Penthiopyrad: expiry of approval
- Pesticide MRLs
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Union (EU) has withdrawn its approval of the active substance penthiopyrad in pesticides. The approval for this substance expires on 31 October 2025. From that date forward, penthiopyrad can no longer be used in EU Member States.
There are currently maximum residue levels (MRLs) for penthiopyrad on a wide range of products, including fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and cereals. Sectors using penthiopyrad on crops for export to the EU should note that the EU is expected to reduce the MRLs to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg on all products.
EU withdraws extension of approval period for the active substance penthiopyrad
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2027 of 9 October 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the approval period of the active substance penthiopyrad
Update
The European Union (EU) has withdrawn its approval of the active substance penthiopyrad in pesticides. The approval for this substance expires on 31 October 2025. From that date forward, penthiopyrad can no longer be used in EU Member States.
There are currently maximum residue levels (MRLs) for penthiopyrad on a wide range of products, including fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and cereals. Sectors using penthiopyrad on crops for export to the EU should note that the EU is expected to reduce the MRLs to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg on all products.
What is changing?
The EU has withdrawn approval for the use of the active substance penthiopyrad in pesticides.
Why?
The approval period for penthiopyrad was extended from 30 April 2024 until 31 October 2027 (Regulation 2025/787) to allow more time for a review of the substance. However, as the manufacturer no longer seeks renewal of the authorisation, no review will take place and the extension period has been withdrawn.
Timeline
No use of penthiopyrad will be permitted in the EU after 31 October 2025. The EU is expected to reduce the MRLs for penthiopyrad on all products to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg). The timeline for MRL reductions has not been announced.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
While this decision primarily affects EU producers, it is likely to be followed by legislation to reduce the MRLs for penthiopyrad to 0.01 mg/kg or the limit of determination (LOD – the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). This decision therefore provides an early indication of upcoming MRL changes, and the likely need to look for alternative solutions on crops for export to the EU.
Recommended Actions
MRLs are currently in place for penthiopyrad on a wide range of products, including fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and cereals. As the EU MRL is likely to be reduced to the LOD, suppliers currently using penthiopyrad on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.
Background
Penthiopyrad is a fungicide used to control rust, Rhizoctonia diseases and other fungal diseases on cereals and other crops.
This 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.
Resources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/787 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, amidosulfuron, bentazone, bixafen, clomazone, fenoxaprop-P, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, gibberellic acid, gibberellins, halauxifen-methyl, mecoprop-P, paraffin oil, penthiopyrad, pirimiphos-methyl, propamocarb, propyzamide, prothioconazole, rimsulfuron, sedaxane and sulfoxaflor
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2027 as regards the approval period of the active substance penthiopyrad
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EU withdraws extension of approval period for the active substance penthiopyrad
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2027 as regards the approval period of the active substance penthiopyrad
What is changing and why?
The approval for use of penthiopyrad as a pesticide in the European Union (EU) expires on 31 October 2025. The manufacturer no longer seeks to renew the authorisation of penthiopyrad.
Actions
MRLs are currently in place for penthiopyrad on a wide range of products including fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and cereals. As the EU MRL is likely to be reduced to the limit of determination (LOD – the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods), suppliers currently using penthiopyrad on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.
Timeline
No use of penthiopyrad will be permitted in the EU after 31 October 2025. A further Regulation replacing existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) with default MRLs of 0.01–0.05 mg/kg is expected to follow.
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.