Article 4. Testing of pesticides

• 4.1 Pesticide industry should:
  • 4.1.1 ensure that each pesticide and pesticide product is adequately and effectively tested by recognized procedures and test methods so as to fully evaluate its efficacy (13), behaviour, fate, hazard and risk (14) with regard to the various anticipated conditions in regions or countries of use;
  • 4.1.2 ensure that such tests are conducted in accordance with sound scientific procedures and the principles of good laboratory practice (15);
  • 4.1.3 make available copies or summaries of the original reports of such tests for assessment by responsible government authorities in all countries where the pesticide is to be offered for sale. Evaluation of the data should be carried out by qualified experts. If translated documents are provided, their accuracy should be validated;
  • 4.1.4 ensure that the proposed use pattern, label claims and directions, packages, technical literature and advertising truly reflect the outcome of these scientific tests and assessments;
  • 4.1.5 provide, at the request of a country, methods for the analysis of any active ingredient or formulation that they manufacture, and provide the necessary analytical standards;
  • 4.1.6 provide advice and assistance in the training of technical staff involved in the relevant analytical work. Formulators should actively support this effort;
  • 4.1.7 conduct residue trials prior to marketing, at least in accordance with Codex Alimentarius and FAO guidelines on good analytical practice (16) and on crop residue data (17, 18, 19) in order to provide a basis for establishing appropriate maximum residue limits (20).
• 4.2 Each country should possess or have access to facilities to verify and exercise control over the quality of pesticides offered for sale or export, to establish the quantity of the active ingredient or ingredients and the suitability of their formulation, according to FAO or WHO specifications2, when available (21, 22, 23).
• 4.3 International organizations and other interested bodies should, within available resources, consider assisting in the establishment of analytical laboratories, or strengthening existing laboratories, in pesticide importing countries, either on a national or a regional basis. These laboratories should adhere to sound scientific procedures and guidelines for good laboratory practice, should possess the necessary expertise and should have adequate analytical equipment and supplies of certified analytical standards, solvents, reagents and appropriate, up-to-date analytical methods.
• 4.4 Exporting governments and international organizations should play an active role in assisting developing countries in training personnel on trial design and conduct, the interpretation and evaluation of test data, and risk/benefit analysis. They should also promote maximum availability to, and use by developing countries of, appropriate international assessments and evaluations of pesticide hazards and risks.
• 4.5 Pesticide industry and governments should collaborate in post-registration surveillance or conducting monitoring studies to determine the fate of pesticides and their health and environmental effects under field conditions (14, 24).

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