Selling non-medicinal poisons
Do I need to be registered before I can sell poisons?
Yes, you must apply for registration of the premises with the
Trading Standards Service. Contact us for details. Registration is
renewable each year for a small fee. You will be
sent a reminder when it is due each year.
What type of products contain poisons?
Common types of products which contain poisons include many
types of insecticides, weed killers, drain cleaners, toilet
cleaners and descalers.
How do I know if the product contains a poison?
Check the label on the product to see whether it contains one of
these substances. You will need to register your premises if the
substance is listed, unless there is an exemption.
Non-medicinal poisonous substances
Aldicarb, Alpha-chloralose, Ammonia, Compounds of
arsenic, Barium carbonate, Barium
silicofluoride, Carbofuran,
Cycloheximide, Dinitrocresols (DNOC) and their compounds with a
metal or a base, Dinoseb, Dinoterb, Drazoxolon and its
salts, Endosulfan, Endothal and its salts, Endrin,
compounds of Fentin, Formaldehyde, Formic acid,
Hydrochloric acid, Hydrofluoric acid, Alkali metal
fluorides and bifluorides, Ammonium fluoride and bifluoride, Sodium
silicofluoride, Mercuric chloride, Mercuric
iodide, and some organic compounds of
Mercury, Metallic oxalates, Methomyl, Nicotine and
its salts and quaternary compounds, Nitric acid,
Nitrobenzene, Oxamyl, salts of Paraquat, Phenols and some
of its compounds, Phosphoric acid, the following
Phosphorus compounds namely Azinphos-methyl,
Chlorfenvinphos, Demephion, Demeton-S-methyl,
Demeton-S-methyl sulphone, Dialifos, Dichlorvos, Dioxathion,
Disulfoton, Fonofos, Mecarbam, Mephosfolan,
Methidathion, Mevinphos, Omethoate, Oxydemeton-methyl,
Parathion, Phenkapton, Phorate,
Phosphamidon, Pirimiphos-ethyl, Quinalphos,
Thiometon, Thionazin, Triazophos, Vamidothion, Potassium
hydroxide, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium nitrite,
Sulphuric acid, Thiofanox, Zinc phosphide.
For those in bold there are exemptions according to the
concentration, form and intended use. For example, substances
containing less than 25% w/w formic acid are exempt. In
concentrations above 25% formic acid is a poison. If you are not
sure contact us.
Can anyone in my shop sell poisons?
Yes, unless the substance appears on the list below, which may
only be sold by the person named on the registration form
or their deputy. Details of the sale including the name
and address of the purchaser must be recorded in a Poisons
book.
Aldicarb, any arsenical substance unless it contains less than
the specified amount in the Poisons Rules, Barium silicofluoride,
Carbofuran, Cycloheximide, Dinitrocresols except winter washes
containing not more than 5% thereof, Dinoseb, Dinoterb, Drazoxolon,
Endosulfan, Endothal, Endrin, compounds of Fentin, any mercurial
substance unless it contains less than the specified amount,
Methomyl, Nicotine, Oxamyl, salts of Paraquat, compounds of
Phosphorus, Thiofanox.
How must I store poisons?
Those substances listed in bold print must be stored in a
cupboard or drawer reserved solely for that purpose, or in a part
of the premises separated from customer access, or on a shelf
reserved solely for the storage of poisons and having no food
directly under that shelf. Other types of poison should be stored
safely away from foodstuffs and out of reach of young
children.
Are there any other restrictions?
Yes, certain types of poison can only be sold to persons who are
in the business of agriculture, horticulture or forestry.
How do I apply and pay for a registration?
Fees from April 2010
- Initial application to be included on the list £32.67
- Re-registration £17.22
- Changes to details on the list £8.80
Please contact Trading Standards on 01243 642124 to request an
application form.
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