WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 lays down rules for authorising the sale, use and control of plant protection products in the European Union (EU), and recognises the precautionary principle.

It is complemented by the sustainable use directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) which sets out rules for the sustainable use of pesticides* (see summary).

KEY POINTS

The legislation applies to products used to protect or preserve plants, influence their growth or destroy and stunt undesired plants.

An active substance (any chemical, plant extract or micro-organism that acts against pests or on plants) shall be approved if:

Plant protection products containing the active substance:
- are effective;
- have no immediate or delayed harmful effect on human health;
- have no unacceptable effects on plants or the environment; and
- do not cause unnecessary suffering or pain to vertebrates.
Residues of these products must not have any harmful effects on human health, including that of vulnerable groups, nor any unacceptable effect on the environment.

The European Commission or the relevant national authority in each EU Member State may attach criteria and restrictions, such as minimum degree of purity, type of preparation and manner and conditions of use, when approving an active substance or authorising a plant protection product for use.

The Commission gives its first approval for an active substance for a period not exceeding 10 years. A renewal of approval may be for no more than 15 years.

Applications for approval of an active substance, accompanied by the necessary scientific information, must be submitted to national authorities. They have a maximum of 12 months to examine the request, which is then peer-reviewed by Member States and the European Food Safety Authority.

Holders of an authorisation of a plant protection product for use in one Member State may use the mutual recognition procedure to request its use in another.

BACKGROUND

The EU attaches great importance to protecting human and animal health and the environment. Standardising rules on the sale of plant protection products helps to achieve this, ensures the smooth working of the single market and improves agricultural production

For further information, see:

Pesticides (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Pesticide. Something that prevents, destroys or controls a harmful organism (pest) or disease, or protects plants or plant products during production, storage and transport. Pesticide is a broader term than plant protection product since it covers non-plant/crop uses such as biocides.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, pp. 1–50).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Pesticide safety on the EU market

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

KEY POINTS

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

BACKGROUND

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

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