The guidance provided in this publication is on enforcing compliance by on-site inspection of companies involved in pesticide production, import, distribution and retail sale. The publication is intended to be a practical, hands-on tool, with checklists that inspectors can use to prepare and conduct inspections at various sites and impose fines or penalties if deficiencies are found. It proposes a format for the report that inspectors submit to the responsible authorities after an inspection and that is filed for future reference. The guidance was prepared with the support of the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Management, which advises FAO and WHO on producing guidance to promote compliance with the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. The document was reviewed by experts of the Working Groups on Biocides and Pesticides of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, and their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

The guidance provided in this publication is on enforcing compliance by on-site inspection of companies involved in pesticide production, import, distribution and retail sale. The publication is intended to be a practical, hands-on tool, with checklists that inspectors can use to prepare and conduct inspections at various sites and impose fines or penalties if deficiencies are found. It proposes a format for the report that inspectors submit to the responsible authorities after an inspection and that is filed for future reference.

This new guidance will complement the technical guidance documents already developed to implement the FAO/WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. It is developed jointly with WHO. This document is intended to guide pesticide regulators, especially in low- and middle-income countries, for designing and implementing national pesticide licensing schemes, outlining elements, requirements, and options for countries wishing to establish or strengthen their programs for licensing of activities related to the pesticide life cycle.

The use of household pesticides to control pests and disease vectors in homes and gardens is common in high-income countries (HICs) and is increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where such pesticides are often sold in local shops and informal markets for use by the general public. The human and environmental risks from the use of these products should not be underestimated. The incorrect use and improper storage and disposal of household pesticides, often due to the absence of any training in pesticide use or risks as well as poor understanding of label information, results in many poisoning and self-harm incidents every year.

FAO’s major publications series are presented together in a user-friendly catalogue. The catalogue features all of the most active series, both new and long-standing, and is divided into areas of work, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, trade and investment, among others. Each series entry includes technical specifications, language versions, most recent titles, relevant ISSNs, and QR codes linking to online resources in the FAO Document Repository.

The purpose of the guidelines is to provide guidance to governments that seek to review, update or design national pesticide legislation. It should be emphasized, however, that legislation alone cannot ensure effective pesticide management and adequate protection of the environment and public health. Governments will need to have in place the necessary institutional infrastructure for registering pesticides and enforcing legislation. Further, governments also need effective supporting policies and tools to promote sustainable pest and pesticide management. This may include promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Vector Management (IVM) through training programmes and incentive schemes, increasing availability and use of low risk products, fostering scientific research, carrying out public education campaigns and providing training for inspectors, retailers and professional users. A solid legislative framework should underpin the selected institutional framework, policies and tools. This document supersedes the Guidelines for Legislation on the Control of Pesticides of 1989.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2020 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.