Sec. 15.18.03.10. Stop-Sale Order

A. Stop-Sale Order.

(1) A written stop-sale order may be issued by the Secretary for any commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner lot that the Secretary finds is in violation of the Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law, Agriculture Article, 6-201-----6-221, Annotated Code of Maryland, or this chapter, or has been found by federal or State authorities to cause unreasonable adverse effects to humans, animals, plants, or the environment.

(2) A commercial fertilizer that contains an ingredient that is outside the allowable tolerance listed in Regulation .08 of this chapter, or that differs from the identity standards for commercial fertilizer as provided in COMAR 15.18.01, is subject to a stop-sale order.

B. Absence of Lot Number. If the Secretary suspects that a lot is in violation of this chapter or the Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law, Agriculture Article, 6-201-----6-221, Annotated Code of Maryland, and if the lot is not numbered according to this chapter, the entire affected inventory may be placed under a stop-sale order by the Secretary.

C. Written Release. If a commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner lot is under a written stop-sale order, the registrant shall remove it from the registrant's sales area and the lot may not be moved until released in writing by the Secretary.

D. Stop-Sale Notice To All Outlets and Distributors. A registrant shall notify all affected outlets and distributors of any stop-sale order placed by the Secretary on any lot of commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner.