Some 150 banned pesticides were found during 2008 when the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) and 87 municipalities jointly worked to stop the spread of prohibited biocides and plant protection products.

Until now, KemI has taken legal proceedings against more than 20 companies supplying prohibited products to any of the over 800 inspected stores. Local municipal authorities have taken proceedings against several of the stores that displayed pesticides on their shelves. Additional legal action can be expected from both KemI and the municipalities.

Effective follow-up

The co-operation combined the supervisory responsibility of communities over the retail trade with KemI´s enforcement obligation towards manufacturers and importers. It has therefore been possible, in an effective way, to monitor and follow up the entire line from manufacture or import to sale in a store.