PRESS RELEASE
CRRU UK confirms that from 2026, sellers of professional-use rodenticides will only accept two forms of proof of competence at the point of sale.
Depending on the type of user, requirements vary slightly to reflect their unique roles:
Pest professionals
Those who already maintain a current CRRU UK-approved CPD membership and have CRRU-approved training certification will meet the requirements without further action.
For others, up-to-date certification or joining and fulfilling membership criteria for a CRRU UK-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme (in 2025) will be necessary by the start of 2026.
Farmers
From 2026, existing membership in Farm Assurance Schemes alone will not qualify as proof of competence for rodenticide purchase.
Farmers must show proof of CRRU-approved training within the last five years. If certified over five years ago, they can join and fulfil membership criteria for a CRRU UK-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme in 2025.
Gamekeepers
Like farmers, gamekeepers will need either recent training certification or a combination of older certifications with a CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme membership.
Our mission is to support safe and effective rodent control across all professional sectors, building on the responsible practices already upheld by rodenticide users. Adhering to these new standards is essential to maintain stewardship and ensure continued access to these important products.
Nigel Cheeseright, CRRU UK’s Chair
Q&As for professional pest controllers
CRRU UK has produced a series of Q&As for all user groups on their website. The pest control advice is here in full.
Professional pest controllers are often involved in the continuous and daily use of rodenticides across multiple client sites. For this reason, it is recommended that professional pest controllers maintain annual membership of a CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme as an element of best practice, even if their exam certificate is within 5 years old.
Maintaining annual CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme membership is likely to future-proof professional users for further stewardship-strengthening measures.
Note that the requirements for 2026 are the minimum standards needed to purchase and use professional rodenticides under stewardship as a starting point for professional users. Further development and progression in training, including practical experience, is a responsible approach.
I am a professional pest controller with training and certification listed here thinkwildlife.org/training-certification and I already maintain current membership of a CRRU UK approved CPD scheme thinkwildlife.org/training-certification/continuing-professional-development-cpd-and-stewardship What do I need to do to be ready for 2026?
Congratulations—you are a standard-bearer for stewardship! You meet the CRRU requirements, and no further action is required. Continuing this approach will help ensure ongoing compliance with these requirements. Thank you for your support of stewardship.
I am a professional pest controller with training and certification listed here at thinkwildlife.org/training-certification, and I have been purchasing and using professional use rodenticides. What do I need to do to be ready for 2026?
Check the date on your exam certificate—if it is within the past five years, on 1 January 2026 (ie from 2021 onwards), you can purchase and use professional rodenticides at that point. (Remember to check your exam certificate date at regular intervals to ensure that it is no older than five years.)
If your exam certificate is not within the past five years as of 1 January 2026 (ie pre-2021), you will not be able to purchase and use professional rodenticides.
You will need either:
- Proof of certification to a CRRU UK-approved training course within the past 5 years (thinkwildlife.org/training-certification) or:
- Proof of certification to a CRRU UK-approved training course more than 5 years ago and, as recommended, retain current membership of a CRRU UK-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme thinkwildlife.org/training-certification/continuing-professional-development-cpd-and-stewardship
Which CPD schemes are CRRU UK-approved?
On 6 November 2024, this list of CPD schemes approved are:
- BPCA Registered
- Basis Prompt.
CRRU UK-approved CPD schemes are listed here: thinkwildlife.org/training-certification/continuing-professional-development-cpd-and-stewardship/
If I choose the CPD route, when do I need to join a CRRU UK-approved scheme?
Users joining an approved CPD scheme for the first time will need to have done so in 2025 and will need to have met their full annual membership criteria during 2025 in order to be ready for the 1 January 2026 changes.
Remember, as recommended, you must maintain your membership in the following years. (CRRU UK-approved CPD schemes feature three points/hours/credits of rodent control content that conforms to CRRU guidelines, required each year as part of the normal quota for membership. This is to be assessed as part of the event.)
What will the three points/hours/credits of rodent control content that conform to CRRU guidelines look like? (Required each year as part of the normal quota for membership. This is to be assessed as part of the event)
CRRU UK will support the delivery of CPD by producing learning resources available to CRRU UK-approved CPD schemes for dissemination via their established routes to users.
The expertise of CRRU UK member companies, stakeholder organisations and individuals will be harnessed to create a series of CPD training modules made freely available at the CRRU UK website thinkwildlife.org/training-certification/continuing-professional-development-cpd-and-stewardship.
The modules, each comprising a PowerPoint presentation that takes 45-60 minutes to complete, will be supported by detailed trainer notes. Training organisations will download the resources and use them during face-to-face or online education events. The resources will be made available in January 2025.
If I am not part of a current CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme in 2025 and my certificate is older than 5 years, when should I take the training and exam so I’m prepared for 1 January 2026?
Course availability and processing times for exam results vary. Ensure you have enough time to access a course, undertake the training and take the exam. Also factor in time needed for results to be processed and certificates produced with potential for exam re-sits also considered.
Once passed, it is recommended that professional pest controllers maintain annual membership of a CRRU UK-approved CPD scheme as an element of best practice.
Nigel Cheeseright, CRRU UK’s Chair, said:
“By providing clear guidance on CRRU-approved training and CPD options, we aim to strengthen existing practices, prevent misuse, protect the environment, and reinforce trust with regulators and the public.
“These updates reflect CRRU’s commitment to continual learning and sustainable rodent control, equipping users with flexible options to meet these shared responsibilities.”
Dr Matthew Davies, Head of the CRRU UK Training and Certification Work Group, added:
“This is the next step in the journey to supporting stewardship aims – to control rodents effectively while minimising risk to non-target species and the environment. Since the inception of stewardship, standards have been raised – from introducing a CRRU UK-approved list of training and certification, implementing secure exams and regulated qualifications across the board, to now require mechanisms to show up-to-date knowledge for all professional users of rodenticides.
“Regular training and a focus on Continuing Professional Development is the right course of action.”
The full advice for pest professionals, farmers and gamekeepers is available at
thinkwildlife.org/training-certification/continuing-professional-development-cpd-and-stewardship
GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT CRRU’S UPDATE?
Send your questions to hello@bpca.org.uk and we’ll put them straight to the CRRU UK team.