What Will Be the Impact of the Fertiliser (Control) Seventh Amendment Order, 2026 on Organic Manure Manufacturers and the Biogas Industry?

The Central Government has notified the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Seventh Amendment Order, 2026, introducing key changes to the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985. The amendment recognises Bio Gas plants alongside Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants under various provisions of the FCO and exempts manufacturers of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) from obtaining an authorisation letter for the next ten years.

The changes are expected to boost organic fertiliser production, encourage the productive use of biogas by-products and simplify compliance for manufacturers. Here's a look at how the amendment could impact businesses, Bio Gas plant operators, farmers and India's sustainable agriculture sector.

About the Fertiliser (Control) Seventh Amendment Order, 2026

The Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 regulates the manufacture, sale, distribution, quality standards and movement of fertilisers across India. Over the years, the Government has amended the Order to promote balanced nutrient management, improve fertiliser quality and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.

The Seventh Amendment Order, 2026 focuses on strengthening the organic fertiliser ecosystem by recognising biogas plants as eligible production facilities under various provisions of the FCO, alongside the already recognised compressed biogas plants.

The amendment also removes one of the major regulatory hurdles faced by manufacturers of Fermented Organic Manure and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure by providing a ten-year exemption from obtaining an authorisation letter under Clause 8(3).

These reforms are expected to promote investments in organic fertiliser production while making better use of organic waste generated through biogas plants.

Key Amendments Introduced Under the Seventh Amendment Order

The Government has introduced four important changes through the amendment.

1. Bio Gas Plants Now Recognised Under the Fertiliser (Control) Order

The amendment inserts the words "and Bio Gas plants" in relevant definitions under Clause 2 of the Fertiliser (Control) Order.

Earlier, the provisions mainly recognised Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants. After the amendment, ordinary Bio Gas plants are also covered under the same framework. This allows a larger number of biogas facilities to participate in organic fertiliser production under the FCO.

2. Ten-Year Exemption from Authorisation Letter

One of the most significant reforms is the substitution of the Seventh Proviso under Clause 8(3). Under the new provision:

• Manufacturers of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM)
• Manufacturers of Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM)

Are not required to obtain an authorisation letter under Clause 8(3) for a period of ten years from the date of publication of the amendment. This exemption significantly reduces regulatory procedures for eligible manufacturers.

3. Changes Made in Schedule VIII

The Government has also updated the heading of Schedule VIII.

Earlier, it referred only to the Organic Carbon Enhancer from Compressed Bio Gas Plants. After the amendment, it now includes Bio Gas plants as well. This means organic carbon enhancers produced by both Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants and Bio Gas plants are now recognised under the Fertiliser (Control) Order.

4. Immediate Implementation

The amendment became effective immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette. Manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory authorities are therefore required to follow the revised provisions without any transition period.

Why Has the Government Introduced This Amendment?

The Seventh Amendment Order, 2026 has been introduced to support sustainable agriculture, encourage the production of organic fertilisers and promote the efficient use of resources generated by biogas plants. It also aligns with the Government's efforts to strengthen renewable energy, improve waste management and reduce unnecessary compliance for manufacturers.

• Promote Organic Fertiliser Production

The amendment allows more BioGas plants to produce recognised organic fertilisers. This can increase the availability of organic manure and support sustainable farming.

• Encourage Better Use of Biogas By-products

Nutrient-rich slurry from Bio Gas plants can now be used to produce organic fertilisers instead of being treated as waste. This promotes better resource utilisation and reduces environmental waste.

• Reduce Compliance Burden

The ten-year exemption from obtaining an authorisation letter reduces paperwork and compliance costs. It also encourages businesses to invest in organic fertiliser production.

• Support Sustainable Agriculture

The amendment promotes the conversion of organic waste into valuable fertilisers. This improves soil health, and supports India's circular economy and sustainable farming goals.

How the Amendment Will Affect Businesses and Compliance Requirements

The Amendment is expected to simplify compliance for organic fertiliser manufacturers while creating new opportunities for biogas plant operators. At the same time, businesses must ensure that they continue to comply with the quality standards prescribed under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985.

The amendment is not merely a relaxation of regulatory requirements. It also expands the scope of recognised production facilities and strengthens the supply chain for organic fertilisers.

Immediate Compliance Changes

The amendment has come into force with immediate effect. Businesses engaged in manufacturing or supplying organic fertilisers should review their operations in line with the revised provisions.

