Safe Use of Pesticide Equipment in Landscaping: A UK Homeowner’s Guide

Professional landscaper wearing protective coveralls and gloves using a knapsack sprayer for weed control along a patio edge in a British garden

Last reviewed: November 2026

If you hire a landscaper to clear weeds from a driveway, treat lawn weeds or protect hedging from pests, spraying may be part of the job. Done badly, it can put people, pets, wildlife and local watercourses at risk. Done well, it is targeted, quick and low-risk. This guide explains what UK rules expect, which certificates to look for and how to check that your contractor works safely, with no technical knowledge needed.

The rules that matter, in plain English

Anyone applying weedkillers, insecticides or fungicides, collectively known as plant protection products, must follow several pieces of UK law and guidance:

  • Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012. These require users to take reasonable precautions to protect human health and the environment. They also require spraying to be confined to the intended target area, so no drifting onto neighbouring plants, ponds or drains.
  • Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (Part III). This underpins pesticide controls in Great Britain. The HSE’s Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products (England and Wales) sets out good practice. It is guidance rather than law, but following it helps contractors meet their legal duties.
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Employers must assess and control the risks from hazardous substances, which includes choosing suitable protective equipment.

This guide focuses on England and Wales. If your garden is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, ask your contractor which local arrangements apply.

Which training and certificates should your contractor hold?

Anyone using a product authorised for professional use must hold a recognised certificate of competence. The only exception is a trainee working under the direct supervision of a certificate holder. In practice, a trained operator will usually have two parts:

  1. PA1 – Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides. This foundation unit covers reading product labels, personal safety, storage, disposal, record keeping and environmental protection. It is usually assessed by a multiple-choice test and must be passed first.
  2. An application module for the equipment being used. For most garden work this is PA6, covering handheld and knapsack sprayers (you may see it written PA6a). It is assessed practically, including equipment set-up and calibration. Other modules, such as PA2 (boom sprayers) or PA9 (fogging and misting), apply only to specialist kit.

Certificates are awarded by bodies designated by the HSE, such as City & Guilds NPTC and Lantra. They belong to the individual, not the company, so always ask about the person who will actually do the spraying. Products sold for home use do not carry a certificate requirement, but the label instructions and the duty to take reasonable precautions still apply, and a responsible contractor will usually be trained regardless.

What safe operation of spraying equipment looks like

  • Sensible product choice. The right product or method is the one that controls the problem with the least risk. Sometimes that means a non-chemical option such as hand weeding or mulching.
  • Weather checks. Spraying should not go ahead in wind or heavy rain, because drift and run-off are the main causes of off-target damage.
  • Well-maintained equipment. Formal inspection rules do not cover knapsack and handheld sprayers, but good operators still check for leaks, use the correct nozzle and calibrate so the right amount is applied.
  • Protective clothing. This is chosen to match the product label and risk assessment, typically gloves, coveralls and eye protection.
  • Protecting water. There should be no spraying over ponds, ditches or drains, and no mixing, filling or rinsing near them.
  • Responsible clean-up. Leftover mixture, empty containers and rinse water must be handled and disposed of according to the label, and chemicals stored securely.
  • Records. Professional users are required to keep application records for three years.

Questions to ask before you book

  1. Will spraying be needed, and are there non-chemical alternatives?
  2. Does the operator hold PA1 and the relevant application module (usually PA6)? Can I see the certificate?
  3. Which product will be used, and is it approved for this site and purpose?
  4. How will you protect neighbouring gardens, ponds, pets, children and wildlife?
  5. Will you provide a written record of what was applied and when?

Practical steps for you as the customer

  • Before: Ask for the product name and a copy of the relevant certificate. Tell the contractor about ponds, vegetable beds, play areas, beehives and pets.
  • On the day: Bring pets and toys indoors, close windows and move garden furniture. Let the operator decide whether conditions are suitable, and accept a postponement if they say not.
  • Afterwards: Keep children and pets off treated areas until the label says it is safe, and keep the written record for your files.

Warning signs to watch for

Be cautious if a contractor cannot name the product, will not show certification, sprays in strong wind, mixes chemicals in an open area near drains or offers a vague “it’s harmless” answer. A professional will be happy to explain what they are doing and why.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a certificate to spray my own garden?

Not for products sold for home use, but you must still follow the label. Certificates are required for professional-use products.

Is PA6 enough for all garden spraying?

PA6 covers handheld and knapsack equipment, which suits most domestic jobs. Different equipment needs a different module.

Who do I contact if I have a concern?

Start with the contractor. The HSE’s pesticides pages explain how to report an incident.

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