Latest pesticide approvals, renewals, and extensions 2024

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1749

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1718

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1206

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/324

Update

The EU has renewed the approval of metconazole as a candidate for substitution.

The EU has also amended the conditions of approval of the active substance metalaxyl-M.

What is changing?

The EU has recently renewed the approval of metconazole as a candidate for substitution.

The EU has also amended the conditions of approval of the active substance metalaxyl-M. It is now restricted to use as a treatment for seeds intended to be sown in greenhouses.

Previously in 2024, the EU extended approval of the substances listed in Table 1. In addition, the EU has renewed the approval of trinexapac, and has approved magnesium hydroxide E528 as a basic substance.

Timeline

A comprehensive list of active substances, their legal status, and expiry dates can be found in the European Commission’s Active substances, safeners and synergists database.

Recommended Actions

Suppliers to the EU market should monitor developments in EU approvals when considering longer-term strategies on agricultural practices that are in conformity with EU rules.

Background

Approvals

A plant protection product or pesticide contains one or several active substances. Active substances must meet the established approval criteria (Regulation 1107/2009, Art. 4), which include no harmful effects on human health or the environment.

Depending on their characteristics, some active substances can be approved as low-risk substances that fulfil certain criteria [Regulation 1107/2009, Annex II(5)]. Low-risk substances are approved for 15 years instead of the standard 10 years, and enjoy more favourable data protection (13 years). Authorisation procedures are generally also shorter.

Approval renewals

The Commission has established a series of work programmes to manage the renewal process. The current (fifth) work programme covers substances with approval expiring between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024. Each substance is allocated to an EU Member State for evaluation.

If no application is received for extension of approval, the initial expiry date will remain.

Extension of approvals

If an application for renewal cannot be fully evaluated before the expiry date, the approval can be extended to allow the evaluation to be completed.

Resources

Sources

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Regulation

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1749

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1718

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1206

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/324

What is changing and why?

The EU has recently renewed the approval of metconazole as a candidate for substitution.

The EU has also amended the conditions of approval of the active substance metalaxyl-M. It is now restricted to use as a treatment for seeds intended to be sown in greenhouses.

Previously in 2024, the EU extended its approval of the substances listed in Table 1.

Actions

Suppliers to the EU market should monitor developments in EU approvals when developing longer-term strategies on agricultural practices that are in conformity with EU rules.

Timeline

A comprehensive list of active substances, their legal status, and expiry dates can be found on the European Commission’s Active substances, safeners and synergists database.

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