CropLife Europe’s recent webinar provided key insights into how formulation analysis techniques are being used to identify and address counterfeit and illegal plant protection products. The session brought together leading experts from research institutions and law enforcement agencies to share practical experiences and underline the importance of strong, coordinated approaches across the EU.
Speakers and panellists included:
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Dr Helen Karasali, Benaki Phytopathological Institute
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Dr Christoph Czerwenka, Institute for Food Safety, Vienna
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Pierre Hucorne, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre
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Pedro A. López Giner, Spanish Environmental Protection Service (SEPRONA)
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Moderated by Philippe Baudoin
Key takeaways from the discussion:
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Validated methods are essential: There is a clear need for standardised and validated analytical techniques across national laboratories responsible for official controls on both active ingredients and full product formulations.
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A central EU reference lab would strengthen oversight: CropLife Europe supports the establishment of an EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) to coordinate analytical control measures, harmonise practices, and provide guidance on detailed product composition testing.
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Partnership is key: Effective action against counterfeit pesticides depends on collaboration between regulatory authorities, research institutions, and industry stakeholders. Working together is essential to protect human health, environmental safety and the integrity of the EU internal market.
This webinar was the first in a series of technical discussions feeding into the CropLife Europe Conference in 2026. For more on upcoming sessions, visit:
https://croplifeeurope.eu/webinars-2025/