Biocides: Find the right enforcement authority

Incident or concern Occurred in Report to
People – where someone has carried out a biocidal treatment in your home as part of their work, for example, a professional pest controller Great Britain

HSE[68]
Northern Ireland

HSENI[69]
People – where someone has carried out a biocidal treatment in your home not as part of their work, for example, yourself or another member of the general public Great Britain

Your local authority[70]
Northern Ireland

Your district council[71]
People – other than the scenarios described above Great Britain Depends on the type of place involved
Northern Ireland Depends on the type of place involved
Animals, including wildlife, livestock and pets/companion animals United Kingdom

Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme[78]

Telephone:
0800 321 600
The environment England

Environment Agency[79]

Telephone:
0800 80 70 60

Wales

Natural Resources Wales[80]

Telephone:
0300 065 3000

 Scotland

Scottish Environment Protection Agency[81]

Telephone:
03000 99 66 99

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Environment Agency[82]
Telephone:
0300 200 7856

Rail networks United Kingdom

Office of Rail and Road[83]
Authorisation or approval
concern that a product does not have the necessary authorisation or approval for example		 Great Britain

HSE[84]
Northern Ireland

HSENI[85]
Trade-to-trade sale
wholesale supply		 Great Britain

HSE[86]
Northern Ireland

HSENI[87]
Retail sale, including online and in physical stores Great Britain

Your local Trading Standards office[88]
Northern Ireland

Consumerline[89]
Advertisement
online, newspapers/magazines etc		 Great Britain

Your local trading standards[90]
Northern Ireland

Consumerline[91]

If you're still not sure which authority you should report to, don't worry! All of the authorities work together, so we will make sure your report gets to the right place.

Other ways the authorities work together include:

  • sharing information, for example HSE can provide other authorities with:
    • advice on the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR), EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR) and the Control of Pesticides Regulation (COPR), and on how individual products are affected by it
    • details of the approval/authorisation status of individual products and the conditions placed on them
    • copies of the approval/authorisation documents
  • supporting prosecutions, for example, by providing witness statements

Enforcement laws

The responsibilities of the different authorities described in the table above come from general health and safety law working in combination with more specific enforcement laws for COPR, GB BPR and EU BPR.

General health and safety law

GB BPR specific law

The following laws amend the BPC Regs to enable them to operate effectively as part of GB BPR:

EU BPR specific law

Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013[98]

COPR specific law

These laws also define a number of offences and the powers that the authorities may use. Find out more about offences and powers[101].

Schemes and activities

HSE also runs a number of schemes and activities focussed on the effects of the use of biocidal products in particular areas.

Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS)

The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) investigates the death and illness of wildlife, livestock, pets (usually cats and dogs) and beneficial invertebrates (usually honey bees, bumble bees and earthworms) that are suspected to be caused by poisoning from biocides (or pesticides).

WIIS is primarily a monitoring tool that provides additional information to HSE, which may prompt the reassessment of authorised products to prevent further incidents. However, enforcement action may also be taken where there is clear evidence of a breach of the law.

Find out more about WIIS[102].

Adverse effects reporting

Action for approval/authorisation holders

COPR, GB BPR and EU BPR require product approval and authorisation holders to report new information about products and active substances that may affect their approval or authorisation. You should report to HSE without delay if you become aware of:

  • any data or information concerning the adverse effects of an active substance or biocidal product on:
    • people – particularly vulnerable groups
    • animals
    • the environment
  • any data or information that might indicate an active substance is contributing to the development of resistance in pest populations
  • any data or information that might indicate a biocidal product is not sufficiently effective

You should include as much information as possible in your reports, including:

  • product name
  • COPR HSE number, or GB BPR or EU BPR authorisation number
  • type of incident (approved use, accident or misuse)
  • who or what was affected (person, animal (including type and species) or the environment)
  • when, where and how the exposure happened
  • symptoms reported
  • treatment details
  • long-term effects
  • any advice issued

The information reported to HSE may prompt the reassessment of authorised products to prevent further incidents. However, enforcement action may also be taken where there is clear evidence of a breach of the law.

To ensure that HSE is receiving this information, we conduct an annual survey where approval/authorisation holders are required to tell us about any information they have received concerning the adverse effects described above.

Please note: this does not mean you should wait for us to write to you! If you have received information concerning adverse effects, you must tell us without delay.

The results of the survey are compiled into an anonymous report – approval/authorisation holders and products will not be identified. For the latest report, or reports from previous years, please contact us.

Link URLs in this page

  1. Biocideshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/index.htm
  2. Biocides: Introductionhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/introduction.htm
  3. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/regulated/index.htm
  4. Biocides: active substance statushttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/checking/index.htm
  5. Importing and exportinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/importing.htm
  6. Certificates of Free Sale and Export Statementshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/certificates-of-freesale.htm
  7. Treated articleshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/treated-articles.htm
  8. Monitoring trapshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/monitoring-traps.htm
  9. Article 3(3) decisions on scopehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/decisions-on-scope.htm
  10. In situ generationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/in-situ-generation.htm
  11. Get product on UK markethttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/market.htm
  12. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/using.htm
  13. Honey beeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/honey-bees.htm
  14. Rodenticideshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/rodenticides.htm
  15. Reporting exposurehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/reporting.htm
  16. Biocides enforcementhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
  17. Authorities and activitieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement-authorities.htm
  18. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/active-substance-approval.htm
  19. UK Review Programmehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/review-regulation.htm
  20. Active substances: How to applyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/how-to-apply.htm
  21. Simplified active substanceshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/simplified-actives.htm
  22. The GB List of Active Substanceshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-list-active-substances.htm
  23. GB Article 95: The basicshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-article-95-basics.htm
  24. GB Article 95: How to applyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-article-95-how-to-apply.htm
  25. The GB Article 95 Listhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-article-95-list.htm
  26. Technical equivalence of an active substancehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/technical-equivalence.htm
  27. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/product-authorisation-overview.htm
  28. National authorisationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/national-authorisation.htm
  29. Simplified authorisationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/simplified-product-authorisation.htm
  30. Same biocidal product authorisationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/same-biocidal-product.htm
  31. Change or cancel a biocidal product authorisationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/change/index.htm
  32. Renew an existing product authorisationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/renew.htm
  33. Research and developmenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/research.htm
  34. Essential use authorisationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/essential-use-authorisation.htm
  35. Critical situation permitshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/critical-situation-permits.htm
  36. Food and feed derogationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/derogation.htm
  37. Unfettered access notificationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/unfettered-access-notification.htm
  38. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/uk-authorised-biocidal-products.htm
  39. Advertisement requirementshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/advertisement-requirements.htm
  40. Packaging and labelling requirementshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/packaging-labelling-requirements.htm
  41. Record keepinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/recording-keeping-reporting.htm
  42. Informing NPIShttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/informing-npis.htm
  43. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/data-protection.htm
  44. Access to documents: Biocidal active substances and productshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/access-to-documents.htm
  45. Data sharing in GBhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/data-sharing.htm
  46. Vertebrate testinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/vertebrate-testing.htm
  47. GB BPR feeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/fees.htm
  48. Biocides regulationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/regulations.htm
  49. Northern Irelandhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/northern-ireland.htm
  50. Existing products: Transfer to GB BPRhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/transfer-from-uk-national-law.htm
  51. Existing NI products: transfer to EU BPRhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/existing-products-northern-ireland.htm
  52. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/index.htm
  53. COPR approval: how to applyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/application.htm
  54. COPR product approval typeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/approvals.htm
  55. COPR approved productshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/approved.htm
  56. COPR feeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/fees.htm
  57. COPR labellinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/labelguidance.htm
  58. Conditions of approvalhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/conditions.htm
  59. Open invitations and notificationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/open-invitations-notifications.htm
  60. Consultations and surveyshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/consultations.htm
  61. Consultations: Submitting informationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/consultations-submitting.htm
  62. Overviewhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/information.htm
  63. Glossaryhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/glossary.htm
  64. Useful linkshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/links.htm
  65. Contacthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/contact.htm
  66. Service standardshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/servicestandards.htm
  67. Temporary changes to GB biocides application processing timeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/temporary-changes-application-processing-time.htm
  68. HSEhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
  69. HSENIhttps://www.hseni.gov.uk/
  70. Your local authorityhttps://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
  71. Your district councilhttps://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/local-councils-in-northern-ireland
  72. HSEhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
  73. your local authorityhttps://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
  74. Refer to list of places and enforcement responsibilitieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/og/og-00073-appendix1.htm
  75. HSENIhttps://www.hseni.gov.uk/
  76. your district councilhttps://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/local-councils-in-northern-ireland
  77. Refer to list of places and enforcement responsibilitieshttps://www.hseni.gov.uk/about-hseni#toc-2
  78. Wildlife Incident Investigation Schemehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/reducing-environmental-impact/wildlife/index.htm
  79. Environment Agencyhttps://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
  80. Natural Resources Waleshttps://naturalresources.wales/
  81. Scottish Environment Protection Agencyhttps://www.sepa.org.uk/
  82. Northern Ireland Environment Agencyhttps://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/northern-ireland-environment-agency
  83. Office of Rail and Roadhttps://orr.gov.uk/
  84. HSEhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
  85. HSENIhttps://www.hseni.gov.uk/
  86. HSEhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
  87. HSENIhttps://www.hseni.gov.uk/
  88. Your local Trading Standards officehttps://www.tradingstandards.uk/
  89. Consumerlinehttps://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/contact-consumerline-make-complaint-or-ask-advice
  90. Your local trading standardshttps://www.tradingstandards.uk/
  91. Consumerlinehttps://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/contact-consumerline-make-complaint-or-ask-advice
  92. Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37
  93. The Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/494/contents/made
  94. Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1999/90/contents/made
  95. Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (BPC Regs)http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1506/contents/made
  96. Chemicals (Health and Safety) and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (CGMO Regs 2019) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/720/contents/made
  97. Chemicals (Health and Safety) and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (CGMO Regs 2020)https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1567/contents/made?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EU-Exit-hse&utm_term=legal-text&utm_content=SI-16-oct-20
  98. Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2013/206/contents
  99. Food and Environment Protection Act 1985http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/48/contents
  100. Pesticides (Fees and Enforcement) Act 1989http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/27/contents
  101. Find out more about offences and powershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm
  102. Find out more about WIIShttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/reducing-environmental-impact/wildlife/wildlife-incident-investigation-scheme.htm
  103. The lawhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/information.htm#law
  104. HSE enforcement policies and procedureshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/index.htm
  105. Brexit: Implications for Northern Irelandhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/northern-ireland.htm
  106. Biocides enforcementhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/enforcement.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

COPR
Control of Pesticides Regulations

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Updated 2025-03-12