The BBA has designed and contructed it test stand for thc electronic control units of field sprayers, and drawn up test guidelines. The dynamic and static characteristics of 10 electronic control units on the market have recently been examined. Examples of the results of these examinations are given. Future trends in the field of electronically controlled field sprayers are discussed. The present stand‐alone units will be replaced by the agricultural BUS system (LBS) (DIN 9684 and ISO/TC23/SC19/WGI). Satellite position‐finding systems (c.g. GPS) may be used. Specifications can be developed for site‐specific application of plant protection products, initially including simultaneous dosage of several products and site characteristics. It is doubtful for the moment whether such systems can react to the state of the crop or to indices of pest presence.