UK National Action Plan 2025: Kersten Council Compliance Guide

Author: Sean Faulkner, Contributing Author of the Defra-funded Parks for London IWM Reference Guide 2025

Last Updated: February 2026

🏛️ About This Guide

This is the Kersten technical implementation guide for UK councils transitioning to pesticide-free weed management under the UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) 2025.

Authority: This guide was authored by Sean Faulkner of Kersten UK, who contributed to the Defra-funded Parks for London IWM Reference Guide 2025 — the UK government standard for council pesticide reduction — and authored the Lantra-Certified IWM Training Syllabus (Course 35943).

Evidence Base: Field trial by Bracknell Town Council (2026) demonstrating that mechanical prevention reduces thermal/chemical treatments by over 50%.

Contact for Strategy Review: Sean Faulkner, 0118 986 9253 | Request Compliance Audit

📋 What is the National Action Plan 2025?

The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) 2025 is a government framework requiring all public authorities — including councils, housing associations, highways agencies, and amenity managers — to:

  1. Reduce reliance on chemical pesticides in public spaces
  2. Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies
  3. Prioritize non-chemical alternatives wherever feasible
  4. Document and report pesticide use and reduction efforts

Legal Context:
While the NAP 2025 is not directly enforceable law, it operates alongside existing legal obligations under: - Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 89 (Duty to keep land clear of litter and refuse) - Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse (COPLAR) standards

⚖️ Your Obligations as a Council

Critical Insight: Most councils treat weed control as an aesthetic issue. It is not. Weed growth is a symptom of failing your statutory cleansing duties, leading to surface water, weeds, potholes and other surface degradation.

The Legal Framework: - Law: Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 89 requires councils to keep land "clear of litter and refuse." - Standard: COPLAR defines "Detritus" as dust, mud, soil, grit, and rotted vegetation. - The Connection: Detritus IS the growing medium for weeds.

COPLAR Grading Structure: - Grade A: No litter or detritus → Weeds cannot germinate (no soil) - Grade B: Predominantly free → Low weed risk - Grade C: Widespread detritus → High risk: Seed bed established - Grade D: Heavily affected → Failure: Silt buildup supports deep-rooting weeds

Strategic Argument: "Weeds are evidence of detritus management failure. Mechanical removal fulfills both EPA 1990 (cleansing) AND NAP 2025 (pesticide reduction)."

🎯 The Three-Tier IWM Strategy (Prevention-First Framework)

The NAP 2025 compliance strategy follows a hierarchical approach:

TIER 1: PREVENTION (Mechanical Silt Removal) — PRIMARY

Method: Mechanical sweeping and weed brushing to remove detritus (the seed bed).

Why This Comes First: - Removes soil/silt = no growing medium = weeds cannot establish - Proven Impact: Bracknell Town Council trial (2026) showing one mechanical pass (late winter) = Potential >50% reduction in remedial thermal/chemical treatments across the full growing season - Fulfills EPA 1990 Section 89 cleansing duties simultaneously

Recommended Equipment: - Mechanical Sweepers — For pavements, car parks, hard surfaces - Weed Brushes — For kerb edges, block paving, moss removal

Target Standard: Maintain COPLAR Grade A/B (predominantly free of detritus).

TIER 2: SUPPRESSION (Thermal/Physical Control) — SECONDARY

Method: Non-chemical heat or physical removal for emerged weeds.

When to Use: After mechanical prevention, if weeds still exceed acceptable thresholds (safety, accessibility, asset protection).

