News NSTS Certification
Valid NSTS certification will be required on all self propelled, trailed or mounted sprayers by 26th November 2016
The law on spraying equipment is changing as a result of the Sustainable Use Directive. What this means is that, by 26th November 2016, all self- propelled, trailed or mounted equipment will requires NSTS Certification. Handheld equipment also needs to be regularly checked and a record of those checks kept.
NSTS?
NSTS stands for National Sprayer Testing Scheme; they have been running for a number of years and provide the industry recognised testing standard for agricultural and amenity sprayers. An NSTS test has long been a requirement of crop assurance schemes within agriculture, so it has become the national standard for sprayer testing for all pesticide application equipment.
The test meets the requirements for the Sustainable Use Directive, it meets Amenity Industry protocols and best practice principles, it is suitable for all types of application equipment and participation in the test counts towards your NASOR CPD.
What is an NSTS test?
An NSTS test is a comprehensive assessment of the sprayer, which is often referred to as a Sprayer MOT. The test consists of 47 items, the first 30 of which must be satisfied to receive a pass certificate, a further 10 are advisory and the final 7 are optional test elements.
The compulsory element of the test ensures that the machine is working correctly and efficiently, it takes into consideration the safety of the sprayer operator and the environment. The examiner would usually repair or replace defective parts as part of the test to ensure that the sprayer is certificated and fit for use by the end.
The advisory element of the test reports on items which do not immediately effect the operation of the spraying system itself, but that the owner should address if they are not fit for purpose. These include structural wear, mounting points and clothing lockers.
Optional items include a check of things like lights and tyres. Should a defect be found, this would be referred to the owner of the sprayer to rectify. At the end of
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the test, and when any required repairs have been carried out, you are issued with a copy of the test report; the test centre retains a copy and NSTS have the final copy which is recorded on the NSTS database.
Major components of the sprayer test include control systems, hoses and pipework, nozzles and nozzle control systems, filters, pumps, tank, chemical induction systems and booms. In addition, it is recommended that computer control systems are checked to maximise efficiency and to satisfy the calibration element of crop assurance schemes. The test caters for all sizes of sprayers from Quad Bike systems and CDA sprayers mounted on road sweepers up to large vehicle mounted and self propelled boom sprayers.
What are the Benefits of Regular Testing?
The primary benefit to testing is the assurance that the sprayer is functioning safely and not causing an environmental hazard. Following an NSTS test, the sprayer will be applying pesticides effectively and on target, thus reducing negative impacts on wildlife, ecosystems and local water courses. The test itself meets the best practice criteria under the sustainable use directive.
NSTS Certification can save you money; the optimum sprayer calibration and boom and nozzle maintenance carried out as part of the test mean you can feel confident you’re using your expensive pesticides efficiently and getting the chemicals exactly where they’re needed, at the appropriate droplet size, with minimal money-wasting excess.
The likelihood of unexpected breakdowns or maintenance issues is reduced as testing ensures that spraying equipment is ready to use and in tip-top condition.
Regular testing and maintenance can increase the resale value of your sprayer; think of it like buying a car with full service history.
There are Health and Safety benefits to testing. NSTS Certification is designed to ensure the spraying equipment and
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Testing helps you to meet the audit criteria for a number of best practice and assured contractor schemes, including the Amenity Assured Contractor Scheme and the NAAC Approved Contractor Scheme
pesticides are being used in a manner that is safe for the operator applying them. This helps safeguard the employer, contractor or operator against accident and can form the basis of the risk assessment for that sprayer. Furthermore, the NSTS certificate provides useful documentation for insurance companies and offers confidence to stakeholders, employees and operatives that best practice is being followed.
Testing helps you to meet the audit criteria for a number of best practice and assured contractor schemes, including the Amenity Assured Contractor Scheme and the NAAC Approved Contractor Scheme.
What do I need to do?
If you have a self propelled, trailed or mounted sprayer then it must carry a valid test certificate by 26th November 2016. Boom sprayers over 3 metres must be tested every 5 years until 26th November 2020, when the requirement for testing changes to every 3 years. For boom sprayers 3 metres and under, and granular applicators, the test requirements are every 6 years. Handheld applicators (including knapsacks) do not require NSTS certification, but must be regularly checked and a record kept; there is a handy check sheet on the NSTS Website.
Whilst NSTS certification is not required annually, it could
www.nsts.org.uk info@nsts.org.uk
Vicki Wall, Spray CDA Technical Manager
Spray CDA is a registered NSTS Test Centre
become part of an annual sprayer health check and service. This will help to keep on top of sprayer maintenance, reduce the risk of breakdowns and leaks and ensure that you are applying chemical in the safest, most efficient way possible.
How do I get my sprayer tested?
NSTS has test centres across the country, their website gives full details of the location of test centres and any specialist services they offer. Many will come out and service sprayers on site, some offer collection services and several operate nationally.
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