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ISBN 978-0-626-29061-0
SANS 1268:2013
Edition 1

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Labelling practices for agricultural remedies

and fertilizers registered for home and home
garden sector

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
SABS
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Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS/TC 1028, Pesticides, in
accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the
WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in November 2013.

Reference is made in 3.7 and 3.8 to the "relevant national legislation". In South Africa this means
the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of
1947) and the Trade Marks Act, 1993 (Act No. 194 of 1993).

Reference is made in 3.16, 5.1(a) to (i), 5.1(m), 5.2(a) to (c), 5.3(a) to (f), 5.10.1(a), (c), (d), (e)
and (f), 5.11(a) to (e), 6.1.1(a) to (h), 6.1.1(l), 6.1.2, 6.6(a) to (f), 6.7.1(a) to (e), 6.8(a) to (f) to the
"relevant national legislation". In South Africa this means the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural
Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947).

Reference is made in notes 1 and 2 to 5.1(m) and clause 7 to the "relevant national regulating
authority". In South Africa this means the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Reference is made in 5.10.1(b) and 6.7.1(b) to the "relevant national regulation". In South Africa this
means Regulation 11(1)(a) of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock
Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947).
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Contents
Page

Foreword

1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Normative references ............................................................................................................. 3

3 Definitions .............................................................................................................................. 3

4 Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 5

5 Labelling for agricultural remedies ......................................................................................... 7

6 Labelling for fertilizers ............................................................................................................ 10

7 Labelling language ................................................................................................................. 13

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Labelling practices for agricultural remedies and fertilizers registered

for home and home garden sector

1 Scope
This standard covers labelling practices for agricultural remedies, not contained in aerosol
dispensers, and fertilizers registered for the home and the home garden sector.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national
and international standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.

SANS 10228, The identification and classification of dangerous goods for transport by road and rail
modes.

SANS 10229-1, Transport of dangerous goods Packaging and large packaging for road and rail
transport Part 1: Packaging.

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply.

3.1
blister pack
bubble pack
transparent, moulded piece of plastic, often sealed to a sheet of cardboard, used to package and
display agricultural remedies and fertilizers for the home and the home garden sector

3.2
condensed label
abridged version of the complete label to fulfil the purpose of a label in specified circumstances

NOTE The complete label requirements are applicable to bags that are large enough to accommodate the
complete label.

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3.3
display unit
container that is used to display a quantity of small product containers on the shelf where these are
offered for sale

NOTE The display unit itself is not sold with the product containers.

3.4
emergency telephone number
telephone number that is available 24 hours a day to consumers to use in case of human or animal
poisoning or any other incident that may occur with the product

3.5
hazard symbol
symbol that consists of a skull and crossbones or St Andrew's cross in a square shape set at a point

3.6
immediate container
container that contains the actual formulated agricultural remedy or fertilizer product

3.7
inserted/attached label
complete label that is printed on a loose leaf and that is included as part of the packaging of the
product in accordance with the relevant national legislation (see foreword)

NOTE This label is usually presented as a booklet or loose pamphlet format, firmly attached to or included in
the product container together with the main panel.

3.8
label
any written, printed or graphic representation (material) firmly attached to or included in a container
of an agricultural remedy or fertilizer that is approved in accordance with the relevant national
legislation (see foreword)

NOTE A label consists of the main panel and side panels.

3.9
outer container
container that contains an immediate container and various accessories and that is sold to the
consumer

3.10
precautionary pictogram
pictogram that recommends measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects
resulting from exposure to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous
product

3.11
product advisory telephone number
telephone number that is available to consumers for additional assistance regarding the use of the
product if required

3.12
sachet
envelope or bag (possibly moisture permeable) that is used as a container for agricultural remedies
or fertilizer (or both) for the home and the home garden sector

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3.13
signal word
word that is used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and that is related to a potential
hazard on the label

3.14
sim pack
combo pack
twin pack
pack on a container, for example a box, in which different product containers are packaged and
offered for sale as a unit, provided the products are compatible to be packaged together in
accordance with hazardous materials packaging standards

3.15
toxicity group
graphical composition that consists of a suitable colour band, a hazard symbol or signal words (or
any combination of these) and relevant storage, advice and warning pictograms that are intended to
convey specific information regarding the toxicity of the agricultural remedy or fertilizer

3.16
trademark
any identifiable mark that identifies a specific product, company, registration holder or distributor (or
any combination of these), and that is either the property of that company or registered in
accordance with the relevant legislation (see foreword) (or both)

3.17
transport packaging
outer container, for example a box, in which the fully packaged and labelled product is packed for
shipping/transport only and that is not offered for sale

4 Requirements
4.1 Emergency telephone number

4.1.1 The emergency telephone number(s) shall be indicated on the main panel of the immediate
container label.

4.1.2 The emergency telephone number(s) shall be indicated on the complete label, for example
the inserted/attached label, where such a label is required.

