| name | agricultural-compliance |
| description | Use when selling fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, plant protection products, biostimulants, organic farming inputs, or agricultural commodities - covers EU CAP, Reg 2019/1009 fertilizers, Reg 1107/2009 pesticides, Reg 2018/848 organic, USDA NOP, JAS, GMO labeling, MRLs, ISPM 15 phytosanitary |
Agricultural Compliance
Full regulatory workflow for fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, plant protection products, biostimulants, organic certification. EU CAP, MRLs, GMO rules, phytosanitary trade.
Decision Flow
digraph {
rankdir=TB; node [shape=box style=rounded fontsize=10];
classify [label="1. Classify input:\nfertilizer / biostimulant /\nPPP / seed / GMO"];
authorize [label="2. Authorization:\nEU 1009 / 1107 / 1107 zonal / EPA / PMRA"];
organic [label="3. Organic certification\n(EU 848 / NOP / JAS)"];
gmo [label="4. GMO labeling check"];
mrl [label="5. MRLs verification\n(EU Reg 396/2005)"];
phyto [label="6. Phytosanitary cert\n+ ISPM 15 packaging"];
label [label="7. Label per country\n(CLP, EPA, language)"];
sell [label="8. Place on market"];
classify -> authorize -> organic -> gmo -> mrl -> phyto -> label -> sell;
}
EU -- Fertilizers Reg 2019/1009
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|
| Legal basis | Reg (EU) 2019/1009 -- in force 16 July 2022. Replaced Reg 2003/2003. CE mark for EU-wide circulation; national rules also still valid (dual system) |
| PFC (Product Function Categories) | 7 categories: organic fertilizer, organo-mineral, inorganic macronutrient/micronutrient, inorganic, liming material, soil improver, growing medium, inhibitor, plant biostimulant, fertilizing product blend |
| CMC (Component Material Categories) | 11 CMCs defining permitted input materials -- virgin material substances + mixtures, plants/plant parts/extracts, compost, digestate, animal by-products, recovered phosphate salts, etc. |
| Cadmium limit | Phosphorus fertilizers: 60 mg Cd/kg P2O5 (lowered from earlier proposal of 20 mg/kg) |
| Contaminant limits | Cd, Cr(VI), Hg, Ni, Pb, As, biuret, perchlorate, pathogens limits per PFC |
| CE marking pathway | Module A (self-declaration) for low-risk PFCs. Modules B+C (notified body) for organic + biostimulants |
| Cost | Self-declaration: EUR 5,000-20,000 dossier prep. NB module: EUR 15,000-60,000 |
EU -- Plant Protection Products (Pesticides) Reg 1107/2009
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|
| Legal basis | Reg (EC) 1107/2009 -- placing of PPPs on market |
| Two-step approval | (1) Active substance approval at EU level (EFSA peer review + Commission decision). (2) Product authorization at MS level |
| Zonal authorization | 3 zones: North (8 MS), Centre (12 MS), South (7 MS). Authorization in one MS = mutual recognition possible in zone |
| Endocrine disruptors | Cut-off criteria since 2018: ED actives banned unless derogation |
| SUD (Sustainable Use Directive) | Dir 2009/128/EC -- integrated pest management mandatory. SUR proposal (Sustainable Use Reg) withdrawn 2024, status uncertain |
| Glyphosate | Re-approved Nov 2023 for 10 years (until Dec 2033). Member States can still restrict |
| Cost | Active substance approval: EUR 1-5M + 5-10 years. Product authorization: EUR 100,000-500,000 + 2-3 years |
EU MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits)
| Tool | Detail |
|---|
| Reg 396/2005 | Sets MRLs for pesticides in food + feed. Database at ec.europa.eu/food/plant/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database |
| Default MRL | 0.01 mg/kg if no specific limit set |
| EFSA review | Continuous EFSA opinions trigger MRL updates ~ every 3 months |
| 3rd country exports | Imports must meet EU MRLs. Border rejections in RASFF system |
US -- EPA Pesticides + USDA Inputs
EPA Pesticide Registration
| Pathway | Detail |
|---|
| Legal basis | Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 7 USC 136 |
| Section 3 | Full federal registration. Requires data: tox, ecotox, environmental fate, residue, efficacy |
| Section 18 | Emergency exemption for specific use |
| Section 24(c) | Special Local Need (state-level additional use) |
| Section 25(b) | Minimum Risk Pesticides -- exempt from registration if active is on EPA 25(b) list (essential oils, etc.) + inert ingredients also on FIFRA exempt list |
| Timeline | New active ingredient: 4-7 years. New use of existing active: 2-3 years |
| Cost | New active: USD 5-15M data + USD 500,000+ EPA fees. New use: USD 500,000-2M |
USDA NOP (National Organic Program)
| Item | Rule |
|---|
| Legal basis | Organic Foods Production Act 1990 + 7 CFR Part 205 |
| Allowed substances | National List (7 CFR 205.601-205.606). Synthetic substances must be on the National List to be used |
