• A comprehensive regulatory framework closely examines all phases of the pesticide product lifecycle.
• Regulation starts during product registration through regulatory bodies to assess fitness for sale and safety, to regulations governing use, allowable residue levels in food, and human health legislation governing acceptable usage practices.
• Major intergovernmental organisations, such as OECD, FAO, WHO and the Codex Commission play a vital role in the regulation of pesticides.
• With all the obligations inherent to the framework, harmonisation of regulations across trading bodies (ASEAN) and regions (European Union) has been sought as a way of streamlining the various processes.

The comprehensive regulatory framework that binds the plant science industry ensures the safety of pesticides for consumers, users, and the environment.

Risk assessments and management of pesticides ensure that only 1 in 20,000 chemicals evaluated during the research and development phase actually make it to the farmer’s field. Re-registration procedures, and quality assurance schemes like the FAO/WHO Specifications ensure that inferior quality products are not allowed onto the market, and that global standards are maintained.

The FAO has developed a voluntary Code of Conduct for the distribution and use of pesticides, which is very broad in scope and sets minimum standards at all points of the manufacture, marketing and use chain. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, along with National Authorities sets limits on the permitted levels of pesticide residues in produce, so that the quality of food on supermarket shelves is assured. Other major international bodies like OECD and WHO provide forum for the discussion of pesticide regulatory issues and contribute towards an international regulatory framework that ensures pesticides are some of the most highly regulated chemicals in the world.