Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR)

A pesticide is defined as a substance, preparation or organism used to control or destroy any pest. Pesticides can be used to safeguard the public health and protect buildings and other structures from harmful and unwanted pests.

In Great Britain, before a pesticide can be advertised, sold, supplied, stored or used, it has to be approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (COPR) (as amended 1997).

In the UK HSE acts as the regulatory authority for non-agricultural pesticides by administering the COPR regulatory scheme.

Non-agricultural pesticides include products such as insecticides for public hygiene use, insect repellents for application to animals, rodenticides, wood preservatives, surface biocides and antifouling products.

• A full list of non-agricultural product types regulated by the HSE

Agricultural pesticides and plant protection products are regulated by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) and these include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and soil sterilants used in agriculture, forestry etc to protect plants/plant materials.

COPR is enforced by both HSE and local authority inspectors and trading standards officers, more information on enforcement and investigations.

These pages provide information on:

• COPR Research – information on restrictions relating to research conducted by stakeholders under COPR and information on the pesticides related research conducted by HSE.
• COPR approval system – background to the approvals system.
• Application process – how to apply for an approval of a non-agricultural pesticide under COPR.
• COPR application process flow chart – A schematic overview with timescales.
• Fees/charges – What HSE charges for applications (ie the processing route it will take) and annual levy fees.
• Approved pesticides – lists products approved with HSE.
  • Details of agricultural pesticides approved by the Pesticides Safety Directorate are available on the PSD website
  • Detailed evaluations of new or reviewed COPR active ingredients are available on the ACP website. The data underlying published non-agricultural evaluations is available for inspection at HSE Bootle office on application
• Service standards