AGRICHEMICALS

Building Washing Agrichemical Classifications

How the classification of cleaning chemicals affects the training and certification requirements for drone-based building washing.

CLASSIFICATION

Is your cleaning chemical classed as an agrichemical?

CAA has confirmed that building washing with drones is assessed using the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)’s definition of agrichemicals.

If the EPA classifies your product as a cleaning chemical, some requirements for aerial spraying, aerial topdressing and aerial vertebrate toxic agent (VTA) application no longer apply.

C10 Industrial Cleaning Drone cleaning building

HOW TO CHECK

Check the Safety Data Sheet

Follow these steps to check whether the chemical you intend to apply is classified as a cleaning chemical.

Find the Safety Data Sheet

Get the SDS for the chemical you intend to apply from the supplier.

Look for an HSR number

Check Section 15 of the SDS for the product’s regulatory information and its HSNO approval number. A cleaning chemical may list a cleaning-products group standard, such as HSR002526.

Check the group standard

Use the EPA’s group standards search to help confirm the group standard listed on the SDS.

View cleaning chemical group standards →

Chemical hazard identification pictograms

Hazard identification regulatory information

Examples of what to look for

Check the regulatory information in the SDS. The examples show “Cleaning Products (Corrosive) – HSR002526”, which is the Cleaning Products (Corrosive) Group Standard 2020.

Examples of what to look for

Check the regulatory information in the SDS. The examples show “Cleaning Products (Corrosive) – HSR002526”, which is the Cleaning Products (Corrosive) Group Standard 2020.

UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS

Which Requirements Apply?

It is a cleaning chemical

You no longer need to obtain a Pilot Chemical Rating or a UAV Agricultural Rating.
You may still need Part 102 certification.

When Part 102 certification is still required

You will still need Part 102 certification if any of the following apply:

Drone and equipment mass

The gross mass of the drone, including the spraying equipment, the length of hose lifted and the water in the hose, exceeds 25 kg for at least part of the operation.
Other chemical applications

You sometimes intend to apply a chemical that the EPA classifies as an agrichemical.
Additional Part 102 privileges

You want to use another Part 102 privilege, such as notification and engagement with an aerodrome operator rather than gaining their responsibility.

See the agricultural training requirements →

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Chemical trespass and hazardous substances

Chemical trespass

A cleaning-chemical classification does not remove your responsibility for chemical trespass. If the chemical you apply ends up on another property, you may be liable for any damage caused. Even common non-caustic cleaners can cause spot burns on vegetation.

Hazardous substances

Cleaning chemicals can be hazardous in concentrated form, including being corrosive. You must still comply with all relevant hazardous substances regulations.

GET IN TOUCH

Want to know more or have a question?

If you’re unsure how a chemical classification affects your drone operation, get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements.

GET IN TOUCH

Building Washing Agrichemical Classifications

Is your cleaning chemical classed as an agrichemical?