Poisons Act 1972

A business must be registered with the local authority to sell poisons which are included in Part II of the poisons list and must be on that authority’s list of people entitled to sell poisons.

The retailing of poisons is controlled by the Poisons Act 1972. The Poisons List Order 1982 contains a list of poisons covered by the Poisons Act. Part I of this list contains poisons that may only be sold by a registered pharmacist. Part II of the list contains the poisons which cannot be sold unless you are registered to do so with your local authority.

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud.  It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.

For more details on how your information is used please refer to the Environmental Health & Trading Standard privacy notice.

How to register

To sell poisons listed in Part II of the poisons list, you must pay an application fee at the time the application is made.

Sale of poisons application fee (2024 - 2025)
 Application type Fee
 New application  £45
 Renewal  £25
 Variation detail  £16

 

Cheques to be made payable to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Online payments can be made on the payment page. You can a make payment by telephone on 020 7364 5000.

The names of people entitled to sell these poisons will be removed from the list on 30 April each year unless an application to retain the name on the list has been received.

Copies of the Poisons Act 1972 and other legislation mentioned above can be purchased from the Office of Public Sector Information, or a copy can be inspected at the council offices, where you may also obtain an application form and further help or advice.

Alternatively, download a copy of the application form (contact the licensing authority).