2024. Not all applications for plant protection products and biocides reach the finish line
In 2024, the Ctgb assessed almost 150 applications for plant protection products and biocides. These assessments determine whether the products are safe when used as instructed, i.e. that they do not pose unacceptable risks to humans, animals or the environment. In total, 16 (20%) of about 80 applications for plant protection products were rejected entirely, as were 8 (11%) of about 70 applications for biocides.
A typical application usually involves multiple uses for the product. If the Ctgb authorises a product, this does not mean that all the uses applied for will also be authorised. For a number of products, some of the uses were rejected by the Ctgb or withdrawn by the applicant. This concerned about 35% of applications for plant protection products and about 11% of applications for biocides. In addition, the Ctgb tightened the instructions for use in many of its decisions: 37% of the authorisations for plant protection products and 63% of the authorisations for biocides.
Sustainability Desk
Ctgb wants to promote the availability of sustainable plant protection products. For example, in 2024, the Ctgb performed the EU assessment for eight substances of natural origin, such as micro-organisms, plant extracts, pheromones or peptides, which is a large proportion of such assessments in Europe. Based on such approved substances, sustainable products can then be applied for. For this purpose, in 2024 the Ctgb established a separate ‘Sustainability Desk’. When submitted through the Sustainability Desk, applications for plant protection products that contribute to the reduced use of chemicals in agriculture are given priority. In 2024, four products were assessed and authorised through this route, with six applications still pending at the end of the year. The Sustainability Desk also has the capacity to quickly process the anticipated increase in applications from manufacturers of such products.
Stricter procedure for comparative assessments
EU legislation requires 'comparative assessment' for a number of substances in plant protection products. This type of assessment focuses on approved substances in plant protection products for which EU legislation requires their replacement – where possible – with 'cleaner' alternatives. At the end of 2023, the Ctgb tightened this procedure at national level. This ensures that comparative assessments can be processed more efficiently and – where possible – that products can be replaced more often with safer alternatives for humans, animals and the environment. This new approach delivered the first concrete results in 2024. For two products based on pendimethalin and methoxyfenozide, respectively, the comparative assessment led to changes. For one of the products, two uses were replaced by a safer alternative. The other product was removed entirely from the market in the Netherlands.