Pesticides and biocides
Pesticides and biocides are chemical or biological products intended to prevent or deter animals, plants or micro-organisms from causing damage to human health or property. Due to these properties, pesticides and biocides may cause harm to health and the environment. That is why pesticides and biocides need to be authorised and must be used properly.
A pesticide can be either a plant protection product or a biocidal product, depending on the area of use of the product. The Pesticides Register contains information on both biocidal products and plant protection products authorised in Sweden. The information includes for example if the authorisation of the product is valid or has expired, how they are allowed to be used and which active substances they contain.
If you want to sell or use a plant protection product or a biocidal product in Sweden the product need to be authorised by the Swedish Chemicals Agency. A product can only be authorised if it has no unacceptable effects on human health or the environment. In Sweden an authorised product is placed in an authorisation class which shows who is permitted to use the product and which knowledge that is required.
Here you can read more about authorisation classes
Plant protection products
Plant protection products are mainly used to protect plants and plant products in agriculture, forestry and horticulture from attack by fungi, pests and competing plants.
Here you can read more about plant protection products
Go to the application guide for authorisation of plant protection products
Biocidal products
Biocidal products are all pesticides that are not plant protection products. The biocidal products that act in a chemically or biologically way fall in the scope of the biocidal legislation. It can for example be disinfectants, a mosquito repellent, wood preservatives, rodenticides or antifouling paint for boats. Biocidal products that, on the other hand, act in a physical or mechanical way do not fall in the scope of the regulation for biocides. A mechanical mousetrap is an example of such a product.
Here you can read more about biocidal products
Go to our application guide for authorisation of biocidal products
Biological pesticides
Both plant protection products and biocidal products can be biological pesticides. Biological control often includes combating the pest by using the organisms' natural enemies. Natural enemies can be micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, or macro-organisms such as nematodes, insects or arachnids.
If you want to sell or use a biological pesticide containing micro-organisms in Sweden, it has to be authorised by the Swedish Chemicals Agency.
The nematodes, insects and arachnids for use as pesticides are authorised by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. If you want to sell or use such organisms you can find more information about that on their website.
Here you can read more about biological pesticides
Annual fee for pesticides
If you have received an authorisation for a plant protection product or biocidal product, you or the person representing you (a so-called permanent representative) must pay an annual fee to cover the duration of the period of authorisation. An annual fee shall also be paid if you have received a parallel trade permit for a plant protection product or a biocidal product.