EU approves biocide thiamethoxam

The European Commission has approved biocide thiamethoxam in accordance with EU biocidal products Directive 98/8/EC for use as a non-crop insecticide. It has been included in Annex I to Directive 98/8/EC  as an active substance for use in product-type 8, wood preservatives.The active ingredient has been evaluated for use in product- type 18, insecticides, acaricides and products to control other arthropods, which will be formally included in Annex I as insecticides on February 1st 2015 and the approval will expire on January 31st 2025.

The Commission considered that the Union level risk assessment did not address all potential uses; certain uses, such as outdoor application and use by non- professionals, were excluded. When assessing the application for authorisation of a product in accordance with Article 5 and Annex VI, Member States shall assess, where relevant for the particular product, those uses or exposure scenarios and those risks to human populations and to environmental compartments that have not been representatively addressed in the Union level risk assessment.

Products shall not be authorised for application by brushing, unless data are submitted demonstrating that the product will meet the requirements of Article 5 and Annex VI, if necessary by the application of appropriate risk mitigation measures.

For products containing thiamethoxam that may lead to residues in food or feed, Member States shall verify the need to set new or to amend existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 or Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, and take any appropriate risk mitigation measures ensuring that the applicable MRLs are not exceeded.

Products applied in such a way that emission via a sewage treatment plant or directly to surface water cannot be prevented shall not be authorised, unless data are submitted demonstrating that the product will meet the requirements of Article 5 and Annex VI, if necessary by the application of appropriate risk mitigation measures.

Member States shall ensure that authorisations are subject to the following conditions: (1) Products authorised for professional use shall be used with appropriate personal protective equipment, unless it can be demonstrated in the application for product authorisation that risks to professional users can be reduced to an acceptable level by other means. (2) Where appropriate, measures shall be taken to protect honey bees.