Results of the inquiry carried out in EU MS aiming at (1) the definition of the most critical issues during the inspection according to existing EN 13790 series and (2) identifying PAE types/technical items not yet considered by EN ISO 16122 series.

Among SPISE WG Activities, the Technical Working Group 3 deals with the implementation of current standards EN 13790 part 1 and part 2, methodologies in use and new methods in perspective. Both field crop sprayers and bush and tree crop sprayers are concerned.A virtual questionnaire was sent to Member States delegates in order to identify differences in the interpretation of the requirements among Member States as well as differences in terms of practices. The measurement of the pump capacity that can be achieved either by a direct measurement or through nozzle size requirements, the use of horizontal or vertical patternators, the test mode for nozzles and related settings are implemented differently depending on the country or province. All answers were anonymous.A second part of the questionnaire concerns a prospective study on the implementation of future EN ISO 16122 series. It was asked whether MS delegates were aware of the future publication of EN ISO 16122 parts 1 to 4 and had the opportunity to read at least one the draft documents. Finally, the questionnaire focuses on the definition of sprayer inspection methods for new kind of machines

Introduction paper

Accordingly to EU Directive EC128, pesticide application equipment may satisfy minimum requirements listed in Annex II in order to achieve a high level of protection for human health and the environment. A second aspect refers to harmonized standards precised in article 20 (1) with a principle of presumption of conformity. Finally it is also possible to propose alternative methods as potential tools for sprayer inspection