Sprayer testing, from knapsacks to self-propelled.

What the test covers

A thorough test of every application component on the sprayer, with the operator’s and the environment’s safety in mind.

It’s the National Sprayer Testing Scheme test, so it’s the one your assurance scheme asks for. NSTS is the body HSE designates to run inspections of pesticide application equipment in the UK.^1,2

What we test

Boom sprayers, up to the widest self-propelled machines
Knapsack sprayers
Weed wipers
Amistar applicators
Amenity sprayers for grounds teams, on the same visit as your spreaders: see golf, sport and turf

How often a sprayer is due

The law sets one timetable and the assurance schemes a tighter one for big sprayers.

Either way, a professional user mustn’t use a sprayer that hasn’t passed its inspection.³

Sprayer test intervals by scheme
Scheme	Boom sprayer over 3 m	Boom sprayer 3 m or less	First test, new sprayer
No farm assurance: the legal minimum (the SUD)	Every 3 years^4,5	Every 6 years⁶	Before 5 years old
Red Tractor: Crops & Sugar Beet, and Fresh Produce (CR.EC.7, PR.EC.7)	Every year^7,8,9	Every 6 years	Over 3 m: into the yearly cycle. Smaller: before 5 years old
Red Tractor: Beef & Lamb (B.EC.7)	Every 3 years^10,9	Every 6 years	Before 5 years old
Scottish Quality Crops (2.17 to 2.19)	Every year^11,9	Every 6 years	Before first use, for sprayers covered by 2.17
Quality Meat Scotland: cattle and sheep (10.12)	Every 3 years^12,9	Every 6 years	Before 5 years old

Air-blast, train and aircraft sprayers follow the over-3-metre timetable. Knapsack, handheld and pedestrian equipment (a maximum of 2 wheels, or a manually pressurised pump) has no NSTS test, but must be checked on a regular basis by a competent person, with any repairs made and a record kept.⁵

Is your sprayer due?

For equipment over 5 years old, NSTS’s decision tree comes down to the sprayer type and when it was last tested.⁵

Trailed, mounted or self-propelled, boom over 3 metres
Tested in the last 3 years? Then the next test is due within 3 years of the last. If not, the sprayer is out of test now. After that, re-test every 3 years.
Boom 3 metres and under, and other application equipment
Tested in the last 6 years? Then the next test is due within 6 years of the last. If not, it’s out of test now. After that, re-test every 6 years.
Knapsack, handheld or pedestrian
Inspected on a regular basis by a competent person. Repair any faults found, keep a record, and use the NSTS checklist.

“Other application equipment” includes

Slug pellet and micro-granular applicators
Weed wipers
Seed treating equipment, including conveyor and roller table
Fogging, misting and smoking equipment
Manually propelled or self-propelled trolley equipment with 3 or more wheels and a motorised pump

Other equipment may fall into this category too. Not sure which yours is? Ring us on 01785 840 849.

What you get

An NSTS test certificate for the sprayer, registered with the scheme, which is the record your assessor asks to see.

Every NSTS test carries the NSTS certification fee. It’s what keeps the assurance inspector happy.

How long the test takes depends on the sprayer. We’ll give you an idea when we book.

A test certificate. You, your assessor or a buyer can check a test online by entering its certificate number on the NSTS website.¹³
Other machines due? Tell us about your spreaders, pelleters and granular applicators when you book.

Questions.

How often does a sprayer need an NSTS test?

By law, a boom sprayer over 3 m needs its first test before it’s five years old, then at least every three years.⁴ Red Tractor’s Crops and Fresh Produce schemes and SQC require an NSTS test every year for booms over 3 m; Red Tractor Beef & Lamb and QMS ask for every 3 years.^7,11,9 Smaller booms and most other kit are on a six-year cycle.^14,5

Does a knapsack sprayer need an NSTS test?

Not by law. Knapsack, handheld and pedestrian equipment has no formal test, but it must be inspected by a competent person, repaired as needed, and the inspection recorded.¹⁴ We test knapsack sprayers as well.

Can I use a sprayer that’s missed its test?

No. The owner mustn’t let a professional user use equipment that hasn’t passed its inspection.³

How do I check when my sprayer was last tested?

Enter the test certificate number on the NSTS website’s lookup page. It shows when the test was registered.¹³

Book a sprayer test

Tell us what you’ve got and when it was last tested, and we’ll tell you what applies.

The type of sprayer and its boom width
When it was last tested, if you know
Your postcode, so we can send the nearest engineer

Book a sprayer test 01785 840 849

Or email info@spreadcheck.com. We’ll ring you to fix a date. Nothing is booked until we’ve spoken.

Our other tests

Farm tests: all four machines, and how often each one is due

Sources

HSE, Bodies designated to administer equipment inspection, accessed 2026.
NSTS, About us, accessed 2026.
legislation.gov.uk, The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012, regulation 14 (use of equipment that has passed inspection), 2012.
legislation.gov.uk, The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012, regulation 11 (boom sprayers over 3 m), 2012, as amended.
NSTS, Sprayer testing leaflet: legal requirements, crop assurance requirements and a decision tree for equipment over 5 years old, 2024.
legislation.gov.uk, The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 (the UK’s “SUD” rules), regulation 12, 2012.
Red Tractor, Combinable Crops and Sugar Beet Standards, version 5.1, EC.7 and EC.10, February 2025.
Red Tractor, Fresh Produce Standards, version 5.1, EC.7, February 2025.
SCS, Testing requirements by assurance scheme: a summary of the scheme standards (fertiliser spreaders, slug pellets, granular applicators, sprayers), October 2026.
Red Tractor, Beef and Lamb Standards, EC.10 and guidance, 2025.
Scottish Quality Crops, The SQC Standards, 1.11, 2.17 to 2.19, October 2026.
Quality Meat Scotland, Cattle and Sheep Assurance Scheme Standards, in force from 1 January 2026.
NSTS, Look up your test details, accessed 2026.
NSTS, Sprayer (liquid) test requirements, accessed 2026.