Pesticides are widely used by pest control operators (PCOs) for the control of vectors, pests of public health importance, stored product pests, structural pests such as termites and wood-boring insects, as well as weeds along highways and public places. The use of pesticides in close proximity to the human population by PCOs who are untrained, lacking in competence and unregulated in many countries is of great concern. Such uncontrolled pest control activities not only affect human health and at times even kill but also cause adverse environmental effects and shorten the period of availability of much needed pesticides due to resistance.

Within the context of the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, this document is intended to provide specific guidance for countries wishing to establish or strengthen their programmes for licensing of activities connected to the pesticide life-cycle, including import, storage, distribution, sale and specific uses, and to provide guidance on options to set up and improve national licensing schemes. This guidance is designed primarily for use by government authorities in charge of pesticide management, in particular pesticide regulations, compliance, enforcement and risk reduction, as well as may also be useful in sectors such as the pesticide industry, nongovernmental organizations and other relevant entities in low-and middle-income countries in which there is limited legislation, compliance and enforcement, and resources for pesticide management.

The understanding that some pesticides are more hazardous than others is well established. Recognition of this is reflected by the World Health Organization (WHO) Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard, which was first published in 1975. The document classifies pesticides in one of five hazard classes according to their acute toxicity. In 2002, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) was introduced, which in addition to acute toxicity also provides classification of chemicals according to their chronic health hazards and environmental hazards.

This brochure describes the technical guidelines, toolkits, databases and other resources for pesticide management developed by FAO and WHO. These resources support the standards outlined in the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management by providing detailed information and guidance on how to manage pesticides at the different stages of their life cycle, from production to disposal. The resources are principally intended for use by governments in low- and middle-income countries but they may also be useful to other stakeholders. The resources cover both agricultural and public health uses of pesticides.

This new guidance will complement the technical guidance documents already developed to implement the FAO/WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. It is developed jointly with WHO. This document is intended to guide pesticide regulators, especially in low- and middle-income countries, for designing and implementing national pesticide licensing schemes, outlining elements, requirements, and options for countries wishing to establish or strengthen their programs for licensing of activities related to the pesticide life cycle.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) involves applying residual insecticide to potential vector resting sites on the interior surfaces of human dwellings or other buildings. The main aim of IRS is to kill vectors before they are able to transmit pathogens to humans. When carried out correctly, IRS has historically been shown to be a powerful intervention to reduce adult vector density and longevity for mosquitoes, sand flies and triatomine bugs and can reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases. This operational manual is designed to provide guidance on the establishment, management, implementation, reporting and evaluation of safe and effective IRS campaigns within the context of a locally adapted and sustainable vector control programme, in line with the Global vector control response 2017–2030. It provides information according to current WHO recommendations and standards on IRS and recognizes that IRS can potentially target multiple diseases in areas where endophilic vectors coexist. The key audience for this document is vector-borne disease control programme managers and staff, as well as implementing or private-sector partners at the national, provincial/state or local levels, who are responsible for the design, planning or implementation of vector control operations.

These guidelines are a complete revision of the outdated Guidelines for Legislation on the Control of Pesticides [1989]. They are intended for Governments wishing to develop, review, update or strengthen national legislation for the control of pesticides. These serve as a reference for the preparation or review of pesticide legislation and cover all specific elements of such legislation. They describe specific requirements for all stages of the pesticide life-cycle, from manufacturing to use or disposal.

The purpose of the guidelines is to provide guidance to governments that seek to review, update or design national pesticide legislation. It should be emphasized, however, that legislation alone cannot ensure effective pesticide management and adequate protection of the environment and public health. Governments will need to have in place the necessary institutional infrastructure for registering pesticides and enforcing legislation. Further, governments also need effective supporting policies and tools to promote sustainable pest and pesticide management. This may include promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Vector Management (IVM) through training programmes and incentive schemes, increasing availability and use of low risk products, fostering scientific research, carrying out public education campaigns and providing training for inspectors, retailers and professional users. A solid legislative framework should underpin the selected institutional framework, policies and tools. This document supersedes the Guidelines for Legislation on the Control of Pesticides of 1989.

International and national legal frameworks governing the trade and use of pesticides have undergone significant changes over the last twenty years. The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention, the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol are only some of the binding and non-binding international instruments applicable to part or all of the life cycle of a pesticide. Specific guidelines for implementation are often available from the secretariat of the applicable international instrument, but comprehensive guidance is generally lacking. Governments need a clear picture of their international obligations as well as guidance on the accepted international consensus on the proper management of pesticides. Upgraded national legislation is needed to align national frameworks with international norms. This text aims to provide governments wishing to design, reform or update their national legislation with up-to-date advice on all aspects of pesticide management. Although the recommendations for national legislative change are designed to be useful to all countries, the text highlights the particular problems faced by developing countries and countries in transition, offering practical solutions to common problems. Also published in Spanish.