New training requirements for retailers of garden care chemicals

The Crop Protection Association (CPA) is to take the lead in developing a certificated E-learning course to meet new statutory training requirements for retailers of garden care products.

New UK legislation, to be published on 18 July 2012 as the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012, introduces a requirement for retailers of garden care chemicals to ensure sufficient certificated staff are available at the time of sale to provide basic information to customers on the safe and effective use and disposal of garden care chemicals. The requirement, effective from 26 November 2015, applies to both in-store and internet-based sales.

David Evans, co-ordinator of the CPA Garden Group, welcomed the emphasis on training and advice in the new regulations:

"These new rules will ensure that retail staff are properly trained to provide basic information to gardeners on the safe and effective use and disposal of garden care chemicals. The Crop Protection Association has provided training and development programmes for nearly 25 years to support responsible stewardship in the garden care sector. CPA's garden group is already working together with representatives of the garden centre and DIY retail sectors to develop an easy-to-use on-line certificated course to meet the new training requirements of the legislation," he said.

Key points of the new legislation:

From 26 November 2015, all retailers of garden care chemicals (non-professional products for use in the garden and around the home) will be required to employ sufficient certificated staff to be available at time of sale to provide basic information to customers.

This applies to both in-store and internet-based sales, and the information can be provided either face to face or by telephone by a certificated member of staff.

The new certificate will require candidates to understand basic information on the safe and effective use and disposal of garden care chemicals.

The new training and certification requirement does not apply to a micro-distributor, defined as an enterprise having an annual turnover not exceeding 2 million euros, with fewer than 10 employees, and only selling non-professional products.

Dr Anne Buckenham, Director of Policy, Crop Protection Association
T: 01733 355373
M: 07885 264520
E: anne.b@cropprotection.org.uk
W: www.cropprotection.org.uk