4.1.3 The emergency telephone number(s) shall be indicated just above the toxicity classification
colour band and below the registration holders or distributors particulars and shall be clear, visible,
and in a larger print size than other information.

NOTE Any of the recognized emergency telephone numbers or the applicable waste management
company/consultants number (or any combination of these) may be used.

4.1.4 The advisory number(s) shall be clearly differentiated from the emergency telephone
number(s) and shall not appear in the same position.

4.2 Label layout and design

4.2.1 More space and a larger print shall be allocated for key information. Space for items such as
toxicity group shall be taken into account.

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4.2.2 Legislative requirements shall not be contravened.

4.2.3 The information provided shall not be difficult to read.

4.3 Typing, font type and font size

4.3.1 The print size on printed labels shall be at least 2 mm and the font type shall be clearly
legible.

4.3.2 There shall be no removal of spaces between letters or a reduction of spaces between
words. Larger print size shall be used for important information such as safety precautions and
warning phrases.

4.3.3 The space between lines shall be at least 10 % of the type height.

4.3.4 Except for the product brand name and trademark, the selected font shall be clear and have
no decorations or oddities.

4.3.5 Italic font face shall not be used except for scientific names or the product brand name and
trademark.

4.3.6 Label statements such as "WARNINGS", "PRECAUTIONS", "NOTE TO PHYSICIAN", and

"DIRECTIONS FOR USE" shall be set in bold capital letters.

4.4 Toxicity group identification

4.4.1 Colour bands shall be at least 15 mm high. The Groups IA and IB colour band shall match
Pantone Red 199-C/Coates Red JW14, the Group II colour band shall match Pantone
Yellow C/Coates Yellow JN4, the Group III colour band shall match Pantone Blue 293-C/Coates
Blue JR29 and the Group IV colour band shall match Pantone Green 347-C/Coates Green JS29.

4.4.2 Hazard symbols (diamond shaped hazard symbols) and the purple square in the right-hand
top corner of the front panel of the label for herbicides shall be at least 10 mm 10 mm in size.

4.4.3 Precautionary pictograms in the colour band shall be at least 7 mm 7 mm in size.

4.4.4 There shall be at least two pictograms, the "Keep locked away and out of reach of children"
and the "Wash after use" shall be indicated in the colour band. There shall be additional pictograms
for Groups 1A and 1B agricultural remedies.

NOTE Where possible, as many as possible of the applicable pictograms should be added.

4.5 Trademark

4.5.1 In case of a label designed to identify the distributor on the label, the distributors full
particulars and company trademark may be the focus of the label design. In such a case, the
trademark of the registration holder does not have to appear on the label.

4.5.2 A statement "Registered/formulated by" followed by the registration holders name, address
and company registration number (if applicable) shall appear immediately above the toxicity group
colour band.

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4.6 Main panel design and restrictions

4.6.1 In cases where the complete label is designed and printed as a one sheet label or applied
around a container, the main panel shall be no more than 40 % of the total surface of the label.

4.6.2 In cases where the main panel is placed on an outer container (for example a bottle in a
box), at least one of the four panels of the carton shall be dedicated to the main panel information.

NOTE Two or more panels may be dedicated to the main panel information, and the other panels for
promotional purposes.

4.7 Bar codes

Bar codes should be indicated as appropriate and convenient.

5 Labelling for agricultural remedies

5.1 Main panel of the label
The main panel shall contain the following information in the order listed:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

b) if applicable, the registration holder or distributors trademark (or both) or the product
trademark placed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

c) the registration number followed by reference to the relevant national legislation (see
foreword), expressed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

d) in the case of a herbicide, a purple square in the top right-hand corner as required by the
relevant national legislation (see foreword);

e) the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is registered as required by the relevant
national legislation (see foreword);

f) the composition as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

g) the batch number and date of manufacture or expiry date, if applicable, as required by the
relevant national legislation (see foreword) and where applicable the expiry date pictogram (the
23:55 clock).

h) the net volume or mass as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

i) the name of the registration holder, company registration number, and address and contact
details as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

j) if applicable, the trademark of the distributor;

k) if applicable, the distributors company name, the registration number, and the address and
contact details;

l) the emergency telephone number, and also the product advisory telephone number;

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m) the applicable toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword).
This shall comprise the toxicity group identification (colour band, hazard symbol, signal words
and the "Wash after use ", "Keep locked away and out of reach of children" precautionary
pictograms and any other precautionary pictograms, if applicable); and

NOTE 1 Promotional pictures and design may be used, and if pictures of pests, plants, ornamentals, etc.
are used, the product should be registered for those pests, plants, ornamentals, etc., and consultation
with the relevant national regulating authority (see foreword) should always be considered.