Manufacturers should:

• Verify whether their production facilities now qualify as recognised Biogas plants under the amended Order.
• Review internal compliance procedures in light of the ten-year exemption from obtaining an authorisation letter.
• Continue maintaining quality standards, testing requirements and labelling obligations prescribed under the Fertiliser (Control) Order.
• Update product documentation wherever references to Compressed Bio Gas plants need revision.

Although the authorisation requirement has been relaxed, all other statutory obligations under the FCO continue to apply.

Compliance Relief for Organic Manure Manufacturers

The biggest regulatory benefit is available to manufacturers producing:

• Fermented Organic Manure (FOM)
• Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM)

For the next ten years, these manufacturers are no longer required to obtain an authorisation letter under Clause 8(3).

This reduces:

• Administrative paperwork
• Approval timelines
• Compliance costs
• Operational delays

Businesses can now focus more on expanding production instead of managing repeated regulatory approvals.

New Opportunities for Bio Gas Plants

One of the most significant changes is the formal inclusion of biogas plants alongside Compressed Biogas plants. Earlier, several Biogas plants had limited recognition under the Fertiliser (Control) framework.

Following the amendment, these facilities can participate more actively in manufacturing recognised organic fertiliser products.

This creates opportunities to:

• Commercialise biogas slurry
• Produce certified organic carbon enhancers
• Enter organised fertiliser markets
• Improve overall project profitability

For many operators, fertiliser production may become an additional revenue stream alongside renewable energy generation.

Continued Quality Compliance

The exemption provided under the amendment does not dilute product quality requirements.

Manufacturers must continue to comply with prescribed standards relating to:

• Product composition
• Organic carbon content
• Nutrient specifications
• Packaging requirements
• Labelling norms
• Storage conditions
• Inspection and quality testing

Who Will Benefit from the Seventh Amendment Order?

The amendment is expected to generate benefits across multiple sectors connected with agriculture, renewable energy and organic fertiliser production.

Organic Fertiliser Manufacturers

Manufacturers of Fermented Organic Manure and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure are among the biggest beneficiaries. The ten-year exemption from obtaining an authorisation letter provides long-term regulatory certainty. Key benefits include:

• Lower compliance costs
• Faster business expansion
• Reduced documentation
• Improved ease of doing business
• Better investment confidence

Smaller manufacturers may particularly benefit because compliance expenses often represent a larger share of their operating costs.

Bio Gas Plant Operators

Bio Gas plants now receive formal recognition similar to Compressed Bio Gas plants under various provisions of the Fertiliser (Control) Order. This expands commercial opportunities by allowing operators to utilise organic residues more effectively. Benefits include:

• Additional income through fertiliser production
• Better utilisation of digestate and slurry
• Improved project economics
• Increased investor confidence
• Stronger integration with agricultural markets

Farmers

Farmers may benefit from greater availability of organic fertilisers across the country. As production increases, they may gain access to:

• Better quality organic manure
• Improved soil health
• Enhanced microbial activity
• Balanced nutrient management
• Sustainable farming inputs

The amendment supports the Government's long-term objective of promoting natural and organic farming practices.

Renewable Energy Sector

The amendment indirectly strengthens India's renewable energy ecosystem. Biogas projects become more financially attractive when operators can generate revenue from both:

• Renewable energy production
• Organic fertiliser manufacturing

This dual-income model may encourage additional investments in biogas infrastructure.

Agricultural Supply Chain

Distributors, wholesalers and retailers dealing in organic fertilisers may also benefit from:

• Increased product availability
• Greater product diversity
• Expanded market participation
• Improved supply stability

The amendment may help strengthen India's domestic organic fertiliser market over the coming years.

Who May Face Operational Challenges?

Although the amendment is largely beneficial, some stakeholders may need to adapt to the new changes.

• Existing authorised manufacturers may not receive any direct benefit from the ten-year exemption, as they have already completed the authorisation process. 
• Chemical fertiliser manufacturers could face increased competition as the availability and adoption of organic fertilisers grow. 
• Regulatory authorities will need to update implementation procedures while continuing to ensure compliance with quality standards. 
• New businesses entering the sector must still maintain product quality and build reliable production and distribution systems despite the simplified compliance requirements.

Impact on India's Organic Fertiliser Industry

The amendment is expected to accelerate the growth of India's organic fertiliser sector. Greater participation by Bio Gas plants could increase domestic production capacity while improving the utilisation of agricultural and biodegradable waste. The policy also supports better integration between renewable energy generation and sustainable agriculture.