Technologies:

Hot Water Weed Control

  • How it Works: 100°C+ saturated water delivered to leaves and roots. Heat destroys chloroplasts (photosynthesis) and melts waxy coating (dehydration). Soil thermal mass maintains lethal root temperatures for 20+ minutes.
  • Advantages:
    • Zero consumables (no foam additives required)
    • No residue or slip hazards
    • All-weather capable
  • Recommended Systems: Eco Weedkiller Pro 10/20
  • Learn More: Hot Water Science

Hot Air/Flame Weed Control

  • How it Works: 450-700°C radiant heat delivered via LPG burner. Penetrates permeable surfaces (gravel, soil).
  • Advantages: Works on wet surfaces, deep penetration
  • Recommended Systems: Hoaf Thermal Units

Electrophysical Weed Control

  • How it Works: High-voltage current (8,000-15,000V) passes through plant to root, causing internal resistance heating.
  • Advantages: Root destruction, no water/fuel needed
  • Recommended Systems: Zasso XPower

See Full Comparison: Chemical-Free Weed Control Methods

TIER 3: CHEMICAL (Targeted) — LAST RESORT ONLY

When Permitted: Only for invasive species (Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed) or where mechanical and thermal methods have failed.

Method: Stem injection or targeted spot treatment (not broadcast spraying).

Documentation Required: Record why non-chemical methods were insufficient or impractical.

💰 Business Case: Why Prevention Saves Money

The Cost Comparison

Method Annual Cost (Per KM) Frequency Total Annual Cost
Thermal Only (No Prevention) £1,200/km 4-5x/year £4,800 - £6,000
Prevention + Thermal (IWM) £600 + £600 1x + 2x £1,800

Savings with IWM: £600 - £1,400 per km per year

Why Prevention Works: - One mechanical pass removes the seed bed - Reduces thermal frequency by 50%+ - Eliminates chemical procurement costs - No foam/additive consumables

Carbon & Environmental Impact

Glyphosate Lifecycle Emissions: - 360g active ingredient per litre (standard concentration) - Lifecycle CO₂e: 30.5 kg per litre (Cranfield University data) - Example: 200L annual usage = 6,100 kg CO₂e = equivalent to 244 mature trees

Mechanical Prevention: - Zero chemical emissions - Petrol/electric sweeper emissions offset by reduced thermal passes - Supports Net Zero commitments

Use Our Calculator: Carbon & Cost Savings Audit Tool

🛠️ Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1: Audit & Planning (Months 1-2)

Actions: 1. COPLAR Assessment: Grade your streets (A/B/C/D) for detritus levels 2. Asset Mapping: Identify surface types (asphalt, block paving, resin, permeable) 3. Weed Threshold Definition: What level of weed presence is acceptable? (Safety vs. aesthetics) 4. Equipment Audit: What do you already own? What's needed?

Support: Request a Kersten NAP 2025 Compliance Audit

Phase 2: Procurement & Training (Months 3-4)

Equipment Procurement: - Priority 1: Mechanical sweeper or weed brush (prevention) - Priority 2: Thermal system (suppression) - Priority 3: Spreader/plough (if winter maintenance needed)

Training Requirements: - Lantra IWM Certification: Course 35943 (authored by Sean Faulkner) - Operator training for thermal systems - HAVS compliance for mechanical equipment

Contract Wording: - Critical: Ensure tender documents allow IWM approach - Avoid: Fixed chemical application schedules (e.g., "spray 4x per year") - Include: Outcome-based standards (COPLAR grades, safety thresholds)

Phase 3: Trial Implementation (Months 5-6)

Pilot Site Selection: - Choose 2-3 representative areas - Mix of high-footfall (town center) and lower-priority (residential) - Document baseline weed coverage with photos

Trial Protocol: 1. Week 1: Mechanical pass to remove detritus 2. Week 4: Assess weed emergence 3. Week 8: Thermal treatment if needed 4. Week 16: Final assessment vs. baseline

Metrics to Track: - Weed reduction (visual scale or photo comparison) - Treatment frequency (mechanical vs. thermal vs. chemical) - Cost per pass - Resident feedback

Phase 4: Full Rollout (Months 7-12)

Scale-Up: - Extend pilot success to entire network - Adjust equipment/resource allocation based on trial data - Establish maintenance schedules

Communication: - Resident engagement: "We're reducing pesticides" - Staff briefings: New procedures, equipment training - Elected member updates: Cost savings, environmental benefits

