Pesticides and biocides

This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of Pesticides and Biocides environmental legislation that may affect your business in Northern Ireland. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.

If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.

Environmental management systems and environmental reports

EU Regulation No 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products

A direct acting EU regulation. It lays down rules for the authorisation of biocidal products relating to the making available on the market, use and control of such products within the EU.

EU Regulation No1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures

A direct acting EU regulation which came into force in 2009. It adopts an international chemicals hazard classification and labelling system for the supply of substances and mixtures in the EU. It replaces the existing European System and after a transitional period takes full effect from 1 June 2015.

Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement ) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 SR 206

Appoints competent authorities and provides for enforcement, including penalties for infringement, in respect of two direct-acting EU Regulations, namely Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products and Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.

Biocidal Products (Fees and Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 SR 207

Make provision for fees payable by duty-holders under the Biocides Regulations.

Biocidal Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 SR 422

Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 SR 190

Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 SR 163

Applications for biocidal product authorisations submitted before 1^st September 2013 shall be evaluated in accordance with these regulations (see above). Following evaluation, if a decision is proposed to authorise or refuse to authorise a biocidal product that decision will be taken in accordance with the Biocides Regulation EU 528/2012

Control of Pesticides Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 SR 414 (not available online)
Defines which pesticides are controlled (amended by later legislation), and require full approval and consent from DARDNI, before they may be advertised, sold, supplied, stored, or used.

Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 SR 469

Amends 1987/414 to clarify the scope, exclusions from the approval process and extend access to information about approvals.

Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 48  Provides a legal framework for controlling pesticides.

Pesticides Act 1998

Amends the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 regarding powers to make pesticides regulations and enforcement of pesticide control measures.

The Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations 2019

The Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations 2019 update a number of pieces of Pesticides legislation to take in to account the latest amendment of the EU Regulation EU 2019/1009. In particular, that products meeting the description of plant biostimulants  will become subject to the rules for fertilisers rather than the rules for pesticides.

Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 2018 SR 184

Revokes and consolidates with amendments the Plant Health Order (NI) 2006/82 and replaces the Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) Order (NI) 2005/23. Implements the EU Plant Health regime established by CD 2000/29/EC on protective measures against the introduction of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and their spread within the EU.

Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 SR 371 Controls the sale and supply of plant protection products, mainly agricultural pesticides. Makes it an offence to use or distribute a non-approved pesticide.

Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 SR 470

Specifies controls on marketing, advertising, storing and using plant protection products in Northern Ireland.

Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 SR 278

Amends 2005/526 to add 11 more active substances that can be used in plant protection products in Northern Ireland.

Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 SR 295

Lays down enforcement powers and penalties for infringements of EU Plant Protection Product Authorisations Regulation 1107/2009/EC, which concerns the placing of plant protection products on the market.

Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 SR12

Amend the Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 by a few minor technical amendments.

Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 SI 1657

Sets out requirements, among others: for supervision or certificate for users in the professional use of PPPs; for distributors to have sufficient staff with certificates; for reasonable precautions in storage, handling and use of PPP.

Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (No 171) (NI 2) (including updates)

Makes it an offence to interfere with certain species of wild animals and plants, with certain exceptions, which require a licence. Specifies open and closed periods for hunting of limited species, with special protection for deer.