World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme

The World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme, which was established in 1960, "promotes and coordinates the testing and evaluation of pesticides for public health", the World Health Organization states on its website.

WHOPES uses a "four-phase evaluation and testing programme, studying the safety, efficacy and operational acceptability of public health pesticides and developing specifications for quality control and international trade."

"Good product quality is essential for effective and safe pesticide use. Impurities formed during manufacture of the pesticide or by interaction in unstable formulations can increase product toxicity to humans and the environment. Applying products that are lower in active ingredient content than declared could result in monetary loss and application of a sub-lethal dose of pesticide, leading to ineffective control and promotion of the development of resistance. Products or formulations with inferior physiochemical properties, such as suspensibility, emulsification or particle size characteristics, can also result in inadequate application and possibly increase the degree of risk for personnel who may come into greater contact with the pesticide and/or pesticide contaminated application equipment," the WHO states on its website.

Contact Details
Website: http://www.who.int/whopes/en/

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