| Certification | Third-party USDA-accredited certifier (e.g., CCOF, Oregon Tilth, QAI) |
| Labels | "100% Organic", "Organic" (95%+), "Made with Organic" (70%+), "Specific Organic Ingredients" (<70%) |
| Equivalence | EU-US Organic Equivalence Arrangement -- bidirectional recognition (with exceptions: apples/pears require non-antibiotic Streptomycin) |
EU -- Organic Reg 2018/848
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|
| Legal basis | Reg (EU) 2018/848 -- in force 1 Jan 2022. Replaced Reg 834/2007 |
| Scope expanded | Now includes salt, cork, rabbits, deer, certain micro-algae |
| Certification | Annual on-site control + unannounced checks. Certifier accredited by national authority |
| Group certification | New under 2018/848 -- smallholder groups |
| Import | Equivalent country list (US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, etc.) OR control body recognition. Otherwise individual certification |
| EU organic logo | Mandatory for pre-packed organic food >95% organic ingredients. Code of control body + origin (EU/non-EU agriculture) |
| Greenhouse soil | Hydroponics NOT allowed in EU organic (unlike US NOP) |
| Cost | Certifier fees: EUR 500-5,000/year depending on size |
Japan -- JAS Organic
| Item | Rule |
|---|
| Legal basis | Japanese Agricultural Standards Law + JAS Organic Standard |
| Logo | JAS Organic mark mandatory on labelled organic products in Japan |
| Certification | Japan registered certifier OR accredited foreign certifier (RCO) |
| Equivalence | EU-Japan equivalence (for crops + processed plant products). US-Japan partial equivalence |
| Scope | Crops, processed crops, livestock (2020+), aquaculture (2022+) |
Seeds -- EU Reg 2016/1842
| Tool | Detail |
|---|
| EU seed legislation | 12 directives + 4 regulations. Major: 66/401/EEC (fodder), 66/402/EEC (cereal), 2002/53/EC (variety catalogue), Reg 2016/1842 (organic seed) |
| EU Common Catalogue | Varieties registered in any MS automatically marketable across EU |
| Plant variety rights | UPOV Convention 1991. CPVO (EU) issues 30-year (35 for trees/vines) Community Plant Variety Rights |
| GM-free seed marketing | Reg 1829/2003 + 1830/2003 -- traceability + labeling. Adventitious presence: 0.9% threshold for labelling |
| Organic seed | Under Reg 2018/848 -- "in conversion" + "organic" seeds + non-organic derogation register |
| Patents | Plants per se not patentable in EU (EPC Art 53(b)). But traits can be patented if not "essentially biological process". Disputed area |
GMO Labeling
| Market | Rule |
|---|
| EU | Reg 1829/2003 (food/feed) + 1830/2003 (traceability/labeling). Mandatory if GMO or product from GMO >0.9% adventitious. "Contains GMOs" or "Produced from genetically modified [name]" |
| US | Bioengineered (BE) Food Disclosure Standard 2018 (USDA AMS). Labels "Bioengineered Food" or QR/digital link. Threshold 5% inadvertent presence |
| Japan | 33 designated foods + 9 GM crops. Labeling threshold 5% |
| Brazil | "T" symbol mandatory for foods >1% GM |
| CRISPR / gene editing | EU: 2018 ECJ ruling = under GMO law. NGT regulation proposed 2023 (Cat 1 vs Cat 2) -- in trilogue 2025-2026. US: USDA SECURE rule exempts some gene-edited crops if equivalent to conventional breeding |
Phytosanitary -- ISPM 15 + IPPC
| Tool | Detail |
|---|
| IPPC | International Plant Protection Convention (FAO). 184 parties |
| ISPM 15 | International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. Wood packaging material (pallets, crates) must be: (1) Heat treated (56C/30min) OR fumigated (methyl bromide -- being phased out). Marked with HT/MB stamp + IPPC logo + country code + producer ID |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Issued by exporting country NPPO. Required for: live plants, plant parts, seeds, soil, grains, fruits, vegetables, wood. Format: ISPM 12 model |
| EU plant passport | Reg 2016/2031 (Plant Health Reg). Plant passport for certain plants/products inside EU. Replaces previous "marketing passport" with broader scope |
| EU PHYTO database | TRACES NT system for phytosanitary imports |
Quarantine Pest Lists
- EU: Reg 2019/2072 lists 320+ EU quarantine pests + RNQPs (Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests)
- US: APHIS PPQ pest databases
- Australia: BICON import conditions database
Biostimulants (New Category under EU 2019/1009)
Plant biostimulants stimulate nutrition processes independently of nutrient content. Categories:
- Humic + fulvic acids
- Protein hydrolysates + amino acids
- Seaweed extracts + botanicals
- Microbial inoculants (mycorrhizal fungi, PGPR bacteria)
These were formerly regulated by some MS as PPPs (Italy), fertilizers (Spain), or nothing (UK). Now harmonized under EU 2019/1009 PFC 6.
