Please note that these frequently asked questions were composed specifically with the registration as a pest control operator (PCO) in the field of “agriculture and forestry” in mind. Although these questions and answers may relate to various fields of PCO registration, it is not applicable to registration in the field of “supplemental and/or remedial wood treatment”. In such cases, proof of training is not required, however the application must be accompanied by other supporting documents, such as copies of the NRCS approval certificate and copies of the product certificate issued by the SANAS accredited certification body, which includes information on the agricultural remedy it is certified for. Please refer to the “Regulations relating to agricultural remedies” of 18 February 2011 for more information.

1. What is a restricted agricultural remedy?

   In South Africa, a restricted agricultural remedy is an agricultural remedy for which the Registrar, out of concern for human health or environmental risks, has set out additional information to be shown on the label concerning essential conditions in respect of the display, distribution or limitations on use, or qualifications of persons who may use the remedy. These remedies are predominantly acutely toxic and may be fatal even after short term exposure.

2. What is acute toxicity?

   Acute toxicity refers to serious adverse health effects (i.e. lethal) occurring after a single or short-term oral, dermal or inhalation exposure to a substance or mixture.

3. How do I identify a restricted agricultural remedy?

   A restricted agricultural remedy can be identified by looking at the product label. The label will feature a restriction statement at the top of the main panel. The restriction statement will be in red and confined to a block to ensure visibility and will provide information on why the remedy is restricted, and who is authorised to use the remedy.

   • All agricultural remedies containing a hazard statement indicating that the remedy may be fatal by either ingestion, skin contact or inhalation, will be restricted (“fatal if swallowed”, “fatal in contact with skin”, “fatal if inhaled”). These remedies will also include the signal word “DANGER” and a skull and crossbones pictogram.
   • Not all agricultural remedies containing a skull and crossbones pictogram will be restricted.
   • Not all agricultural remedies containing the signal word “DANGER” will be restricted. The signal word “DANGER” may be flagged by other hazard properties of the remedy, not just acute toxicity (for example flammability or chronic toxicity).
   • Some agricultural remedies may be an aspiration hazard and will contain the hazard statement “May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways”. This does not result in the remedy being classified as restricted; however, some restricted remedies may also pose an aspiration hazard.
   

4. What type of restrictions are applicable to restricted agricultural remedies?

   Restricted agricultural remedies may only be sold to, and used by, registered pest control operators (PCOs), registered in the field relevant to the uses included on the product label.

5. What is a Pest Control Operator (PCO)?

   A PCO is a person, who in the course of his/her trade or occupation, administers agricultural remedies for their intended purpose, as specified by the registered uses on the agricultural remedy label. Such persons must be registered under Act 36 of 1947 in the applicable field or registration. Persons who perform pest control for their employer on the employer’s property would usually not be required to register as PCOs, except when handling restricted agricultural remedies. In such cases, the employee must be PostNet Suite 437, Private Bag X132, Centurion, South Africa, 0046 | +27 (0)72 224 4715 | www.croplife.co.za | Reg Nr: 2002/031906/08 registered as a PCO or perform such duties under the direct supervision of a registered PCO.

6. What fields of PCO registration are available?

   A person may apply for PCO registration in various fields. These fields include fumigation, aerial application, agriculture and forestry, industrial vegetation and noxious weeds, landscape, supplemental and/or remedial wood treatment, structural, or any relevant specialization.

7. How do I determine the correct field of PCO registration?

   The field in which a person should register will depend on the type of agricultural remedy being used. For example, if the remedy is registered for use as a fumigant, a person must be registered in the field “fumigation” to purchase and use the remedy. If the remedy is registered for general use in agriculture, a person must be registered in the field “forestry and agriculture”.

8. Is it possible to register as a PCO in more than one field of registration?

   Yes. If a person has experience in using different types of remedies appropriate to different fields of registration, and the person has completed the required qualifications in support of these fields of registration, a person may apply for registration as a PCO in all applicable fields.