NOTE 2 Attention should be drawn to the fact that the relevant national regulating authority (see
foreword) does not allow the use of pictures of children under the age of six for labelling and advertising.

n) the prominent wording "For full details/particulars see attached/included label" in the event that
the label is designed as a condensed label and a loose insert/pamphlet because of size
limitations (see 5.3 and 5.4).

5.2 Side panels of the label

Side panels shall contain the following information:

a) Warning statements (including a withholding period if applicable) and precautionary measures,

and, if applicable, symptoms of poisoning, first aid measures and a note to the physician as
required in the relevant national legislation (see foreword).

b) Directions for use, use restrictions, the waiting period for follow-up crops, compatibility
statements and mixing instructions as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword).

c) Any other relevant information regarding the product as approved in terms of the relevant
national legislation (see foreword).

5.3 Condensed label

A condensed label shall contain the following information:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

b) the registration number, followed by reference to the relevant national legislation (see
foreword), expressed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

c) the toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

d) the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is registered as required by the relevant
national legislation (see foreword);

e) the batch number and date of manufacture or expiry date, if applicable, as required by the
relevant national legislation (see foreword), and where applicable the expiry date pictogram
(the 23:55 clock); and

f) the name of the registration holder, company registration number, and address and contact
details as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword).

5.4 Inserted/attached label

The requirements of 5.1 and 5.2 shall apply.

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5.5 Immediate container label

5.5.1 The requirements for the complete label shall apply (see 5.1 and 5.2).

5.5.2 If the immediate container is too small to be labelled as in 5.5.1, the main panel label shall be
labelled in accordance with 5.3.

5.6 Outer container label

5.6.1 The requirements for the complete label shall apply (see 5.1. and 5.2).

NOTE In cases where packaging is for example a bottle-in-box, a bag-in-box, or a sachet-in-box, the box is
the outer container.

5.6.2 At least one panel of the four box panels shall be dedicated to the information in accordance
with the main panel. More panels may be dedicated to the main panel.

5.7 Sim pack

The main panel information (see 5.1) for each product applicable in the pack shall be placed on the
sim pack container. For each product packed in the sim pack, the complete label shall be included.

5.8 Blister pack

The following requirements apply:

a) the main panel (see 5.1) shall appear on the front of the blister pack;

b) the side panels shall appear on the back of the blister pack; and

c) if the main panel is partially obscured, the complete label shall appear on the back of the blister
pack.

5.9 Sachet

5.9.1 The requirements for the condensed label shall apply (see 5.3).

5.9.2 In cases where packaging is a water soluble sachet in a box/bag/container, the requirements
for 5.3(a) and (b) shall apply.

5.10 Transport packaging

5.10.1 The transport packaging label shall consist of the following:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

b) if applicable, the registration holder or distributors trademark (or both), or the product
trademark shall be placed as required by the relevant national regulation (see foreword);

c) the registration number, followed by reference to the relevant national legislation (see
foreword), expressed as required by the relevant legislation (see foreword);

d) the net volume or mass as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

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e) the applicable toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

f) if applicable, the trademark of the distributor; and

g) if applicable, bar codes.

Promotional pictures and design are allowed. If pictures of pests, plants, ornamentals, etc. are used
in the design, the product should be registered for those pests, plants, ornamentals, etc.

5.10.2 In addition to the requirements of 5.10.1, the transport packaging label shall contain the
appropriate hazard markings as required by SANS 10228 and SANS 10229-1.

5.11 Display unit

The display unit shall contain the following information:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

b) the toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

c) the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is registered as required by the relevant
national legislation (see foreword);

d) the net volume or mass as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

e) the name of the registration holder, company registration number, and address and contact
details as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

f) if applicable, the trademark of the distributor; and

g) if applicable, bar codes.

Promotional pictures and design may be used. If pictures of vegetables, plants, ornamentals, etc.
are used in the design, the product should be registered for those vegetables, plants, ornamentals,
etc.

6 Labelling for fertilizers

6.1 Label

6.1.1 Main panel of the label

The main panel shall contain the following information in the order listed:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

b) if applicable, the registration holder or distributors trademark (or both) or the product
trademark placed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

c) the registration number followed by reference to the relevant national legislation (see
foreword), expressed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

d) the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is registered as required by the relevant
national legislation (see foreword);

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e) the composition as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

f) the batch number and date of manufacture or expiry date, if applicable, as required by the
relevant national legislation (see foreword), and where applicable the expiry date pictogram
(the 23:55 clock);

g) the net volume or mass as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

h) the name of the registration holder, company registration number, and address and contact
details as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

i) if applicable, the trademark of the distributor;

j) if applicable, the distributors company name, registration number if applicable, and address
and contact details;

k) the emergency telephone number, as also the product advisory telephone number;

l) the applicable toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

m) the colour band, hazard symbol, signal word and the "wash your hands" and "lock up"
precautionary pictograms and any other precautionary pictograms, if applicable; and

NOTE Promotional pictures and design may be used, and if pictures of pests, plants, ornamentals, etc.
are used the product should be registered for those pests, plants, ornamentals, etc.

o) the prominent wording "For full details/particulars see attached/included label" in the event that
the label is designed as a main panel and a loose insert/pamphlet because of size limitations
(see 5.1).

