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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to 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(1), and in particular Article 78(1)(b) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In accordance with Article 8(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, Commission Regulation (EU) No 545/2011 of 10 June 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the data requirements for plant protection products(2) was adopted. It contains the data requirements for the authorisation of plant protection products, as set out in Annex III to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant products on the market(3).
(2) It is necessary to modify the data requirements concerning chemical preparations in order to take into account current scientific and technical knowledge.
(3) More detailed information for the implementation of the data requirements is laid down in relevant guidance documents.
(4) Regulation (EU) No 545/2011 should therefore be repealed.
(5) A reasonable period should be allowed to elapse before the modified data requirements become applicable in order to permit applicants to prepare themselves to meet those requirements.
(6) In order to permit Member States and the interested parties to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements, it is appropriate to lay down transitional measures concerning data submitted for applications for the approval, renewal of approval and amendment to the conditions of approval of active substances and for applications for authorisation, renewal of authorisation and amendment to authorisation of plant protection products.
(7) These transitional measures are without prejudice to Article 80 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
(8) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and neither the European Parliament nor the Council has opposed them,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
The data requirements for plant protection products provided for in Article 8(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 shall be as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.
Regulation (EU) No 545/2011 is repealed.
References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
With respect to active substances, Regulation (EU) No 545/2011 shall continue to apply as regards the following:
procedures concerning the approval of an active substance or an amendment to the approval of such a substance pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 for which the dossiers provided for in Article 8(1) and (2) thereof have been submitted by 31 December 2013;
procedures concerning the renewal of approval of an active substance pursuant to Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 for which the supplementary dossiers referred to in Article 9 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1141/2010(4) have been submitted by 31 December 2013.
1.Regulation (EU) No 545/2011 shall continue to apply as regards procedures concerning the authorisation of a plant protection product, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, provided that the respective application has been submitted by 31 December 2015 and that the plant protection product contains at least one active substance for which the dossiers or supplementary dossiers have been submitted in compliance with Article 3.
[F1Regulation (EU) No 545/2011 shall continue to apply as regards procedures concerning the renewal of authorisations of plant protection product pursuant to Article 43(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, following the renewal of an active substance carried out pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1141/2010.]
2.By way of derogation from paragraph 1, from 1 January 2014 applicants may choose to apply the data requirements, as set out in the Annex to this Regulation. This choice shall be made in writing when submitting the application and shall be irrevocable.
Textual Amendments
1.This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
2.For procedures concerning the renewal of approval of active substances whose approval expires on 1 January 2016 or later, this Regulation shall apply as of entry into force.
As regards all other procedures, it shall apply from 1 January 2014.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
it is not necessary owing to the nature of the product or its proposed uses, or it is not scientifically necessary;
it is technically not possible to supply.
In such a case a justification shall be provided.
decide whether, or not, the plant protection product is to be authorised;
specify conditions or restrictions to be associated with any authorisation;
permit an evaluation of short and long-term risks for non-target species, populations, communities and processes;
identify relevant first aid measures as well as appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures to be followed in the event of poisoning in humans;
permit a risk assessment of acute and chronic consumer exposure, including, where relevant, a cumulative risk assessment deriving from exposure to more than one active substance;
permit an estimation of acute and chronic exposure to operators, workers, residents and bystanders including, where relevant, the cumulative exposure to more than one active substance;
permit an evaluation to be made as to the nature and extent of the risks for humans, animals (species normally fed and kept by humans or food producing animals) and of the risks for other non-target vertebrate species;
predict the distribution, fate, and behaviour in the environment, as well as the time courses involved;
identify non-target species and populations for which hazards arise because of potential exposure;
permit an assessment of the impact of the plant protection product on non target species;
identify measures necessary to minimise contamination of the environment and impact on non-target species;
classify the plant protection product as to hazard in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
they have at their disposal sufficient scientific and technical staff having the necessary education, training, technical knowledge and experience for their assigned functions;
they have at their disposal suitable equipment required for correct performance of the tests and measurements which they claim to be competent to carry out; that equipment is properly maintained and calibrated, where appropriate, before being put into service and thereafter according to an established programme;
they have at their disposal appropriate experimental fields and, where necessary glasshouses, growth cabinets or storage rooms; the environment in which the tests are undertaken shall not invalidate their results or adversely effect the required accuracy of measurement;
they make available to all relevant personnel operating procedures and protocols used for the trials;
they make available, where requested by the competent authority, prior to the commencement of a test, information on its location and on the tested plant protection products;
they ensure that the quality of the work performed is appropriate to its type, range, volume and intended purpose;
they maintain records of all observations, calculations and derived data and calibrations records and final test report as long as the product concerned is authorised in a Member State.
report to the relevant national authority all information necessary to demonstrate that they can satisfy the requirements provided for in point 3.2,
permit at any time the inspections, which each Member State shall regularly organise on its territory in order to verify the compliance with point 3.2.
For active substances consisting of micro-organisms or viruses, tests and analyses performed to obtain data on their properties and safety with respect to other aspects than human health, may be conducted by official or officially recognised testing facilities or organisations which satisfy at least the requirements specified at points 3.2 and 3.3.
Studies conducted before the application of this Regulation, although not fully compliant with GLP requirements or with current test methods, may be integrated into the assessment, when accepted by the competent authorities as scientifically valid, thereby removing the need for repeating animal tests, especially for carcinogenicity and reprotoxicity studies. This derogation applies to studies on all vertebrate species.
Alternative methods to be considered shall include in vitro methods and in silico methods. Reduction and refinement methods for in vivo testing shall also be encouraged to keep the number of animals used in testing to a minimum.
The information provided shall be sufficient to precisely identify the plant protection product and define it in terms of its specification and nature.
The name and address of the applicant shall be provided, as well as the name, position, telephone, e-mail address and telefax number of a contact point.
The name and address of the producer of the plant protection product and of each active substance in the plant protection product shall be provided, as well as the name and address of each manufacturing plant in which the plant protection product and active substance are manufactured. A contact point (name, telephone, e-mail address and telefax number) shall be provided.
If the active substance originates from a producer from which data in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 have not been submitted previously, data to address those requirements shall be provided in order to establish equivalence of the active substance.
All former and current trade names and proposed trade names and development code numbers of the plant protection product shall be provided. Where trade names and code numbers referred to, relate to similar but different plant protection products, full details of the differences shall be provided. The proposed trade name shall be such that it does not give rise to confusion with the trade name of already authorised plant protection products. Each code number shall be specific to a unique plant protection product.
For plant protection products the following information shall be reported:
the content of the technical active substances (based on the specified minimum purity) and the declared content of pure active substances and, where relevant, the corresponding content of the variant (such as salts and esters) of the active substances,
the content of safeners, synergists and co-formulants,
the maximum content of relevant impurities, where appropriate.
In addition to the total active substance content, for slow or controlled release plant protection products (such as capsule suspension, CS) the free (non-encapsulated) and encapsulated active substance content and the release rate shall be given. Where possible, appropriate Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council (CIPAC) methods shall be used. If an alternative method is used this shall be justified by the applicant and a detailed description of the methodology used shall be given.
The concentration of each active substance shall be expressed as follows:
for solids, aerosols, volatile liquids (maximum boiling point 50 °C) or viscous liquids (lower limit 1 Pa s at 20 °C), as % w/w and g/kg,
for other liquids/gel formulations, as % w/w and g/l,
for gases, as % v/v and % w/w.
For active substances their International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) common names or proposed ISO common names, their CIPAC numbers, and, where available, the European Commission (EC) numbers shall be provided. Where relevant, it shall be stated which salt, ester, anion or cation is present.
Safeners, synergists and co-formulants shall, where possible, be identified both by their chemical name as given in Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council or, if not included in that Regulation, in accordance with both the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and Chemical Abstracts (CA) nomenclature. Their structural formula shall be provided. For each component of the safeners, synergists and co-formulants the relevant EC number and Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, where they exist, shall be provided. For co-formulants which are mixtures, the composition shall be provided. Where the information provided does not fully identify the safener, synergist or co-formulant, an appropriate specification shall be provided. The trade name, where available, shall also be provided. Safety data sheets pursuant to Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006(9) shall be provided. They shall be up to date and in accordance with other Union legislation.
For co-formulants the function shall be specified from among the following:
adhesive (sticker);
antifoaming agent;
antifreeze;
binder;
buffer;
carrier;
deodorant;
dispersing agent;
dye;
emetic;
emulsifier;
fertiliser;
preservative;
odourant;
perfume;
propellant;
repellent;
solvent;
stabiliser;
thickener;
wetting agent;
miscellaneous (shall be specified by the applicant).
A description of the formulation process shall be provided.
The type and code of plant protection product shall be designated according to the latest edition of the ‘Manual on development and use of FAO and WHO specifications for pesticides’ prepared by the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Specifications (JMPS).
Where a plant protection product is not defined precisely in this publication, a full description of the physical nature and state of the plant protection product shall be provided, together with a proposal for a suitable description of the type of plant protection product and a proposal for its definition.
The function shall be specified from among the following:
acaricide;
bactericide;
fungicide;
herbicide;
insecticide;
molluscicide;
nematicide;
plant growth regulator;
repellent;
rodenticide;
semio-chemicals;
talpicide;
viricide;
other (shall be specified by the applicant).
The extent to which plant protection products for which authorisation is sought, comply with relevant FAO/WHO specifications, shall be stated. Divergences from these specifications shall be described in detail, and justified by the applicant.
A description of the colour and of the physical state of the plant protection product shall be provided.
The explosive and oxidising properties of plant protection products shall be determined and reported. A theoretical estimation based on structure shall be accepted if it meets the criteria set out in Appendix 6 of the United Nations’ Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Manual of Tests and Criteria(10).
