This Directive establishes a framework to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promoting the use of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques such as non chemical alternatives to pesticides. The Directive applies to pesticides that are plant protection products as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 and to biocidal products as defined in Directive 98/8/EC.
These provisions shall not prevent Member States from applying the precautionary principle in restricting or prohibiting the use of pesticides in specific circumstances or areas. Member States shall adopt National Action Plans to set up their quantitative objectives, targets, measures and timetables to reduce risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and to encourage the development and introduction of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques in order to reduce dependency on the use of pesticides. The National Action Plans shall also include indicators to monitor the use of plant protection products containing active substances of particular concern, especially if alternatives are available.
Chapter II of the Directive lays down rules and principles on training of professional users, distributors and advisors in Member States; requirements for sale of pesticides; information and awareness-raising. To this regard, Member States must measures to inform the general public and to promote and facilitate information and awareness-raising programmes and the availability of accurate and balanced information relating to pesticides for the general public, in particular regarding the risks and the potential acute and chronic effects for human health, non target organisms and the environment arising from their use, and the use of non-chemical alternatives.
Provisions on pesticide application equipment and concerning specific practices and uses are set out in Chapters III and IV. Specific measures to protect the aquatic environment and drinking water are also laid down.