Catalogue description Records created or inherited by the Chemical Regulations Directorate; Health and Safety Executive

Chemical Regulations Directorate

In 2008 the UK government decided to bring the regulation of pesticides, biocides, chemicals and detergents together into a single organisation - the Chemicals Regulation Directorate, which was established within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 1 April 2009.

The primary purpose of the Directorate is to ensure that chemicals and pesticides are used meet the regulatory standards set by European and national legislation. The majority of this work involves scrutinising scientific data on both active ingredients and products, developing and implementing policy, and approving products for marketing [according to required safety standards for both people and the environment].

Pesticides Safety Directorate

The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) was formed in 1993 out of the Pesticides Safety Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) to exercise powers conferred on the Minister by and under Part III of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and European Commission (EC) Directives, in relation to controls over pesticides. PSD was an agency of MAFF (and later the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) responsible for the registration of agricultural pesticides. PSD answered to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Agriculture. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) monitored overall policy and financial framework. Strategic direction and performance for PSD and Veterinary Medicines Directorate monitored on behalf of Ministers by the Regulatory Agencies Strategy Board set up in 2003. Up to 2009, the Biocides and Pesticides Assessment Unit of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) dealt largely with non-agricultural pesticides.

The PSD's main function was the evaluation and processing of applications for approval of agricultural pesticides. PSD was also responsible for advising Ministers on the development and enforcement of pesticide policy and legislation, and advised Ministers on all aspects of pesticides approvals policy including: data protection; public access to information; and better regulation. It also provided, with HSE, the secretariats for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) and its sub-groups.

In detail the main functions of PSD were to:

• administer the approval and review system;
• develop policy on pesticides and plant protection and advise the Minister accordingly;
• provide the independent secretariat for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides;
• implement post-approval controls;
• monitor residues;
• collect fees and charges from the industry to cover the costs of control and monitoring;
• jointly with DEFRA, manage an Research and Development programme designed to support the Government's policy objectives in relation to ensuring the safe use of pesticides and minimising pesticide usage;
• maintain effective links with all Government departments with responsibility for pesticide control and with the Health and Safety Executive;
• participate in EC decision making on pesticide control and in other international discussions; and
• act as a centre of expertise and advice on pesticides and their control, and provide information on the use of agricultural pesticides and their effects.

In April 2009, PSD became part of a newly formed Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) within the Health and Safety Executive.