The flash point of liquids which contain flammable solvents shall be determined and reported. The flammability of solid plant protection products and gases shall be determined and reported. A theoretical estimation based on structure shall be accepted if it meets the criteria set out in Appendix 6 of the United Nations’ Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Manual of Tests and Criteria.
The self-heating shall be determined and reported.
In the case of aqueous plant protection products, the pH value of the neat plant protection product shall be determined and reported.
In the case of solid and non-aqueous liquid plant protection products which are to be applied as aqueous dilutions the pH of a 1 % dilution of the plant protection product shall be determined and reported.
In the case of plant protection products which are acidic (pH < 4) or alkaline (pH > 10) the acidity or alkalinity shall be determined and reported.
For liquid formulations the viscosity shall be determined at two shear rates and at 20°C and 40°C and reported together with the test conditions. The surface tension shall be determined at the highest concentration.
For liquid plant protection products containing ≥10 % hydrocarbons and for which the kinematic viscosity is less than 7 × 10– 6 m2/sec at 40 °C the surface tension of the neat formulation shall be determined at 25 °C and reported.
The relative density of liquid plant protection products shall be determined and reported.
The bulk density (pour and tap) of plant protection products which are powders or granules shall be determined and reported.
The stability of the plant protection product after accelerated storage for 14 days at 54 °C shall be determined and reported. Data generated from alternative time/temperature combinations (for example 8 weeks at 40 °C, 12 weeks at 35 °C or 18 weeks at 30 °C) may be submitted as alternative accelerated storage data. Consideration shall be given to performing this test in packaging made of the same material as the commercial packaging.
If the active substance content after the heat stability test has decreased by more than 5 % from the initial value, then information on the breakdown products shall be supplied.
For liquid plant protection products, the effect of low temperatures on stability shall be determined and reported.
The shelf life of the plant protection product at ambient temperature shall be determined and reported. Where shelf life is less than two years, the shelf life in months, with appropriate temperature specifications, shall be reported. The ambient temperature stability test shall be performed in packaging made of the same material as the commercial packaging. Where appropriate, data on the content of relevant impurities, before and after storage, shall be provided.
The technical characteristics of the plant protection product shall be determined and reported at appropriate concentrations.
The wettability of solid plant protection products, which are diluted for use shall be determined and reported.
The persistence of foaming of plant protection products to be diluted with water shall be determined and reported.
The suspensibility and the spontaneity of dispersion of water dispersible products shall be determined and reported.
The dispersion stability of plant protection products such as aqueous suspo-emulsions (SE), oil-based suspension concentrates (OD) or emulsifiable granules (EG) shall be determined and reported.
The degree of dissolution and the dilution stability of water soluble products shall be determined and reported.
In the case of water dispersible products, a wet sieve test shall be conducted and reported.
The size distribution of particles in the case of powders and suspension concentrates shall be determined and reported.
The nominal size range of granules shall be determined and reported.
The dust content of granular plant protection products shall be determined and reported.
If results show > 1 % w/w dust then the particle size of the dust generated shall be determined and reported.
The attrition characteristics of granules and tablets which are loose packed shall be determined and reported.
The hardness and integrity of tablets shall be determined and reported.
The emulsifiability, emulsion stability and re-emulsifiability of plant protection products, which exist as emulsions in the spray tank, shall be determined and reported.
The following characteristics shall be determined and reported:
the flowability of granular plant protection products,
the pourability of suspensions, and
the dustability of dustable powders following accelerated storage according to point 2.7.
The physical and chemical compatibility of recommended tank mixes shall be determined and reported. Known non-compatibility shall be reported.
In the case of plant protection products for seed treatment, both distribution and adhesion shall be determined and reported.
Supplementary studies necessary for the classification of the plant protection product by hazard shall be carried out in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1272/2008.
Data on application shall be submitted and shall be consistent with good plant protection practice.
The fields of use, existing and proposed, shall be specified from among the following:
field use, such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry and viticulture, protected crops, amenity, weed control on non-cultivated areas;
home gardening;
house plants;
plant products storage practice;
other (shall be specified by the applicant).
The nature of the effects on harmful organisms shall be stated:
contact action;
stomach action;
inhalation action;
fungitoxic action;
fungistatic action;
desiccant;
reproduction inhibitors;
other (shall be specified by the applicant).
In addition, it shall be specified whether the plant protection product is systemic or not in plants.
Details of the intended use shall be provided including, where relevant, the following information:
effects achieved for example sprout suppression, retardation of ripening, reduction in stem length, enhanced fertilisation,
types of harmful organisms controlled,
plants or plant products to be protected.
For each method of application and each use, the rate of application per unit (ha, m2, m3) treated, for plant protection product in g, kg, mL or L and active substance in g or kg shall be provided.
Application rates shall be expressed, as appropriate, in one of the following units:
g, kg, mL or L per ha,
kg or L per m3,
g, kg, mL or L per tonne.
For protected crops and home gardening use rates shall be expressed in:
g, kg, mL or L per 100 m2, or
g, kg, mL or L per m3.
The content of active substance shall be expressed, as appropriate, in:
g or mL per L, or
g or mL per kg.
The method of application proposed shall be described fully, indicating the type of equipment to be used, if any, as well as the type and volume of diluent to be used per unit of area or volume.
The maximum number of applications to be used and their timing shall be reported. Where relevant, the growth stages of the crop or plants to be protected and the development stages of the harmful organisms shall be indicated. Where possible, the interval between applications in days shall be stated.
The duration of protection afforded both by each application and by the maximum number of applications to be used, shall be indicated.
Where relevant, minimum waiting periods between last application and sowing or planting of succeeding crops, which are necessary to avoid phytotoxic effects on succeeding crops, shall be stated, and follow from the data provided in accordance with point 6.5.1.
Limitations on choice of succeeding crops, if any, shall be stated.
The proposed instructions for use of the plant protection product, to be printed on labels and leaflets, shall be provided.
The information provided shall follow from and be supported by the data provided for the active substances and that provided in accordance with Sections 7 and 8.
Where relevant, pre-harvest intervals, re-entry periods or withholding periods necessary to minimise the presence of residues in or on crops, plants and plant products, or in treated areas or spaces, with a view to protecting humans, animals and the environment, shall be specified, such as:
pre-harvest interval (in days) for each relevant crop;
re-entry period (in days) for livestock, to areas to be grazed;
re-entry period (in hours or days) for humans to crops, buildings or spaces treated;
withholding period (in days) for animal feeding stuffs and for post-harvest uses;
waiting period (in days), between application and handling treated products;
waiting period (in days), between last application and sowing or planting succeeding crops.
Where necessary in the light of the test results, information on any specific agricultural, plant health or environmental conditions under which the plant protection product may or may not be used shall be provided.
The recommended methods and precautions concerning washing/cleaning of machinery and protective equipment, detailed handling procedures for the storage, at both warehouse and user level of plant protection products, for their transport and in the event of fire shall be provided by the applicant. The effectiveness of cleaning procedures shall be described in detail. Where available, information on combustion products shall be provided. The risks likely to arise and the methods and procedures to minimise the hazards arising, shall be specified. Procedures to preclude or minimise the generation of waste or leftovers shall be provided.
Where appropriate, the nature and characteristics of protective clothing and equipment proposed shall be provided. The data provided shall be sufficient to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness under realistic conditions of use (for example field or glasshouse circumstances).
Detailed procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency, whether arising during transport, storage or use, shall be provided and include:
containment of spillages;
decontamination of areas, vehicles and buildings;
disposal of damaged packaging, absorbents and other materials;
protection of emergency workers and residents, including bystanders;
first aid measures.
Packaging to be used shall be fully described and specified in terms of the materials used, manner of construction (for example extruded, welded), size and capacity, wall thickness, size of opening, type of closure and seals. Packaging shall be designed in order to limit as much as possible exposure of operators and of the environment.
All packaging used shall comply with the relevant Union legislation on transportation and safe handling.
Procedures for destruction and decontamination shall be developed for both small quantities (user level) and large quantities (warehouse level). The procedures shall be consistent with provisions in place relating to the disposal of waste and of toxic waste. The proposed means of disposal shall be without unacceptable influence on the environment and be the most cost effective and feasible.
Neutralisation procedures (such as by reaction with other substances to form less toxic compounds) for use in the event of accidental spillages shall be described, where such procedures can be applied. The products produced after neutralisation shall be practically or theoretically evaluated and reported.
Chemical active substances as well as plant protection products containing them, contaminated materials, or contaminated packaging shall be disposed of through controlled incineration in a licensed incinerator in accordance with the criteria laid down in Directive 94/67/EC of the Council(11).
If controlled incineration is not the preferred method of disposal, full information on the alternative method of safe disposal used shall be provided. Data shall be provided for such methods, to establish their effectiveness and safety.
The provisions of this Section cover analytical methods used for the generation of pre-authorisation data and required for post-authorisation control and monitoring purposes.
Descriptions of methods shall be provided and include details of equipment, materials and conditions used.
On request, the following shall be provided:
analytical standards of the purified active substance and of the plant protection product;
samples of the active substance as manufactured;
analytical standards of relevant metabolites and all other components included in all monitoring residue definitions;
samples of reference substances for the relevant impurities.
In addition, the standards referred to in points (a) and (c) shall, where possible, be made commercially available and, on request, the distributing company shall be named.
Methods shall be provided, with a full description, for the determination of:
active substance and/or variant in the plant protection product;
relevant impurities identified in the technical material or which may be formed during manufacture of the plant protection product or from degradation of the plant protection product during storage;
relevant co-formulants or components of co-formulants, where required by the national competent authorities.
In the case of a plant protection product containing more than one active substance and/or variant a method capable of determining each, in the presence of the other, shall be provided. If a combined method is not submitted, the technical reasons shall be stated.
