PPC124 | ASK THE TECHNICAL TEAM
BPCA’s technical team tackles common questions on CRRU requirements, environmental risk assessments and the disposal of rodent carcasses.
Do we need to do three CRRU points every year?
As part of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) stewardship scheme, new rules for purchasers and users of professional rodenticides came into force in 2026.
Good stewardship helps protect non-target wildlife while keeping essential rodent-control tools available for purchase. You have two options to continue using professional rodenticides:
| CPD-route |
Be compliant on a CRRU-UK approved CPD scheme (like BPCA Registered) – including getting your full 20 points
AND |
Have at least three of your 20 points be from CRRU-UK-approved CPD materials
AND |
| Have a CRRU-UK-approved qualification (any date). |
| OR |
| Requalification-route |
|
Have a CRRU-UK-approved qualification passed within the last five years.
This could be your BPCA/RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management or an approved Using Rodenticides qualification.
|
A full list of CRRU-UK-approved CPD schemes, CPD materials, and qualifications is available at thinkwildlife.org
We recommend that you do the CPD route so you’re always accessing the latest stewardship updates. Anyone on BPCA Registered can earn their three CRRU-UK points through the free short online learning courses already available in your MyBPCA Area. There are now six to choose from. bpca.org.uk/me
Alternatively - join us online for our special CRRU-UK Keynote and get all your CRRU-UK CPD points in one longer live session. 2 December 2026, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm bpca.org.uk/events
When should I complete an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)?
You must complete or review an ERA each time you use rodenticides externally, in line with the product label.
An annual or one-off site survey can capture general environmental information. However, every rodenticide application must be supported by current information and an environmental risk assessment that references that application.
Don't be tempted to miss this process, it’s the law to follow the label conditions. And do you really want to be relying on old paperwork where site conditions or risks may have changed? ERAs keep the wildlife safe and you protected.
Where should I put dead rodent carcasses if I used rodenticide?
Disposal of dead rodents was straightforward at one time, as most local authority waste sites or hospitals with incinerators accepted the carcasses.
These options are fast disappearing for various reasons, and so it’s become necessary to have clearer disposal routes which preclude conflicts with current waste guidelines.
Domestic sites – small infestations (no more than around six bodies) may be managed by double bagging and disposal via the domestic system. Make sure your customer is happy to use their bins for this purpose.
Commercial sites – carcass disposal should be traceable (by yourself via a licensed incinerator contractor). Carcasses can be temporarily stored frozen to prevent decomposition. The options are:
- Local authority waste sites – becoming increasingly difficult in some areas but contact your local council to see if these can be accommodated
- Pet crematoria – the governing body for these sites confirms they can take small amounts, assessed by weight. They cannot take large quantities as planning regulations approve them primarily for the disposal of companion pets
- Commercial waste contractors – many are willing to help, but you might need to do some research.
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