GPM Releases 'A Global Framework for Pest Management Standards'

FAIRFAX, Va. – The Global Pest Management Coalition announced the release of global standards for the pest management industry. Titled "A Global Framework for Pest Management Standards," this groundbreaking document serves as a guide all around the globe and gives the Global Coalition members a tool that can be used to promote legislation in their countries and professionalize the pest management industry around the world.

In October 2019, the Global Pest Management Coalition created a task force to create this framework. These standards detail a system that can be used to ensure pest management professionals around the world are prepared to do their important work through training, experience, and the support of an employer that must also meet certain criteria. The levels described within the standards give professionals career milestones to aspire to. They can also be used as credentials that the industry can use to define and celebrate professionalism.

These guidelines are not intended to preempt existing laws or regulations, including existing standards developed by pest control industry associations and this framework should also not be construed as standards of the Global Pest Management Coalition or its member organizations. 

“The Global Standards is a unified charter of the global pest management community, to present a commitment to serve “public health” across the globe in a uniform and effective manner. These standards represent our solemn resolve to present to the world a common interface to pest management services at a global level,” noted Viren Merchant of Pest Control Associates in Mumbai, India, who also served as a member of the standards task force.

Most importantly, this document is for countries that do not have any regulation over their structural pest management industry. This document gives industry leaders a full framework with which to start working with regulatory agencies to put a system in place that defines the competency/experience, minimum training, knowledge, and continuing education/training and re-certification required of pest management professionals; the basic requirements a company should meet; and what should be included in the documentation of services performed. It is important to define professionalism through a system like the one presented here so that customers can make informed choices and trust the companies protecting their homes and businesses.

"The global standards of the Global Pest Management Coalition (GPMC) are undoubtedly the culmination of great effort and work by all its members, which allows us to have a reference document to professionalize and make the pest control industry more competitive. pest management in the world," said Moises Capetillo Gonzalez of ANCPUAC in Mexico and Vice President of the coalition.

“We’ve worked to develop the standards with colleagues that we believe represent our industry worldwide. We also include what the companies need to achieve to follow this path. The endpoint is to make sure that only professionals work in our industry and that regulators, customers, and the general public see us all as real professional technicians and technical directors, and see the companies that provide Pest Management services as professional companies,” noted Alberto Ponjoan of Depec, and Past President of ADEPAP the Association of Pest Control Companies of Catalonia (Spain), who also served on the task force.

The standards are available in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Visit www.pestmanagementcoalition.org/standards to download the document or email info@pestmanagementcoalition.org for an editable version