Drones are increasingly being used for cleaning houses, for example to clean solar panels or to combat soiling on house facades. Because chemicals are often used for this purpose, it is not only the rules for drone operations that must be observed, but also the obligations when handling the chemicals.
The following must be observed:
The spraying of liquids from an unmanned aerial vehicle requires a permit (Article 9 VRV-L).
Certain chemicals may only be used if appropriate measures have been taken to protect the environment, the health of bystanders and that of the employees concerned. Self-regulation applies in chemicals legislation.
The application of a biocide using a drone requires explicit authorization from the Chemicals Notification Authority.
Chemicals legislation: Obligations of applicants
Anyone who releases a substance or preparation into the environment must ensure that it does not endanger human health or harm the environment. This also applies to the application of chemicals by aircraft. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that both humans and the environment are not exposed to the chemicals applied within the application perimeter. The protective measures to be taken and their effectiveness must be documented in the application.
Duty of care when handling chemicals
Consideration of the intended use and disposal method specified by the manufacturer
Retention of the safety data sheet
Notification obligation for certain chemicals or bans and restrictions according to ChemRRV (bans and restrictions (admin.ch))* (see “Special case of biocides” below)
Compliance with regulations relating to employee protection, health protection, environmental protection, water protection and fire protection
Regulations regarding storage of the chemical
Only apply chemicals in accordance with their intended use, take environmental protection measures
Taking the necessary environmental protection measures
Interested applicants can find detailed information in the following instructions from the FOEN, FOPH and SECO and on the web pages of the Notification Authority for Chemicals. The aforementioned instructions must be acknowledged and signed for an application for the spraying of chemicals.
Authorization process
Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 2 months before the intended operation.
Cost: Depending on the time spent (CHF 160 per hour)
*Special case of biocides
Biocides must have an authorization for application with an aircraft (specific intended use). The first such authorizations were issued by the Notification Authority for Chemicals in summer 2024. The product register (RPC (admin.ch)) provides information on whether a certain product has an authorization. Authorization applications containing biocides that do not yet have such an authorization will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant.
