Ban on some co-formulants in pesticides
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Commission has identified 14 co-formulants that it considers an unacceptable risk, and proposes to ban their use in pesticides. The use of these 14 substances will also be banned in adjuvants that are mixed with pesticides to enhance their effectiveness.
Co-formulants are used in pesticides to make them easy to handle and apply. They can only be used in pesticides if they are not harmful to humans or the environment.
The Commission is collecting feedback from stakeholders on these proposed changes. Interested stakeholders, including from non-EU countries, can provide feedback via the EU’s Have Your Say webpage.
EU to ban the use of 14 co-formulants in pesticides
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council by adding fourteen co-formulants which are not accepted for inclusion in plant protection products [download]
Draft Annex [download]
Update
The European Commission has identified 14 co-formulants that it considers an unacceptable risk, and proposes to ban their use in pesticides. The use of these 14 substances will also be banned in adjuvants that are mixed with pesticides to enhance their effectiveness.
Co-formulants are used in pesticides to make them easy to handle and apply. They can only be used in pesticides if they are not harmful to humans or the environment.
The Commission is collecting feedback from stakeholders on these proposed changes. Interested stakeholders, including from non-EU countries, can provide feedback via the EU’s Have Your Say webpage.
What is changing?
The European Commission proposes to ban the use of the following co-formulants (substances contained in pesticides to make them easier to apply):
- acetaldehyde
- propylene oxide
- cumene
- dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane; (D6)
- decamethylcyclopentasiloxane; (D5)
- octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane; (D4)
- 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole
- 2-pyrrolidone
- distillates (petroleum) solvent-dewaxed light paraffinic with a content of ≥3.0% DMSO-extract (measured by IP 346)
- 3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7] decane, 1-(3-chloro-2-propen-1-yl)-, chloride
- phosphinic acid, bis(perfluoro-C6-12-alkyl) derivatives
- 1,4-dioxane
- 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde
- acetophenone.
Adjuvants (substances used to improve the effectiveness of pesticides) will also no longer be permitted to contain these co-formulants.
Why?
Co-formulants are not allowed to be used in plant protection products if their residues can harm human or animal health, or the environment, plants, or plant products.
The specific reasons for banning each co-formulant are set out in the draft Annex to the proposed Regulation. They include high carcinogenicity, high mutagenicity, and high toxicity to reproduction (all category 1A or 1B); and risks to the environment such as persistent organic pollutants.
Timeline
The European Commission plans to adopt this Regulation in the first quarter of 2026. EU Member States will have to withdraw or amend authorisations of pesticides and adjuvants containing the banned co-formulants within 2 years.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
Manufacturers of pesticides for the EU market may have to seek alternative co-formulants and amend existing authorisations of products. This may have an impact on the availability of certain pesticides for farmers.
Because pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs) only apply to the active substances in pesticides, not to co-formulants or adjuvants, these changes will not have an immediate impact on imported products.
Background
Regulation 1107/2009 permits the European Commission to review co-formulants at any time (Art. 27), and to ban those that are unacceptable according to the criteria in the Annex of Regulation 2023/574.
Resources
Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/574 setting out detailed rules for the identification of unacceptable co-formulants in plant protection products
Sources
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU to ban the use of 14 co-formulants in pesticides
Draft Commission Regulation adding fourteen co-formulants which are not accepted for inclusion in plant protection products [download]
Draft Annex [download]
What is changing and why?
Co-formulants are used in pesticides to make them easier to handle and apply. The European Commission has identified 14 co-formulants that are a risk for human/animal health and/or the environment, and proposes to ban their use in pesticides. It also proposes to ban the use of these co-formulants in adjuvants (substances that are mixed with pesticides to improve their effectiveness). See the Full record for the list of co-formulants affected.
Timeline
The European Commission plans to adopt this Regulation in the first quarter of 2026. EU Member States will have to withdraw or amend authorisations of pesticides and adjuvants containing the banned co-formulants within 2 years.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.