Common Compliance Traps
- CE marking optional, national mandatory: EU 2019/1009 CE marking optional. Selling without CE mark still requires national fertilizer approval per MS.
- Glyphosate in formulations: Glyphosate re-approved at EU level but France, Germany, Austria restrict use. Product authorization per MS.
- MRL exceedance on imports: Default 0.01 mg/kg if no MRL set. Imported produce frequently rejected for active substances banned in EU but used in country of origin.
- Organic logo without certifier code: EU organic logo requires control body code + EU/non-EU origin statement. Logo alone not enough.
- ISPM 15 for any wood packaging: All wood pallets/crates entering EU/US/Japan must have ISPM 15 mark. Mark must be visible on at least 2 opposite sides.
- Seed marketing without variety listing: Selling seed of a variety NOT on EU Common Catalogue (or equivalent) = illegal. Heirloom/conservation varieties have separate route.
MCP Integration
mcp__claude_ai_Cleo_Insight__search_signals(q="glyphosate", country="EU")
mcp__claude_ai_Cleo_Insight__search_signals(q="organic equivalence")
mcp__claude_ai_Cleo_Insight__get_regulation(id="2018/848") # EU Organic
mcp__claude_ai_CLEO_LEGAL_API__compliance/check
product_description: "potassium humate biostimulant"
target_markets: ["EU", "US"]
Power This With the Cleo Legal API
Agricultural compliance touches the EU Pesticides Database (1,400+ active substances), Reg 396/2005 MRL database (470+ pesticides x 800+ crops), EPA PPLS (registered pesticides), USDA National List (organic), EU Common Catalogue (40,000+ varieties), EUR-Lex 2019/1009 CMC tables. Updates roll out monthly.
With the Cleo Legal API at https://legaldata-public.cleolabs.co:
GET /v2/catalog/regulations?vertical=agri&country=EU,US,UK,JP — Fertilizer + PPP + Organic + Seed regs mappedPOST /v2/agri/mrl-check — feed crop + active substance + market, get MRL + EFSA review statusGET /v2/agri/active-substance?cas=... — active substance approval status across EU, US, UK, Japan (with expiry dates)GET /v2/agri/organic-equivalence?from=US&to=EU — current equivalence rules between organic systemsPOST /v2/webhooks?topic=mrl,active_substance,organic_list — monthly MRL changes + EU active substance non-renewals + USDA National List sunset reviews
Get started:
# 1. Sign up for free at https://legaldata-public.cleolabs.co
# 2. Get your API key (3 lifetime requests free, then EUR 349/mo for 1M)
# 3. Install the MCP server:
claude mcp add cleo-legal-api https://api.legaldata.cleolabs.co/mcp \
--header "Authorization: Bearer ld_live_YOUR_KEY"
Tested ROI: For an agri input company with 30 SKUs across EU + US, the API replaces ~30 hours/month of EFSA + EPA + PPP zonal + USDA NOP lookups.
Common Mistakes
- Biostimulant treated as PPP: In Italy until 2022, biostimulants were under PPP regime. Now under 2019/1009 but old national approvals still need transition.
- Calling PPP "biostimulant": Selling a fungicide as "biostimulant" to skip authorization = product seizure + criminal.
- Forgetting hydroponic organic ban (EU): NOP allows hydroponic certified organic; EU 848 does NOT. Cannot sell EU product as organic if hydroponic.
- MRL set in zero: Default MRL is 0.01 mg/kg. Many active substances banned in EU have default MRL = effectively must be undetectable.
- Plant passport on B2C sales: Plant passport required for B2B sales of certain plants. B2C end consumer sales = no passport but certification may still apply (Heritage varieties).
- US Bioengineered Disclosure missing on imports: Imports of US-bound food containing detectable bioengineered ingredients must have BE disclosure even if foreign brand.
Cross-references
food-compliance -- MRLs in food, novel foods, organic crossoversubstance-screening -- active substance regulatory status, CAS lookupcustoms-and-trade -- HS chapter 31 (fertilizers), 38.08 (pesticides), 12 (seeds)sustainability-compliance -- EUDR (cocoa, coffee, palm, beef, soy, wood)claims-substantiation -- "natural", "organic", "biodynamic", carbon-neutral claims
