Pesticides and biocides are chemicals or organisms used to control pests such as harmful or unwanted animals, plants, fungi, viruses or bacteria which cause damage.

Pesticides and biocides can harm human health if you do not store and use them properly.

Pesticides and biocides can cause significant water pollution and land contamination if there is an accident or if they are not used in a responsible way. If they enter surface water or groundwater, even in very small amounts, they can have devastating effects.

What is the difference between pesticides and biocides?

Pesticide is a general term that covers many substances, including biocides, that are used. to prevent, destroy, repel, attract or control certain forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests.

More commonly the term pesticide is used to refer to plant protection products that are specifically used to protect crops against harmful pests and diseases, influence the life processes of plants, or to control unwanted vegetation such as residential or agricultural weeds and invasive species.

Biocides are typically not used on plants or crops, but are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms like pests or bacteria.

Examples of pesticides and biocides

Pesticides and biocides include:

• fungicides
• insecticides
• herbicides
• plant growth regulators
• rodenticides (rat and mouse poisons)
• animal and bird repellents
• mole control products
• wood and masonry preservatives
• disinfectants
• human and veterinary medicines
• anti-fouling products
• molluscicides (snail and slug pellets)
• algaecides
• earthworm control agents

Common uses of pesticides and biocides

Businesses that use pesticides and biocides include those involved in:

• agriculture - arable, vegetable and fruit growing, pasture, livestock and poultry
• aquaculture - fish and shellfish farming (veterinary medicine)
• forestry and woodland management
• horticulture
• wood and masonry preservation
• managing invasive species and removing bracken
• pest control
• weed control, such as on pavements, industrial complexes and alongside roads and railways
• marine anti-fouling painting and coating
• gardening and landscaping
• managing parks and golf courses (amenity sector)
• food storage and preparation
• healthcare
• care of domestic pets

If you supply pesticides or biocides you must check that the pesticides or biocides you sell have been approved for sale and use in Northern Ireland and that your products are labelled correctly. You may need to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for your customers.

Apply to place pesticides and biocides on the market

Before you place a new pesticide or biocide product on the market, you must gain approval for that product before you market it. You must apply to the relevant registration authority and supply them with all the data and information they need to evaluate your product.

Once an approved product is on sale you should monitor it. If you find out about adverse effects of the pesticide or biocide on human health or the environment, you must tell the registration authority as soon as possible. You should also tell them about any unwanted effects on what is being treated.

If you place a biocidal product on the market for the first time, you may need to provide certain information to the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS).

Provide information for customers of pesticides and biocides

If you market or sell pesticides or biocides you must ensure that all packaging, labelling and advertising meets the requirements in the product's authorisation. In some cases, it must also meet the requirements of the Chemical Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations.

If you supply pesticides or biocides you may need to use a hazard warning label or provide an SDS. This is now a requirement of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation - see storing chemicals.

If you sell, supply or store to sell plant protection products, you should follow the 'Code of Practice for Suppliers of Pesticides to Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry' (the Yellow Code). This statutory code of practice covers storage, training requirements, transport, waste disposal and how to deal with spills - download the Yellow Code (PDF, 915K).

If you sell or supply plant protection products, you must ensure that there is sufficient staff holding specified certificates available at the time of the sale to provide adequate information to customers on use of the products, health and environmental risks and safety instructions.

You can find a full list of certificates relating to the sale and supply of pesticides that are considered to meet legal requirements (PDF, 208K).

The Yellow Code will also tell you who needs a certificate of competence for the job they do. You should ensure your staff keep their training up-to-date.

Before you use any pesticide or biocide, you must make sure that it has been approved by the correct regulating body:

• the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) - part of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - regulates plant protection products and biocidal products
• the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medicines and products used on humans, such as anti-headlice treatments and certain skin disinfectants
• the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) regulates veterinary medicinal products, including sheep dips and other products used to treat animals

You must only use the product in accordance with the conditions set by their authorisation and as specified on the product labelling.

