AGRICHEMICALS

Building Washing Agrichemical Classifications

How the classification of cleaning chemicals affects the training and certification requirements for drone-based building washing.

CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATION

Is your cleaning chemical classed as an agrichemical?

CAA has confirmed that building washing with drones is assessed using the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)’s definition of agrichemicals.

If the EPA classifies your product as a cleaning chemical, some requirements for aerial spraying, aerial topdressing and aerial vertebrate toxic agent (VTA) application no longer apply.

Check the Safety Data Sheet

Follow these steps to check whether the chemical you intend to apply is classified as a cleaning chemical.

Find the Safety Data Sheet

Get the SDS for the chemical you intend to apply from the supplier.

Look for an HSR number

Check Section 15 for the product’s regulatory information and HSNO approval number. A cleaning chemical may list a group standard such as HSR002526.

Check the group standard

Use the EPA’s group standards search to confirm the group standard listed on the SDS.

View cleaning chemical group standards →

Safety Data Sheet showing hazard identification and chemical pictograms — Hazard identification pictograms

Check the hazard identification section for the chemical classifications and associated pictograms.

Safety Data Sheet showing Section 15 regulatory information and HSR number — Regulatory information

Check Section 15 for the EPA approval number and applicable group standard.

Example: HSR002526 Cleaning Products (Corrosive) Group Standard 2020.

UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS

Which Requirements Apply?

It is a cleaning chemical

No agricultural ratings required.

You no longer need to obtain a Pilot Chemical Rating or a UAV Agricultural Rating.

However, Part 102 certification may still be required.

Explore Part 102 training

When Part 102 certification is still required

You will still need Part 102 certification if any of the following apply:

Drone and equipment mass

The gross mass of the drone, including the spraying equipment, the length of hose lifted and the water in the hose, exceeds 25 kg for at least part of the operation.

Other chemical applications

You sometimes intend to apply a chemical that the EPA classifies as an agrichemical.

Additional Part 102 privileges

You want to use another Part 102 privilege, such as notification and engagement with an aerodrome operator rather than gaining their responsibility.

See the agricultural training requirements

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Chemical trespass

A cleaning-chemical classification does not remove your responsibility for chemical trespass. If the chemical you apply ends up on another property, you may be liable for any damage caused. Even common non-caustic cleaners can cause spot burns on vegetation.

Hazardous substances

Cleaning chemicals can be hazardous in concentrated form, including being corrosive. You must still comply with all relevant hazardous substances regulations.

NEXT STEPS

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