9. How do I become registered as a PCO?

   To register as a PCO, a person must submit an application to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in accordance with the Fertilizer, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act No. 36 of 1947) and the Pest Control Operator regulations (18 February 2011). The application must be submitted in hard copy to the Registrar of the Act:
   
   Attention: The Registrar (Act No. 36 of 1947)
   Physical address: Agricultural Place, 20 Steve Biko Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0001
   Postal address: The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Private Bag X343, Pretoria, 0001

10. What information must be provided in support of a registration as a PCO?

    The PCO application form can be downloaded from the DALRRD website. Additionally, it has also been circulated by CropLife SA and can be accessed here. The PCO application form is currently being updated, and the most recent version is dated 2023. The application form outlines the supporting documents that must be included when submitting an application. Some of these requirements include:

    • A person must do a course to obtain a national certificate in pest control from a relevant accredited academy.
    • The person must obtain practical experience under a registered PCO for 6 to 12 months, depending on the relevant field of certification.
    • person with a diploma or degree in a biological field such as entomology, pathology, crop protection, weed science, or any relevant qualification may be exempted from doing a short course or gaining practical experience under the supervision of a registered PCO, depending on prior knowledge and experience.
    • The person should undergo a medical examination and must submit the template medical report completed by a qualified medical practitioner with their application.

11. What is the prescribed application fee to register as a PCO?

    Seeing as the application form is outdated, the current prescribed application fee is R 2 986.00 (up until 1 April 2025). This fee increases annually on 1 April.

12. how long is PCO certification valid?

    The certificate is valid for 3 years, whereafter it must be renewed.

13. Who should apply to become a PCO?

    Persons mixing and applying restricted agricultural remedies must be registered as PCOs (farmer/farmworker) or perform their duties under the direct supervision of a registered PCO. A distributor that buys a restricted agricultural remedy from a supplier to sell to a farmer does not need to be registered as a PCO. In general, if the agricultural remedy container is not opened during handling, it is not necessary for the person to be registered as a PCO. Crop advisors may however apply for PCO registration and provide supervision when these remedies are being applied on a client’s farm. In such cases, the crop advisor must be physically present at the time of mixing and application of these remedies and will be responsible for the safe handling and storage of the remedy.

14. Who can purchase a restricted agricultural remedy?

    A restricted agricultural remedy may only be sold to a registered PCO who is qualified in the specific field of registration. When purchasing the remedy, the buyer must show proof that they are registered as a PCO and qualified to use the specific remedy. On the first purchase, the PCO must provide the supplier or distributor with a certified copy of their PCO certificate, which will be kept on file by the supplier or distributor.

15. Is it possible for a person that is not registered as a PCO to buy a restricted agricultural remedy?

    In general no, only a PCO registered in the applicable field of registration may purchase a restricted agricultural remedy. However, if the person responsible for sales on a farm is not the person who is registered as a PCO and applying agricultural remedies in the field, PostNet Suite 437, Private Bag X132, Centurion, South Africa, 0046 | +27 (0)72 224 4715 | www.croplife.co.za | Reg Nr: 2002/031906/08 it is possible for a designated person who is not registered as a PCO to purchase a restricted agricultural remedy on behalf of a registered PCO. In this case, upon first purchase, the registered PCO will accompany the representative responsible for sales to the supplier/distributor in order for the supplier/distributor to get acquainted with the PCO and sales representative. Along with a certified copy of the PCO registration certificate, the PCO will provide a signed letter to the supplier/distributor giving consent to the sales representative to purchase the restricted remedy on their behalf. These documents will be kept on file by the supplier/distributor.

16. Is it possible for a person who is not registered as a PCO to use a restricted agricultural remedy?

    A person that is not registered as a PCO may use a restricted agricultural remedy when under the direct supervision of a registered PCO. This means that a registered PCO must be physically present at the time and place where the restricted agricultural remedy is being applied.

17. When submitting an application for registration as a PCO, a person holding a degree in a biological field may be exempt from doing a short course or gaining practical experience under the supervision of a registered PCO. How do I know if my diploma or degree and prior experience is sufficient to qualify for exemption?

    The diploma or degree should have been obtained in a relevant biological field (relevant means the practicality and appropriateness of the degree in terms of agriculture or pest management). This will be evaluated by DALRRD on a case-by-case basis and can be confirmed with the technical advisors before submitting an application. In cases where the qualification is not sufficient to qualify for exemption, the technical advisor may advise the applicant to complete an additional short course. Certified copies of the qualifications, as well as corresponding academic record must be submitted in support of the application. Prior experience can be documented with a sworn affidavit detailing the types of agricultural remedies used, the personal protective equipment worn, experience with the mixing of remedies, different equipment used, the crops treated, the target pests treated, the precautions taken as outlined on the product label, etc. Whether prior experience is sufficient for exemption from further experience under the supervision of a registered PCO will be evaluated by DALRRD on a case-by-case basis.