6.1.2 Ancillary panels

Ancillary panels of the label shall consist of warning statements (including the withholding period if
applicable) and precautionary measures, and, if applicable, the symptoms of poisoning, first-aid
measures and a note to the physician as required in the relevant national legislation (see foreword).

6.2 Inserted/attached label

The requirements in 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 shall apply.

6.3 Immediate container label

The immediate container label shall comply with the requirements in 6.2.

6.4 Outer container label

6.4.1 The requirements for the complete label shall apply (see 6.1.1 and 6.1.2).

NOTE In cases where packaging is for example a bottle-in-box or bag-in-box, or sachet-in-box, the box is the
outer container.

6.4.2 At least one panel of the four box panels shall be dedicated to the information in accordance
with the main panel. More panels may be dedicated to the main panel.

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6.5 Blister pack

6.5.1 The main panel (see 6.1.1) shall appear on the front of the blister pack.

6.5.2 The side panels shall appear on the back of the blister pack.

6.5.3 If the main panel is partially obscured, the complete label shall appear on the back of the
blister pack.

6.6 Sachet
Sachets shall contain the following information:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

b) the registration number, followed by reference to the relevant national legislation (see
foreword), expressed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

c) the toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

d) the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is registered as required by the relevant
national legislation (see foreword);

e) the batch number and date of manufacture or expiry date, if applicable, as required by the
relevant national legislation (see foreword), and where applicable the expiry date pictogram
(the 23:55 clock); and

f) the name of the registration holder, company registration number, and address and contact
details as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword).

6.7 Transport packaging

6.7.1 The transport packaging label shall contain the following information:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant legislation (see foreword);

b) if applicable, the registration holder or distributors trademark (or both) or the product
trademark shall be placed as required by the relevant national regulation (see foreword);

c) the registration number, followed by reference to the relevant national legislation (see
foreword), expressed as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

d) the net volume or mass as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

e) the applicable toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

f) if applicable, the trademark of the distributor; and

g) if applicable, bar codes.

Promotional pictures and design are allowed. If pictures of pests, plants, ornamentals, etc. are used
in the design, the product shall be registered for those pests, plants, ornamentals, etc.

6.7.2 In addition to the requirements of 6.7.1, the transport packaging label shall contain the
appropriate hazard markings as required by SANS 10228 and SANS 10229-1.

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6.8 Display unit

The display units shall contain the following information:

a) the trade name of the product as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

c) the toxicity group as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

d) the type of formulation and the purpose for which it is registered as required by the relevant
national legislation (see foreword);

e) the net volume or mass as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

f) the name of the registration holder, company registration number, and address and contact
details as required by the relevant national legislation (see foreword);

g) if applicable, the trademark of the distributor; and

f) if applicable, bar codes.

Promotional pictures and design may be used. If pictures of vegetables, plants, ornamentals, etc.
are used in the design, the product shall be registered for those vegetables, plants, ornamentals,
etc.

7 Labelling language
The language used in the labelling of agricultural remedies, not contained in aerosol dispensers, and
fertilizers registered for the home and the home garden sector shall be as required by the relevant
national regulating authority (see foreword).

SABS

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SABS Standards Division

The objective of the SABS Standards Division is to develop, promote and maintain South African
National Standards. This objective is incorporated in the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008).

Amendments and Revisions

South African National Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of South African
National Standards should ensure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.

The SABS continuously strives to improve the quality of its products and services and would
therefore be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this standard would
inform the secretary of the technical committee responsible, the identity of which can be found in
the foreword.

The SABS offers an individual notification service, which ensures that subscribers automatically
receive notification regarding amendments and revisions to South African National Standards.
Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6883 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928 E-mail: sales@sabs.co.za

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Contact the Sales Office for South African and international standards, which are available in both
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South African National Standards are also available online from the SABS website
http://www.sabs.co.za

Information on Standards

The Standards Information Centre provides a wide range of standards-related information on both
national and international standards. The Centre also offers an individual updating service called
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The copyright in a South African National Standard or any other publication published by the SABS
Standards Division vests in the SABS or, in the case of a South African National Standard based on
an international standard, in the organization from which the SABS adopted the standard under
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system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the SABS
Standards Division. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the
standard, of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
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Details and advice can be obtained from the Manager Standards Sales and Information Services.
Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6883 Fax: +27 (0) 12 428 6928 E-mail: sales@sabs.co.za