Production

Product manufacturing is extensively regulated by law and is subject to regular audits by the authorities. In addition to the legal requirements, Fertilizers Europe has issued several best practice guidelines which the members are expected to follow. All relevant documents can be found under Links  and on the Fertilizers Europe website under Publications. 

  • Implement best practice safety management
  • Establish best practice production standards for pollution prevention and control, with reference to Fertilizers Europe best available techniques for the production of ammonia, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, urea, AN fertilizers, and NPK fertilizers and the EU BREF Docs.
  • Carry out and document SHE risk assessments for the manufacturing processes
  • Establish safety data sheets for the products and for input materials and chemicals, and inform employees and contractors of the hazards
  • Review the product risk in case of changes to manufacturing processes and input materials
  • Establish specifications for end products and corresponding specifications for raw materials, additives and coating materials, taking account of:

    • Requirements of the final product (nutrient content, efficiency demands, impurity levels, product quality requirements on dusting, caking, particle size, etc.)
    • Regulatory requirements of the products in the countries of destination and for transport purposes
    • Requirements for purity of input materials for agricultural food production and animal feedstuffs
    • Processing constraints (typically to avoid clogging and foaming)
    • SHE restrictions in handling of the materials, in processing and related to the final product
    • Process safety hazards in production and storage
    • Product properties to avoid potential misuse

  • Establish safety data sheets for the products and for input materials and chemicals, and inform employees, contractors and emergency personnel of the hazards, e.g. by means of workplace safety cards
  • Carry out tests on a regular basis during production to check conformity with established product quality criteria, including resistance-to-detonation test for AN based fertilizers with more than 28% AN and decomposition tests for AN-based NPK products
  • Ensure that products are sufficiently identified for traceability purposes
  • Review the product risk in case of changes to manufacturing processes and input materials
  • Establish emergency plans and inform company employees, contractors, off-site public and local authorities. Special attention should be given to the dissemination of information regarding the hazards and emergency actions in case of incidents involving ammonia, nitric acid, and fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate
  • Qualified persons should be nominated to respond to internal and external enquiries on product and process related emergencies
  • A procedure for reporting and investigating incidents which occur on a manufacturing site shall be in place
  • Training shall be given and documented for company employees and contractors, including training on:

    • Hazardous properties of materials and chemicals being handled
    • Process and occupational safety risks in manufacturing
    • Correct product handling
    • Handling of spillages and non-conforming materials
    • Emergencies

  • Participate in Fertilizers Europe performance benchmarking on safety, emissions and energy efficiency, and evaluate the need for improvements accordingly
  • Participate in Fertilizers Europe accident reporting scheme, including the Rapid Alert System to enable members to receive reliable information shortly after an incident.