APVMA: Rescheduling of bromoxynil products – delay in implementation of decision

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will take regulatory action on all products containing more than 1.5% weight/volume (w/v) of bromoxynil from 1 February 2025.

This follows a scheduling decision made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the regulatory agency responsible for poison scheduling, to reclassify these products from a Schedule 6 ‘Poison’ to a Schedule 7 ‘Dangerous Poison’.  

The APVMA had previously advised that it would take regulatory action from 1 June 2024; however, on 17 April 2024 the TGA published a revised notice of final decision to amend (or not amend) the current Poison Standard in relation to bromoxynil, which has delayed the implementation of the decision until 1 February 2025. All other aspects of the TGA’s decision remain the same.

The reasoning behind this scheduling decision is published on the TGA website.

Schedule 7 poisons are defined as substances with a high potential for causing harm at low exposure and which require special precautions during manufacture, handling, or use. These poisons should be available only to specialised or authorised users who have the skills necessary to handle them safely, including agricultural workers and those with training in pest control. Special regulations restricting the availability, possession, storage, or use of Schedule 7 poisons may apply. 

Products designated as Schedule 7 poisons are not suitable for use in domestic or home garden situations. Possession, use or supply for domestic or domestic garden purposes is prohibited under the TGA Poisons Standard. 

The use of bromoxynil products in accordance with the APVMA-approved label directions is still considered to be safe. However, as a result of the rescheduling of these products to Schedule 7, there will be changes to the signal heading and storage requirements on product labels. These implications will impact those who can access or hold bromoxynil products, and how the product is stored. 

The APVMA will work with holders of affected product registrations to make the changes required.