Annual Review—2023 Policies in China Related to the Pesticide Registration and Management System

To further strengthen the management of pesticide registration, ensure the safety and efficacy of pesticides, and standardize registration procedures, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a series of policies and related draft regulations for public comment in 2023, with the aim of enhancing the scientific rigor and precision of pesticide registration. A summary of the key policies is provided below.

01
 

On December 26, 2023, the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the “Letter Soliciting Opinions on Regulatory Measures for Granular Pesticide Products” (No. 99 [2023] of the Pesticide Management Division), stating that, in order to strengthen risk management and control over the registration and use of granular pesticide products, and in accordance with the principles of safety and environmental protection, precision pest control, and reducing pesticide use while enhancing efficacy, it plans to adopt regulatory measures for such products, primarily including categorized management, a product‑listing system, and a time‑limited phase‑out of already registered products.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/27498

02
 

On December 25, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued Announcement No. 736. In order to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products, the safety of humans and livestock, and the protection of the ecological environment, and in accordance with the “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Deepening Reform and Strengthening Food Safety Work,” it was decided to impose a ban on four highly toxic pesticides—omethoate, carbofuran, methomyl, and aldicarb—and to subject existing manufacturers of the corresponding technical-grade active ingredients to closed‑loop regulatory oversight.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/27475

03
 

On August 14, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice establishing the Tenth National Pesticide Registration Review Committee. The committee comprises a chairperson, vice‑chairpersons, an office, and seven review panels—covering product chemistry, efficacy, residue, toxicology, environmental impact, production and distribution, and comprehensive policy—spanning insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, rodenticides, and other categories. Prior to each review meeting, participating reviewers are randomly selected. The pesticide registration review process adheres to recusal and confidentiality provisions to ensure scientific rigor, fairness, and impartiality.

http://www.zzys.moa.gov.cn/gdxw/202308/t20230815_6434306.htm

04
 

On July 25, 2023, the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice soliciting public comments on the “Administrative Specifications for Pesticide Registration Intermediary Agency Services (Draft for Comments),” with the aim of further standardizing intermediary agency services in pesticide registration, ensuring the orderly conduct of pesticide registration trials, applications, reviews, and related procedures, and safeguarding the scientific, effective, fair, and impartial nature of pesticide registration approval.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/26882

05
 

On June 20, 2023, the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a letter soliciting comments on the “Administrative Measures for Pesticide Business Licensing (Draft for Public Comment),” with the aim of further strengthening oversight of pesticide distribution, standardizing business practices, and promoting the scientific and rational use of pesticides.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/26807

06
 

On June 14, 2023, in order to further standardize the supervision and administration of pesticide labels and instructions, provide scientific and rational guidance on pesticide use, and ensure the safety and efficacy of pesticide applications, the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a letter soliciting comments on the “Measures for the Administration of Pesticide Labels and Instructions (Draft Amendment for Public Comment).”

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/26801

07
 

On May 18, 2023, in order to further standardize the pesticide industry and production, the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a letter soliciting comments on the “Administrative Measures for Pesticide Production Licensing (Draft Amendment for Public Comment),” with the aim of addressing new circumstances and emerging issues in pesticide manufacturing.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/26733

08
 

On May 11, 2023, the Pesticide Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, based on extensive research, formulated and issued a letter soliciting comments on the “Draft Amendment to the Measures for the Administration of Pesticide Registration,” with the aim of further improving the supporting regulations governing pesticide registration.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/26660

09
 

On March 10, 2023, in order to implement the State Council’s “delegation, regulation, and service” reform requirements and enhance the quality and standard of services, the Pesticide Inspection Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has, effective March 10, 2023, opened a technical consultation email address (yjsfw@agri.gov.cn). Pesticide registration information officers and contact persons of pesticide registration testing units may submit technical issues encountered during the pesticide registration process, registration testing, or the accreditation of registration testing units by completing the attached form and sending it to this email address.

http://www.icama.org.cn/zgnyxxw/zwb/detail/25451

10
 

On January 19, 2023, in order to thoroughly implement the State Council’s “delegation, regulation, and service” reform requirements, optimize pesticide registration management services, enforce the principal responsibility of pesticide registration applicants, standardize intermediary agency services for pesticide registration, and ensure effective coordination between the submission of registration application materials and the feedback of approval information, thereby genuinely enhancing the precision, scientific rigor, and fairness of pesticide registration management services, the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice on establishing a liaison mechanism for pesticide registration information officers.

https://www.moa.gov.cn/govpublic/ZZYGLS/202301/t20230129_6419403.htm

Source: Rui'ou Technology