The applicability of CIPAC methods shall be assessed and reported. In case of use of a CIPAC method, further validation data shall not be required, but example chromatograms shall be submitted, where available.
The specificity of the methods shall be determined and reported. In addition, the extent of interference by other substances present in the plant protection product (such as impurities or co-formulants), shall be determined.
The linearity of methods shall be determined and reported. The calibration range shall extend (by at least 20 %) beyond the highest and lowest nominal content of the analyte in relevant analytical solutions. Either duplicate determinations at three or more concentrations or single determinations at five or more concentrations shall be made. The equation of the calibration line and the correlation coefficient shall be reported and a typical calibration plot shall be submitted. In cases where a non-linear response is used, this shall be justified by the applicant.
The precision (repeatability) of the methods shall be determined and reported. A minimum of five replicate sample determinations shall be made, and the mean, the relative standard deviation and the number of determinations shall be reported. The accuracy of the methods shall be determined on at least two representative samples at levels appropriate to the material specification. The mean and the relative standard deviation of the recoveries shall be reported.
For relevant impurities and, where necessary, for relevant co-formulants the limit of quantification (LOQ) shall be determined and reported and shall be at a concentration of analyte, which is of toxicological or environmental significance, or at the concentration which is formed during storage of the product, where relevant.
Methods shall be submitted, with a full description, for the determination of non-isotope-labelled residues in all areas of the dossier, as set out in detail in the following points:
in soil, water, sediment, air and any additional matrices used in support of environmental fate studies;
in soil, water and any additional matrices used in support of efficacy studies;
in feed, body fluids and tissues, air and any additional matrices used in support of toxicology studies;
in body fluids, air and any additional matrices used in support of operator, worker, resident and bystander exposure studies;
in or on plants, plant products, processed food commodities, food of plant and animal origin, feed and any additional matrices used in support of residues studies;
in soil, water, sediment, feed and any additional matrices used in support of ecotoxicology studies;
in water, buffer solutions, organic solvents and any additional matrices resulting from the physical and chemical properties tests.
The specificity of the methods shall be determined and reported. Validated confirmatory methods shall be submitted if appropriate.
The linearity, recovery and precision (repeatability) of methods shall be determined and reported.
Data shall be generated at the LOQ and either the likely residue levels or ten times the LOQ. The LOQ shall be determined and reported for each component in the residue definition.
As far as practicable these methods shall employ the simplest approach, involve the minimum cost, and require commonly available equipment.
Analytical methods for the determination of the active substance and relevant impurities in the plant protection product shall be submitted, unless the applicant shows that these methods already submitted in accordance with the requirements set out in point 5.1.1 can be applied.
The provisions set out in point 5.1.1 shall apply.
Methods, with a full description, shall be submitted for the determination of residues:
in or on plants, plant products, processed food commodities, food and feed of plant and animal origin,
in body fluids and tissues,
in soil,
in water,
in air, unless the applicant shows that exposure of operators, workers, residents or bystanders is negligible.
The applicant may deviate from such requirement by showing that the methods submitted in accordance with the requirements set out in point 4.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 can be applied.
The specificity of the methods shall enable all components included in the monitoring residue definition to be determined. Validated confirmatory methods shall be submitted if appropriate.
The linearity, recovery and precision (repeatability) of methods shall be determined and reported.
Data shall be generated at the LOQ and either the likely residue levels or ten times the LOQ. The LOQ shall be determined and reported for each component included in the monitoring residue definition.
For residues in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and residues in drinking water, the reproducibility of the method shall be determined by means of an independent laboratory validation (ILV) and reported.
Reports in summary form of preliminary tests, including glasshouse and field studies, used to assess the biological activity or dose range finding of the plant protection product and of the active substances it contains, shall be submitted as relevant when requested by the competent authority. These reports shall provide additional information for the competent authority in order to justify the recommended dose of the plant protection product and, where the plant protection product contains more than one active substance, the ratio of the active substances.
The tests shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the level, duration and consistency of control or protection or other intended effects of the plant protection product in comparison to suitable reference products, where they exist.
A trial shall, where possible, consist of the following three components: test product, reference product and untreated control.
The performance of the plant protection product shall be investigated in relation to suitable reference products, where they exist. A plant protection product shall be considered a suitable reference product if it fulfils the following requirements: it is authorised and has proved a sufficient performance in practice under the conditions of the area of intended use (plant health, agricultural, horticultural, forestry, climatic, environmental, as appropriate). The working spectrum, time and method of application, mode of action shall be close to those of the tested plant protection product. If this is not possible, reference product and test product shall be applied according to their specified use.
Plant protection products shall be tested in circumstances where the target harmful organism has been shown to have been present at a level causing or known to cause adverse effects (yield, quality, operational benefit) on an unprotected crop or area or on plants or plant products which have not been treated or where the harmful organism is present at such a level that an evaluation of the plant protection product can be made.
On plant protection products for control of harmful organisms trials shall be performed which show the level of control of the species of harmful organisms concerned or of species representative of groups for which claims are made. Trials shall include the different stages of growth of life cycle of the harmful species, where this is relevant and the different strains or races, where these are likely to show different degrees of susceptibility. Where relevant, these considerations may be addressed in laboratory studies.
Trials to provide data on plant protection products which are plant growth regulators, shall show the level of effects on the species to be treated, and include investigation of differences in the response of a representative sample of the range of cultivars on which its use is proposed.
In order to clarify the dose response, dose rates lower than the recommended one shall be included in some trials in order to enable assessment of whether the recommended rate is the minimum necessary to achieve the desired effect.
The duration of the effects of treatment shall be investigated in relation to the control of the target organism or effect on the treated plants or plant products, as appropriate. When more than one application is recommended for the proposed use pattern of the product, trials shall be reported, which establish the duration of the effects of an application, the number of applications necessary and the desired intervals between them.
Evidence shall be submitted to show that the dose, timing and method of application recommended give adequate control, protection or have the intended effect in the range of circumstances likely to be encountered in practical use.
If there is clear evidence that the performance of the plant protection product is likely to be affected by environmental factors, such as temperature or rain, an investigation of the effects of such factors on performance shall be carried out and reported, particularly where it is known that the performance of chemically related products is so affected.
Where proposed label claims include recommendations for the use of the plant protection product with other plant protection products or adjuvants information on the performance of the mixture shall be provided.
Trials shall be designed to investigate specified issues, to minimise the effects of random variation between different parts of each site and to enable statistical analysis to be applied to results amenable to such analysis. The design, analysis, conduct and reporting of trials shall be in accordance with the specific standards of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), where available. Deviations from available EPPO guidelines, may be acceptable provided the trials design meets the minimum requirements of the relevant EPPO standard, and is fully described and justified. The report shall include a detailed and critical assessment of the data.
A statistical analysis of results amenable to such analysis shall be carried out; where necessary the test guideline used shall be adapted to enable such analysis.
Where relevant, evidence of yield and quality may be required as a demonstration of effectiveness.
Laboratory data and where it exists, field information relating to the occurrence and development of resistance or cross-resistance in populations of harmful organisms to the active substances, or to related active substances, shall be provided. Where such information is not directly relevant to the uses for which authorisation is sought or to be renewed (different species of harmful organism or different crops), it shall, if available, nevertheless be provided in summary form, as it may provide an indication of the likelihood of resistance developing in the target population.
Where there is evidence or information to suggest that, in commercial use, the development of resistance is likely, evidence shall be generated and submitted as to the sensitivity of the population of the harmful organism concerned to the plant protection product. In such cases a management strategy designed to minimise the likelihood of resistance developing in target species shall be provided. This management strategy shall have regard for and refer to any relevant existing strategies and restrictions already in place.
The test shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the performance of the plant protection product and of the possible occurrence of phytotoxicity after treatment with the plant protection product.
For herbicides testing with a dose which is twice the recommended dose shall be required. For other plant protection products for which adverse effects, however transitory, are seen during the trials, performed in accordance with point 6.2, the margins of selectivity on target crops shall be established, using higher doses than the recommended rates of application. Where serious phytotoxic effects are seen, an intermediate application rate shall also be investigated.
Where adverse effects occur, but are claimed to be unimportant in comparison with the benefits of use or transient, evidence to support this claim is required. If necessary, yield measurement shall be submitted.
The safety of a plant protection product to the main cultivars of the main crops for which it is recommended shall be demonstrated, including effects of crop growth stage, vigour, and other factors which may influence susceptibility to damage or injury.
The extent of information necessary on other crops shall reflect their degree of similarity to the main crops already tested, the quantity and quality of data available on those main crops and how far the manner of use of the plant protection product, if relevant, is similar. It is sufficient to perform the test with the main plant protection product type to be authorised.
Where proposed label claims include recommendations for the use of the plant protection product with another plant protection product, this point shall apply to the mixture.
Observations concerning phytotoxicity shall be performed in the tests set out in point 6.2.
Where phytotoxic effects are seen, they shall be accurately assessed and recorded.
A statistical analysis of results amenable to such analysis should be carried out, where necessary the test guideline used shall be adapted to enable such analysis.
The test shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the performance of the plant protection product and of possible occurrence of yield reduction or loss in storage of treated plants or plant products.
The effects of plant protection products on the yield or yield components of treated plant products shall be determined where relevant. When treated plants or plant products are likely to be stored the effect on the yield after storage, including data on storage life, shall be determined where relevant.
Appropriate observations of quality parameters may be required for individual crops (for example cereal grain quality, sugar content). Such information can be gathered from appropriate assessments in trials described under 6.2 and 6.4.1.
Where relevant, taint testing shall be conducted.
Where relevant, tests for effects on transformation processes shall be conducted.
Where relevant, sufficient data and observations shall be provided to permit an evaluation of possible adverse effects of a treatment with the plant protection product on plants or plant products to be used for propagation.