18. Is it still possible to apply for PCO registration in the absence of a degree or diploma?

    Yes. A person without a degree or diploma must first complete an accredited course to earn a national certificate in pest control (the course must be applicable to the field of registration) and gain practical experience under the supervision of a registered PCO in the same field of registration. To qualify in the field of "agriculture and forestry", six months practical experience is required, while for certain fields such as "fumigation" 12 months practical experience is required.

19. Does the practical experience under the supervision of a registered PCO need to take place over 6 consecutive months (for the field of “agriculture and forestry”)?

    An applicant may acquire experience over more than 6 months, depending on the amount of time that can be dedicated to gaining such experience, however the applicant may not have less than 6 months experience at the time of applying for registration. Supervisors must ensure that PCOs in-training receive hands-on experience with safe mixing and application of agricultural remedies (including restricted agricultural remedies) and that trainees fully comprehend the risks of using these products, as well as the safety precautions required to mitigate risks and use chemicals safely.

20. Which accredited courses are available that can be used in support of PCO registration?

    A list of academies that offer accredited courses is included on the PCO application form composed by DALRRD. Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the selected course is sufficient for registration in the desired field (e.g., “agriculture and forestry”, “aerial”, “fumigation”, etc.). Additionally, the applicant must ensure that the chosen course remains accredited at the time of enrolment/completion – applicants are advised to request a letter of accreditation from the academies.

21. The CropLife SA Basic Crop Protection Course (previously AVCASA course) is no longer accredited to use in support of PCO registration. Can the course still be used to apply for PCO registration if it was completed when the course was still accredited?

    If the course was completed when it was still accredited, it can be used to apply for PCO registration.

22. How do I know if a course is sufficiently accredited to use in support of PCO registration?

    The skills course must be accredited by Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA), Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) or Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Applicants may request a letter of accreditation from the academies to submit with the PCO application.

23. Is it still possible to apply for PCO registration in the absence of prior experience?

    Yes. In the case of no prior experience, the applicant must gain practical experience under the supervision of a registered PCO for 6 to 12 months, depending on the field of registration. Exemption from the practical experience requirement may only be granted to persons who hold a relevant diploma or degree.

24. Is there a list of registered PCOs in the various fields of registration that could be used to identify persons who could provide supervision to PCOs in training?

    Applicants are advised to contact the training academies offering short courses to obtain information on persons who are already registered in the applicable field that could potentially provide supervision to trainees.

25. A medical report is required when submitting an application for PCO registration. Why is a medical report required and who should conduct the medical assessment?

    The medical report ensures that the applicant is physically fit and capable to apply restricted agricultural remedies without posing a risk to their health. A medical report template is attached to the application form and must be completed by a registered medical practitioner or occupational practitioner with a HPCSA practice number.

26. What is the deadline for complying with the legislation around restricted agricultural remedies and PCO registration?

    These requirements are already legally binding, and all affected stakeholders must ensure compliance as soon as possible.

27. After submitting an application for registration as a PCO, how long will it take to get feedback on the outcome of the application?

    DALRRD will prioritise applications for PCO registration. The applicant can expect to wait 4 to 6 weeks after submitting an application to get feedback on the outcome of their application.

28. What is the minimum number of PCOs required per farm when using restricted agricultural remedies?

    At least one person must be registered as a PCO on a farm to oversee responsible use of restricted agricultural remedies.

29. If the farm does not use any restricted agricultural remedies, is it still necessary to have a registered PCO on the farm?

    It is not necessary to have a registered PCO on the farm if not using any restricted agricultural remedies (unless a PCO is required for other reasons, such as for aerial application).

30. How do you know if a person is registered as a PCO?

    A registered PCO will be in possession of a valid registration certificate, as issued by DALRRD. The certificate will contain information regarding the field of registration, as well as an expiry date (PCOs must renew their registration every 3 years, in which case a new registration certificate is issued).