BELGIUM: MINISTERIAL DECREES ON THE MANDATORY INSPECTION OF SPRAYERS (ANNEX 1) The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.97.401. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: BELGIUM. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Small Firms and Traders and Agriculture, Department of Raw Materials and Plant Quality -- DG4, Inspectorate-General of Raw Materials and Processed Products, WTC3, Boulevard Simon Bolivar 30, 8th Floor, 1000 Brussels. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Sprayers (equipment for spraying pesticides in agriculture) already being used in Belgium. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Ministerial Decree on the Mandatory Inspection of Sprayers (Annex 1). 6. Description of content: The mandatory inspection measure for sprayers is aimed at more rational and controlled use of pesticides in agriculture. The inspection method is explained in Annex 3 to the draft and concerns both horizontal boom sprayers (crops) and vertical rig sprayers (aboriculture). Small appliances in which the mixture to be sprayed is placed under pressure by hand or using compressed gas or gravity are excluded. The three-yearly inspection is subject to payment of a fee and is carried out by the two official agricultural engineering stations (Ministry of Agriculture). New sprayers are subject to inspection three years after purchase. The following are the inspection criteria: General state of the sprayer; pressure stability; pressure gauge; hydraulic balance between sections of the boom; adjustment returns; loss of pressure in sections of the boom; flow from the individual nozzles; verification of control systems (DPA, DPM); leaks. In addition to verifying the control system, the overall procedure covers two types of measure; individual flow from the nozzles and pressure in the boom. Exclusion criteria have been set for each of these parameters in the light of the experience gained during the voluntary inspection that preceded the entry into force of mandatory inspection. 7. Objective and rationale: The objective of the measure is to improve the stock of old sprayers by using a methodology to ensure that the correct dose of the phytopharmaceutical products is sprayed uniformly. Where appropriate, the user is immediately given clear and precise information regarding the repairs to be made to his sprayer and this also serves an educational purpose. The adoption of this measure will not restrict free movement within the European Union because it only concerns sprayers already in use. 8. Relevant documents: Not listed. 9. Proposed date of adoption: 60 days; Proposed date of entry into force: 60 days. 10. Final date for comments: Not listed. 11. Texts available from: National enquiry point or CIBELNOR. (0265)

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