EU-New data requirements for plant protection products

Date:04-08-2013

Two Commission Regulations setting new EU data requirements for the authorisation of plant protection products and active substances were published in the EU Official Journal.

Two complementary Commission Communications on test methods and guidance documents on how to fulfil the new data requirements were also published.

The aim of the new data requirements is to further strengthen the EU authorisation process for plant protection products/substances used in plant protection products which has already substantially reduced the number of authorised plant protection products by removing from the market those unsafe for human health or the environment, or those which could not be evaluated because of the absence of data.

The new requirements request for instance additional data in areas of concern like potential effects of plant protection products on bees and additional data regarding neurotoxicity, endocrine disruptors, or potential residues in food, while considering the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal testing.

The new data requirements will apply from 2014 for active substances and from 2016 for plant protection products.

The list of applicable methods and guidance documents will be updated regularly and published in the Official Journal.