Training and certificates for using plant protection products

If you use pesticides or biocides as part of your job you must have the correct training, instruction and guidance. For advice on training requirements, you can read a code of good agricultural practice.

If you employ someone else to apply plant protection products for you, make sure they have the appropriate qualifications to do the job. If you use someone who isn't qualified, you may have to pay to clean up any pollution incidents they cause.

Be qualified to fumigate

Fumigation is a potentially hazardous process which uses toxic gases to kill pests.

Professional users of pesticides products are required to hold a specified certificate of competence. There is no requirement for a specified certificate of competence for those using a professional biocidal product, although everyone who uses biocides is responsible for using them correctly and safely.

If you employ someone else to carry out fumigation, check that they are qualified.

Find a list of UK designated bodies and recognised specified certificates (PDF, 208K).

You must not use pesticides and biocides in or near water unless they are specifically approved for that use - find a register of approved plant protection products.

If you are planning to use a herbicide in or near to water, you must contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Water Management Unit on Tel 0300 200 7850.

• Find maps showing the location of water bodies in NI.
• Find maps showing protected areas of nature conservation interest in NI.

Rules for aerial application of herbicides and biocides

To apply pesticides from aircraft (aerial spraying) must have a permit, and permission will only be granted in limited circumstances. The application of pesticides by drone is considered to be aerial spraying and so is also subject to the permitting arrangements. Permits are issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). 

Find more information on protected areas in NI.

Before you apply a pesticide by aerial application, you should also notify:

• local beekeeper groups, at least 48 hours before application
• the local council, 24 to 48 hours before application
• occupants or owners of property within 25 metres of the area to be treated, 24 to 48 hours before application
• the person in charge of any school, hospital or other institution within 150 metres of the flight path, 24 to 48 hours before application

Store all chemicals in an area where you can contain spills. Keep chemical containers within an impermeable secondary containment area that will hold liquids if the main containers leak or break.

Secondary containment areas include bunds, bunded or spill pallets, sump pallets, bunded storage units and storage cabinets with integral sumps.

If you have one storage container in a bund, the bund should be able to hold at least 110 per cent of its volume.

If you have more than one container, your bund should be able to contain at least 110 per cent of the volume of the largest container or 25 per cent of the total volume you are likely to store, whichever is greater.

Download guidance on storing pesticides (PDF, 97K).

Manage your pesticide use

Keep an inventory of the pesticides and biocides you have on site, and details of when you received them and when you should dispose of them if you don't use them up. This will help you to avoid having more than you need, and therefore reduce your waste.

Check the pesticides register of approved products to see if products you use are going to be withdrawn - the register gives details of product approval, revocation and withdrawal.

Producers, suppliers, distributors, importers, and exporters of plant protection products are legally required to keep records of the plant protection products they produce, import, export, store or place on the market for at least five years.

A professional user of plant protection products must keep for at least three years, records of the plant protection products they use, containing the name of the plant protection product, the time and the dose of application, the area and the crop where the plant protection product was used.

Alternatives to pesticides and biocides

It's a good idea to only by the amount of pesticides and biocides that you need. Think carefully whether you really need to use a pesticide at all. If you use a pesticide when you don't need to you:

• will be wasting money
• will increase the possibility of pests becoming resistant
• could damage the treated area

You can use techniques that reduce the use of pesticides and biocides, including biological and cultural control methods, and using disease-resistant varieties of plants. Cultural control methods include crop rotation and techniques to maintain crops in peak health so they are less susceptible to pests. This is known as integrated pest management (IPM) - find more information on reducing pesticide use.

IPM is a key element in using pesticides sustainably. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has produced a guide on IPM, primarily to assist farmers with understanding the requirements, however the general principles must be implemented by all professional users of pesticides.

