MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PESTICIDES FOR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

摘要

Pesticides are toxic and hazardous substances. They must be distributed and used properly to reduce unacceptable risk and to avoid harmful effects on humans and the environment. Judgement on the suitability, efficacy, safety or fate of the pesticide under particular conditions of use must be made by the responsible authority in the country. To promote the safe and efficient use of pesticides and fair practice in their sale and distribution, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) developed the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides. The objectives of the Code are to outline the responsibilities of and to establish the voluntary standards of conduct for all public and private entities engaged in or affecting the distribution and use of pesticides, particularly where there is no, or only an inadequate, national law to regulate pesticides. The Code defines the responsibilities of the pesticide manufacturers, governments of importing and exporting countries, international organizations and other bodies. Simultaneously with the development of the Code, FAO co-ordinated the elaboration and regular updating of several guidelines and manuals to assist Member Countries, manufacturers and distributors of pesticides in order to harmonize the data requirements and to ensure that the appropriate database is available for assessing the behaviour of pesticides and for regulating their use. Three of the guidelines especially relevant to the registration of pesticides, and the related recommendations of the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues, are discussed in detail. It is emphasized that the guidelines and risk assessment schemes cannot be used on their own. A qualified and experienced expert's judgement is required for appropriate evaluation of the experimental data in order to perform the risk-benefit analysis, to determine the most suitable patterns of use and to introduce risk management measures. For all these considerations, detailed knowledge on local farming practices and the economic and social conditions is essential.