ammonium sulphate, DAP, MAP, TSP, MOP, SOP, NPK, NPS, sulphur, and kieserite. Advanced laboratory analyses and ongoing R&D provide strong technical assurance for producers, traders, and distributors. 

• Asia  

Asia plays a central role in fertilizer trade, with major agricultural economies such as China, India, and across Southeast Asia driving consistent demand. With expanding presence across the region, Cotecna is positioned as a vital partner for the local fertilizer industry. 

Cotecna offers fertilizer services across China, India, and Malaysia, forming an integrated regional network that supports both domestic operations and international trade.    

Through our specialized laboratories in the region, Cotecna offers extensive testing services essential for exporters supplying Asian markets. With growing quality requirements, fertilizers require extensive testing for nutrient composition analysis (NPK, micronutrients, secondary nutrients), heavy metals, microbial contaminants, pesticide residue, organic fertilizer assessment, solubility, and more. 

Cotecna also ensures supply chain integrity through end-to-end services for both fertilizer imports and exports. 

• Europe  

As Europe tightens regulatory requirements for fertilizers, Cotecna has become a key partner for fertilizer producers, traders, and distributors seeking reliable testing, inspection, and certification services. Leveraging our strong European network including inspectors, laboratories, and more, Cotecna helps stakeholders meet EU standards and regulations for fertilizer products, specifically (EU) 2019/1009.  

This standard harmonizes fertilizer product standards across EU member states and mandates precise testing for product function categories (PFCs) and component material categories (CMCs). 

In Europe, Cotecna's fertilizer testing capabilities are reinforced by our subsidiary Fitosoil, one of Europe's most advanced fertilizer laboratories. Fitosoil offers an extensive portfolio of accredited analysis including nutrient profiling (NPK, micronutrients), amino acids, humic and fulvic acids, pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbial contaminants, chelates, and solubility studies. With a wide ISO/IEC 177025 accredited scope, Fitosoil is well positioned as a reference laboratory for ensuring fertilizer compliance to EU quality and safety parameters. 

In addition, Cotecna performs end-to-end inspections at major European ports and production facilities. Cotecna fertilizer inspections include sampling, loading/unloading supervision, quantity/quality verification, labelling checks, and contamination prevention. Across Europe, Cotecna also supports the growing demand for organic fertilizer through meticulous testing, inspections, and certification options. Cotecna subsidiary, Suolo e Salute, is a leading certification body for organic farming inputs including fertilizer. 

• Middle East

The Middle East is quickly expanding as a global hub, which in turn is driving the growing need for local food production. Farmers in the region rely heavily on fertilizer to boost crop yield and meet rising food requirements. As a result, Middle Eastern governments are heavily investing in agriculture to reduce dependence on food imports.  

To ensure sustainable agriculture and safeguard soil and water quality, many Middle Eastern governments regulate the quality of fertilizers produced locally or imported into their countries. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Iran are major global producers of nitrogen fertilizers.  

The GCC standard harmonization under the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) has strengthened unified compliance frameworks in the region. As such, fertilizer producers and exports to the region must secure appropriate Certificates of Conformity, inspection reports, and necessary approvals for successful market access.  

Cotecna Middle East has various offices and laboratories in the region offering inspections, sampling, testing, and certification services across the region. 

Discover Cotecna Subsidiary Laboratories Offering Fertilizer Testing 

To effectively support the fertilizer industry, Cotecna has best-in-class subsidiary laboratories located in different countries and trade hubs.

• Fitosoil
• Geo-Chem
• Baier Testing
• Shiva Analyticals

Why Choose Cotecna as your trusted TIC partner for Fertilizers 

Cotecna provides a truly full scope TIC solution for the fertilizer industry. With our global network, experienced inspection teams, comprehensive certification, modern laboratories, and VOC capabilities, we create unbeatable synergy for our clients. We have the expertise and agility to tailor our services to meet our client needs, allowing them to make informed business decisions and act with confidence.  

For more information about Cotecna’s Fertilizer Services, download our free infosheet, or contact us.   

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.