Flufenacet: non-renewal of approval
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Union (EU) has not renewed its approval of the active substance flufenacet due to concerns about its endocrine-disrupting properties for humans and non-target organisms. This will oblige EU Member States to withdraw authorisations for products containing flufenacet.
The non-renewal is expected to lead to a reduction in the current flufenacet maximum residue levels (MRLs) on potatoes, barley, and wheat to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) The MRLs for flufenacet on all other products are already currently set at the LOD.
EU decides not to renew approval of the active substance flufenacet
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/910 of 20 May 2025 concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance flufenacet, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) No 540/2011 and (EU) 2015/408
Update
The European Union (EU) has not renewed its approval of the active substance flufenacet due to concerns about its endocrine-disrupting properties for humans and non-target organisms. This will oblige EU Member States to withdraw authorisations for products containing flufenacet.
The non-renewal is expected to lead to a reduction in the current flufenacet maximum residue levels (MRLs) on potatoes, barley, and wheat to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) The MRLs for flufenacet on all other products are already currently set at the LOD.
Impacted Products
Potatoes, barley, wheat
What is changing?
The EU has not renewed its approval for the active substance flufenacet. EU farmers will therefore no longer be able to use products containing this active substance.
Why?
The EU has decided not to renew its approval for flufenacet due to concerns about its endocrine-disrupting properties (EFSA 2024).
Timeline
Date of entry into force: 10 June 2025.
EU producers will be permitted to use stocks of products containing flufenacet until 10 December 2026.
Recommended Actions
As the EU MRLs for flufenacet are likely to be reduced following this decision, suppliers of potatoes, barley, and wheat currently using flufenacet on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.
Background
For further information on recent non-renewals and withdrawal of substances, see Latest pesticide non-renewals, withdrawals, restrictions, and non-approvals (2025)
Resources
EFSA (2024) Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance flufenacet. EFSA Journal, 22: e8997.
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/910 concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance flufenacet
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EU decides not to renew approval of the active substance flufenacet
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/910 concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance flufenacet
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has decided not to renew its approval of flufenacet due to concerns about its endocrine-disrupting properties for humans and non-target organisms. EU farmers will no longer be able to use products containing the active substance flufenacet.
Actions
As the EU maximum residue levels (MRLs) for flufenacet are likely to be reduced, suppliers of potatoes, barley, and wheat currently using flufenacet on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.
Timeline
Date of entry into force: 10 June 2025.
EU producers will be permitted to use stocks of products containing flufenacet until 10 December 2026.
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.