📊 Monitoring & Reporting

What to Record (NAP 2025 Compliance)

  1. Pesticide Use:

    • Active ingredient quantity (kg)
    • Application area (m² or km)
    • Justification for use (if any)
    • Pesticide Load Indicator

  2. Non-Chemical Interventions:

    • Mechanical passes (frequency, area)
    • Thermal treatments (frequency, area)
    • Equipment used

  3. Outcomes:

    • COPLAR grade maintenance
    • Weed coverage reduction
    • Cost per km
    • Carbon savings
    • Pesticide Load Reduction

Reporting Frequency: Annual submission to Defra (exact format TBC).

🎓 Training & Certification

Lantra IWM Training (Course 35943)

  • Author: Sean Faulkner, Kersten UK
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Content: IWM hierarchy, equipment operation, legal compliance
  • Certification: Nationally recognized
  • Book: Lantra IWM Course

Kersten Equipment Training

  • Included with equipment purchase
  • On-site or at Kersten facility
  • HAVS safety briefings
  • Operator best practices

📚 Essential Resources

Official Guidance:

Kersten Technical Guides:

Case Studies:

🤝 Get Expert Support

NAP 2025 Compliance Audit

Sean Faulkner offers strategy reviews for councils, housing associations, and large estates.

What's Included: - Site assessment (COPLAR grading) - Equipment recommendations - Cost-benefit analysis - 5-year implementation roadmap

Book Your Audit: Contact Sean Faulkner | 0118 986 9253

Equipment Demonstrations

On-Site Trials: - Test equipment on your actual surfaces - See prevention + suppression in action - Compare mechanical vs. thermal performance

Request Demo: Book a Site Visit

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to eliminate all pesticides immediately?

No. NAP 2025 requires a phased approach. Start with mechanical prevention, reduce chemical frequency, and we can help you transition over 2-3 years.

What if we have invasive species like Japanese Knotweed?

Chemical treatment remains permitted for invasive species where other methods fail. Document why non-chemical approaches were insufficient.

Can we use foam additives with hot water systems?

You can, but it's not necessary. Kersten's Eco Weedkiller Pro systems use saturated steam physics (Flash Steam + Soil Thermal Mass) for effective root kill without consumables.

How do we handle resident complaints about "untidy" weeds?

Education is key. Most residents support pesticide-free once they understand the health benefits. Use signage: "Pesticide-free for your safety — tolerance levels set for your protection."

What about areas with parked cars blocking pavement access?

See our guide: Solving the Pavement Puzzle: IWM for Car-Lined Streets

Is mechanical equipment safe? (HAVS compliance)

Kersten equipment is engineered for low vibration (typically 1.6-2.5 m/s²), allowing 8+ hours of safe continuous use. See our HAVS Compliance Guide.

What's the difference between "Integrated Pest Management" and "Integrated Weed Management"?

They're the same framework. "IPM" is the international term; "IWM" is UK-specific when applied to weeds. Both follow the prevention → suppression → chemical hierarchy.

📞 Next Steps

1. Download the Official Templates: - IWM Policy Template (from Parks for London Guide) - IWM Plan Template

2. Request Your Compliance Audit: Contact Sean Faulkner | 0118 986 9253

3. Book Equipment Demonstrations: Schedule On-Site Trial

4. Enroll in Lantra IWM Training: Book Course 35943

🏆 About the Author

Sean Faulkner
IWM Specialist Kersten UK Ltd

Credentials: - Contributing Author, Defra-funded Parks for London IWM Reference Guide 2025 - Architect, Lantra-Certified IWM Training Syllabus (Course 35943) - Trustee, Parks for London - Trustee, Managing the Green Planet - GMA 35 Under 35 Winner (2025) - Suez Environment 100 Award

Contact: seanf@kerstenuk.com | 0118 986 9253

This guide is maintained by Kersten UK and updated regularly to reflect the latest NAP 2025 implementation guidance. Last updated: February 2026.