Poisons licences

Information about non-medical poisons licences

The retailing of poisons is controlled by the Poisons Act 1972.

The Poisons List Order 1982 contains a list of poisons covered by the Poisons Act. Part I of this list contains poisons that may only be sold by a registered pharmacist. Part II of the list contains the poisons that cannot be sold unless you are registered to do so with your Local Authority.

Registering for the Sale of Non-Medicinal Poisons

Before selling poisons listed in Part II of the Poisons Act an application to be entered on the Council's list of persons who may sell Part II poisons must be made to the Council. Please use the Non-medical poisons licence application attached below.

The current fees are £32.00 to apply to place a name on list, £8.20 to make an alteration in the list relating to the premises and £15.50 to retain a name on the list.

Where a name is entered on the list of persons entitled to sell Part II poisons, that name shall be removed from the list on 31 May each year unless an application to retain the name on the list has been received.

Poisons to which Part II of the Poisons List Applies

Please see attached Poisons Booklet below

Requirements Relating to the Sale of Part II Poisons

The poisons may only be sold from premises named on the Council's list.

The container of the poison must labelled with:

• the name of the poison, and
• in the case of a preparation which contains a poison as one of its ingredients, with particulars as to the proportion of the poison to the total ingredients, and
• with the word 'poison' or other prescribed indication of the character of the article, and
• with the name of the seller and the address of the premises on which it is sold.

No liquid poison may be sold in a bottle with a capacity of less than 1.14 litres unless the outer surface of the bottle is fluted vertically with ribs or grooves recognisable by touch.

Offences and Penalties

If a person is convicted before any Court of any offence, which in the opinion of the Court, renders them unfit to have their name on the list of persons entitled to sell non-medicinal poisons, the Court may order their name to be removed from the list and be disqualified from having their name on any local authority list for such period as they may specify.

No person on the list may use any title, emblem or description that suggests they are entitled to sell any poison which they are not entitled to sell, and if convicted shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £500 and a further fine not exceeding £5 for each day that the contravention continues.

A person convicted of contravening or failing to comply with the provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, or the Poisons Rules shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £2,500 and a further fine not exceeding £10 for each day the offence continues.

If a person:

• wilfully delays or obstructs an Inspector from the Council, or
• refuses to allow samples to be taken, or
• fails to give information which they are required to give, they shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.

Contact Details

For more information please contact Licensing:

Trading Standards & Licensing
PO Box 1833
Solihull
B91 9DZ
Tel: 0121 704 8003
Fax: 0121 704 6888
Email: connectcc@solihull.gov.uk

 We will respond to any request for advice within the following time frame

• Telephone calls - 95% answered
• Telephone messages - responded to within two working days
• Personal callers - initial consultation at Solihull Connect, a further appointment will be made necessary
• Email responded to within one working day
• Letters and faxes responded to within five working days from receipt