Pesticides are placed on the EU market in two steps:
Step 1: Approval of active substances
Active substances – such as chemicals or microorganisms – are the key ingredients in a pesticide that enable it to do its job.
Step 2 : Authorisation of Plant Protection Products
Pesticides contain one or more active substance(s) and other ingredients such as safeners, synergists and co-formulants to optimise their effectiveness.
Learn More About Pesticides From Our Farmer’s Toolbox
Step 1: Approval of Active Substances
Who does what?
- Member States
- Industry
Application to approve a substance
A company sends an application to a rapporteur Member State (RMS) for a new active substance or to renew an existing one.
Applications must contain:
- high-quality studies
- peer-reviewed scientific literature
Who does what?
- Member States
Draft assessment report
The rapporteur Member State evaluates the application and writes a draft assessment report.
Who does what?
- Member States
- EFSA
Peer Review
EFSA, together with all Member States, peer reviews the draft assessment report and prepares a scientific conclusion on the safety of the substance.
More than 100 scientists take part in the review.
Who does what?
- Member States
- European Commission
Approval based on safety
On the basis of EFSA’s conclusions, the European Commission and Member States decide whether the active substance meets European safety requirements.
If yes, they approve or renew it.
Step 2: Authorisation of Plant Protection Products Containing The Active Substance
Who does what?
- Member States
- Industry
Application to market a pesticide
Once an active substance is approved, a company sends an application to the Member State(s) where they want to market a pesticide that contains it.
Specific conditions of use:
In its application, a company must say how the pesticide should be used. These conditions of use are called Good Agricultural Practice and include:
- the targeted crop(s)
- when and how to apply the pesticide
- the dose
- the frequency of use
Who does what?
- Member States
Assessment of the application
A rapporteur Member State from each regulatory zone (zonal rapporteur Member State – zRMS) assesses the application. Other Member States in the same zone review it.
Pesticide residue levels in food:
Assessments also consider the expected level of residues of the pesticide in food. If it is higher than the maximum residue level (MRL) set in EU legislation, an application for a new MRL must be submitted for assessment to the EU.
Who does what?
- Member States
- European Commission
Authorisation within zones
The pesticide must get an authorisation from each Member State where it is to be marketed. Based on the risk assessment, the zRMS decides whether to authorise the product for use on its territory. Other Member States from the same zone may authorise it without the need for a full safety reassessment by relying on the assessment of the zRMS.
What happens after a pesticide is authorised?
Marketing: Once a Member State has authorised a pesticide, the company can market it on their territory.
Use of Pesticides: Pesticides are mainly used by farmers and other professional users. Users must follow the specific conditions of use on the label and keep records of use.
Pesticides should always be the last resort for controlling a pest.
Monitoring pesticide residues in food
Member States monitor levels of pesticide residues in all food, whether imported or produced in the EU.
Each year, the EU analyses more than 100,000 food samples
Three monitoring programmes
- Coordinated monitoring programme:
Member States target the same common foods. - National Programmes:
Member States target different foods with a higher risk of exceeding MRLs. - Increased import control programmes:
Member States carry out targeted checks at EU borders on certain hazards, food products and countries.
If residues exceed the MRL, a Member State can impose a fine on a company and, if a health risk is identified, withdraw the food from the market and alert other Member States.
Annual reporting of pesticide residues in food
Every year, EFSA publishes a report on pesticide residues in food in the EU, Iceland and Norway, compiling the results of monitoring in those countries.
The report analyses trends and possible health risks and recommends ways to keep improving Europe’s controls.