Pesticides and biocides must be approved before you can import, use, sell, store, supply or advertise them. Pesticides and biocides are approved depending on the product's use.

Biocidal products are approved by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD). This covers products including:

• disinfectants
• insecticides (not for use on crops or plants)
• fungicides (not for use on crops or plants)
• algaecides
• pest/rodent control
• preservatives
• other products used for food storage and public hygiene

Plant protection products (PPP) are also approved and regulated by the CRD. This covers products including:

• herbicides
• insecticides
• fungicides
• molluscicides (snail and slug pellets)
• plant growth regulators

Human medicinal products are approved and regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This covers products used on humans such as anti-headlice treatments and some skin disinfectants.

Veterinary medicines are approved and regulated by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). This covers products used on animals such as sheep dip, worming and flea treatments.

You are legally responsible for ensuring that all waste your business produces or handles is stored, transported and disposed of safely - this is your duty of care.

Pesticides and biocides are likely to be classed as hazardous waste. You will have to separate this from other waste.

You must ensure that anyone you pass your waste on to is authorised to take and transport it, and that they take it to an authorised disposal site.

Keep copies of waste paperwork

As the waste producer, you must ensure that all waste leaving your site is covered by a waste transfer note, or a consignment note if it is hazardous waste.

You must keep copies of waste transfer notes for two years and consignment notes for three years.

For more information on moving, transporting and disposing of hazardous waste, see dealing with hazardous waste.

Deal with dilute pesticides, biocides and wash water

You should treat water used for washing down equipment or rinsing empty containers as dilute pesticides or biocides. There are different disposal options for dealing with dilute pesticides, biocides and wash water:

• Use a licensed waste contractor.
• Dispose to land. You must get a groundwater authorisation from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
• Dispose to biobed. You must register an exemption from waste management licensing with the NIEA.
• Dispose to sewer. You must get a trade effluent consent from Northern Ireland Water.

You may need to register an exemption from waste management licensing to dispose of wash water from pesticide and biocide containers - see environmental permits and licences - an overview.

Deal with concentrates and ready-to-use formulations

You must transport and dispose of concentrates and ready-to-use formulations as hazardous waste. You must use a waste contractor.

You should never dilute concentrates or ready-to-use formulations to dispose of them as dilute pesticides or biocides.

Rinse packaging and containers correctly

Check product labels to see if your waste containers and packaging should be rinsed. You must never rinse or clean containers of hydrogen cyanide gassing powders or aluminium, magnesium or zinc phosphates as they react with moisture to produce a poisonous gas.

If your containers and packaging can be rinsed, you must follow the product label instructions and rinse the container, the lid and foil seal. Place the rinsed foil seal inside the container. You can dispose of containers that have been triple-rinsed and drained as normal waste.

If your containers cannot be rinsed, you must handle them as if they contain pesticides or biocides. You must dispose of them as hazardous waste.

Reduce waste pesticides and biocides

Reducing your use of pesticides will also reduce the amount of waste pesticide and empty containers you produce, saving your business money. Reduce your waste pesticides and biocides by following the guidance in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and Section 5 of the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.

You should know how to deal with incidents involving pesticides or biocides. Incidents include:

• spills of pesticides or biocides to the environment
• adverse reactions or illness caused by exposure to pesticides or biocides, for example respiratory problems
• pets or wild animals being poisoned due to irresponsible or illegal use of pesticides or biocides

Prepare for pesticide pollution incidents

If you use pesticides and biocides as part of your job you must be trained in emergency procedures. Your emergency action plans should be kept up to date to cover new equipment or new ways of working. Many product labels will have specific advice on what to do if there is an incident. This information is always on the manufacturer's safety data sheet, which you should be able to get when you buy the product.

Make sure that your staff are familiar with emergency procedures and know how to implement them. If you store lots of pesticides or biocides - for example, if you have a warehouse - you may need to install a spill alarm so that you can evacuate the building if there is an incident.

