Introduction
You can use HSE’s pesticides databases to find information about UK plant protection products and authorisations.
To find information about active substances, go to the lists and registers section of our guidance on active substance approval.
Tips when using the databases
You can use either upper or lower case to search.
You may use wildcards (%) and part names instead of entering the full name, but this will slow the search down.
Enter crops in the singular - for example 'apple' not 'apples'. For all:
- 'pea crops' enter '%pea%
- 'bean crops' including runner bean enter '%bean%'
Searches now use a structured list of crops, the Crop Hierarchy. An introduction and details of the Crop Hierarchy is available along with a search facility for crop conversion. For more information read our guidance on the Crop Definitions List.
To help you find information on details of authorised pesticide products we have a list of answers to frequently asked questions.
Pesticides register database
Use the pesticides register database to find information about pesticide products authorised for use in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
You can search:
- by authorisation features
- for changes
- for products subject to withdrawal
Search by authorisation features
This search provides details of current authorisations.
Company names
When searching for company names, retrieve all variations by entering the common part of the name. For example, entering ‘Bloggs’ will return products for Bloggs Ltd and Bloggs UK
Product registration number
To search based on the product registration number, you will need to enter the relevant number which can be found on a product label and consists of the letters "MAPP" or "MAFF" followed by a 5 digit number. Enter the 5 digit number, including any leading zeroes.
All extant products
To search for all extant products enter “01/01/1960” in the "Earliest Approval Date" field. Due to the very large number of authorisations, this search will take some time to process.
Print list of products returned
On the results screen, to print a list of all the products returned select "All Results Print Version" above the results table. For large data sets, this can take some time to produce.
See full product details
On the results page, to see the full details of a product, including links to the notices, select the product name.
Replacement products or digitally signed notices
Any replacement products or digitally signed authorisation notices will be listed at the bottom of the details page
Search for changes
This allows you to search for changes made since a specified date.
On the results screen you can:
- view the full details of a product by selecting the product name
- access the electronically signed notice by selecting the approval number
Search for products subject to withdrawal
Use this search to find products that are going to be removed from the marketplace.
Use the “After” and “Between” dropdown box to find products due to be withdrawn after or between the date(s) you enter.
Database of pesticide products with authorisation for use in the garden
You can use the amateur products database to find information about products which can be used in a garden, allotment or on houseplants.
What the search terms mean
Plant/Area
Where you wish to apply the product. Select the picklist to see possible entries. Examples of the searches you can perform are given in the section ‘Some Common Queries’ below.
Product name
The trade name as given on the product container. Select the picklist to see possible entries.
MAPP number
The product registration number which shows the product has been authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In the past these were given as 'MAFF' numbers.
Marketing Company
The company that markets the product. It may also be the name of the shop that sells the product. Select the picklist to see possible entries.
Active ingredient
Sometimes called 'active substance' or 'active', this is the chemical that makes the product work. Select the picklist to see possible entries.
Field of Use/Action
How the product works. Select the drop-down arrow to see possible entries. These include:
- ‘Insecticide' (used to control unwanted insects)
- 'fungicide' (used to control unwanted fungal diseases in plants)
- ‘'herbicide' (used to control unwanted vegetation), a weed killer
Common queries
Which products can I use on a particular plant or area in my garden?
Select the Plant/Area picklist and then:
- select the entry that describes the plant/area which has the pest/disease.
- select 'Get Results'.
In order to get a complete list of all possible products you may use you may need to do more than one search. For example:
- for use on cabbage (a plant you can eat) search using the plant group 'All edible crops' and search again selecting 'Cabbage'.
- for roses (a plant you can't eat) you should search using each of the following plant groups; 'All non edible crops', 'ornamental garden plants' and 'ornamental plant production'.
- for products which can be used on a garden path you should search using each of the following plant groups/areas; 'Areas not intended to bear vegetation', 'hard surfaces' and 'unwanted vegetation'.
- A search using the term 'All situations' will give you a list of products for use as slug/snail killers, weed killers, animal repellents, insecticides and fungicides.
Can I still use the old PPP in my shed?
On the label of the container:
- locate a number on the label with the letters 'MAFF' or 'MAPP' at the beginning.
- enter the numbers (only) in the 'MAPP No.' box - there should always be 5 digits, for example 07777, not just 7777.
- select 'Get Results'
If there is only a number which begins with 'HSE' then information is currently held on the main HSE website.
Which PPPs are available to control a particular pest/disease in my garden?
HSE cannot give advice on which products control which pest or disease. You must ask for this information when you’re buying the product or check on the label of the container.
Our database will let you search for the purpose of the pesticide, for example, insecticide.
- select the 'Field of Use/Action' drop-down box' and select which applies, for example:
- Insecticide: a pesticide used to control unwanted insects, for example, blackfly
- Fungicide: a pesticide used to control unwanted fungal diseases in plants, for example, white spot
- Herbicide: controls unwanted vegetation (weed killer)
- This should now be displayed in the Field of Use/Action box.
- It may also be useful to narrow your search to the plant/area where you have the pest/disease. Go to Which products can I use on a particular plant or area in my garden?
- Select 'Get Results'.
What do results mean?
When you have searched and selected 'Get Results' you will either get:
“No authorised products were found that match your query”
This means that there are no plant protection products matching your query which you can legally use. However, you might try repeating your search. Make sure you use the picklists available and if you typed in a MAPP No. ensure it has 5 digits.
For further help and advice contact us.
“Authorised Products Search Results”
This gives you a list of all the products that match your search and which you can legally use (as long as you follow label instructions). Expiry dates show the last date on which a you can use a product. If you select the product name you will get more details of the product's authorisation.
If a product which you bought some time ago does not appear on the list, it’s no longer authorised for use or storage. You can contact your local council for details of how to dispose of it safely.
Database of published 'on-label' e-@pprovals documents
The e-@pprovals database shows documentation issued since 2005 for a particular product including:
- authorisations (or permits)
- amendments to authorisations
- withdrawal notices
This includes products that have expired and are no longer authorised.
You will need to know the MAPP (registration) number or name of the product for the public search facility.