Previous6TH RECOMMENDATION
LABELLING, PACKAGING AND TECHNICAL CARDS FOR PESTICIDES
Considering that labelling is the writing to medium including basic information clear and concise for a safe use of the product and with guarantee of efficiency during shelf life, it has been wished that the following directions should be mentioned by manufacturers, the setting in complement for a good understanding according to the context (translation into the local dialect, transposition in pictorial symbols more discernible ...)
1. Description of the contents
- Trademark Name and active ingredient(s)
- Type of formulation
- Net content
2. Information very visual of the risk by using a coloured strip at the bottom of the label:
- red with 'skull and crossbones' symbol for 'very toxic' and 'toxic' products;
- yellow with 'dangerous' in black for harmful products.
In addition, concise information for precautionary measures to handle and use products safely and first aid if necessary.
3. Information for a good use of the content:
How, when and where using the products on the crops, pests and stage of treatment to be specified.
Contraindication for use (e.g.: do not treat during blossoming time ...)
Precise details about delay if necessary (last treatment before harvest).
4. Product manufacturer by (name and address) and site of manufacture (country). Products delivered by (name and address if possible of the national distributor; if not, the regional one).
5. Information on the registration number, or references with regard to the country involved.
6. Physico-chemical incompatibilities, if known by the manufacturer.
7. Date of manufacture of formulation and information on the conditions of stability when storage in the Tropics.
It is essential that the label should stick completely to the packaging if possible waterproof and remain perfectly legible at anytime of use. The information on transport are on the overpackaging and big packaging according to the international symbol carried for air, sea, railway and land traffics.
Considering that packaging should keep its qualities during all the duration of storage, it has been recommended:
- the selected material should be completely suitable for the physico-technical properties of the content considering the local conditions of storage, in particular to avoid corrosing effect;
- if the content should be used in very low doses for liquids especially a measure cap should be an additional guarantee for a good dosage and safety of use;
- the unit volume of packaging should be, if possible, quibble for surface unit to treat, in order that all of the contents should be used once only;
- the overpackaging especially made of cardboard, should be the strongest possible to make easier transport and storage.
In relation to the empty packaging the study group is facing a practical dilemma: if it is necessary advisable not to use packaging again, in reality farmers are more and more disposed to use packaging again, in particular to make containers for food products. Most certainly, it could be a logical attitude to give more sensible advice for a better washing (before using) but if an incident occurs, the farmers might turn against the technical advisers, accusing them of inciting reutilization.
So it is necessary, obviously, to note a deadlock in this kind of situation. Each country has its own solution.
Considering that the information on the label cannot be detailed, there is reason for inciting manufacturers to produce a card or technical booklet from one to four pages maximum, in addition of information on:
- physico-chemical identity of active ingredient(s) and formulation;
- toxicological data;
- detailed informations for use;
- and precautionary measures including how to destroy empty packaging if directions known.
Besides, the availability of specific informative cards for g.p., hospitals or antipoison institutes, giving posology in case of poisoning is recommended.
Yaounde, 20 November 1987
The Seminar