Keep a spill kit nearby

You should ensure that you have a spill kit close to where you might need it. Your spill kit should contain absorbent materials such as sand or cat litter, and other containment equipment suitable for the type and quantity of pesticides and biocides you store and use on your site.

Try to prevent liquid spills from entering drains or watercourses. For example, use earth to block the flow of large spills, or use sand or a commercial spill kit to soak them up.

You should never hose down a spill, as you could cause a much worse pollution incident. If you store pesticides or biocides in a vehicle, you should also carry a suitable spill kit.

Use bunds and drip trays

You should store all pesticides and biocides in an area where you can contain spills. This should be on or within a secondary containment system such as:

• an impermeable bunded area
• a bunded pallet or spill pallet
• a sump pallet
• a bunded storage unit
• a drip tray

See our guide on storing chemicals.

Prevent environmental damage from pesticides and biocides

Water pollution can be classed as environmental damage in some circumstances. You must prevent and remedy environmental damage that occurs from water pollution or land contamination caused by your business activities. If anyone else reports environmental damage as a result of your activities, an enforcing authority will have to investigate - see preventing water pollution.

Report pesticides and biocides pollution incidents

You should report any pollution incidents as soon as they happen to the NIEA Water Pollution Hotline on Tel 0800 80 70 60.

If you suspect that your health has been adversely affected by pesticides or biocides, you should report it to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) - download pesticide incident notification form (PDF, 171K).

If you suspect wildlife has been harmed by an incident involving pesticides or biocides, you should call the police at Tel 101 or in an emergency call Tel 999. Information can also be given anonymously through the Crime Stoppers Charity at Tel 0800 555 111.

If you suspect a domestic animal has been harmed by an incident involving pesticides or biocides, you should call the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on Tel 0300 200 7840.

Local councils are responsible for enforcement of the Welfare of Animals (NI) Act 2011, as it applies to non-farmed animals such as domestic pets.

Pesticides and biocides are chemicals or organisms used to control pests such as harmful or unwanted animals, plants, fungi, viruses or bacteria which cause damage.

Pesticides and biocides can harm human health if you do not store and use them properly.

Pesticides and biocides can cause significant water pollution and land contamination if there is an accident or if they are not used in a responsible way. If they enter surface water or groundwater, even in very small amounts, they can have devastating effects.

What is the difference between pesticides and biocides?

Pesticide is a general term that covers many substances, including biocides, that are used. to prevent, destroy, repel, attract or control certain forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests.

More commonly the term pesticide is used to refer to plant protection products that are specifically used to protect crops against harmful pests and diseases, influence the life processes of plants, or to control unwanted vegetation such as residential or agricultural weeds and invasive species.

Biocides are typically not used on plants or crops, but are used to protect humans, animals, materials or articles against harmful organisms like pests or bacteria.

Examples of pesticides and biocides

Pesticides and biocides include:

• fungicides
• insecticides
• herbicides
• plant growth regulators
• rodenticides (rat and mouse poisons)
• animal and bird repellents
• mole control products
• wood and masonry preservatives
• disinfectants
• human and veterinary medicines
• anti-fouling products
• molluscicides (snail and slug pellets)
• algaecides
• earthworm control agents

Common uses of pesticides and biocides

Businesses that use pesticides and biocides include those involved in:

• agriculture - arable, vegetable and fruit growing, pasture, livestock and poultry
• aquaculture - fish and shellfish farming (veterinary medicine)
• forestry and woodland management
• horticulture
• wood and masonry preservation
• managing invasive species and removing bracken
• pest control
• weed control, such as on pavements, industrial complexes and alongside roads and railways
• marine anti-fouling painting and coating
• gardening and landscaping
• managing parks and golf courses (amenity sector)
• food storage and preparation
• healthcare
• care of domestic pets

If you supply pesticides or biocides you must check that the pesticides or biocides you sell have been approved for sale and use in Northern Ireland and that your products are labelled correctly. You may need to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for your customers.

