The indicator monitors the trends in the use and risk of chemical pesticides in the EU and its Member States. The use of pesticides entails risks and impacts on human health and the environment. The indicator is based on the quantities of chemical active substances contained in the pesticides which are placed on the market (sold), and therefore used, in each Member State, and the hazard properties of these active substances. The data are presented as an index relative to the average results for the period 2015 to 2017.