- The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution & Use of Pesticides serves as a voluntary standard and point of reference for sound pesticide management practices.
- Published in 1985 and updated in 1989, the FAO Code was substantially revised in 2002 to reflect changes in management practices and international conventions relating to pesticide use.
- CropLife International and the leading companies of the plant science industry have agreed to abide by the provisions of the latest revision of the Code.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the plant science industry and other international organisations, including NGOs, developed a voluntary code of conduct, The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, to provide a comprehensive standard for pesticide activities and serve as a point of reference in relation to sound pesticide management practices. The original FAO Code was published in 1985, and updated in 1989 to include the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
With the adoption of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent procedure in 1998, changes in other areas of international policy, and in view of continuing challenges in the management of pesticides in developing countries, a revision of the FAO Code was developed, which was approved by the FAO Council in November 2002.