Apply to place pesticides and biocides on the market

Before you place a new pesticide or biocide product on the market, you must gain approval for that product before you market it. You must apply to the relevant registration authority and supply them with all the data and information they need to evaluate your product.

Once an approved product is on sale you should monitor it. If you find out about adverse effects of the pesticide or biocide on human health or the environment, you must tell the registration authority as soon as possible. You should also tell them about any unwanted effects on what is being treated.

If you place a biocidal product on the market for the first time, you may need to provide certain information to the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS).

Provide information for customers of pesticides and biocides

If you market or sell pesticides or biocides you must ensure that all packaging, labelling and advertising meets the requirements in the product's authorisation. In some cases, it must also meet the requirements of the Chemical Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations.

If you supply pesticides or biocides you may need to use a hazard warning label or provide an SDS. This is now a requirement of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation - see storing chemicals.

If you sell, supply or store to sell plant protection products, you should follow the 'Code of Practice for Suppliers of Pesticides to Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry' (the Yellow Code). This statutory code of practice covers storage, training requirements, transport, waste disposal and how to deal with spills - download the Yellow Code (PDF, 915K).

If you sell or supply plant protection products, you must ensure that there is sufficient staff holding specified certificates available at the time of the sale to provide adequate information to customers on use of the products, health and environmental risks and safety instructions.

You can find a full list of certificates relating to the sale and supply of pesticides that are considered to meet legal requirements (PDF, 208K).

The Yellow Code will also tell you who needs a certificate of competence for the job they do. You should ensure your staff keep their training up-to-date.

Before you use any pesticide or biocide, you must make sure that it has been approved by the correct regulating body:

• the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) - part of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - regulates plant protection products and biocidal products
• the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medicines and products used on humans, such as anti-headlice treatments and certain skin disinfectants
• the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) regulates veterinary medicinal products, including sheep dips and other products used to treat animals

You must only use the product in accordance with the conditions set by their authorisation and as specified on the product labelling.

Training and certificates for using plant protection products

If you use pesticides or biocides as part of your job you must have the correct training, instruction and guidance. For advice on training requirements, you can read a code of good agricultural practice.

If you employ someone else to apply plant protection products for you, make sure they have the appropriate qualifications to do the job. If you use someone who isn't qualified, you may have to pay to clean up any pollution incidents they cause.

Be qualified to fumigate

Fumigation is a potentially hazardous process which uses toxic gases to kill pests.

Professional users of pesticides products are required to hold a specified certificate of competence. There is no requirement for a specified certificate of competence for those using a professional biocidal product, although everyone who uses biocides is responsible for using them correctly and safely.

If you employ someone else to carry out fumigation, check that they are qualified.

Find a list of UK designated bodies and recognised specified certificates (PDF, 208K).

You must not use pesticides and biocides in or near water unless they are specifically approved for that use - find a register of approved plant protection products.

If you are planning to use a herbicide in or near to water, you must contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Water Management Unit on Tel 0300 200 7850.

• Find maps showing the location of water bodies in NI.
• Find maps showing protected areas of nature conservation interest in NI.

Rules for aerial application of herbicides and biocides

To apply pesticides from aircraft (aerial spraying) must have a permit, and permission will only be granted in limited circumstances. The application of pesticides by drone is considered to be aerial spraying and so is also subject to the permitting arrangements. Permits are issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). 

Find more information on protected areas in NI.

Before you apply a pesticide by aerial application, you should also notify:

• local beekeeper groups, at least 48 hours before application
• the local council, 24 to 48 hours before application
• occupants or owners of property within 25 metres of the area to be treated, 24 to 48 hours before application
• the person in charge of any school, hospital or other institution within 150 metres of the flight path, 24 to 48 hours before application

Store all chemicals in an area where you can contain spills. Keep chemical containers within an impermeable secondary containment area that will hold liquids if the main containers leak or break.

