My Department carries out sampling and analysis on fertilising products to ensure that they are in compliance with EU and domestic legislation.
Testing of protected urea is carried out using a quantitative method for determination of the urease inhibitors N-(n-Butyl) thiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and N-(n-Propyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT) content in urea-based fertilisers using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Testing is performed in accordance with UNE-EN 16651:2016 standard.
23 protected urea samples have been tested to date in 2025. One sample has been provisionally found to be out of tolerance and is being investigated.