Those data and observations shall be submitted, except where the proposed uses preclude use on crops intended for production of seeds, cuttings, runners, tubers or bulbs for planting, as appropriate.
Sufficient data shall be provided to permit an evaluation of possible adverse effects of a treatment with the plant protection product on succeeding crops.
Where data, generated in accordance with point 9.1, shows that significant residues of the active substance, its metabolites or breakdown products, which have or may have biological activity on succeeding crops, remain in soil or in plant materials, such as straw or organic material up to sowing or planting time of possible succeeding crops, observations shall be submitted on effects on the normal range of succeeding crops.
Sufficient data shall be reported to permit an evaluation of possible adverse effects of a treatment with the plant protection product on other plants, including adjacent crops.
Observations shall be submitted on adverse effects on other plants, including the normal range of adjacent crops, when there are indications that the plant protection product could affect these plants via drift. Sufficient data shall be submitted to demonstrate that residues of the plant protection product do not remain in the application equipment after cleaning, and that there is no risk to subsequently treated crops.
Any effects, positive or negative, on the incidence of other harmful organisms, observed in the tests performed in accordance with the requirements of this Section, shall be reported. Any observed environmental effects shall also be reported, such as effects on wildlife and non-target organisms, and especially effects on beneficial organisms in case of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
The studies, data and information to be provided and evaluated, shall be sufficient to permit the identification of effects following a single exposure to the plant protection product, to be assessed, and in particular to establish, or indicate:
the toxicity of the plant protection product;
toxicity of the plant protection product relative to the active substance;
the time course and characteristics of the effect with full details of behavioural changes and possible gross pathological findings at post-mortem;
where possible the mode of toxic action; and
the relative hazard associated with the different routes of exposure.
While the emphasis shall be on estimating the toxicity ranges involved, the information generated shall also permit the plant protection product to be classified in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, where applicable.
A test for acute oral toxicity shall be carried out, unless the applicant can justify an alternative approach under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. In the latter case, acute oral toxicity of all components shall be provided or reliably predicted with a validated method. Consideration shall be given to the possible effects of components on the toxic potential of the total mixture.
A test for dermal toxicity shall be carried out on a case by case basis, unless the applicant can justify an alternative approach under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. In the latter case, acute dermal toxicity of all components shall be provided or reliably predicted with a validated method. Consideration shall be given to the possible effects of components on the toxic potential of the total mixture.
Findings of severe skin irritation or corrosion in the dermal study may be used instead of performing a specific irritation study.
The study shall provide the inhalation toxicity to rats of the plant protection product or of the smoke it generates.
The study shall be carried out where the plant protection product:
is a gas or liquified gas;
is a smoke generating plant protection product or fumigant;
is used with fogging/misting equipment;
is a vapour releasing plant protection product;
is supplied in an aerosol dispenser;
is in a form of a powder or granules containing a significant proportion of particles of diameter < 50 μm (> 1 % on a weight basis);
is to be applied from aircraft in cases where inhalation exposure is relevant;
contains an active substance with a vapour pressure > 1 × 10–2 Pa and is to be used in enclosed spaces such as warehouses or glasshouses;
is to be applied by spraying.
A study shall not be required if the applicant can justify an alternative approach under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, where applicable. For this purpose, acute inhalation toxicity of all components shall be provided or reliably predicted with a validated method. Consideration shall be given to the possible effects of components on the toxic potential of the total mixture.
The head/nose only exposure shall be used, unless whole body exposure can be justified.
The results of the study shall provide the potential for skin irritancy of the plant protection product including the potential reversibility of the effects observed.
Before undertaking in vivo studies for corrosion/irritation of the plant protection product, a weight-of-evidence analysis shall be performed on the existing relevant data. Where insufficient data are available, they can be developed through application of sequential testing.
The testing strategy shall follow a tiered approach:
the assessment of dermal corrosivity using a validated in vitro test method;
the assessment of dermal irritation using a validated in vitro test method (such as human reconstituted skin models);
an initial in vivo dermal irritation study using one animal, and where no adverse effects are noted;
confirmatory testing using one or two additional animals.
Consideration shall be given to use the dermal toxicity study to provide irritancy information.
Findings of severe skin irritation or corrosion in the dermal study may be used instead of performing a specific irritation study.
The skin irritancy of the plant protection product shall be reported based on the tiered approach, unless the applicant can justify an alternative approach under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. In the latter case, skin irritation properties of all components shall be provided or reliably predicted with a validated method. Consideration shall be given to the possible effects of components on the irritant potential of the total mixture.
The results of the study shall provide the potential for eye irritation of the plant protection product, including the potential reversibility of the effects observed.
Before undertaking in vivo studies for eye corrosion/irritation of the plant protection product, a weight-of-evidence analysis shall be performed on the existing relevant data. Where available data are considered insufficient, further data may be developed through application of sequential testing.
The testing strategy shall follow a tiered approach:
the use of an in vitro dermal irritation/corrosion test to predict eye irritation/corrosion;
the performance of a validated or accepted in vitro eye irritation study to identify severe eye irritants/corrosives (such as BCOP, ICE, IRE, HET-CAM), and where negative results are obtained;
the assessment of eye irritation using an available, in vitro test method validated for plant protection products for identification of non-irritants or irritants, and when not available;
an initial in vivo eye irritation study using one animal, and where no adverse effects are noted;
confirmatory testing using one or two additional animals.
Eye irritation tests shall be provided, unless it is likely that severe effects on the eyes may be produced or the applicant can justify an alternative approach under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. In the latter case, eye irritation properties of all components shall be provided or reliably predicted with a validated method. Consideration shall be given to the possible effects of components on the irritant potential of the total mixture.
The study shall provide information to assess the potential of the plant protection product to provoke skin sensitisation reactions.
The skin sensitisation test shall be carried out unless the active substances or co-formulants are known to have sensitising properties or the applicant can justify an alternative approach under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. In the latter case, skin sensitisation properties of all components shall be provided or reliably predicted with a validated method. Consideration shall be given to the possible effects of components on the sensitising potential of the total mixture.
The local lymph node assay (LLNA) shall be used, including where appropriate the reduced variant of the assay. In case the LLNA cannot be conducted, a justification shall be provided and the Guinea Pig Maximisation Test shall be performed. Where a guinea pig assay (Maximisation or Buehler), meeting OECD guidelines and providing a clear result, is available, further testing shall not be carried out for animal welfare reasons.
Since a skin sensitiser can potentially induce hypersensitivity reaction, potential respiratory sensitisation shall be taken into account when appropriate tests are available or when there are indications of respiratory sensitisation effects.
The need to perform supplementary studies on the plant protection product shall be discussed with the national competent authorities on a case by case basis in the light of the particular parameters to be investigated and the objectives to be achieved (for example for plant protection products containing active substances or other components suspected to have synergistic or additive toxicological effects).
The type of the study shall be adapted to the endpoint of concern.
In cases where the product label includes requirements for use of the plant protection product with other plant protection products or with adjuvants as a tank mix, it may be necessary to carry out studies for a combination of plant protection products or for the plant protection product with adjuvant. The need to perform supplementary studies shall be discussed with the national competent authorities on a case by case basis, taking into account the results of the acute toxicity studies of the individual plant protection products and the toxicological properties of the active substances, the possibility for exposure to the combination of the products concerned, with particular regard to vulnerable groups, and available information or practical experience with the products concerned or similar products.
For the purpose of this Regulation the following definitions apply:
operators are people who are involved in activities relating to the application of a plant protection product, such as mixing, loading, application, or relating to cleaning and maintenance of equipment containing a plant protection product; operators may be professionals or amateurs;
workers are people who, as part of their employment, enter an area that has previously been treated with a plant protection product or who handle a crop that has been treated with a plant protection product;
bystanders are people who casually are located within or directly adjacent to an area where application of a plant protection product is in process or has taken place, but not for the purpose of working on the treated area or with the treated commodity;
residents are people who live, work or attend any institution near to areas that are treated with plant protection products, but not for the purpose of working on the treated area or with the treated commodity.
In cases where the product label includes requirements for use of the plant protection product with other plant protection products or with adjuvants as a tank mix, the exposure assessment shall cover the combined exposure. Cumulative and synergistic effects shall be taken into account and reported in the dossier.
Information shall be provided to permit an assessment of the extent of exposure to the active substances and toxicologically relevant compounds in the plant protection product likely to occur under the proposed conditions of use, taking into account cumulative and synergistic effects. It shall also provide a basis for the selection of the appropriate protective measures including personal protective equipment to be used by operators and to be specified on the label.
An estimation shall be made, using where available a suitable calculation model, in order to permit an evaluation of the operator exposure likely to arise under the proposed conditions of use. Where relevant, this estimation shall take into account cumulative and synergistic effects resulting from the exposure to more than one active substance and toxicologically relevant compounds, including those in the product and tank mix.
An estimation of operator exposure shall always be performed.
An estimation shall be made for each type of application method and application equipment proposed for use of the plant protection product taking account of the requirements resulting from Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, where applicable, for handling the undiluted or diluted product.
The estimation shall address mixing/loading and application, and shall include clean-up activities and routine maintenance of the application equipment. Specific information on local use conditions (types and sizes of containers to be used, application equipment, typical work rates and application rates, spray concentration, field sizes, crop growing climatic conditions) shall be included.
At first an estimation shall be made with the assumption that the operator is not using any personal protective equipment.
Where appropriate, a further estimation shall be made with the assumption that the operator is using effective and readily obtainable protective equipment, which is feasible to be used in practice. Where protective measures are specified on the label, the estimation shall take these into account.
The study shall provide data to permit an evaluation of the operator exposure likely to arise under the specific proposed conditions of use. The study shall be ethically sound.
Exposure data for the relevant exposure routes shall be reported where there are no representative data in available calculation models or where the model-based risk assessment indicates that the relevant reference value is exceeded.
