Useful links

HSE is not responsible for and cannot guarantee the accuracy of information on sites that it does not manage and a hyperlink does not mean HSE endorses the linked site. Many of the descriptors below are taken from the relevant website.

UK government departments/agencies etc

• Countryside Council for Wales
  This website contains information on the Welsh countryside, including publications and research and environmental issues.
• Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
  The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) aims to promote sustainable economic growth and the development of the countryside in Northern Ireland. The Department assists the competitive development of the agri-food, fishing and forestry sectors of the Northern Ireland economy, having regard for the need of the consumers, the welfare of animals and the conservation and enhancement of the environment.
• Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
  One department which brings together the interests of farmers and the countryside; the environment and the rural economy; the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink.
  • Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA)
    The AHVLA are an executive agency of Defra and administer on behalf of Defra a mechanism for the approval of veterinary disinfectants for the purposes of animal disease prevention and control arising under UK Statutory Instrument ‘The Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007’.  This allows disinfectants to be placed on an approved list for controlling certain diseases if they have demonstrated efficacy to AHVLA.
  • National Bee Unit
    The National Bee Unit has been involved in the control of bee pests and diseases and training for beekeepers for over 60 years. The Unit's role is to protect the honey bee, an important pollinator of crops and wild plants from threats such as serious pests and diseases and environmental damage.
• Department of Health (DoH)
  Its aim is to improve the health and well-being of people in England.
• Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
  • Consumer and Product Safety - regulates the Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC) (cosmetics are products generally applied to external parts of the human body to clean and perfume them and correct body odours)
• Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)
  DWI is responsible for assessing the quality of drinking water in England and Wales, taking enforcement action if standards are not being met, and appropriate action when water is unfit for human consumption.
• Environment Agency (EA)
  The leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
• Food Standards Agency (FSA)
  The Food Standards Agency is an independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food.
• Hansard
  Details of official proceedings in both Houses of Parliament, including texts of answered parliamentary questions.
• Health and Safety Executive
  • HSE Books: 01787 881165
    HSE Books is the name of the mail order and warehousing services for the distribution of HSC/E publications and multimedia products. HSE Books distributes both priced and free publications and also operates a number of subscription services, mainly priced, on the subject of health and safety at the workplace.
  • REACH
    Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals is the new, wide-scope EU chemicals legislation that came into force on 1 June 2007. Each EU Member State needs to appoint a national Competent Authority (CA) to deliver prescribed responsibilities. HSE (in partnership with the Environment Agency) has been chosen to deliver the CA role for the UK. Further information on REACH can be found at hse.gov.uk/reach or contacting the UK CA REACH helpdesk on 0845 408 9575 or by e-mail UKREACHCA@hse.gsi.gov.uk
  • Chemicals Regulations Directive (Pesticides)
    Deal with plant protection products under the Plant Protection Products Directive (91/414/EC), plant protection pesticides under the Control of Pesticides Regulations and detergents under the Detergents Regulation 648/2004/EC.
  • Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
    Provides information in relation to EU Regulation 689/2008 concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals (as amended) which implements the Rotterdam Convention.  This Regulation also includes chemicals from the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (PoPS) the export of which is banned.
  • Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (CHIP)
    Provides information on CHIP which is the law that applies to suppliers of dangerous chemicals, requiring suppliers to adequately classify, label and package dangerous chemicals.  The CHIP regulations will gradually be replaced by the European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures – known as the CLP Regulation
• Local Government Regulation
  Advises local authorities on enforcement issues and provides information on regulations.
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
  The Executive Agency of the Department of Health protecting and promoting public health and patient safety by ensuring that medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, performance and effectiveness.
• The National Archives – Official Home of UK Legislation

This site gives you access to copies of UK legislation.

• Natural England
  Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas.
• Scottish Executive
  Scottish government. Scottish Office news and information covering government publications, reports and Executive consultations from the Scottish Executive.
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
  Scotland’s environmental regulator and adviser, responsible to the Scottish Parliament through Ministers. Controlling pollution protecting and improving the environment.
• Scottish Natural Heritage
  Provides information on the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's unique and precious natural heritage - the wildlife, the habitats and the landscapes which have evolved in Scotland through the long partnership between people and nature.
• Trading Standards Authorities (UK)
  This site provides a wealth of information for consumers and businesses, schools, advice and information centres, community organisations, local councils, business support agencies and trade associations.
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
  The vision of the VMD is the responsible, safe and effective use of veterinary medicinal products. In working towards achieving this vision the VMD aims to protect public health, animal health, the environment and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines.
• The Welsh Government
  Official information on the Welsh Government, its members and functions.