Secondary containment areas include bunds, bunded or spill pallets, sump pallets, bunded storage units and storage cabinets with integral sumps.

If you have one storage container in a bund, the bund should be able to hold at least 110 per cent of its volume.

If you have more than one container, your bund should be able to contain at least 110 per cent of the volume of the largest container or 25 per cent of the total volume you are likely to store, whichever is greater.

Download guidance on storing pesticides (PDF, 97K).

Manage your pesticide use

Keep an inventory of the pesticides and biocides you have on site, and details of when you received them and when you should dispose of them if you don't use them up. This will help you to avoid having more than you need, and therefore reduce your waste.

Check the pesticides register of approved products to see if products you use are going to be withdrawn - the register gives details of product approval, revocation and withdrawal.

Producers, suppliers, distributors, importers, and exporters of plant protection products are legally required to keep records of the plant protection products they produce, import, export, store or place on the market for at least five years.

A professional user of plant protection products must keep for at least three years, records of the plant protection products they use, containing the name of the plant protection product, the time and the dose of application, the area and the crop where the plant protection product was used.

Alternatives to pesticides and biocides

It's a good idea to only by the amount of pesticides and biocides that you need. Think carefully whether you really need to use a pesticide at all. If you use a pesticide when you don't need to you:

• will be wasting money
• will increase the possibility of pests becoming resistant
• could damage the treated area

You can use techniques that reduce the use of pesticides and biocides, including biological and cultural control methods, and using disease-resistant varieties of plants. Cultural control methods include crop rotation and techniques to maintain crops in peak health so they are less susceptible to pests. This is known as integrated pest management (IPM) - find more information on reducing pesticide use.

IPM is a key element in using pesticides sustainably. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has produced a guide on IPM, primarily to assist farmers with understanding the requirements, however the general principles must be implemented by all professional users of pesticides.

Pesticides and biocides must be approved before you can import, use, sell, store, supply or advertise them. Pesticides and biocides are approved depending on the product's use.

Biocidal products are approved by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD). This covers products including:

• disinfectants
• insecticides (not for use on crops or plants)
• fungicides (not for use on crops or plants)
• algaecides
• pest/rodent control
• preservatives
• other products used for food storage and public hygiene

Plant protection products (PPP) are also approved and regulated by the CRD. This covers products including:

• herbicides
• insecticides
• fungicides
• molluscicides (snail and slug pellets)
• plant growth regulators

Human medicinal products are approved and regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This covers products used on humans such as anti-headlice treatments and some skin disinfectants.

Veterinary medicines are approved and regulated by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). This covers products used on animals such as sheep dip, worming and flea treatments.

You are legally responsible for ensuring that all waste your business produces or handles is stored, transported and disposed of safely - this is your duty of care.

Pesticides and biocides are likely to be classed as hazardous waste. You will have to separate this from other waste.

You must ensure that anyone you pass your waste on to is authorised to take and transport it, and that they take it to an authorised disposal site.

Keep copies of waste paperwork

As the waste producer, you must ensure that all waste leaving your site is covered by a waste transfer note, or a consignment note if it is hazardous waste.

You must keep copies of waste transfer notes for two years and consignment notes for three years.

For more information on moving, transporting and disposing of hazardous waste, see dealing with hazardous waste.

Deal with dilute pesticides, biocides and wash water

You should treat water used for washing down equipment or rinsing empty containers as dilute pesticides or biocides. There are different disposal options for dealing with dilute pesticides, biocides and wash water:

• Use a licensed waste contractor.
• Dispose to land. You must get a groundwater authorisation from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
• Dispose to biobed. You must register an exemption from waste management licensing with the NIEA.
• Dispose to sewer. You must get a trade effluent consent from Northern Ireland Water.

