BPCA Code of Conduct

BPCA Code of Conduct

Aims & Objectives:

• To further trade interests of members by promoting the development of pest control service operations and allied product sales covering food storage practice, public health, domestic situations, and ancillary operations.
• To encourage the setting and maintenance of high technical standards for the products, methods and appliances used in the control of pests, as well as of their storage, transport and disposal.
• To institute and sustain programmes of education and training in pest control, with the objective of improving competence and implementing effective systems of assessment.
• To encourage research on industrial, commercial and domestic pest control problems and to collaborate with other bodies interested in these matters.
• To observe and keep members informed of the operation of existing laws and practices relating to pest control operations, and of all codes of practice and legislative proposals which may affect or tend to affect the interests of members.
• To provide a medium for putting the views of the industry before Government and other authorities, and for making representations regarding legislation, projected legislation and recommendations which may affect the interest of members.
• To co-operate with other organisations in the world having similar or allied aims.
• To conform with all regulations, other relevant legislation and to do all other lawful things incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the Association.

Conditions of Membership

All Members will:

• Act positively to safeguard people and the environment by ensuring that actions taken to control pests do not have a detrimental environmental effect.
• Ensure that all research and development work meets current statutory requirements at all times.
• Comply with, and ensure that working procedures and records demonstrate complicity with, the provisions of all appropriate legislation in force from time to time together with recommendations made in all relevant Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes. See Appendix 1. Where necessary members will co-operate with the BPCA's appointed consultants or employees when carrying out routine company assessments.
• Ensure that any form of promotion, including verbal presentation complies with legal requirements and with accepted codes of practice including the British Code of Advertising Practice.
• Ensure that technicians who undertake pest control operations shall have been given adequate training to ensure that they are competent to carry out their duties. This shall be evidenced by assessment under the BPCA Certification Scheme, or other approved scheme at the earliest possible opportunity. Those who are not so qualified should, at all times, have recourse to the guidance of a qualified supervisor or advisor.
• Maintain business integrity in fulfilling contracts and honouring guarantees given.
• Publicise their professional services in a responsible manner ensuring not to create an invidious distinction between other members, nor make public criticism of fellow members, always bearing in mind that the dignity of the Association is never jeopardised in any manner and that the profession is not brought into disrepute.
• Honour agreements made by the Association at all times.
• Carry adequate public and product liability insurance and, where necessary, employer's liability insurance.

Members who undertake Manufacturing and Distribution will:

• Manufacture, formulate and package in such a manner as to minimize environmental contamination.
• Ensure that all products manufactured by them or on their behalf are in accordance with suitably defined specifications backed by adequate quality control facilities.

Members who undertake Fumigation will:

• Ensure that all technicians in charge of fumigations using methyl bromide are certificated for those types of fumigations for which they are responsible by holding an Association Certificate of Proficiency for the appropriate modules.
• Ensure that all certificated and trainee technicians are registered with the BPCA and that this registration is updated annually and upon the commencement or termination of employment.
• Store, transport, handle and use fumigant gases in strict accordance with the guidelines issued from time to time by HSE, the Association and Government legislation.

Associate, Observer, Affiliate, Honorary and Life Members will:

• At all times act in accordance with the provisions and intentions of this Code of Conduct as it applies to them. 

Enforcement

The enforcement of this Code will be the responsibility of the Executive Board, and any member not conforming to its requirements will be liable to expulsion.