Dimoxystrobin: non-renewal of EU approval

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1436 of 10 July 2023 concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance dimoxystrobin, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/408

Update

The European Commission has published its decision not to renew approval of the active substance dimoxystrobin due to concerns about groundwater contamination. This will oblige EU Member States to withdraw authorisations for products containing dimoxystrobin. A reduction in dimoxystrobin maximum residue levels (MRLs) to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods) is expected for late 2024/ early 2025.

What is changing?

The Commission will not renew approval for the active substance dimoxystrobin. European farmers will therefore no longer be able to use pesticides containing this active substance.

For an overview of all other recent withdrawals, see Latest pesticide non-renewals, withdrawals & restrictions.

Why?

Approval for use of dimoxystrobin in the EU was set to expire on 31 January 2024. An application for renewal of the approval was submitted and evaluated.

EFSA (2022) communicated its conclusions and identified several concerns. In particular, it identified a high risk of groundwater contamination by toxicologically relevant metabolites of dimoxystrobin (505M08 and 505M09) under all geoclimatic conditions.

The Commission therefore proposes the non-renewal of the substance.

Timeline

Date of entry into force: 31July 2023.

EU Member States’ authorisations of products containing dimoxystrobin will be withdrawn by 31 January 2024.

A total phase-out of its use in the EU will be complete by 31 July 2024 at the latest.

A revision of dimoxystrobin MRLs is expected for late 2024/early 2025.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

When approvals for pesticide active substances are not renewed or are withdrawn, the EU starts the process of lowering or removing the MRLs. These are typically set at 0.01 mg/kg (or levels as low as technically possible). Exporting countries should start to seek alternative solutions to dimoxystrobin, or should initiate a request for EU import tolerances (see Recommended Actions).

Recommended Actions

Because the EU MRL is likely to be reduced to the LOD, suppliers of rye or wheat products currently using dimoxystrobin on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.

Import tolerance MRLs for specific products can be requested, although the process is complex and requires a lot of data (see Pesticide residue import tolerance MRLs explained).

Background

Dimoxystrobin is a fungicide used to control a wide range of plant diseases caused by fungi and is used on crops such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, turf, ornamentals, and forestry. It has been shown to have a broad spectrum of activity against a variety of fungal pathogens, including those that cause powdery mildew, leaf spots, and root rots. It is slightly soluble in water, has low volatility, and may have the potential to leach to groundwater

This new Regulation updates the list of active substances approved for use in the EU, established by Regulation 540/2011. This list can be consulted via the EU database of Active substances, safeners and synergists. For further information see Latest pesticide non-renewals, withdrawals & restrictions.

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