Certificate for professional use of plant protection products

1. What legislation does apply for the use of plant protection products and certificate for professional use.
    
   The provisions concerning the use of plant protection products and certificate for professional use can be found in the Chemical Act No 61/2013 and national Regulation No 677/2021 concerning the use of plant protection products and exterminating agents.
    
2. What is the definition of professional use of plant protection products?
    
   The use of plant protection products e.g. insecticide, fungicide, herbicide or growth regulator by a professional user in crop production and amenity horticulture, to prevent the damage of plants by any organisms or to regulate growth.
    
3. What is a certificate for plant protection products?
    
   A certificate for plant protection products gives an individual the right to buy and use plant protection products that are intended for professional use only, in crop production and amenity horticulture. The certificates are issued by The Environmental Agency of Iceland.
    
4. What are the requirements for obtaining a certificate for plant protection products?
    
   In order to apply for a certificate for plant protection products, the following requirements need to be fulfilled:
   1. Applicants need to have finished education or a training course concerning the use of plant protection products. Furthermore, applicants should have passed an exam to confirm their acquired knowledge.
   2. The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health in Iceland has to confirm that the equipment used by the applicant for pesticide use has been inspected and is considered necessary for the safe and proper use of plant protection products.
   3. Applicants must be 18 years old.
       
5. When is the training course on the use of plant protection products offered?
    
   Agricultural University of Iceland is the organizer of the course for the use of plant protection products. For further information please see their website (www.lbhi.is) or contact by phone (+354 433 5000) or e-mail (endurmenntun@lbhi.is).
    
6. How do I apply for a certificate for plant protection products?
    
   It is possible to fill out an electronic application form on the website of the Environment Agency: Þjónustugátt – Mínar síður.
    
7. When does the certificate expire?
    
   The certificate will expire 5 years after they have been issued.
    
8. How do I renew the certificate?
    
   Before 1. January 2022, the following requirements have to be fulfilled:
   • The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health in Iceland has to confirm that the equipment used by the applicant for pesticide use has been inspected and is considered necessary for the safe and proper use of plant protection products.
     
     After 1. January 2022, the following requirements have to be fulfilled:
     
     
   • Applicants need to have finished additional training course about the use of plant protection products in the time period since the last certificate was issued.
   • The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health in Iceland has to confirm that the equipment used by the applicant for pesticide use and is considered necessary for the safe and proper use of plant protection products, has been inspected.
     Application form for the renewal of the certificate may be found on the website of the Environment Agency: Þjónustugátt – Mínar síður.
      
9. How do I become a professional worker with plant protection products in amenity horticulture?

To work as a professional user of plant protection products in amenity horticulture, i.e. in private gardens, public or private areas, sports fields etc. you need to have valid certificate of plant protection products issued by the Environmental Agency of Iceland. Additionally, an operative licence from the local health inspectorate is required.