The Association, whose laboratories are situated at Otara, Otahuhu, was incorporated in 1947, and the laboratories were established in 1950. Its membership includes the fertiliser companies and certain non-subscribing associate members, and members subscribe to a fixed total yearly contribution according to the tonnage of straight superphosphate each has manufactured in the previous year. The management committee comprises seven representatives of the member companies (totalling seven), two persons appointed by the Minister in Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research, one by the Minister of Agriculture, and, in addition, the Director-General, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, without vote.