- How long must I keep pesticide application records?
- In the EU, records must be kept for at least 3 years (Regulation 1107/2009, Article 67). In the US, commercial applicators under EPA FIFRA must retain records for 2 years; some states extend this to 3 years. In the UK, the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products requires a minimum of 3 years. Always check your local authority for specific requirements, especially if you are in an NVZ (Nitrate Vulnerable Zone) or have Red Tractor / LEAF Marque assurance obligations which may require additional detail.
- What information is legally required on a pesticide application record?
- While the exact fields vary by jurisdiction, a compliant record generally must include: (1) operator name and contact details or certification number; (2) the product trade name and, in the EU/UK, the authorisation number; (3) the active ingredient(s) and concentration; (4) the application date; (5) the field or location name and treated area; (6) the target crop and target pest or disease; (7) the application rate or total quantity used; and (8) the name of the person who carried out the application. This sheet captures all of these fields.
- Does the PDF meet official record-keeping standards?
- This tool generates a clearly formatted, printable PDF that contains all the fields required by EU, US, and UK regulations. However, the tool itself is not a certified system — it is a formatting aid. You remain responsible for the accuracy of the data you enter and for complying with any additional local, state, or sector-specific requirements (e.g., organic certification, Red Tractor assurance, state chemist reporting in the US). Store the printed or electronic record for the required retention period and have it available for inspection on request.
- What is dilution rate and how do I calculate it?
- The dilution rate (also called the application rate or mixing rate) is the amount of concentrated product added per unit volume of water or per unit area. It is stated on the product label and must be followed exactly — applying at a higher rate than the label specifies is illegal in all three jurisdictions. Common formats include "200 mL per 100 L water" (volume:volume ratio), "2 L/ha" (product per hectare), or "1:500" (1 part product to 500 parts water). Record it exactly as it appears on the label or as you calculated it from the label instructions.
- Can I use this tool offline?
- Yes. Once the page has loaded, the PDF generation library (pdf-lib) runs entirely in your browser — no internet connection is required to create or download records. Your data is never uploaded anywhere. The localStorage auto-save also works offline, so you can use this tool on a farm with no Wi-Fi as long as you have loaded the page at least once while connected.
- What is PPE and why record it?
- PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment — the protective clothing required when handling or applying a specific pesticide, as stated on the product label (e.g., chemical-resistant gloves, face shield, coverall, respirator). Recording PPE use demonstrates that the applicator read and followed label safety requirements. This is increasingly required by Red Tractor, LEAF Marque, GlobalG.A.P., and other assurance schemes even when not strictly mandatory by law.