The number of UK pest control companies to achieve CEPA Certified® status has reached three figures in little more than two years.

The European Standard for Pest Management Services (EN16636) and its accompanying certification scheme was launched in March, 2015 to act as a benchmark of quality throughout the EU.

And Tactical Environmental Services, based in Chingford, East London, was this week confirmed as the 100th firm in Britain to receive the documentation.

ProAct Pest Control, which has headquarters in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, was meanwhile named as the 100th members of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) to embrace the certification, which is independently assessed by Bureau Veritas.

Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of BPCA, said: "CEPA Certified® status is something for all pest control companies to aspire to and it's fantastic to see the number achieving the standard reach the 100 mark in such a short period of time.

"All of our full servicing members will have been audited against the EN16636 standard by the end of this month, which will be a massive feather in our cap.

"It's a clear demonstration of the professional standards our members adhere to in all areas of their work."

CEPA Certified® aims to define quality and best practice and acts as assurance that member companies are experts on integrated pest management, the use of chemicals and health and safety issues.

CEPA Certified® is the cornerstone of CEPA's strategy to portray a positive image of the pest control industry in terms of public health, food safety, environmental sustainability and economic significance across Europe.

The first company in the UK to achieve CEPA Certified® status was Ecolab who completed the process back in 2016