Background
We have been made aware that a number of products containing ‘Neem Oil’ are being imported into the UK and are being marketed as insect repellents. Insect repellents are plant protection products, and as such come under our legislation. Neem oil also contains the active ingredient ‘azadirachtin’, an active substance listed under Directive 91/414/EEC. Products acting as pesticides are regulated under the Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986 (COPR) as amended by the Control of Pesticides (amendment) Regulation 1997, or the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2003 (PPPR) in England and Wales. Regulation 4 of COPR states that pesticides cannot be advertised, sold, supplied, stored or used unless an approval to do so has been granted by the Minister. To advertise, sell, supply, store or use a pesticidal product without an approval is a prosecutable offence. Equivalent requirements are set out in regulation 3 of PPPR.
Until approval is granted it is an offence to sell, supply, advertise, store or use such products.
Advice
To market a product containing ‘Neem Oil’ as a pesticide will require an approval. The procedures for obtaining an approval can be found on our web-site applicant guide
Contact Information
If you have any questions on the above please contact information services, telephone 01904 455775
Update Reference
Regulatory Update: 11/2004
Issued 5 October 2004
