The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has warned pest professionals and customers to check membership claims carefully, after a school uncovered a case involving an incorrect BPCA certificate and professional rodenticide access.
The issue came to light when a school, looking to appoint a pest control contractor, checked whether a company presenting itself as connected to BPCA was listed as a member.
When the business could not be found on BPCA’s Check a Member tool, the school contacted the association.
BPCA investigated and found that the pest controller was not a BPCA member. However, the case was not a straightforward example of deliberate logo misuse.
The individual had paid for online rodenticide training through a website and received what they believed was a legitimate BPCA certificate. The certificate appeared to present them as a BPCA member and had reportedly been used as evidence to buy professional rodenticide.
BPCA said the certificate should not have been issued or used in that way.
Lorraine Norton, BPCA operations manager, said the case showed why customers and pest professionals must stay alert to misleading certificates, training claims and membership logos.
She said: “BPCA’s logo and reputation matter. Members work hard to meet the standards expected of them. They go through our application and assessment processes. They invest in training, systems, insurance, professionalism and doing things properly.
“When a non-member uses our name, logo or anything that creates confusion, we will follow it up.
“Sometimes logo abuse is deliberate. Sometimes it is a genuine misunderstanding. Sometimes people confuse training logos, membership logos and qualification certificates. We will be fair, and we will listen, but we will also be firm. If something is wrong, it needs to be corrected.”
BPCA said it obtained assurances that the incorrect certificate would be removed and that customers would no longer be shown it. The association also spoke to the pest controller about recognised professional standards and reported the rodenticide purchasing concern through the proper CRRU-UK channels.
The case also raised concerns about professional rodenticide use and the importance of recognised competence.
Ms Norton added: “Professional rodenticides are not casual products. They carry risks to people, non-target animals and the wider environment if used incorrectly. Anyone using them professionally needs the correct training and qualification.
“A certificate that looks official is not the same thing as a valid qualification.”
BPCA said the school’s actions helped protect customers, professional standards and the reputation of verified pest management businesses.
The association is urging pest professionals and customers to report suspected logo abuse, odd-looking certificates, out-of-date documents or membership claims that cannot be verified.
Ms Norton said: “It is very easy to complain about poor standards in the industry. But we cannot improve standards if we do nothing when we see a problem.
“If you spot BPCA logo abuse, report it to us. If a certificate looks odd, tell us. If a company claims to be in membership and you cannot find them on Check a Member, do not assume. Ask.”
Customers can check whether a company is a BPCA member using its Check a Member tool.
