2026 Internet-Based Special Rectification Plan for Pesticide Operations

2026 Internet-Based Special Rectification Plan for Pesticide Operations

　　To implement the newly revised “Administrative Measures for the Licensing of Pesticide Business Operations,” further standardize online pesticide trading activities, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of pesticide producers, operators, and users, this plan has been specially formulated.

　　 I. General Requirements

　　 Uphold administrative governance based on the rule of law, strengthen the management of pesticide operations conducted via the internet, and promote the establishment of a long-term mechanism for the standardized operation of pesticides online through targeted remediation efforts. Clearly define the responsibilities and obligations of third-party platforms engaged in online trading, reinforce the principal responsibility of online pesticide operators, integrate routine supervision with crackdowns on illegal activities, enhance the overall management level of online pesticide operations, curb the chaos in online pesticide trading, maintain order in the pesticide market, and ensure the safe use of pesticides in agricultural production.

　　 II. Key Tasks

　　 (1) Strictly inspect the qualifications of online pesticide operators. Strictly enforce the qualification requirements for online pesticide businesses, with a particular focus on issues such as operating without a license, failing to file timely备案, and not publicly displaying required documentation. Online pesticide operators must hold a pesticide business license, promptly file their registration as required after going online, and fully and conspicuously display all information specified on their license or provide links to such information. Rectify any irregularities or incompleteness in the public display of licensing information, as well as delays in updating information following license changes. Absolutely prohibit the sale of pesticides online under the guise of individual small-scale transactions or product technology promotion without proper licensing.

　　 (2) Standardize the display of pesticide product information. Strictly implement the requirements for displaying information on pesticide products sold online, and as required, fully display all label information for pesticides, including pesticide trademarks, registration certificates, names of manufacturing enterprises, production licenses, precautions, production dates, scope of use, and application methods. Ensure that the product information displayed online is consistent with the labels of products sold in physical stores. Rectify issues such as failure to display pesticide label information, vague or incomplete content, and other similar problems. Prohibit unauthorized modifications to the scope of use and application methods of pesticide products through means such as product advertisements, illustrative images, or video explanations, and strictly prohibit exaggerated or false advertising.

　　 (3) Clearly define the responsibilities of third-party platforms for internet transactions. Strictly implement the verification obligations for third-party platforms engaged in internet-based transactions, and urge these platforms to establish and improve management systems covering supervision of online business activities, display of pesticide information, real-name purchase of pesticides, retention of transaction records, and handling of complaints and reports. Third-party platforms for internet-based transactions shall rigorously verify the qualifications of online pesticide operators. If they discover that a pesticide operator has not obtained a pesticide business license or that a pesticide product has not been registered, they must take necessary measures in accordance with the law and report such findings to the agricultural and rural affairs department in the location of the pesticide operator, and cooperate fully in supervisory and enforcement efforts.

　　 III. Work Initiatives

　　 (1) Develop a negative list. The organization will revise the list of restricted-use pesticides, with a focus on updating the list of designated pesticide retailers and dynamically adjusting the varieties of pesticides subject to restrictions. It will also study and develop a negative list for pesticide sales via the internet. Building upon the list of restricted-use pesticides, the organization will impose strict controls on certain pesticide varieties that require specialized application equipment, have high technical requirements for use, or are prone to causing phytotoxicity incidents, and prohibit their sale through the internet.

　　 (2) Establish a long-term mechanism. Establish a key monitoring list for pesticide businesses operating online, systematically analyze past monitoring results and complaint/reporting data, and develop a list of pesticide varieties and their corresponding pesticide manufacturers to be included in the key monitoring scope, thereby intensifying regulatory oversight. Improve the mechanism for investigating and addressing problematic products, promptly feeding back online pesticide quality monitoring results to local agriculture and rural affairs authorities for verification and handling, and effectively ensure seamless linkage between identifying leads and imposing lawful penalties. Explore establishing a regular consultation mechanism with third-party platforms engaged in online transactions, strengthen communication with major domestic online third-party platforms through various channels, facilitate data sharing, and regularly carry out activities such as policy briefings, problem assessments, and notifications on handling outcomes, continuously refining and perfecting the long-term regulatory framework for online pesticide trading.

　　 (3) Increase the intensity of spot checks. Include the online sale of pesticide products within the scope of the national pesticide quality supervision and spot-check program. Focus particularly on monitoring the quality of pesticide products sold online, conducting verification of displayed information such as product labels, and gradually increasing the number of samples taken from online pesticide sales and raising the frequency of inspections. This will help steadily improve the quality of pesticide products sold online and severely crack down on illegal and non-compliant practices, including the use of the internet to sell unregistered pesticides under the guise of adjuvants, foliar fertilizers, or biological agents, as well as the sale of expired pesticides through methods such as tampering with label QR codes or altering production dates. Localities should, based on their specific circumstances, explore and implement quality monitoring of pesticide products sold online within their jurisdictions.

　　 (4) Strengthen coordination and synergy. Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration, enhance exchanges and cooperation with departments such as market regulation, cyberspace administration, and public security, and promote information sharing and coordinated law enforcement. Strengthen coordination between the ministry and provincial authorities, At the ministerial level, we must strengthen the dynamic management of the negative list, work closely with major domestic third-party internet platforms, rigorously review the qualifications of online stores selling pesticides, promptly rectify any inappropriate information, and organize investigations into non-compliant products. At the provincial level, we should enhance organizational efforts and conduct registration-based surveys to dynamically track the online operations of pesticide retailers within our jurisdictions, and promptly address any problematic products and stores. Strengthen regional collaboration, Promote integrated management of pesticide distribution both online and offline, coordinate regulatory collaboration among local agricultural and rural departments—including those in the platform’s location and those where pesticide operators within the platform actually conduct business—and ensure that the removal of non-compliant products from online platforms is carried out simultaneously with the inspection and enforcement actions against offline retail outlets.

　　 (5) Strengthen support and safeguards. Seek project support and plan to secure funding for the supervision of pesticide sales via the internet. Conduct regular monitoring of pesticide product quality and collect relevant information. Organize investigations and crackdowns on violations, and track, analyze, and assess the quality status of pesticides sold online. Strengthen data support, Improve the pesticide management information platform, establish an internet-based database for the supervision of pesticide businesses, guide localities to promptly collect and compile information on pesticide businesses operating online as well as regulatory information, and promote data aggregation and information sharing. Optimize verification methods, Leveraging advanced technological tools such as big data and artificial intelligence, we will guide the development and improvement of information-based tools—including internet-based pesticide qualification verification and product inspections—to enhance regulatory oversight capabilities.

　　 (6) Promote social co-governance. Leverage the role of industry self-regulation and support pesticide industry associations in actively participating in the governance of online pesticide sales. Through issuing initiatives and developing group standards, guide online pesticide retailers to operate in a standardized manner and ensure orderly operation of platform services. Strengthen publicity and training, Carry out publicity and interpretation of laws and policies, firmly enforce the principal responsibility of platforms and online stores, and strengthen source control over the sale of pesticides via the internet. Conduct science popularization education and training, produce and release knowledge infographics, science-themed short videos, and other materials to guide farmers in identifying counterfeit and substandard products and purchasing legally compliant pesticides. Establish a social oversight mechanism, Ensure smooth channels for complaints and reports. For issues such as “products not matching the description” or “short weights and measures” in online pesticide sales, promptly file complaints with online stores and platforms. Encourage individuals to provide leads on illegal pesticide-related activities conducted via the internet, and fully leverage the role of social co-governance.

　　This plan will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will be valid for one year.