This will be the case, where the results of the estimation of operator exposure in accordance with point 7.2.1.1 indicate that one or both of the following conditions are fulfilled:
the AOEL established in the context of approval of the active substance may be exceeded;
the Limit Values established for the active substance and toxicologically relevant compounds of the plant protection product in accordance with Directive 98/24/EC and Directive 2004/37/EC may be exceeded.
The study shall be done under realistic exposure conditions taking into account the proposed conditions of use.
Information shall be provided to permit an assessment of the extent of exposure to the active substances and toxicologically relevant compounds likely to occur under the proposed conditions of use, taking into account, where relevant, cumulative and synergistic effects. It shall also provide a basis for the selection of appropriate protective measures, including restricted entry intervals, exclusion of residents and bystanders from treatment areas and separation distances.
An estimation shall be made, using where available a suitable calculation model in order to permit an evaluation of the bystander and resident exposure likely to arise under the proposed conditions of use. Where relevant, this estimation shall take into account cumulative and synergistic effects resulting from the exposure to more than one active substance and toxicologically relevant compounds, including those in the product and tank mix.
The applicant shall take into consideration that bystanders can be exposed during or after the application of plant protection products and residents may be exposed to plant protection products, mainly, but not only, by inhalation and dermal route and that infants and toddlers exposure may also occur by the oral route (through hand-mouth transfer).
An estimation of bystander and resident exposure shall always be performed.
An estimation of bystander and resident exposure shall be made for each relevant type of application method. Specific information including maximum total dose and spray concentration shall be included. The estimation shall be made with the assumption that bystanders and residents do not use any personal protective equipment.
The study shall provide data to permit an evaluation of the bystander and resident exposure likely to arise under the specific proposed conditions of use. The study shall be ethically sound.
Exposure data for the relevant exposure routes shall be required where the model based risk assessment indicates that the relevant reference value is exceeded or where there are no representative data in available calculation models.
The study shall be done under realistic exposure conditions taking into account the proposed conditions of use.
Information shall be provided to permit an assessment of the extent of exposure to the active substances and toxicologically relevant compounds in the plant protection product likely to occur under the proposed conditions of use and agricultural practices, taking into account cumulative and synergistic effects. It shall also provide a basis for the selection of appropriate protective measures, including waiting and re-entry periods.
An estimation shall be made using, where available, a suitable calculation model, in order to permit an evaluation of the worker exposure likely to arise under the proposed conditions of use. Where relevant, this estimation shall take into account cumulative and synergistic effects resulting from the exposure to more than one active substance and toxicologically relevant compounds, including those in the product and tank mix.
The estimation of worker exposure shall be completed when such exposure could arise under the proposed conditions of use.
An estimation of worker exposure shall be made for crops and tasks to be carried out. Specific information including description of post-applications activities, exposure duration, application rate, number of applications, minimum spray interval and growth stage, shall be provided. If data on the amount of dislodgeable residues under the proposed conditions of use are not available, default assumptions shall be used.
At first, the estimation shall be made using available data on the exposure to be expected with the assumption that the worker is not using any personal protective equipment. Where appropriate, a second estimation shall be made with the assumption that the worker is using effective and readily obtainable protective equipment which is feasible to be used and will be worn habitually by workers, for example because it was necessitated by other aspects of task being undertaken.
The study shall provide data to permit an evaluation of the worker exposure likely to arise under the proposed conditions of use. The study shall be ethically sound.
Exposure data for the relevant exposure routes shall be reported where the model based risk assessment indicates that the relevant reference value is exceeded or where there are no representative data in available calculation models.
This will be the case, where the results of the estimation of worker exposure in accordance with point 7.2.3.1 indicate that one or both of the following conditions are fulfilled:
the AOEL established in the context of approval of the active substance may be exceeded;
the Limit Values established for the active substance and toxicologically relevant compounds of the plant protection product in accordance with Directive 98/24/EC and Directive 2004/37/EC may be exceeded.
The study shall be done under realistic exposure conditions taking into account the proposed conditions of use.
The studies shall provide a measurement of the absorption through the skin of the active substances and toxicologically relevant compounds in the plant protection product to be authorised.
The study shall be conducted when dermal exposure is a significant exposure route, and no acceptable risk is estimated using default absorption value.
Data from absorption studies, preferably using human skin in vitro, shall be reported.
Studies shall be performed on representative plant protection products at both in use dilution (when applicable) as well as the concentrated form.
In case studies do not correspond with the anticipated exposure situation (for example with regard to the type of co-formulant or the concentration), scientific argument shall be provided before such data can be used with confidence.
Where relevant, the applicant shall submit and assess the following information:
the registration number in accordance with Article 20(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006);
the study summaries included in the technical dossier submitted in accordance with Article 10(a)(vi) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006; and
the safety data sheet referred to in Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
The safety data sheet under point (c) shall also be submitted and assessed for the plant protection product.
Any other available information shall be submitted.
Data and information on residues in or on treated products, food and feed in accordance with Section 6 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 shall be submitted, unless the applicant shows that the data and information already submitted for the active substance can be applied.
which account for more than 10 % of the amount of active substance added,
which account for more than 5 % of the amount of active substance added, in at least two sequential measurements,
for whose individual components (> 5 %) the maximum of formation is not yet reached at the end of the study, in soil, surface in soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment and air, following use as proposed or already occurring.
:
the level of residues in the top layer of the soil and to which non-target soil organisms may be exposed (acute and chronic exposure).
:
the level of residues, in surface water to which non-target organisms may be exposed (acute and chronic exposure).
:
the level of residues, in sediment to which non-target benthic organisms may be exposed (acute and chronic exposure).
:
the level of residues in groundwater.
:
the level of residues in air, to which man, animals and other non-target organisms may be exposed (acute and chronic exposure).
make a best-possible estimation of all relevant processes involved taking into account realistic parameters and assumptions,
where possible be reliably validated with measurements carried out under circumstances relevant for the use of the model,
be relevant to the conditions in the area of use.
Laboratory studies on soil degradation shall provide best possible estimates of the time required for degradation of 50 % and 90 % (DegT50lab and DegT90lab) of the active substance under laboratory conditions.
The persistence and behaviour of plant protection products in soil shall be investigated unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.1.2.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Where it is not possible to extrapolate from anaerobic incubation data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.1.2.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013, an anaerobic degradation study shall be submitted unless the applicant shows that exposure of the plant protection product containing the active substance to anaerobic conditions is unlikely to occur for the intended uses.
Studies on the rate of aerobic degradation of the active substance shall be reported for at least four soils. Soil properties shall be comparable to those used for the aerobic studies performed in accordance with point 7.1.1 and 7.1.2.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013. Reliable DegT50 and 90 values shall be available for a minimum of four different soils.
Studies on the rate of anaerobic degradation of the active substance shall be carried out using the same procedure and comparable soil as for the anaerobic study performed in accordance with point 7.1.1.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
The kinetic formation fraction and degradation rates of potentially relevant metabolites shall be established, in the studies under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions by extension of the study for the active substance, where it is not possible to extrapolate from points 7.1.2.1.2 and 7.1.2.1.4 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
In order to assess the influence of temperature on degradation, a calculation with an adequate Q10 factor or an adequate number of additional studies at a range of temperatures shall be performed.
Reliable DegT50 and 90 values for metabolites, breakdown and reaction products shall be provided for at least three soils from the studies under aerobic conditions.
The soil dissipation studies shall provide best-possible estimates of the time taken for dissipation of 50 % and 90 % (DisT50field and DisT90field) and if possible the time taken for degradation of 50 % and 90 % (DegT50field and DegT90field), of the active substance under field conditions. Where relevant, information on metabolites, breakdown and reaction products shall be reported.
The dissipation and behaviour of plant protection products in soil shall be investigated unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.1.2.2.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Individual studies on a range of representative soils (normally at least four different types at different geographical locations) shall be continued until at least 90% of the amount applied has dissipated from the soil or been transformed to substances that are not the subject of the investigation.
The tests shall provide sufficient data to evaluate the possibility of accumulation of residues of the active substance and of metabolites, breakdown and reaction products.
Soil accumulation studies shall be reported unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.1.2.2.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Long term field studies shall be performed on at least two relevant soils at different geographical locations and involve multiple applications.
In absence of guidance being included in the list referred to under point 6 of the introduction, the type and conditions of the study to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
The information made available shall provide sufficient data to evaluate the mobility and leaching potential of the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products.
The mobility of plant protection products in soil shall be investigated unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained in accordance with the requirements set out in points 7.1.2 and 7.1.3.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
The same provisions as provided under points 7.1.2 and 7.1.3.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 apply.
Lysimeter studies shall be performed, where necessary, to provide information on:
the mobility in soil,
the potential for leaching to ground water,
the potential distribution in soil.
The decision whether lysimeter studies are to be carried out, as an experimental outdoor study in the framework of a tiered leaching assessment scheme shall take into account the results of degradation and mobility studies and the calculated PECGW. The type of study to be conducted shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
These studies shall be performed unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.1.4.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Studies shall cover the realistic worst case situation, and the duration necessary for observation of potential leaching, taking into account the soil type, climatic conditions, the application rate and the frequency and period of application.
Water percolating from soil columns shall be analysed at suitable intervals, while residues in plant material shall be determined at harvest. Residues in the soil profile in at least five layers shall be determined on termination of experimental work. Intermediate sampling shall be avoided, since removal of plants (except for harvesting in accordance with normal agricultural practice) and soil influence the leaching process.
Precipitation, soil and air temperatures shall be recorded at regular intervals, at least on a weekly base.
