Updated guidelines for countries on pesticide legislation and labelling

The Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management is a voluntary instrument to improve the management of pesticides. It was adopted in 1985 and revised in 2013. The Code has now been adopted by WHO, and a Panel of FAO and WHO experts has prepared specific guidelines for all its main sections - pesticide legislation, labelling, pesticide registration, advertisement, etc. - addressing both agricultural and public health. Harry Van der Wulp explains how the guidelines on pesticide legislation have been updated to emphasize that pesticide management stretches beyond agriculture and also involves ministries of health and environment. In the past, concerns about pesticides focussed on acute human and environmental toxicity, whereas now much more is known about long-term effects. A new labelling system therefore has been developed that also reflects long-term health hazards and is more specific on environmental hazards.