For farmers in Malta
The pesticide training certificate in Malta: what the regulations ask
6/11/2026
In Malta, the rules on training for people who use pesticides at work are in regulation 4 of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulations, subsidiary legislation 430.08. They apply to professional users, distributors and advisors.
Initial and additional training
Professional users must have access to training by bodies designated by the competent authority. The law asks for both initial training and additional training to keep knowledge up to date. Training is not a one-off.
The certificate
The certificate is the proof of sufficient knowledge of the subjects in Schedule I, gained through training or by other means. The certification system includes rules for granting, renewing and withdrawing certificates. Check the date on yours and ask the training body when the next refresher is due.
Why it matters when you buy
Regulation 5 asks for sales of pesticides authorised for professional use to be restricted to people holding the certificate, and for shops to have certified staff at the point of sale. Without a valid certificate, buying the product you need for your crop becomes a problem.
What the training covers
Schedule I lists the subjects, among them:
- the law on pesticides and their safe use;
- risks to health and to the environment, and how to reduce them;
- integrated pest management;
- how to spot illegal, counterfeit plant protection products;
- preparing and calibrating application equipment;
- record keeping of any use of pesticides.
That last point is the everyday part: a clear record of each treatment, with date, product, dose and field, is what shows at an inspection that the training is put into practice.
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Official sources
Checked on 6/11/2026
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