Chemical Standards Branch

What's New | Application Forms | Licences & Permits I Rules & Regulations | Agricultural Chemical Control Areas | Chemical Residues | Publications

The Chemical Standards Branch is responsible for identifying and managing risks to food safety, trade, public health, the environment and animal welfare, in relation to agricultural and veterinary chemical use in Victoria. The Branch manages these risks by administering the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 and associated regulations. This Branch sets standards and promotes good farm chemical practices by:

• Issuing the licences and permits required for certain chemical uses, situations and businesses. These include the Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP) and Commercial Operators Licence.

• Administering rules and regulations that impose controls on chemical use in Victoria, including the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2007, which came into effect on 24 July 2007 and is available from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website (external link).

• Auditing chemical use records to ensure they comply with record keeping regulatory requirements.

• Administering the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) (Fertilisers) Regulations 2005, available from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website (external link).

• Establishing Agricultural Chemical Control Areas that restrict the types of herbicides, their method of application and periods in which these chemicals can be used in these areas.

• Conducting chemical residue testing on Victorian agricultural and horticultural produce.

• Publishing the Chemical Industry News newsletter and providing information on chemical use in Victoria through the Information Notes series and other publications.