The depth of the lysimeters shall be at least 100 cm. The soil cores shall be undisturbed. Soil temperatures shall be similar to those pertaining in the field. Where necessary, supplementary irrigation shall be provided to ensure optimal plant growth and to ensure that the quantity of percolation water is similar to that in the regions for which authorisation is sought. When during the study the soil has to be disturbed for agricultural reasons it shall not be disturbed deeper than 25 cm.
Field leaching studies shall be performed, where necessary, to provide information on:
the mobility in soil,
the potential for leaching to ground water,
the potential distribution in soil.
The decision whether field leaching studies are to be carried out, as an experimental outdoor study in the framework of a tiered leaching assessment scheme shall take into account the calculated PECGW and the results of degradation and mobility studies. The type of study to be conducted shall be discussed with the national competent authorities. These studies shall be performed unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.1.4.3 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Studies shall cover the realistic worst case situation, taking into account the soil type, climatic conditions, the application rate and the frequency and period of application.
Water shall be analysed at suitable intervals. Residues in the soil profile in at least five layers shall be determined on termination of experimental work. Intermediate sampling of plant and soil material shall be avoided (except for harvesting in accordance with normal agricultural practice), since removal of plants and soil influence the leaching process.
Precipitation, soil and air temperatures shall be recorded at regular intervals (at least on a weekly base).
Information on the groundwater table in the experimental fields shall be submitted. Depending on the experimental design, a detailed hydrological characterisation of the test field shall be carried out. If soil cracking is observed during the study this shall be fully described.
Attention shall be given to the number and the location of water collection devices. The placement of these devices in the soil shall not result in preferential flow paths.
PECS estimations shall relate both to a single application at the highest rate of application for which authorisation is sought, and to the maximum number at the shortest interval and highest rates of application for which authorisation is sought, and shall be expressed in terms of mg of active substance per kg of dry soil.
The factors which shall be considered in making PECS estimations relate to direct and indirect application to soil, drift, run off, and leaching and include processes such as volatilisation, adsorption, hydrolysis, photolysis, aerobic and anaerobic degradation. Appropriate soil layer depths shall be used depending on the application method and soil cultivation. Where ground cover is present at time of application, the impact of crop interception in reducing soil exposure may be included in estimations.
Initial PECS, immediately after application, shall be provided for the active substance, metabolites, breakdown and reaction products. Appropriate short-term and long-term PECS calculations (time weighted averages) shall be provided for the active substance, metabolites, breakdown and reaction products with respect to data from ecotoxicological studies.
Calculation of plateau concentrations in soil shall be provided where on the basis of soil dissipation studies it is established that DisT90 > one year, and where repeated application is envisaged, whether in the same growing season or in succeeding years.
The persistence and behaviour of plant protection products in open water (freshwater, estuarine and marine) shall be investigated unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.2.2.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
The test shall be reported unless the applicant shows that contamination of open water will not occur.
The rate of degradation and the pathway or pathways shall be reported either for a ‘pelagic’ test system or for a ‘suspended sediment’ system. Where relevant, additional test systems, which differ with respect to organic carbon content, texture or pH shall be used.
Results obtained shall be presented in the form of schematic drawings showing the pathways involved, and in the form of balance sheets which show the distribution of radio-label in water and, where relevant, sediment as a function of time, as between:
active substance;
CO2;
volatile compounds other than CO2;
individual identified transformation products;
extractable substances not identified; and
non-extractable residues in sediment.
The duration of the study shall not exceed 60 days unless the semi-continuous procedure with periodical renewal of the test suspension is applied. However, the period for the batch test may be extended to a maximum of 90 days, if the degradation of the test substance has started within the first 60 days.
The persistence and behaviour of plant protection products in aquatic systems shall be investigated unless it is possible to extrapolate from data obtained on the active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products in accordance with the requirements set out in point 7.2.2.3 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
The test shall be reported unless the applicant shows that contamination of surface water will not occur.
The degradation pathway or pathways shall be reported for two water/sediment systems. The two sediments selected shall differ with respect to organic carbon content and texture, and where relevant, with respect to pH.
Results obtained shall be presented in the form of schematic drawings showing the pathways involved, and in the form of balance sheets which show the distribution of radio-label in water and sediment as a function of time, as between:
active substance;
CO2;
volatile compounds other than CO2;
individual identified transformation products;
extractable substances not identified; and
non-extractable residues in sediment.
The duration of the study shall be at least 100 days. It shall be longer where this is necessary to establish the degradation pathway and water/sediment distribution pattern of the active substance and its metabolites, breakdown and reaction products. If more than 90% of the active substance is degraded before the period of 100 days expires, the test duration may be shorter.
The degradation pattern of potentially relevant metabolites occurring within the water/sediment study shall be established by extension of the study for the active substance, when it is not possible to extrapolate from point 7.2.2.3 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
If photochemical degradation is of importance, a water/sediment study under influence of a light/dark regime may additionally be reported.
The type and conditions of the study to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
The groundwater contamination routes shall be defined taking into account relevant agricultural, plant health, and environmental (including climatic) conditions.
PECGW estimations shall relate to the maximum number and highest rates of application, at the shortest interval, and to the time of application for which authorisation is sought.
Relevant EU groundwater models shall be run. Where specific crops and circumstances are relevant, specific scenarios for typical use situations for the regions of use, for the respective crop or other situation of use shall be used. In case the behaviour in soil is dependent on soil parameters, respective parameters on degradation and adsorption in soil (DegT50 and Koc values) reflecting this dependency shall be used. If identified metabolites, breakdown or reaction products are found to occur in concentrations above 0,1 μg/L in the leachate, an assessment of their relevance shall be required.
Suitable estimations (calculations) of predicted environmental concentration in groundwater PECGW, of active substance shall be submitted, unless it is clearly evident from the data on degradation or adsorption, taking worst case values, that leaching would be negligible under the intended areas of use.
For all metabolites, breakdown or reaction products identified as a part of the residue definition for risk assessment with respect to groundwater (see point 7.4.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013) a PECGW calculation shall be required for assessing their relevance.
Where identified metabolites, breakdown or reaction products are found to occur in concentrations above 0,1 μg/L in the leachate, an assessment of their relevance shall be required.
The need to perform additional field tests and the type and conditions of the tests to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
The surface water and sediment contamination routes shall be defined taking into account relevant agricultural, plant health, and environmental (including climatic) conditions. Suitable estimations (calculations) of predicted environmental concentration in surface water PECSW and sediment PECSED of active substance shall be submitted, unless the applicant shows that contamination will not occur. PECSW and PECSED estimations shall relate to the maximum number and highest rates of application, at the shortest interval, for which authorisation is sought, and be relevant to ditches, ponds, and streams.
Relevant EU surface water modelling tools shall be run. The factors which shall be considered in making PECSW and PECSED estimations relate to direct application to water, drift, run-off, discharge via drains and atmospheric deposition, and include processes such as volatilisation, adsorption, advection, hydrolysis, photolysis, biodegradation, sedimentation and re-suspension, and transfer between water and sediment. Initial maximum concentration following an application (global maximum), short-term and long-term PECSW calculations for relevant water bodies (time weighted averages) shall be provided. Corresponding initial maximum concentration following an application (global maximum), short-term and long-term PECSED calculations for relevant water bodies (time weighted averages) shall also be provided. These PEC values shall be provided for the active substance and all metabolites, breakdown and reaction products identified as a part of the residue definition for the risk assessment with respect to surface water and sediment. They shall be used to complete risk assessments, through a comparison with the endpoints derived from data from ecotoxicological studies.
Short-term and long-term PECSW and corresponding short-term and long-term PECSED calculations for relevant static water bodies (ponds; time weighted averages) and for relevant slow moving water bodies (ditches and streams; time weighted averages), shall be calculated with the aid of a moving time-window. Appropriate time windows with respect to data from ecotoxicological studies shall be applied.
The need to perform additional higher tier tests and the type and conditions of the tests to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
If the trigger for volatilisation, Vp = 10– 5 Pa (for volatilisation from plant) or 10– 4 Pa (for volatilisation from soil) at a temperature of 20 °C is exceeded and (drift) mitigation measures are required to reduce exposure to non-target organisms, model calculations of off-site deposition (PEC) originating from volatilisation shall be provided. The volatilisation term (PEC) shall be added into the relevant risk assessment procedures for PECS and PECSW. The calculation may be refined using data from confined experiments. Where relevant, laboratory, wind-tunnel or field experiments to determine PECS from deposition following volatilisation and mitigation measures shall be provided.
Suitable estimations (calculations) of predicted environmental concentration, of active substance and metabolites, breakdown and reaction products shall be submitted unless the applicant shows that contamination will not occur in case of exposure by other routes, such as:
deposition of dust containing plant protection products by drift during sowing,
indirect exposure of surface water via a sewage treatment plant (STP) after application of a plant protection product in storage rooms, and
amenity use.
PEC estimations shall relate to the maximum number and highest rates of application, at the shortest interval, for which authorisation is sought, and be relevant to the relevant environmental compartments.
The type of information to be provided shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
Tests and studies conducted using the plant protection product as test material necessary to assess the toxicity of the active substance shall be reported in the context of the relevant data requirement concerning the active substance.
For the estimation of exposure of organisms, all information on the plant protection product and on the active substance shall be taken into account. A tiered approach shall start with default worst-case parameters for exposure and be followed by a parameter refinement based on the identification of representative organisms. Where relevant, the parameters set out in this Section shall be used. Where it appears from available data that the plant protection product is more toxic than the active substance, the toxicity data for the plant protection product shall be used for the calculation of appropriate risk quotients (see point 8 of this introduction).
Existing acceptable studies that have been designed to generate a NOEC shall not be repeated. An assessment of the statistical power of the NOEC derived from those studies shall be carried out.
