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Guidance to help you follow the law on checking pesticide application equipment.

First published:
7 August 2023
Last updated:

By law, new pesticide application equipment, such as boom sprayers and weed wipers, must be tested under the National Spray Testing Scheme (NSTS) before it is 5 years old. 

After 5 years, testing should occur regularly, either every 3 or 6 years, depending on the equipment type. Knapsack, handheld sprayers and pedestrian equipment with less than 3 wheels must also be checked on a regular basis. Remember to keep up-to-date records of inspections, checks and repairs.

Re-testing cycle

Every 3 years 

  • all boom sprayers over 3m in width
  • air blast sprayers
  • train sprayers and
  • equipment mounted on aircraft 

Every 6 years 

  • booms 3 metres and under
  • slug pellet and micro-granular applicators
  • weed wipers
  • seed treatment
  • manually propelled or self-propelled trolley type equipment with 3 or more wheels and a motorised pump and
  • other specialist equipment 

The links below set out the requirements for equipment testing, such as:

More information is available on the National Sprayer Testing Scheme website. There is also a selection of useful checklists for the different types of equipment.

Equipment that is not in use or which is not used for applying pesticides is not affected.