Agricultural Pesticides Rules, 1973.

The Pakistan Agricultural Pesticides Rules, 1973 (updated by SRO 231(I)/2024), provide the legal framework for the regulation, registration, import, manufacture, formulation, packaging, labeling, sale, distribution, and use of agricultural pesticides in Pakistan. The rules establish procedures for the registration and licensing of pesticides and related businesses, set standards for the quality and safety of pesticides, and outline requirements for packaging, labeling, and storage to ensure public and environmental safety. They also specify the roles and responsibilities of regulatory authorities, inspectors, manufacturers, importers, and dealers. The amendments introduced by SRO 231(I)/2024 update technical requirements, strengthen compliance and enforcement mechanisms, and introduce more rigorous penalties for violations. The overall aim is to ensure that only safe, effective, and properly labeled pesticides are available in the market, protecting farmers, consumers, and the environment from the risks associated with improper pesticide use.
The 44 Rules are divided into 12 Parts: Preliminary (I); Registration (II); Import (III); Manufacture, Formulation or Sale (IV); Packing and Labelling (V); Storage and Use (VI); Agricultural Pesticide Technical Advisory Committee (VII); Pesticide Laboratory (VIII); Government Analyst and Inspectors (IX); Pesticides and their Antidotes (X); Safety Precautions (XI); Method to be followed by Pesticide Laboratory (XII). The Rules are followed by 20 Forms.