Fertiliser Compliance Made Simple: How ChemMatrix Helps Farms Meet HSNO Group Standard Rules
How ChemMatrix Helps Farms Understand the Fertilisers (Subsidiary Hazard) Group Standard 2017
The Fertilisers (Subsidiary Hazard) Group Standard 2017 applies when a fertiliser isn’t just “plant food”, but also has hazardous properties — like being toxic, corrosive, irritating, oxidising, or harmful to waterways.
The problem for many farms is this:
👉 the rules are spread across SDSs, HSNO regulations, labels, and supplier paperwork — and none of it is written for farmers.
That’s where ChemMatrix comes in.
1. One Place to See if a Fertiliser Is Actually “Hazardous”
Not all fertilisers fall under this Group Standard — only those with subsidiary hazards.
ChemMatrix:
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Flags fertilisers that trigger HSNO hazard classifications
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Clearly shows what hazard classes apply (e.g. skin irritant, aquatic toxicant)
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Separates low-risk products from those that need controls
No guessing. No legal digging.
2. SDS Access That Makes Sense on Farm
Under HSNO, you must have current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available for hazardous fertilisers.
ChemMatrix:
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Stores SDSs in a single digital register
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Links each SDS to the specific fertiliser on your farm
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Makes SDSs easy to find during an audit, inspection, or emergency
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Removes the “paper folder in the ute” problem
This alone solves one of the most common farm compliance failures.
3. Plain-English Storage Rules for Fertilisers
The Group Standard sets conditions around storage, especially where fertilisers pose:
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Fire risk
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Corrosion risk
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Environmental harm if spilled
ChemMatrix translates this into:
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Clear storage do’s and don’ts
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Separation rules (from feed, waterways, fuel, and people)
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Guidance on bunding, signage, and location
No regulation numbers. Just “here’s how to store it safely”.
4. Environmental Protection Made Practical
Many fertilisers have ecotoxic classifications, meaning spills can contaminate soil and waterways.
ChemMatrix helps farms:
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Identify fertilisers with aquatic toxicity
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Understand buffer zones and spill controls
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Document environmental risk controls for councils and auditors
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Show due diligence if something goes wrong
This is especially valuable for dairy, horticulture, and cropping farms.
5. Evidence for Audits, Insurers, and Councils
Whether it’s:
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A council inspection
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A farm assurance audit
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An insurer asking questions after an incident
ChemMatrix provides:
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A live HSNO fertiliser register
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SDS access logs
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Hazard identification records
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Proof that the farm understands and manages its obligations
That’s protection — not just compliance.
6. Built for Farmers, Not Lawyers
ChemMatrix is designed around how farms actually operate:
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Mobile-friendly
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No HSNO jargon
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Visual hazard indicators
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Step-by-step compliance prompts
It doesn’t replace suppliers — it makes their information usable.
Why This Matters
If a fertiliser has a subsidiary hazard and you:
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store it incorrectly
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can’t produce an SDS
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contaminate land or waterways
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expose workers
You’re exposed under HSNO and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
ChemMatrix helps farms know where they stand before there’s a problem.
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