Ctgb Newsletter February 2021

The Ctgb actively contributes to the continued harmonisation of EU procedures for biocidal products and plant protection products. For example, in mid-December, 20 directors of European competent authorities for plant protection products met with representatives of the European Commission and EFSA during an on-line consultation, which has become the usual meeting venue. I was privileged to chair this meeting. The southern and northern Member States were also well represented at this High Level Meeting. We discussed various points, some of them intensively, and identified various topics that we will continue to develop together in concrete terms. Afterwards everyone was so pleased with the results that we decided to hold this strategic meeting every year from now on.

One important topic of discussion was the revocation of approval of certain chemical substances in products that do not have alternatives. We therefore want to accelerate the availability of low-risk substances and products. We also discussed the tight time-lines for substance and product renewal due to additional requirements such as studies on endocrine-disrupting properties. A major concern is the shortage of assessment capacity in Member States. The European Commission appears to be prepared to exert political pressure to help alleviate this situation. The Ctgb agreed to lead workshops for Member States on forecasting and on strategic IT.

We also agreed to work more closely with EFSA and to include exposure reduction through innovative uses in the substance assessments. Subsequently, it is up to the Member States to specify the national measures that are necessary for the safe use of a plant protection product. To support decision-making on whether or not to approve a substance in SCoPAFF, there is a new template for the EFSA conclusion that specifies information that is still missing. Finally, we agreed to decide about which guidances should be developed as a priority or which should be updated every year

In short, we are continuing to aim for cooperation and harmonisation, make concrete agreements and jointly set priorities!

Ingrid Becks secretary/director Ctgb

Since the corona outbreak, the Ctgb Service Desk has received many questions about disinfectants. See the FAQ section in the topic dossier Coronavirus. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email your question to the Service Desk. Due to the corona crises, the telephone capacity of the Service Desk is limited, but we are fully accessible by e-mail.

In 2018 the Activity Decree has been adapted and the minimal requirement for drift reduction for field spray of crops has been set to 75% DRT. For fruit this has been worked out as 75% at 4,5 m crop free zone of 90% bij 3 meter crop free zone.

End of transition period for fruit trees and avenue trees in Environmental Activities Decree

The WUR Drift Calculator (WDC) from Wageningen University will be available shortly. The WDC is an instrument for calculating the spray drift from plant protection products to surface water and to the zone to be assessed for non-target plants and arthropods. Applicants can perform the necessary calculations themselves. The WDC only works with DRT classes, not individual techniques.

It takes Dutch agricultural practices into account, as laid down in the Activities Decree Environmental Management. This specifies the minimum cultivation-free zone per crop group. This information is included in the WDC for crops (including arable crops) that are sprayed from above (downward-spraying). In future, for example, the correct cultivation-free zone in relation to the drainage ditch can be taken into account when assessing exposure due to spray drift. In addition, the WDC takes into account the position of the last spray nozzle in relation to the last crop row. Currently, this differentiation according to cultivation-free zone and position of the last nozzle applies only to situations in which a reduction of more than 90% of the spray drift is necessary to achieve an acceptable risk for aquatic organisms.

We will publish additional information as soon as the drift calculator becomes available.

For most plant protection products containing active substances from AIR 3- AIR 4 (up to group 3) the Central Zone Steering Committee (CZSC) has already assigned a ZRMS for the renewal of authorized products. However, after finalization of the allocation processes, several new products have been authorized based on the above mentioned substances. Consequently for these products a ZRMS has not been assigned. We kindly ask all affected authorisation holders of new products, with no ZRMS assigned for their renewal yet, to provide the information necessary. You are kindly requested to return the completed spreadsheet before March 15th, 2021 by e-mail to the secretariat of the Central Zone.

Allocation of ZRMS for recently authorized new products, based on active substances close to renewal

To ensure a balanced distribution of tasks between the Member States, the Central Zone Steering Committee (CZSC) has requested authorisation holders and applicants to provide an overview of expected renewals of product authorisations. This concerns the future renewals of products based on substances from the AIR 4 programme as defined in Article 43 of the plant protection regulation. This inventory cycle only includes products based on substances from group 4 of AIR 4. The inventory of groups 1 to 3 was completed in 2019.

Inventory of future renewals of product authorisations with AIR 4 substances

On a yearly basis, Vewin communicates to Ctgb the list of active substances and metabolites of plant protection products and biocides that are detected at one or more occasions above the drinking water limit at drinking water abstraction points, including the relevant monitoring data. The updated list can be consulted at Vewin.nl. Beginning in January 2021 Ctgb will use these monitoring data for the assessment of the drinking water criterion.

Vewin list of plant protection products and biocides in surface water updated

The use of disinfectants in buses, trains, aeroplanes and other means of transport for people must be done with disinfectants that are authorised for 'Means of transport intended for people'. There are still few such authorisations. With the increased use of disinfectants due to the coronavirus, there is a much greater need for disinfectants for this scope of permitted use that are also effective against viruses

Disinfectants for means of transport for people

The template takes into account the updated biocidal product family concept. Applicants should use the revised template for new applications submitted as of 11 April 2021. Before this date, they can choose to continue with the current template or use the revised one. However, national authorities may ask applicants to submit the overview of their product family in the new template, if that is more suitable to display the information.

Biocidal product family

In recent months, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has issued several exemptions for hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants. See our topic dossier on Corona virus COVID-19.