Risk indicators for Operators, Workers, Bystanders and Residents for a sustainable use of plant protection products

In 2009, the European Union adopted the Directive\r\non Sustainable Use of pesticides (SUD, Directive 2009/128/\r\nEC) establishing a framework for achieving a sustainable use\r\nof Plant Protection Products (PPPs) through reducing the risks\r\nand impacts of PPP use on human health and the environment,\r\npromoting integrated pest management and stimulating effective\r\nnon-chemical alternatives. The core idea of the SUD is\r\nthat it is necessary to monitor the use of PPPs through the\r\nimplementation of an appropriate set of risk indicators to monitor\r\nprogress and trends in risk reduction within the Member\r\nStates. To contribute to this direction, following a comprehensive\r\nanalysis of the risk (including procedures of risk assessment\r\nand risk management) and involving stakeholders in the\r\ndecision process, specific toolboxes of practical indirect risk\r\nindicators of exposure of Operators,Workers, Bystanders and\r\nResidents were developed and are now available to be used by\r\nMember States (MSs) based on their specific context.