- Department:Hazard Control Division
With the effects of global warming, the spread of residential vectors and pests is on the rise, increasing public demand for pest control solutions. In response, the Ministry of Environment advises the public to prioritize simple, safe, and non-chemical methods for cleaning, prevention, and pest control. Certified household pesticides should be used only when absolutely necessary.
In 2024, the Ministry of Environment, in coordination with local environmental protection bureaus, conducted a total of 27,015 inspections and random sampling of household pesticides – covering advertisements, counterfeit products, and active ingredient verification – with a compliance rate of 97.7%. These inspections included: 5,430 checks on household pesticide advertisements, among which 247 cases involved illegal advertisements, including the sale of insecticides and unregistered products on e-commerce platforms; 21,452 inspections of product labeling, with 377 found non-compliant, mainly due to expired products; 130 inspections of active ingredients, with 4 products failing to meet standards; and 3 unregistered counterfeit products were also seized. All non-compliant products have been penalized and ordered to be removed from sale within a specified period, in accordance with the household pesticides Control Act.
The Ministry of Environment urges citizens to follow the "Four Yes" principles when selecting and purchasing household pesticides – “be indicative”, “be legal”, “be valid” and “labeled” – to ensure their safe and effective use. Moreover, when advertising the sale of household pesticides, the "Three No" policy must also be observed – “no publication”, “no buying” and “no recommendation” – to avoid violating the law and facing penalties.
The Ministry of Environment has established the “Environmental Agents Permit and Pest Control Industry License” (https://mdc.moenv.gov.tw/PublicInfo) inquiry system to facilitate the citizens in checking whether the selected household pesticide is legally registered.
The Ministry of Environment also specifically reminds the public that travelers returning from overseas are only allowed to bring back less than 1 kg of household pesticides, and these agents are strictly for personal use. Advertising or selling household pesticides online is prohibited, and violators will face a fine ranging from NTD 60,000 to NTD300,000.
Cleaning and tidying up the environment is the first step in maintaining environmental hygiene and can effectively prevent the spread of pests. It is recommended to avoid using household pesticides unless necessary, and to use only the minimum amount required. Replacing household pesticides with proper environmental maintenance is key to effective pest prevention and control.
