Overview of the Humic Products Industry and Humic Products Trade Association.

In 2010 the leading humic product manufacturers organized and formed the Humic Products Trade Association. The association is composed of approximately forty companies that manufacture humic based products for various industries including agriculture. The purpose of the Humic Products Trade Association (HPTA) is to advance the commercial uses of humic products through scientific and regulatory cooperation.

One past obstacle that faced the humic industry was the lack of definitions and testing methods. Because humic substances are a heterogeneous composition of organic acids categorization has varied because of testing methods. This variance has led to issues identifying the active ingredients and the quantities contained in products sold to consumers. Governments have required humic product analysis that are not consistent with neighboring states which cause product labels to be inconsistent and confusing to consumers.

As a result from HPTA’s efforts changes have been made in humic substance definitions and testing methods used by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO). States are now in the process of adopting these rule changes. As states modify label laws and require new product registrations, agricultural users of humic substances should familiarize themselves with these changes.