Decree on the Management of Pesticides, No. 258 / PM.

This Decree of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the Management of establishes a legal framework governing the control, use, and monitoring of pesticides to ensure their quality, effectiveness, and safety for humans, animals, plants, and the environment, while supporting sustainable and green agricultural development and socio-economic growth.
The Decree defines key concepts, including pesticides, pests, registration, and hazardous substances, and sets out general principles for pesticide management. It regulates the lifecycle of pesticides, covering registration, production, import, export, distribution, use, storage, and disposal. It also provides for classification of prohibited, restricted, and permitted pesticides, and establishes technical standards, licensing systems, and compliance requirements to ensure safe handling and risk control.
More specifically, the Decree assigns responsibilities to competent authorities, particularly the agriculture and forestry sector, for supervision, inspection, and enforcement. It requires risk assessment, product registration procedures, labeling, and monitoring of residues, and promotes integrated pest management approaches to reduce chemical use. It also introduces provisions on waste management, handling of expired or substandard pesticides, and penalties for violations to ensure effective regulatory implementation.