Over time, this may strengthen domestic manufacturing, encourage technological innovation and improve the availability of environmentally friendly fertiliser products across rural and agricultural markets.

Impact on India's Economy

The Seventh Amendment Order, 2026, is expected to support India's organic fertiliser and renewable energy sectors while encouraging better utilisation of organic waste.

Positive Impact

The amendment is likely to deliver several long-term benefits:

• Boost to Organic Fertiliser Production: Recognising Biogas plants under the Fertiliser (Control) Order can increase the production and availability of organic fertilisers across the country.
• Support for Sustainable Agriculture: Greater use of organic manure can improve soil health, reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and promote environmentally friendly farming practices.
• Growth of the Biogas Sector: Biogas plant operators can generate additional revenue through the sale of organic fertiliser products, making such projects more financially viable.
• Better Waste Management: Agricultural and biodegradable waste can be converted into useful fertiliser products instead of being discarded, supporting resource efficiency and the circular economy.

Possible Challenges

While the amendment offers several benefits, certain challenges may arise during implementation.

• Manufacturers and regulators will need time to adapt to the revised provisions.
• Increased production of organic fertilisers may gradually intensify competition within the fertiliser industry.
• Businesses must continue to maintain quality standards despite the relaxation of certain regulatory requirements.

Is This the Right Decision?

Based on the notified amendments, the decision appears to be a positive step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and simplifying compliance for organic fertiliser manufacturers.

Why It Is a Positive Decision

• It expands the scope of recognised biogas plants under the Fertiliser (Control) Order.
• It reduces unnecessary regulatory burden by providing a ten-year exemption from obtaining an authorisation letter for eligible manufacturers.
• It encourages the productive use of biogas by-products for manufacturing organic fertilisers.
• It supports Government initiatives relating to renewable energy, waste management and the circular economy.

Points That Need Attention

The success of the amendment will depend on its effective implementation.

• Product quality and safety standards must continue to be strictly monitored.
• Regulatory authorities should ensure that the exemption does not compromise compliance with prescribed fertiliser specifications.
• Awareness among manufacturers and Biogas plant operators will be important for the successful adoption of the revised provisions.

Overall, the amendment is expected to strengthen India's organic fertiliser ecosystem while making compliance easier for eligible manufacturers.

How This Amendment Improves Transparency, Sustainability and Industry Growth

The amendment not only simplifies regulatory requirements but also supports the long-term development of India's organic fertiliser sector.

• The inclusion of biogas plants creates a more inclusive regulatory framework by recognising additional production facilities.
• Reduced compliance requirements can encourage more manufacturers to enter the organic fertiliser market.
• Better utilisation of biogas slurry promotes sustainable waste management and supports circular economy initiatives.
• Increased production of organic fertilisers can improve supply, encourage innovation and strengthen India's sustainable agriculture ecosystem.
• The amendment also aligns with the Government's objective of promoting renewable energy and environmentally responsible farming practices.

How Can Corpseed Help Businesses?

The Fertiliser (Control) Seventh Amendment Order, 2026 introduces important regulatory changes for manufacturers of organic fertilisers and Bio Gas plant operators. Understanding the revised provisions and ensuring compliance can be challenging for businesses. Corpseed can help organisations navigate these changes with end-to-end regulatory and technical support.

• FCO Compliance Advisory

Help businesses understand the amended Fertiliser (Control) Order and identify the compliance requirements applicable to their operations.

• Organic Fertiliser Registration & Approval Support

Assist manufacturers in obtaining approvals for organic fertiliser products and ensuring they meet the quality standards prescribed under the FCO.

• Bio Gas Plant Regulatory Assistance

Support biogas plant operators in leveraging the benefits of the amended Order and commercialising products such as Fermented Organic Manure and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure.

• Documentation and Technical Support

Prepare technical documents, product specifications, labels and other records required under the Fertiliser (Control) Order.

• Quality Compliance Guidance

Help manufacturers comply with testing, packaging, labelling and quality requirements to avoid regulatory issues.

• Project Advisory for New Businesses

Provide end-to-end consulting for businesses planning to establish biogas plants or organic fertiliser manufacturing units, including regulatory approvals and project planning.

• Ongoing Regulatory Updates and Compliance Support

Keep businesses informed of changes in fertiliser regulations and provide ongoing compliance support to ensure smooth operations.