Possible risks to birds shall be investigated if the toxicity of the plant protection product cannot be predicted on the basis of the data for the active substance, except, for example, where the plant protection product is used in enclosed spaces or for wound-healing treatments where birds will experience neither direct nor secondary exposure.
In the case of pellets, granules or treated seeds the amount of active substance in each pellet, granule or seed shall be reported as well as the size, weight and shape of pellets or granules. From that data, the number as well as the weight of pellets, granules or seeds required to achieve the LD50 (12) shall be calculated and reported as well.
In the case of baits the concentration of as in the bait (mg active substance/kg) shall be reported.
A risk assessment for birds shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant risk quotient analysis.
The acute oral toxicity of the plant protection product shall be investigated if toxicity cannot be predicted on the basis of the data for the active substance, or where results from mammalian testing give evidence of higher toxicity of the plant protection product compared to the active substance, unless the applicant shows that it is not likely that birds are exposed to the plant protection product itself.
The test shall provide, where possible, LD50 values, the lethal threshold dose, time courses of response and recovery, the No Observed Effect Level (NOEL), and shall include gross pathological findings. Study design shall be optimised for the achievement of an accurate LD50 rather than for any secondary endpoint.
The study shall be conducted on the species used in the study referred to in point 8.1.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
The highest dose used in tests shall not exceed 2 000 mg active substance/kg body weight, however, depending on the expected exposure levels in the field following the intended use of the compound, higher doses may be required.
Higher tier studies on birds shall be conducted where the first tiers of the risk assessment do not demonstrate that risk is acceptable.
Possible risks to vertebrate species other than birds shall be investigated except when the test substance is included in plant protection products used, for example, in enclosed spaces and wound-healing treatments where vertebrate species other than birds will experience neither direct nor secondary exposure.
Experimental testing of vertebrates shall only be carried out where the data required for risk assessment cannot be derived from the data generated in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 5 and 7 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
An acute and reproductive risk assessment for terrestrial vertebrates other than birds shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant risk quotient analysis.
If exposure to the formulation is considered possible and the toxicity cannot be predicted on the basis of the data for the active substance, data on the acute oral toxicity of the plant protection product from the mammalian toxicological assessment shall also be considered (see point 5.8 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013).
Higher tier studies on mammals shall be conducted where the first tiers of the risk assessment do not demonstrate that risk is acceptable.
Where it cannot be predicted from the active substance data and, if relevant, the risk to amphibians and reptiles from plant protection products shall be addressed. The type and conditions of the studies to be provided shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
Possible effects on aquatic species (fish, aquatic invertebrates, algae and in the case of herbicides and plant growth regulators, aquatic macrophytes) shall be investigated except where the possibility that aquatic species will be exposed can be ruled out.
A risk assessment for aquatic organisms shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant risk quotient analysis.
Testing shall be performed where:
the acute toxicity of the plant protection product cannot be predicted on the basis of the data for the active substance; or
the intended use includes direct application on water;
extrapolation on the basis of available data for a similar plant protection product is not possible.
Tests shall be carried out on one species from each of the three/four groups of aquatic organisms, that is to say fish, aquatic invertebrates, algae and, where relevant, macrophytes as referred to in point 8.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013, if the plant protection product itself may contaminate water.
However, where the available information permits to conclude that one of these groups is clearly more sensitive, tests on only the relevant group shall be performed.
If the plant protection product contains two or more active substances, and the most sensitive taxonomic groups for the individual active substances are not the same, testing on all three/four aquatic groups, that is to say fish, aquatic invertebrates, algae and, where relevant macrophytes, shall be required.
The relevant provisions as under points 8.2.1, 8.2.4, 8.2.6 and 8.2.7 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 apply. In order to minimise fish testing a threshold approach shall be considered for testing acute toxicity in fish (see point 8.2.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013)
The studies referred to in points 8.2.2 and 8.2.5 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 shall be conducted for particular plant protection products, where it is not possible to extrapolate from data obtained in the corresponding studies on the active substance (for example the plant protection product is more acutely toxic than the active substance as manufactured by a factor of 10), unless it is demonstrated that exposure will not occur.
If chronic toxicity studies with the plant protection product are required, the type and conditions of the studies to be provided shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
The studies referred to in point 8.2.8 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 may be required for particular plant protection products where it is not possible to extrapolate from data obtained in the corresponding studies for the active substance or another plant protection product.
The possible effects on bees shall be investigated except where the plant protection product is for exclusive use in situations where bees are not likely to be exposed such as:
food storage in enclosed spaces;
non-systemic plant protection products for application to soil, except granules;
non-systemic dipping treatments for transplanted crops and bulbs;
wound sealing and healing treatments;
non-systemic rodenticidal baits;
use in greenhouses without bees as pollinators.
Testing shall be required if:
the plant protection product contains more than one active substance,
the toxicity of a plant protection product cannot be reliably predicted to be either the same or lower than the active substance tested, in accordance with the requirements set out in points 8.3.1 and 8.3.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
For seed treatments the risk from drift of dust during drilling of the treated seed shall be taken into account. As regards granules and slug pellets the risk from drift of dust during application shall be taken into account. If the plant protection product is systemic and to be used on seeds, bulbs, roots, applied directly to soil, for example sprayed on to soil, granules/pellets applied to soil, irrigation water, or applied directly to or into the plant, for example by spraying or stem injection, then the risk to bees foraging those plants shall be assessed, including the risk deriving from residues of the plant protection product in nectar, pollen and water, including guttation.
Where bees are likely to be exposed, testing by both acute (oral and contact) and chronic toxicity, including sub-lethal effects, shall be conducted.
Where exposure of bees to residues in nectar, pollen or water resulting from systemic properties of the active substance may occur and where the acute oral toxicity is < 100 μg/bee or a considerable toxicity for larvae occurs, residues concentrations in these matrices shall be provided and the risk assessment shall be based on a comparison of the relevant endpoint with those residue concentrations. If this comparison indicates that an exposure to toxic levels cannot be excluded, effects shall be investigated with higher tier tests.
Where bee acute testing with the plant protection product is required, both acute oral and contact toxicity tests shall be conducted.
A test for acute oral toxicity shall be provided establishing the acute LD50 values together with the NOEC. Sub-lethal effects, if observed, shall be reported.
Results shall be presented in terms of μg plant protection product/bee.
A test for acute contact toxicity shall be provided establishing the acute LD50 values together with the NOEC. Sub-lethal effects, if observed, shall be reported.
Results shall be presented in terms of μg plant protection product/bee.
A test for chronic toxicity to bees shall be provided establishing the chronic oral EC10, EC20, EC50 together with the NOEC. Where the chronic oral EC10, EC20, EC50 cannot be estimated, an explanation shall be provided. Sub-lethal effects, if observed, shall be reported.
The test shall be carried out where bees are likely to be exposed.
Results shall be presented in terms of μg plant protection product/bee.
A bee brood study shall be conducted to determine effects on honey bee development and brood activity.
The bee brood test shall provide sufficient information to evaluate possible risks from the plant protection product on honey bee larvae.
The test shall provide the EC10, EC20 and EC50 for adult bees/larvae (or an explanation if they cannot be estimated) together with the NOEC. Sub-lethal effects, if observed, shall be reported.
Tests investigating sub-lethal effects, such as behavioural and reproductive effects, on bees and, where applicable, on colonies may be required.
The test shall provide sufficient information to evaluate:
possible risks from the plant protection product for bee survival and behaviour, and
impact on bees resulting from feeding on contaminated honey dew or flowers.
Sub-lethal effects shall be addressed, if necessary, by carrying out specific tests (for example foraging behaviour).
When acute or chronic effects on colony survival and development cannot be ruled out, further testing shall be required especially if effects are observed in the honeybee brood feeding test (see point 8.3.1.3 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013) or if there are indications for indirect effects such as delayed action, effects on juvenile stages, or modification of bee behaviour; or other effects such as prolonged residual effects; in those cases cage/tunnel tests shall be carried out and reported.
The test shall be carried out using healthy queen-right honey bee colonies in which pathogens are low and regularly monitored.
The test shall have an adequate statistical power and shall provide sufficient information to evaluate possible risks from the plant protection product on bee behaviour, colony survival and development.
Sub-lethal effects shall be addressed, if necessary by carrying out specific tests (for example homing flight).
When acute or chronic effects on colony survival and development cannot be ruled out, further testing shall be required if:
effects are observed in the honeybee brood feeding test (see point 8.3.1.3 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013), or
there are indications for indirect effects such as delayed action, effects on juvenile stages, or modification of bee behaviour or other effects such as prolonged residual effects.
In those cases field tests shall be carried out.
The test shall be carried out using healthy queen-right honey bee colonies in which pathogens are low and regularly monitored.
The design of higher tier studies to be used shall be discussed with the relevant competent authorities.
Effects on non-target terrestrial arthropods shall be investigated for all plant protection products except where plant protection products containing the active substance are for exclusive use in situations where non-target arthropods are not exposed such as:
food storage in enclosed spaces that preclude exposure;
wound sealing and healing treatments;
enclosed spaces with rodenticidal baits.
Testing shall be required if:
the plant protection product contains more than one active substance,
the toxicity of a plant protection product cannot be reliably predicted to be either the same or lower than the active substance tested, in accordance with the requirements set out in point 8.3.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
For plant protection products, two indicator species, the cereal aphid parasitoid Aphidius rhopalosiphi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) shall be tested. Initial testing shall be performed using glass plates, and both mortality and effects on reproduction (if assessed) shall be reported. Testing shall determine a rate-response relationship and LR50 (13), ER50 (14) and NOEC endpoints shall be reported for assessment of the risk to these species in accordance with the relevant risk quotient analysis.
For a plant protection product containing an active substance suspected of having a special mode of action (for example insect growth regulators, insect feeding inhibitors) additional tests involving sensitive life stages, special routes of uptake or other modifications, may be required. The rationale for the choice of test species used shall be provided.
