Regulation on Sale of Vector Control Pesticides and Repellents on Shopee

Under the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act (CVPA), all pesticides and repellents intended for use against the five vectors (i.e. mosquitoes, flies, rats, cockroaches and rat fleas) are required to be registered with the National Environment Agency (NEA) prior to any sale, supply or advertising in Singapore.

A Hazardous Substances Licence/Permit is also required for vector control pesticides and repellents containing any hazardous substance controlled under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA).

All NEA-registered pesticides and repellents will bear a NEA registration mark comprising a unique registration number and a registration logo. NEA-registered pesticides and repellents are classified and labelled for "General Use” or “Restricted use”. Only "General Use” vector control pesticides and repellents can be listed and sold on Shopee. “Restricted Use” products can only be handled by NEA-licensed pest control operators as the formulated product may have high toxicity or concentration, and/or require further mixing/dilution and/or specialised equipment for the application of the product. Therefore, “Restricted Use” products, which include all rodenticides, cannot be listed for sale on Shopee. Information for Sellers A seller of vector control pesticides and repellents should include an image of the product label, prominently bearing the NEA registration mark in your product listing. Please ensure that you comply with NEA’s requirements. The maximum fine for an offence is $20,000 and/or 3 months’ jail for the first conviction, and $50,000 and/or 6 months’ jail for subsequent convictions.

Listing Requirements   It is mandatory for sellers to input NEA Registration Number in the attribute section in product listings.

Information for Buyers Buyers should only buy registered vector control pesticides and repellents as unregistered products have not been evaluated by NEA for safety nor efficacy. Please look out for the NEA registration mark on registered products.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the consequences of not abiding by the NEA’s requirements for pesticides and repellents against vectors?

It is an offence under the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act (CVPA) for any person to advertise, sell or supply unregistered vector control pesticides and repellents intended for use against vectors. The maximum fine for an offence is $20,000 and/or 3 months’ jail for the first conviction, and $50,000 and/or 6 months’ jail for subsequent convictions.

All non-compliant listings on the Shopee platform, flagged by regulators, will be banned. Sellers will receive a notification on the banned listings and can relist their products should they be able to provide supporting evidence that their products bear the NEA registration mark on the product labels.

2. Does this requirement apply to all overseas & local sellers?

Yes, this requirement applies to both overseas and local sellers who wish to sell vector control pesticides and repellents on the Shopee platform in Singapore.

3. How do I register my vector control pesticide and/or repellent products?

Sellers of such products should read the Guidebook on the Registration of Pesticides and Repellents against Vectors and the Registration Mark Usage Guidelines. They will be required to submit an application form to NEA. Each application form is for the registration of one product only. The Guidebook, Guidelines and application form are available on NEA website.

4. How do I know whether a vector control pesticide or repellent is already registered?

Products that are registered with NEA will be labelled with a registration mark and indicated clearly for 'General Use’ or ‘Restricted Use’. The list of products registered with NEA is available on the NEA website.

5. Where can I find more information regarding registration of agricultural pesticides on Shopee?

All pesticides used in the cultivation of plants intended for sale in Singapore, inclusive of synthetic chemical and biological pesticides, plant growth regulators and pesticide-containing biostimulant/fertiliser/soil conditioner are required to be registered with Singapore Food Agency (SFA) prior to any sale, supply or advertising in Singapore.

For more information, you can refer here.

6. I have registered my product in the country of my origin and input the pesticide registration number in my listing. Why is my listing still removed?

All pesticide or repellent products are required to be registered with NEA prior to sale in Singapore. Although your product is registered in your country of origin, you are required to register your product with NEA and input the NEA registration number to avoid deletion.