Fact sheet: Banned pesticides
This fact sheet explains the most important points about prohibited pesticides in the Ministry of Environment's Statutory Orders on:
- Partial or complete bans on certain pesticides
- Pesticides
- Amendments to the statutory orders on pesticides, and
- The Consolidated Act on Chemical Substances and Products.
Please note that only the regulations in the Statutory Order apply, this fact sheet is merely a guide.
What is the scope of the regulations?
The regulations cover all prohibited pesticides mentioned in the relevant lists A and B in annex 2 of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Consolidated Act on Chemical Substances and Products.
What is the purpose of the regulations?
The regulations are designed to avoid injury to people or damage to the environment through contact with prohibited pesticides. Some pesticides are prohibited because of their effect on the environment – for example they seep down into the ground water. Others are prohibited because of their effect on people – they can for example cause serious eye injuries.
What do the regulations say?
Import and sale of products is normally prohibited from a particular date, called the stop date. After this it is permitted to use the product, normally for up to six months. It is also permitted to be in possession of the product for another three months. Under normal circumstances all of the product must have been disposed of in a responsible way nine months after the stop date.
Which substances are prohibited?
It is forbidden to be in possession of pesticides containing one or more of the active substances named on lists A and B in annex 2 in the Ministry of Environment and Energy Consolidated Act on Chemical Substances and Products.
Which regulations apply for storage of prohibited products?
Pesticides must be stored in a responsible manner with regard to health and the environment. They must be inaccessible to children and be stored separately from foodstuffs, animal feedstuffs, medicines and similar. This also applies to pesticide residues and empty used packaging. Users may only store pesticides in their original packaging. If the product is toxic or very toxic it must be stored as stated above, but also be under lock and key. Sprays and similar prepared with pesticides must be under supervision at all times.
How does one dispose of prohibited products?
Prohibited pesticides and their packaging must be disposed of according to the regulations covering disposal of oil and chemical waste. Contact the local authority for further information.
Are there exemptions from the regulations?
It is permitted to be in possession of a pesticide that is only partially prohibited as long as the information on the warning label corresponds with the restrictions for use in compliance with list A in annex 2 in the Ministry of Environment and Energy Consolidated Act on Chemical Substances and Products. See Fact Sheet 11: Labelling and Packaging of Pesticides. The ban on being in possession of pesticides containing one or more active substances on lists A and B in annex 2 in the Ministry of Environment and Energy Consolidated Act on Chemical Substances and Products does not include products manufactured abroad that are only being transported through Denmark as goods in transit. The ban does not include companies legally manufacturing chemical substances and products for export. It is also permitted to be in possession of pesticides that contain one or more active substances from lists A and B in annex 2 in the Ministry of Environment and Energy Consolidated Act on Chemical Substances and Products if it they are covered by an exemption, licence or permit.
Who is responsible?
Anyone importing, exporting, selling, using, or in possession of prohibited pesticides, is responsible for ensuring that the regulations as stated in the Statute Orders are complied with. The Environmental Protection Agency Chemical Inspection Service supervises the implementation of the regulations and is authorised to issue injunctions and bans. If the regulations are violated this may lead to a fine or up to two years’ imprisonment.
Where can I obtain more information?
The titles of the Statutory Orders are:
Statutory Order from the Ministry of Environment and Energy No. 689 of 24 August 1999 on total or partial ban on certain pesticides (ban on pesticides containing propineb)
"Miljø- og Energiministeriets bekendtgørelse nr. 1061 af 20. December 1998 om ændring af bekendtgørelse om bekæmpelsesmidler." (Amendment to the Statutory Order on pesticides)
Statutory Order no. 241 of 27. August 1998 on pesticides . Chapter 6 is about storage and disposal.
Consolidated Act no. 21 of January 16, 1996 from the Ministry of Environment and Energy on Chemical Substances and Products.
The Statutory Orders are also available in Danish on the Internet address: www.retsinfo.dk , at the library or you can order them at a bookshop in Denmark.