Bundesportal | Applying for recognition of a foreign certificate of competence for the use of plant protection products

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Thuringia

Last update or date of publication

December 6, 2024

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Activities in the field of plant protection are regulated in Germany. This means that you need a German certificate of competence to be able to use plant protection products professionally in Germany. Even if you have a professional qualification from abroad, you can obtain a certificate of competence from the competent authority in Germany. To do this, you must have your foreign certificate of competence recognized.

In the recognition procedure, the competent authority compares your foreign qualification with the German qualification and checks the equivalence. Equivalence is an important prerequisite for issuing the certificate of competence.
You must also meet other requirements. Further requirements are sufficient German language skills, reliability and regular further training and education.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

Application form from the competent authority
Proof of identity (identity card or passport)
Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
Proof of your professional qualification (e.g. certificates, professional certificate)
Proof of training, e.g. certificate of plant protection expertise from your country of origin
Proof of advanced training and further training in plant protection
Proof of other relevant knowledge for working in the field of plant protection
Proof of your German language skills: Language certificate/language test from the competent authority
The law distinguishes between applicants from EU member states and non-EU member states when recognizing proof of required specialist knowledge and practical skills in plant protection. If you come from an EU member state, please preferably submit the phytosanitary certificate of your country of origin (certificate within the meaning of Directive 2009/128/EC), if available.
All certificates of competence must be submitted in an officially certified German translation. You must have the necessary knowledge of German to carry out the activity.

Label

Preconditions

You have a certificate of competence in the field of plant protection.
You want to use plant protection products professionally in Germany.
Personal aptitude: You are reliable for working in the field of plant protection.
You have German language skills at the required level.

The costs generally depend on the time and effort required for processing.

Additional costs may also be incurred (e.g. for translations or notarizations). These costs vary from case to case.

Anerkennung und Ausstellung sowie Zweitausfertigung (zum Beispiel bei Verlust der Karte)
Fee
46.00 EUR
Advance payment
no
Ablehnung
Fee
27.00 EUR
Advance payment
no

Basis for legal action

Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21.10.2009

Thuringian Ordinance on the Implementation of the Plant Protection Act

§ Section 6 of the Plant Protection Specialist Ordinance (PflSchSachkV)

§ Section 9 (2) sentence 1 of the Plant Protection Act (PflSchG)

Legal Remedies

You may lodge an objection to this administrative act with the Thuringian State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas in Jena within 1 month of notification. The deadline is also met if the objection is received by a branch office of the State Office within the deadline.

Procedure

Application

You submit an application for a certificate of competence to the competent authority.
You can submit the application with the documents to the competent body, send it by post or upload it electronically. The competent body will inform you.

Examination of equivalence

The competent body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The competent body will compare your qualification with the German qualification. It is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your foreign qualification and the German qualification.

Possible results of the examination

If your qualification is equivalent, your foreign qualification will be recognized. The competent authority can confirm the result in writing. You must still meet the other requirements. You will then receive the certificate of competence in plant protection.

Are there any significant differences between your qualification and the German qualification? You may be able to compensate for the differences through your professional experience, other knowledge or skills (lifelong learning). You must provide evidence of your professional experience. Knowledge and skills must be certified by an authority in the country in which you acquired the knowledge or skills.

However, it may be that the significant differences cannot be compensated for by this knowledge. In this case, your foreign certificate of competence will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work in the field of plant protection.
However, the competent authority will tell you the main differences and why you cannot compensate for the main differences with your professional experience.

In most cases, you can take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the main differences.

Compensatory measures

There are various compensatory measures:

You take an examination for expertise in accordance with the Expertise Ordinance.
You take a training course in accordance with the Ordinance on Professional Competence.

The competent authority will advise you on this.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will receive the certificate of competence in plant protection. You will then be allowed to use plant protection products professionally in Germany.

Deadlines

If there are more than 3 years between the date of the certificate and the date of application, a current German certificate of further training must also be submitted.

Processing time

If all documents are complete, the application will be processed within 4 to 6 weeks. You will receive a notice of recognition and a notice of costs. Delivery of the certificate of competence card can take up to 2 months after payment.