An Overview of the Latest Developments in the 2022 EU Pesticide Re‑evaluation: Dozens of Pesticides Face Phase-Out

The European Union’s Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 stipulates that all active substances in pesticides are subject to periodic re‑evaluation. Applicants are generally required to submit a re‑evaluation application for an active substance at least three years before the registration expires. Following re‑evaluation, if a pesticide is withdrawn, products containing that active substance may be sold for no more than six months, unless the withdrawal is due to environmental or health concerns; in such cases, products containing the active substance must be immediately removed from the market. Companies should closely monitor the latest developments in EU pesticide re‑evaluations, as these will determine which active substances will be banned or subject to usage restrictions in the future.

Based on publicly available information, the Agrochemical Division of Ruixu Group has summarized the latest developments in the 2022 EU pesticide re‑evaluation process, covering active substances that expired or are set to expire as of February 28, 2022. The analysis indicates that dozens of pesticides are at risk of being phased out in the European Union. Given the lengthy and unpredictable nature of the EU’s active‑substance re‑evaluation procedure, this report does not reflect the final assessment outcomes and is intended solely as a reference for industry stakeholders.

Re‑evaluation of expired active ingredients (as of February 2022)

The following pesticide active ingredients are highly likely to be phased out of the EU market, as the relevant companies either failed to submit re‑evaluation applications by the deadline or have withdrawn their re‑evaluation dossiers.

Active ingredients nearing expiration (as of February 2023)

For the following active substances, companies have not yet submitted applications for re‑evaluation and may in the future withdraw from the EU market.

• Plant Essential Oil/Lemongrass Oil (2021/08/31)

• Apple Leafroller GV BV-0001 (2021/01/31)

• 2-Methyl-4-chloropropionic acid (2021/01/31)

Active ingredients pending review (as of August 2022)

The following active substances are currently undergoing re‑evaluation and remain under review; this does not imply that they will be withdrawn from the EU market in the future.

Resolution of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF)

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) of the European Union is currently reviewing the re‑evaluation opinions for the following active substances, but a final decision has not yet been reached.

• Pyrazofos: Due to its classification as Reproductive Toxicity Category 1B and Carcinogenicity Category 2, it is recommended that its registration be revoked. (November 26, 2021)

• Avermectin: It is recommended to approve a re‑evaluation under restricted conditions, limited to use in permanent greenhouses. (March 15, 2021)

• Flonicamid: It is recommended to approve the re‑evaluation under restricted conditions, limited to permanent greenhouses only. (November 17, 2021)

• Bifenazate: It is recommended to approve the re‑evaluation under restricted conditions, limited to non‑food crops grown in permanent greenhouses. (January 24, 2022)

Regulations Adopted by the Committee (March 2021–February 2022)

The Committee has published the following list of active substances for which re‑evaluation has been denied or subject to restricted re‑evaluation. For the reasons underlying these restrictions or limited approvals, please refer to the published implementing rules; the specific dates of publication are indicated in parentheses.

Active ingredients not approved for re‑evaluation:

Cypermethrin (cis‑isomer): The re‑evaluation was not approved due to the applicant’s failure to submit the required data. (May 17, 2021)

Oxaziclomefone: Re‑evaluation not approved due to high potential for worker exposure, elevated chronic risk to mammals, and high risk to aquatic organisms. (August 20, 2021)

Indoxacarb: Re‑evaluation was not approved due to risks to mammals and honeybees, as well as insufficient data to complete the consumer, groundwater, and ecotoxicological risk assessments. (November 29, 2021)

Phorate: Not approved for re‑evaluation due to environmental concerns and the lack of multiple data sets. (January 24, 2022)

Active ingredients approved for re‑evaluation subject to certain conditions:

Fenpyrazamine: Re‑evaluation of the approval for products containing hydrazine at concentrations exceeding 0.0001% has been restricted. (March 16, 2021)

Terbuthylazine: Re‑approval granted under the condition that it may be applied once every three years on the same field, with a maximum application rate of 850 grams per hectare. (May 21, 2021)

Cypermethrin: Approved for re‑evaluation as an alternative candidate. (November 25, 2021)

List of pesticide active ingredients not approved in the past three years and those subject to restricted approval:

The European Union conducts annual re-evaluations of a large number of pesticide active substances, and the outcomes of these reviews determine the future market status of these products within the EU. The first step for companies seeking EU pesticide registration is to ascertain whether their products are already banned in the EU or are slated for prohibition or restriction. Based on the results of these EU re-evaluations, the list of active substances that have been disapproved over the past three years, as well as those subject to restricted approval, is summarized below (as of June 2022):

This article was prepared with reference to the latest report by CropLife International.

Source: Pesticide Regulatory Service Station, Ruixu Group