Health & Safety Guidance Notes : Sale and Supply of Pesticides

1. Sale and Supply of pesticides:
   • For products approved for agricultural use, salespersons etc. must have a 'Certificate of Competence' (awarded by Basis (Registration) Limited) or be under the direct supervision of a certificate holder, and all other conditions of the Consent and Approval must be complied with.
   • NB A pesticide 'approved for agricultural use' is one approved in the following fields of use:
     • Agriculture and horticulture
     • Forestry
     • In or near water (but not amateur use, public hygiene or anti-fouling products)
     • Industrial herbicide.
2. Storage of pesticides:
   • For products approved for agricultural use, where more than 200 kg or 200 litres are being stored for sale or supply, a store person must have a Certificate of Competence awarded by Basis (Registration) Limited or be working under the direct supervision of a certificate holder.  Pesticides must be stored in adequate facilities and comply with the MAFF Code of Practice for Suppliers of Pesticides to Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (PB3529) (A free online version can be found at: www.pesticides.gov.uk/uploadedfiles/web_assets?psd/yellow_code.pdf).  In addition, all other conditions of the Consent and Approval must be complied with.
   • Where less than 200 kg or 200 l of pesticides approved for agricultural use are stored for sale or supply or where the products are not approved for agricultural use, just the conditions of the Consent and Approval must be complied with.
3. Use of pesticides:
   • Non-agricultural pesticides
     • These must be used by the correct user (i.e. professional, industrial or amateur users).  The operator must take all reasonable precautions (ref: Consent and guidance in the Code of Practice for the safe use of pesticides on farms and holdings).  The statutory conditions of use on the label must be complied with.
   • Agricultural pesticides
     • Certificates of competence (awarded by the National Proficiency Tests Council) are required for use of the pesticide if:
       • Its use is as part of a commercial service; or
       • If the operator was born after 31st December 1964;
     • Or the operator must be working under the direct supervision of a certificate holder.
       • The certificate must be appropriate for the type of operation.
       • The operator must take all reasonable precautions.
       • The statutory conditions of use on the label must be complied with.

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