The International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers

This document addresses the responsible use and management of fertilizers in agriculture, as well as issues related to their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Code also addresses the judicious use and management of fertilizers to prevent inappropriate use, underuse and overuse. Fertilizers make a significant contribution towards sustaining the population of the world by supporting food security, enhancing farmer livelihoods, providing essential human nutrition, providing nutrients for the production of renewable materials such as timber, fibre and biofuels, and potentially reducing the conversion of land from native ecosystems or other uses with beneficial ecosystem services to agricultural production. Moreover, the Code of Conduct provides a locally adaptable framework, which governments, the fertilizer industry, agricultural extension and advisory services, academic and research institutions, actors in the nutrient recycling industry, civil society and end-users can use to contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security from a nutrient management perspective.