SCC: Development of Biopesticides and Biostimulants Drives Demand for Registration of Biological Products

Release Date:

2018-11-05

ScientificConsultingCompany (SCC) is a regulatory consulting firm headquartered in Germany, currently employing more than 130 professionals worldwide. To date, SCC has become one of Europe’s leading independent regulatory experts, providing global clients with comprehensive registration support across a wide range of product categories, including agrochemicals, biopesticides, biocides, chemicals/REACH, consumer goods, cosmetics, feed additives, and food additives. Recently, AgroPages interviewed Lars H., who oversees biostimulants, fertilizers, and integrated pest management (IPM) at SCC.

Scientific Consulting Company (SCC) It is a regulatory consulting firm headquartered in Germany, currently employing over 130 professionals worldwide. To date, SCC has become Europe’s leading independent regulatory expert, serving global clients in the agrochemical and biotechnology sectors. Pesticide , all registration requirements for biocides, chemicals/REACH, consumer products, cosmetics, feed and food additives, and more. Recently, AgroPages World Agrochemical Network interviewed Dr. Lars Huber, who heads SCC’s work on biostimulants, fertilizers, and integrated pest management (IPM).

Over the past few years, SCC has experienced steady growth in its service portfolio, customer base, and the number and qualifications of its employees. This expansion is partly attributable to the sustained demand from our clients for SCC’s services in non-European countries. Accordingly, in March 2018, Dr. Hans-Josef Leusch—formerly Head of the Fungicides Division—was appointed Head of SCC’s new functional area, “Corporate Development.” Working closely with SCC’s various business units, he is identifying opportunities in key markets outside the European Union, with a particular focus on registration‑related services for plant protection products, chemicals, and biocides, thereby providing SCC’s clients with registration support in major markets such as Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

Compared with conventional chemical products, registered biologicals Pesticide What should be considered when using biostimulants?

Over the past few years, growing political will and consumer demand for green products have become increasingly evident, driving the development of sustainable, low-risk agricultural inputs. Consequently, manufacturers no longer consider registering biologics in the European Union. Pesticide Or whether biostimulants are economically viable, given the steadily growing societal demand for such products.

Today, it is even more important to pay attention to registration strategies, particularly in light of biostimulants and bio… Pesticide The regulatory landscape remains characterized by unclear delineations. Moreover, experience with the registration of low-risk plant protection products, including in the realm of authoritative assessments, is still very limited. Consequently, applicants should develop a registration strategy that, on the one hand, takes into account regulatory considerations, including national regulations governing biological agents… Pesticide Incentive measures, such as national subsidies or any form of a Green New Deal; on the other hand, relevant research must be conducted and supporting documentation prepared to provide authorities with scientific justifications and evidence for research exemptions, including, for example, the use of publicly available literature. And with chemistry… Pesticide Compared with conventional applications, appropriate scientific registration strategies can significantly reduce both the time and costs associated with registration.

Could you please provide an overview of the major biotech companies currently using SCC services? Pesticide And the biostimulant company? What do you think is the main reason they chose SCC over other companies?

We apologize, but since SCC maintains strict confidentiality regarding all client‑related information, we are unable to disclose it. To address your question, I’d like to refer you to your second query and encourage readers to read the full interview or visit SCC’s homepage, where they will find evidence of our expertise—such as publications listed under the “News” section. This should help answer your questions, at least in part. Based on our biological… Pesticide According to feedback from biostimulant clients, they choose SCC primarily because of its expertise and proven track record in registering highly complex substances, as well as its strict adherence to agreed timelines and regulatory deadlines. Our experts bring specialized scientific expertise not only from regulatory projects but also from their involvement in several R&D initiatives—particularly in areas such as IPM and precision agriculture—fields that are of great interest to our clients and further underscore why they select SCC.

Europe and North America are biological Pesticide and the mature market for biostimulants. However, in recent years, biological… Pesticide Bio-stimulants are rapidly gaining traction in emerging markets such as China and Brazil. Does SCC have relevant operations in these regions? Compared with Europe and North America, how do you perceive the bio‑stimulant landscape in these markets? Pesticide What is the biggest challenge facing biostimulants?

