Phyto license renewal and software update

On June 20, the final procedure was proposed by FPS for those who do not pass the necessary refresher courses for the phyto license by the expiration date. In addition, the update of the new phytoweb software was also proposed....

General operating procedure

Those who attend sufficient training activities within the validity period of the license will keep their license number. The non-paying phyto license is automatically renewed for six years from the expiration date without any action on your part. Those who have a paying (e.g. NP or P3) phyto license and have taken sufficient training courses can renew their phyto license, provided they pay the invoice for the renewal on time. What is new is that you no longer have to pay the invoice on a personal basis. It is possible to provide a different billing address. For exemption from payment, the FPS must receive a timely explanation of why you are requesting an exemption. Those taking their last continuing education course just before the due date will retain their phyto license. Please note that there may be a period of several weeks to months between your last continuing education and final registration with FPS. During this period, your phyto license is no longer active! It is therefore temporarily expired. From the moment FPS receives the registration, the license becomes active again and remains valid for six years. Table 1 shows the number of continuing education courses to be taken according to the phyto license.

Those who did not follow sufficient training activities by the expiration date will irretrievably lose their phyto license. You must therefore apply for a new phytolic license. The application can only be approved after taking the missing continuing education courses. You will receive a new phyto-license number. The validity period is six years from the time you get the new license. In the period between the expired license and the new one, the use, storage, ... of phyto-products for professional activities is not allowed.

What should you do when you lose your phyto license and need a new one? You have a period of six years to complete the necessary training activities. In other words, the continuing education you took during the last six years before the new application is considered. This means that the training activities you took five years ago are only valid for one more year. After FPS has registered the continuing education courses, you will receive a new phyto-license. Those who wish to increase their existing license, for example from P1 to P2, and have the necessary diploma or certificate to do so, can obtain it in the same way.

Different caps that can be used by a phytolics licensee.

Foreign license

Phytolabel holders who have a license through mutual recognition (foreign phytolabel that allows them to apply for a Belgian phytolabel) must apply for a new phytolabel. The end date of the phytolic license will be the same as that of the foreign license. For a paying license, payment is pro-rated according to the period of validity (€220 for 72 months). It is also possible for foreigners to take the Belgian refresher courses. This allows them to keep their Belgian phytolic license. In addition, for the phyto license in their home country, they must also undertake sufficient continuing education.

Those who did not take enough continuing education courses by the due date may also take a new basic training course. This also requires a new application. The application can only be made after the phyto license has expired. The date does not necessarily match the previous license.

If you do not wish to renew your phyto license, you do not have to do anything. From the expiration date, use, storage, purchase, sale and advice are no longer possible.

Individual communication

The FPS will carry out an individual communication in the context of the renewal of the phytolic license. This communication will take place by e-mail for everyone who has filled in their e-mail address in their online dossier. You can find your online dossier at www.fytolicentie.be . You can check your personal data by means of your identity card and corresponding code. Communication by letter will also be possible if your e-mail address is not known in the online file. Beware of old and incorrect mail addresses!

One year before the due date, an email or letter will be sent notifying you how many continuing education courses you have already taken and how many you still need to take. Anyone not in order six months before the due date will receive another reminder email. For paying licenses, the same procedure will be applied and you will be asked for billing information or a waiver statement.

Update website and software

In the fall, the website (phytoweb) and software will be updated. It will no longer be necessary to log in with the ID card to follow up on the status of those who have completed their data in their online file. The mail address (unique) combined with the national registry number will be sufficient to obtain this info.  For communication with the FPS, only one mail address will be valid per national language. For Flanders, this will be: fytolicentie@health.fgov.be Those who do not have a Belgian ID card may always ask their questions via this mail address.

It will also be easier to apply for a new license through the online application form. This will be possible on the basis of an expired license. The online form will also still be the only way to submit an application. A second mail address (does not have to be unique) will also be possible to request copies, for example. The billing address can also be changed. Address changes and deaths will be automatically received through the national registry and updated. If necessary, you will also be able to add more attachments to your file. For example, a statement from non-commercial educator will be added separately.

In the block diagram below you will find schematically the procedure for the renewal of phyto-licenses.

Decision

Check your online file to make sure all information has been entered correctly. Consult the file to find out how many continuing education courses you still need to take. Take necessary continuing education courses in a timely manner.

Those who do not yet have a phyto license can also apply for a phyto license via the application form. Certain diplomas or certificates that you obtained during your studies (secondary, higher, after-school,...) may qualify. To apply for your phytolic license. If your degree was obtained more than six years ago, then by taking sufficient continuing education courses, you can still get a phytolic license. So you don't automatically have to take basic training..