Latest pesticide approvals, renewals, and extensions 2026

Commission Implementing Regulations 2026/312, 2026/321, 2026/351, 2026/355, 2026/372

Update

This report summarises new and renewed approvals so far in 2026. It also lists extensions of European Union (EU) approval in 2026 (Table 1), and changes in conditions of use.

What is changing?

Approvals and renewals

In February 2026, the EU renewed its approval of:

• maltodextrin (as a low-risk substance) until 3 March 2041
• spinosad until 1 April 2041
• pyrimethanil until 30 April 2041.

Amendments to conditions of approval

In February 2026, the EU amended the conditions of use for maleic hydrazide:

• the requirement to indicate on the label of treated crops that they had been treated with this substance is now removed
• the restriction that this substance may not be used on crops intended to be fed to livestock is now removed.

Extensions and amendments

So far in 2026, the EU has extended approval of the substances listed in Table 1.

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.

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 latest work programme, Active Ingredient Renewal Programme 6 (AIR 6), covers substances with approval expiring between 31 March 2025 and 27 December 2028. Each substance is allocated to an EU Member State for evaluation.

For active substances whose approval period ends on/after 27 March 2024, the renewal rules laid down in Regulation 2020/1740 apply.

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

Tables & Figures

Source: based on Regulation 2026/372