You may need to register an exemption from waste management licensing to dispose of wash water from pesticide and biocide containers - see environmental permits and licences - an overview.

Deal with concentrates and ready-to-use formulations

You must transport and dispose of concentrates and ready-to-use formulations as hazardous waste. You must use a waste contractor.

You should never dilute concentrates or ready-to-use formulations to dispose of them as dilute pesticides or biocides.

Rinse packaging and containers correctly

Check product labels to see if your waste containers and packaging should be rinsed. You must never rinse or clean containers of hydrogen cyanide gassing powders or aluminium, magnesium or zinc phosphates as they react with moisture to produce a poisonous gas.

If your containers and packaging can be rinsed, you must follow the product label instructions and rinse the container, the lid and foil seal. Place the rinsed foil seal inside the container. You can dispose of containers that have been triple-rinsed and drained as normal waste.

If your containers cannot be rinsed, you must handle them as if they contain pesticides or biocides. You must dispose of them as hazardous waste.

Reduce waste pesticides and biocides

Reducing your use of pesticides will also reduce the amount of waste pesticide and empty containers you produce, saving your business money. Reduce your waste pesticides and biocides by following the guidance in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and Section 5 of the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.

You should know how to deal with incidents involving pesticides or biocides. Incidents include:

• spills of pesticides or biocides to the environment
• adverse reactions or illness caused by exposure to pesticides or biocides, for example respiratory problems
• pets or wild animals being poisoned due to irresponsible or illegal use of pesticides or biocides

Prepare for pesticide pollution incidents

If you use pesticides and biocides as part of your job you must be trained in emergency procedures. Your emergency action plans should be kept up to date to cover new equipment or new ways of working. Many product labels will have specific advice on what to do if there is an incident. This information is always on the manufacturer's safety data sheet, which you should be able to get when you buy the product.

Make sure that your staff are familiar with emergency procedures and know how to implement them. If you store lots of pesticides or biocides - for example, if you have a warehouse - you may need to install a spill alarm so that you can evacuate the building if there is an incident.

Keep a spill kit nearby

You should ensure that you have a spill kit close to where you might need it. Your spill kit should contain absorbent materials such as sand or cat litter, and other containment equipment suitable for the type and quantity of pesticides and biocides you store and use on your site.

Try to prevent liquid spills from entering drains or watercourses. For example, use earth to block the flow of large spills, or use sand or a commercial spill kit to soak them up.

You should never hose down a spill, as you could cause a much worse pollution incident. If you store pesticides or biocides in a vehicle, you should also carry a suitable spill kit.

Use bunds and drip trays

You should store all pesticides and biocides in an area where you can contain spills. This should be on or within a secondary containment system such as:

• an impermeable bunded area
• a bunded pallet or spill pallet
• a sump pallet
• a bunded storage unit
• a drip tray

See our guide on storing chemicals.

Prevent environmental damage from pesticides and biocides

Water pollution can be classed as environmental damage in some circumstances. You must prevent and remedy environmental damage that occurs from water pollution or land contamination caused by your business activities. If anyone else reports environmental damage as a result of your activities, an enforcing authority will have to investigate - see preventing water pollution.

Report pesticides and biocides pollution incidents

You should report any pollution incidents as soon as they happen to the NIEA Water Pollution Hotline on Tel 0800 80 70 60.

If you suspect that your health has been adversely affected by pesticides or biocides, you should report it to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) - download pesticide incident notification form (PDF, 171K).

If you suspect wildlife has been harmed by an incident involving pesticides or biocides, you should call the police at Tel 101 or in an emergency call Tel 999. Information can also be given anonymously through the Crime Stoppers Charity at Tel 0800 555 111.

If you suspect a domestic animal has been harmed by an incident involving pesticides or biocides, you should call the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on Tel 0300 200 7840.

Local councils are responsible for enforcement of the Welfare of Animals (NI) Act 2011, as it applies to non-farmed animals such as domestic pets.