Changes to Requirements for Pesticide Operator Certificate under the Food Safety and Security Act

Certified Pesticide Operators

Dear Sir/Mdm

Changes to Requirements for Pesticide Operator Certificate under the Food Safety and Security Act

We would like to inform you that Part 11 (Certain Agri-food Production Inputs) of the Food Safety and Security Act (FSSA) is planned to come into force in the second half of 2026. When this happens —

(a)   SFA will take over the responsibility of regulating plant pesticides for use on edible plants (e.g. fruits and vegetables) farms intended for human consumption from the National Parks Board (NParks).

(b)   Existing certified pesticide operators under the Control of Plants Act (COPA) are not required to apply for re-certification if their certification is still valid (not expired). The existing certification will apply as if under the FSSA.

(c)   Pesticide operators applying / supervising pesticide work in ornamental plant farms are not required to apply or renew the certification from SFA. Additionally, ornamental plant farms will continue to be licensed by NParks under COPA.

(d)   Pesticide operators applying / supervising pesticide work in ornamental plant farms are still required to submit your Certificate of Competency (CoC) for Pesticide Operators from ITE to NParks as a condition of the COPA farm licence. 

2          For more information, please refer to the FAQs attached in the Annex.

3          Please contact Ms Fikriah Samani (email: fikriah_samani@sfa.gov.sg) or Mr Mohammad Khairi (email: mohammad_khairi_mustafa@sfa.gov.sg) if you require further clarification.

Annex

1. What will happen to my still-valid pesticide operator certificate? Will SFA refund fees for unused period?

   There is no change for certified pesticide operators that are not applying pesticide on edible plants and whose certificates are still within validity period. You will only need to apply for a new certificate with SFA after your current one has lapsed.  

2. Will SFA refund fees for unused period?

   There will be no refund issued for unused period.

3. Should I renew my pesticide operator certificate with SFA if I intend to carry out pesticide work on edible plants? What is the renewal process?

    

   Pesticide operator operators intending to carry out pesticide work on edible plants are required to renew their certificate with SFA before existing certificate expires. There are no changes to the renewal process and details can be found on SFA’s website: Certification of Pesticides Operators.

4. Do I need to replace my existing pesticide operator certificate with SFA if I intend to carry out pesticide work on edible plant?

   The certificate of existing certified pesticide operators issued under COPA remains valid till its expiry date. There is no need to have your certificate replaced prematurely.

5. Why do I need to submit the Certificate of Competency (CoC) for Pesticide Operators if I am operating an ornamental plant farm. Who can I contact for further clarification?