European Union/Other Member States

• Europa
  Here you will find information on the Biocidal Products Directive including scope documents such as the 'Manual of Decisions' – Details of the Review Programme and contact details for the EU Competent Authorities.
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  The regulatory authorities implementing the EU's chemicals legislation for the benefit of human health and the environment as well as for innovation and competitiveness. ECHA helps companies to comply with the legislation, advances the safe use of chemicals, provides information on chemicals and addresses chemicals of concern.
• The Joint Research Council
  Institute for Health and Consumer Protetion
  Here you will find technical notes for guidance in support of the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD), link to the BPD and Review Regulations and contact details for the EU Competent Authorities.
• The Pesticide Control Service (PCS)
  The Pesticide Control Service (PCS) is responsible for implementing the regulatory system for biocidal products in the Republic of Ireland.

Trade associations

• British Association for Chemical Specialities (BACS)
  UK Trade Association representing the interests of companies operating in the field of speciality and performance chemicals, particularly maintenance products for institutional, industrial and consumer use, biocides, disinfectants, water treatment chemicals and speciality surfactants
• British Beekeepers Association (BBKA)
  The British Beekeepers Association is an educational charity set up in 1874, it is the UK's leading organisation representing beekeepers. They promote the importance of bees in the environment and provide support for beekeepers.
• British Coatings Federation
  Trade association for the decorative, industrial and powder coatings, printing inks and wall covering industry in the UK.
• British Pest Control Association (BPCA)
  UK trade association representing those organisations with a professional interest in the eradication of public health nuisance pests.
• British Institute of Embalmers (http://www.bioe.co.uk)
  The British Institute of Embalmers was founded in 1927 by a group of 15 funeral directors who recognised the need for a separate organisation for the professional embalmer.
• CEFIC European Chemical Industry Council
  General trade association for the chemical industry in the EU.
• Chemical Industries Association
  General trade association for the chemical producing and chemical-using industry in the UK.
• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) National Pest Advisory Panel
  CIEH is a charity whose aim is to promote environmental health in all its forms in all sections of society. It is not a local authority association, which represents the interests of local government.
• Legionella Control Association
  The Code of Conduct for Service Providers has been put together by a working party drawn from the British Association for Chemical Specialities and the Water Management Society in close consultation with the Health and Safety Executive. It is referred to in the HSE document L8 Legionnaires' disease, The control of legionella bacteria in water systems: Approved Code of Practice and Guidance.
• National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA)
  A trade association representing all those employed directly, or indirectly, within the pest control industry.
• Property Care Association
  Represents manufacturers and contractors using remedial wood preservatives.
• Trades Union Congress (TUC)
  The TUC is the voice of Britain at work. With 66 affiliated unions representing nearly seven million working people from all walks of life, they campaign for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.
• UK Cleaning Products Industry Association
  Represents UK producers of cleaning, hygiene and surface care products, ranging from soaps, washing powders, household disinfectants, air fresheners and polishes, to the wide range of professional cleaning and hygiene products used in industrial and institutional applications.
• Water Management Society
  WMSoc offers informed and experienced assistance in all matters relating to the responsible management of water in industry and commerce through publications, conferences and journals.
• Wood Protection Association
  Trade association for the wood protection industry, encompass wood preservation with biocides, non-biocidal wood modification and protective coatings. They provide specifications for treatments and codes of practice for training in safe and effective wood preservation and operation of treatment plants.

Other useful links

• CEPE
  Represents the interests of paint, printing ink and artists' colours companies at European level. Includes membership, care programmes, and publications.
• Eurlex
  The single entry point to the complete collections of EU legal texts in all the official languages.
• International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)
  Provides basic scientific risk evaluation of a wide range of chemicals and groups of chemicals.
• OSPAR Convention
  Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic.
• Pesticides Forum Annual Reports
  The Pesticides Forum Annual Reports, highlights key developments and trends in the use of pesticides during the last year and identifies issues needing further monitoring or work.