Of course, we have also participated in projects in countries outside the European Union, such as China and Brazil. Based on our experience, we have found that the greatest challenge lies in how the authorities view these types of products, particularly in Brazil’s biotechnology sector. Pesticide In terms of aspects. Biostimulants and bio… in countries outside Europe and North America Pesticide Registration faces several challenges, often stemming from gaps in definitions and difficulties in the operationalization and enforcement of existing regulations. However, as farmers’ demand for such products continues to grow, the authorities responsible for approving them are facing mounting pressure. By increasing the availability of these products in these markets, some changes have already begun to emerge. Moreover, certain national regulations—such as those introduced in New China in 2017— Pesticide Regulatory guidelines clearly prioritize low-risk products or biologicals. Pesticide The provisions are similar to those of the European Union. For example, the new Chinese regulations stipulate that the state shall, by promoting biological control, physical control, advanced spraying equipment, and other measures (Article 32), gradually reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Pesticide Its use, and the prohibition of highly toxic and extremely toxic substances on vegetables, fruits, tea, and traditional Chinese medicinal materials. Pesticide (Article 34).

Regarding SCC’s operations in these regions, the company is currently exploring additional opportunities in key markets. Taking China as an example, in 2018, SCC will appoint at least two new partnership managers in China to oversee its biotechnology initiatives there. Pesticide and biostimulant registration, and support Chinese clients in registering their products in the European Union. We will collaborate with a Chinese plant protection registration consulting firm. BIOREG (Bairui Consulting) Close cooperation.

Recently, the U.S. Farm Bill Draft has, for the first time, defined plant biostimulants. What do you think this means for the biostimulant industry?

With biostimulants and certain biologicals Pesticide Similarly, clearly and thoroughly defining and segmenting the relevant topics is always helpful—especially for regulatory authorities. Accordingly, enhancing the clarity of the framework governing this market should provide the industry with a solid foundation for decision-making and investment. As both a scientist and a regulator, I have certain reservations about the definitions chosen. Like in Europe, the draft classifies substances that confer resistance to abiotic stresses as biostimulants, while those that confer resistance to biotic stresses are categorized as bio… Pesticide However, some bioactive substances possess the ability to confer resistance against both abiotic and biotic stresses. Consequently, this rigid dichotomy can give rise to uncertainties in product registration.

Could you share with us the latest developments in European regulations governing biostimulants? How are these changes impacting SCC’s business?

At the end of last year, the European Union was discussed in the European Parliament. Fertilizer The draft regulation, which would also bring biostimulants under regulatory oversight, discusses the forthcoming amendment 404 to the EU Fertilizers Regulation, which has already prompted comments on the current state of the draft. The meeting adopted several amendments, while others were rejected. The proposed text has now been forwarded to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, and, following the originally scheduled 2015 adoption of the regulation, interinstitutional negotiations with the Council have resumed. Consequently, the central issues and the effective date of the regulation remain unclear, as do the framework conditions for business decision‑making and registration strategies.

This still‑unclear regulatory landscape will, of course, also affect SCC’s business rather than helping our clients register their products; we have received numerous requests for clarifications regarding draft regulations and their potential implications. At present, our clients’ primary concern is how to bring their products to market through national registration while simultaneously utilizing… Fertilizer Mutual recognition with biostimulants, as well as preparing their product portfolios in anticipation of the new regulations’ eventual entry into force.

Source: AgroPages World Pesticide Network

Tags:

Using appropriate chemicals such as imidacloprid for seed treatment yields significant efficacy in controlling wheat diseases.

The Second High-Level Symposium on Pharmaceutical Fertilizers was grandly held in Shenyang on October 29.

More information

The National Agricultural Technology Center has issued guidelines on “one spray, three protections” for wheat to address the heightened risk of recurrent outbreaks of Fusarium head blight, stripe rust, and aphids.

2026-04-10

The petrochemical and chemical industries comprise more than 27,000 large-scale production enterprises—efforts to upgrade and retrofit aging facilities are being further intensified.

2026-04-06

In 2026, corn borer, cotton bollworm, and ear rot—among other corn pests and diseases—are expected to occur at a relatively severe level. The National Agricultural Technology Center has issued a control plan!

2026-04-02

Address: