Bystander & resident exposure

This guidance outlines the requirements for the non-dietary exposure assessment of bystanders and residents coming into contact with plant protection products (PPP).

Bystanders are people who are not involved in working with PPP but may be located within or directly adjacent to the area where product application is in process or has recently been completed. Bystanders are assumed to be exposed during a short period of time and take no action to avoid or control exposure.

Residents are people who live, work or attend any institution near to areas that are treated with PPP, but not for the purpose of working on the treated area or with the treated commodity. Residents are assumed to be exposed during a longer period of time than bystanders and take no action to avoid or control exposure.

Bystander and resident exposure to active substances and toxicologically relevant compounds in a PPP are assessed following Article 7.2.2 of European Commission Regulation Number (EC) 284/2013.

Assessing bystander and resident exposure

All applications received by HSE must reflect the correct guidance and exposure models.

The exposure mitigation measures of drift reduction nozzles and an increased buffer strip as detailed in the EFSA guidance and associated exposure model are currently not accepted in GB for mitigation of exposure to bystanders and residents.