UK requires review for aquatic hazard classification of glyphosate products

The UK Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) has noticed that a number of glyphosate containing products may carry incorrect aquatic hazard classifications according to UK CHiP Regulations. Depending on the concentration of glyphosate and other substances present many products will, for example, require at least a minimum classification of R53 ‘May cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment’.

CRD requires all product authorisation holders/suppliers of products containing glyphosate to review the classification of their products by 31 July 2012, amending their labels and Material Safety Data Sheets where necessary as soon as practicable, or at the next print run, whichever is earlier. Where this is the only substantive change, CRD does not require the labels to be submitted for re-assessment.

CRD may check the labels and classification when an application for another change that requires technical consideration is submitted, as part of its usual systematic post authorisation monitoring or for enforcement purposes. The basis of individual product classifications may then be explained in a reasoned case.