China’s Pesticide Regulations and Policies: Key Updates of 2023

Stay updated on the latest changes in China’s pesticide industry. In this overview, we highlight the important updates in China’s pesticide regulations and policies during 2023. These developments focus on improving pesticide management, ensuring safety, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Revised Draft on Pesticide Registration Requirements Released

On May 11, 2023, based on extensive research, the Pesticide Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs formulated and released the ″Administrative Measures for Pesticide Registration (Revised Draft)″ for public opinion, with a view to further improving the accompanying regulations on the administration of pesticide registration.

Enhanced Guidelines for Pesticide Production Licensing

In order to further regulate the pesticide industry and production, on May 18, 2023, the Pesticide Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the ″Administrative Measures for Pesticide Production Licensing (Revised Draft)″ for public opinion, with a view to regulating the new situations and issues arising in pesticide production.

Standardized Labeling and Instructions for Pesticide Usage

To further standardize the supervision and management of pesticide labels and instructions, provide scientific and rational guidance on the use of pesticides, and ensure the safety and effectiveness of pesticide applications, on June 14, 2023, the Pesticide Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the ″Administrative Measures for Pesticide Labeling and Instructions (Revised Draft)″ for public opinion.

Improved Measures for Pesticide Business Licensing

On June 20, 2023, the Pesticide Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the ″Administrative Measures for Pesticide Business Licensing (Revised Draft)″ for public opinion. This initiative aims to further enhance the management of pesticide business activities, regulate pesticide operations, and promote the scientific and rational use of pesticides.

Regulation of Pesticide Registration Agency Services

On July 25, 2023, the Pesticide Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the draft of the ″Management Specifications for Pesticide Registration Agency Services″ for public opinions. This initiative aims to further regulate the behavior of pesticide registration agencies, ensure that the pesticide registration test, pesticide registration application, evaluation and other related work are carried out in an orderly manner to guarantee the scientific, effective, fair, and impartial review of pesticide registrations.

Establishment of the 10th National Pesticide Registration Review Committee

On August 14, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice regarding the establishment of the 10th National Pesticide Registration Review Committee. The 10th National Pesticide Registration Review Committee set up a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, an Office, and seven evaluation groups covering chemistry, efficacy, residue, toxicology, environmental influence, production and distribution, and comprehensive policy, with all aspects of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, rodenticides, and so on covered. Prior to each review meeting, participating members of the review committee are randomly selected. The pesticide registration review process adheres to the principles of avoidance and confidentiality to ensure scientific, fair, and impartial evaluations.

Enhanced Safety Assessment of Agricultural GMOs

To strengthen the management of agricultural genetically modified organism (GMO) safety assessment, safeguard human health, as well as the safety of plants, animals, and microorganisms, and protect the ecological environment, the Regulatory Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs formulated and issued the ″Administrative Measures for the Safety Assessment of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms″ on September 4, 2023, in accordance with the ″Regulations on the Safety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms″.

Guidelines for Safe Use of Household Insecticides (Draft)

On September 27, 2023, the Pesticide Testing Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a draft industrial standard, the ″Guidelines for Safe Use of Household Insecticides (Draft)″ for public consultation, aiming to provide further guidance on the safe use of insecticides for hygiene purposes.

Ban on Highly Toxic Pesticides Implemented

On December 25, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued Announcement No. 736. In order to protect the quality and safety of pesticide products, human and animal safety and ecological environmental safety, and in accordance with the ″Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Deepening Reforms and Enhancing Food Safety,″ the announcement implemented a ban on four highly toxic pesticides: Omethoate, Carbofuran, Methomyl, and Aldicarb, and the relevant technical material pesticide enterprises were subjected to a closed operation supervision.

Proposed Measures for Granule Pesticide Products

On December 26, 2023, the Pesticide Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China issued the ″Letter Consulting on the Administrative Measures of Granule Pesticide Products″ (MOARA (Pesticide) [2023] No. 99). This letter aims to strengthen the risk management and control of granule formulations in registration and use. Based on the principles of safety, environmental protection, precise prevention and control, and maximizing efficiency with reduced pesticide, measures are proposed to manage granule pesticide products. These measures mainly include classification management, catalog management, and clearing registered products within a time limit.