Pesticides and biocides

The use, supply, storage and advertisement of pesticides is regulated by a number of different regulations including the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and the Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 (PPPR).

The HSE is the regulator for pesticide products. These products split into two categories: those used in agriculture, horticultural and home gardens and those used for public hygiene. The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (www.pesticides.gov.uk), a division of the HSE, is responsible for ensuring the safe use of biocides, industrial chemicals, pesticides and detergents to protect the health of people and the environment, and for administering the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulations. The use of pesticides is also regulated by COSHH.

The Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 control biocides, which are used to control, for example, cockroaches, rats and wood rot. Examples include disinfectants, preservatives, pest control and anti-fouling products.

Last year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consulted on proposals to update and simplify domestic regulations supporting EU legislation on biocides, the export and import of hazardous chemicals (PIC) and the classification and labelling of chemicals (CLP).

It says the proposals simplify and consolidate the regulations without adding new responsibilities or reducing protection for workers, the public or the environment. They would replace seven existing sets of domestic regulations with one new statutory instrument to provide regulatory support for EU chemicals legislation on biocides, PIC and CLP. It also sought views on suggested changes to the way in which the HSE enforces the regulations governing the import and export of chemicals.

The proposals followed a recommendation to consolidate biocides-sector legislation set out in the Löfstedt report (see Chapter 12).