Testing shall provide sufficient information to evaluate the toxicity (mortality) of the plant protection product to arthropods in the in-field as well as in the off-field area.
The test shall provide sufficient information to evaluate the toxicity of the plant protection product to the two indicator species (Aphidius rhopalosiphi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Typhlodromus pyri) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in accordance with the relevant risk quotient analysis.
Where adverse effects are indicated, testing using higher tier studies shall be required (see points 10.3.2.2 to 10.3.2.5) for further details. In higher tier assessment the risk quotient analysis used for standard laboratory non-target arthropod testing is not appropriate.
The tests shall provide sufficient information to evaluate the risk of the plant protection product for arthropods using a more realistic test substrate or exposure regime.
Further testing shall be required where effects are seen following laboratory testing in accordance with the requirements set out in point 10.3.2.1 and where the relevant risk quotient analysis indicates a risk to the standard indicator non-target arthropod species.
Firstly, the indicator species affected in standard Tier 1 laboratory testing (point 10.3.2.1) shall be tested. In addition, where an in-field risk is indicated to one or both standard indicator species, testing of one additional species shall be required. Where an off-field risk to the standard indicator species is indicated, testing of one further additional species shall be required.
An aged residue study shall be conducted with the most sensitive species to give information on the time scale needed for potential re-colonisation of treated in-field areas.
Extended laboratory studies shall be carried out under controlled environmental conditions, by exposing laboratory-reared test organisms, or field collected specimens, to fresh and dried pesticide deposits applied to natural substrates, for example leaves, plants or natural soil under laboratory or field conditions.
Aged residue studies shall assess the duration of effects on in-field non-target arthropods. They shall involve ageing of plant protection product deposits under field conditions (use of rain protection may be advisable), with exposure of the test organisms on treated leaves or plants either in the laboratory, under semi-field conditions or a combination of both (such as mortality assessment under semi-field conditions and reproduction assessment under laboratory conditions).
The tests shall provide sufficient information to evaluate the risk of the plant protection product for arthropods taking field conditions into account.
Where effects are seen following laboratory testing in accordance with the requirements set out in point 8.3.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 or point 10.3.2 of this Annex (for example relevant trigger values are breached), semi-field testing shall be required.
The tests shall be conducted under representative agricultural conditions and in accordance with the proposed recommendations for use, resulting in a realistic worst case study.
In semi-field testing the results from lower tier testing as well as the specific questions to be addressed shall be taken in to account. In the selection of species for semi-field testing, the results from lower tier testing as well as the specific questions to be addressed shall be taken into account.
Testing shall include lethal and sub-lethal endpoints (for example integrated parameters in field studies), but such endpoints shall be interpreted with care since they are subject to high variability.
The tests shall provide sufficient information to evaluate the risk of the plant protection product for arthropods taking field conditions into account.
Where effects are seen following testing in accordance with the requirements set out in point 8.3.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 or in accordance with points 10.3.2.2 or 10.3.2.3 of this Annex, and where the relevant risk quotient analysis indicates a risk to non-target arthropods, field testing shall be required.
The tests shall be conducted under representative agricultural conditions and in accordance with the proposed recommendations for use, resulting in a realistic worst case study.
Field trials shall allow the determination of short- and long-term effects on naturally occurring arthropod populations of a plant protection product following application in accordance with the proposed use pattern for the plant protection product under normal agricultural conditions.
Where for particular arthropods (such as pollinators and herbivores) testing conducted in accordance with points 10.3.1 and 10.3.2.1 to 10.3.2.4 is not appropriate, additional specific testing shall be required, where there are indications that exposure by routes other than by contact occur (for example plant protection products containing active substances with systemic activity). Before undertaking such testing, the proposed design to be used shall be discussed with the relevant competent authorities.
The possible impact on earthworms shall be reported unless the applicant shows that it is not likely that earthworms are exposed, directly or indirectly.
A risk assessment for earthworm shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant risk quotient analysis.
The test shall provide information on the effects on growth and reproduction of the earthworm.
The sub-lethal toxicity of a plant protection product to earthworms shall be investigated if the relevant criteria as defined in point 8.4.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 are met, and the toxicity of the plant protection product cannot be predicted on the basis of the data for the active substance, unless the applicant shows that no exposure occurs.
Testing shall determine a dose-response relationship and the EC10, EC20 and NOEC shall enable the risk assessment to be conducted in accordance with the appropriate risk quotient analysis, taking into account likely exposure, the organic carbon content (foc) of the test medium and the lipophilic properties (Kow) of the test substance. The test substance shall be incorporated into the soil to obtain a homogenous soil concentration. Testing with soil metabolites may be avoided if there is analytical evidence to indicate that the metabolite is present at an adequate concentration and duration in the study conducted with the parent active substance.
The test shall provide sufficient data to evaluate effects on earthworms under field conditions.
Where the relevant risk quotient analysis indicates a chronic risk to earthworms a field study to determine effects under practical field conditions shall be conducted and reported as an option for refined risk assessment.
The study design shall reflect the proposed use of the plant protection product, the environmental conditions likely to arise and species that will be exposed.
If a study is to be used for risk assessment in relation to metabolites, their concentrations occurring shall be confirmed analytically.
Effects on soil organisms (other than earthworms) shall be investigated for all plant protection products, except in situations where soil organisms are not exposed such as:
food storage in enclosed spaces that preclude exposure;
wound sealing and healing treatments;
enclosed spaces with rodenticidal baits.
Testing shall be required if:
the plant protection product contains more than one active substance,
the toxicity of a plant protection product cannot be reliably predicted to be either the same or lower than the active substance tested in accordance with point 8.4.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
For plant protection products applied as a foliar spray, data on the relevant two non target arthropod species might be taken into account for a preliminary risk assessment. If effects do occur on either species, testing on Folsomia candida and Hypoaspis aculeifer shall be required (see point 10.4.2.1).
If data on Aphidius rhopalosiphi and Typhlodromus pyri are not available then the data outlined in point 10.4.2.1 shall be required.
For plant protection products applied as soil treatments directly to soil either as a spray or as a solid formulation, then testing shall be required on both Folsomia candida and Hypoaspis aculeifer (see point 10.4.2.1).
The test shall provide sufficient information to perform an assessment of the toxicity of the plant protection product to the soil invertebrate indicator species Folsomia candida and Hypoaspis aculeifer.
Testing shall determine a dose-response relationship and the EC10, EC20 and NOEC shall enable the risk assessment to be conducted in accordance with the appropriate risk quotient analysis, taking into account likely exposure, the organic carbon content (foc) of the test medium and the lipophilic properties (Kow) of the active substance in the plant protection product. The plant protection product shall be incorporated into the soil to obtain a homogenous soil concentration.
The tests shall provide sufficient information to evaluate the risk of the plant protection product for soil organisms (other than earthworms) using a more realistic test substrate or exposure regime.
Further testing shall be required where significant effects are seen following laboratory testing in accordance with the requirements set out in point 8.4.2.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 or in accordance with point 10.4.2.1 of this Annex and where risk is indicated following the relevant risk quotient analysis.
The need to perform such studies and the type and conditions of the studies to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
Higher-tier tests may take the form of community/population studies (for example. terrestrial model ecosystems, soil mesocosms) or field studies. Timing, levels and routes of exposure shall reflect those of the proposed use of the plant protection product. Key effect end-points include: changes in community and population structure of both micro and macro-organisms; species diversity; number and biomass of key species/groups.
The test shall provide sufficient data to evaluate the impact of the plant protection products on soil microbial activity in terms of nitrogen transformation.
The effects of plant protection products on soil microbial function shall be investigated if the toxicity of the plant protection product cannot be predicted on the basis of data for the active substance, unless the applicant shows that no exposure occurs.
The effects of plant protection products on non-target plants shall be reported, if the toxicity of the plant protection product cannot be predicted on the basis of the data for the active substance, unless the applicant shows that no exposure occurs.
Screening data shall be required for plant protection products other than those exhibiting herbicidal or plant growth regulator activity, and if the toxicity cannot be established from data on the active substance (point 8.6.1 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013). The data shall include testing from at least six plant species from six different families including both mono- and dicotyledons. The tested concentrations/rates shall be equal or higher than the maximum recommended application rate. If screening studies do not cover the specified range of species or the concentrations/rates necessary, then tests in accordance with point 10.6.2 shall be carried out.
Data are not required, where exposure is negligible, for example in the case of rodenticides, active substances used for wound protection or seed treatment, or in the case of active substances used on stored products or in glasshouses where exposure is precluded.
A summary of available data from tests used to assess biological activity and dose range finding studies, whether positive or negative, which may provide information with respect to possible impact on other non-target flora, shall be provided, together with an assessment as to the potential impact on non-target plant species.
These data shall be supplemented by further information, in summary form, on the observed effects on plants during the course of field testing, namely efficacy, residues, environmental fate and ecotoxicological field studies.
The test shall provide the ER50 values of the plant protection product to non-target plants.
Studies of effects on non-target plants shall be required for herbicide and plant growth regulator plant protection products and for other plant protection products, where risk cannot be predicted from screening data (see point 10.6.1) or when the risk cannot be reliably predicted on the basis of the active substance data generated in accordance with point 8.6.2 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
For all granules risk from drift of dust during time of application shall be considered.
Data shall not be required, where exposure is not likely (such as in the case of rodenticides, active substances used for wound protection or seed treatment, or in the case of active substances used on stored products or in glasshouses where exposure is precluded).
The test substance used shall be the plant protection product concerned or another relevant formulation, containing the active substance, and other relevant co-formulants.
For plant protection products that exhibit herbicidal or plant growth regulator activity, vegetative vigour and seedling emergence concentration/response tests shall be required for at least six species, representing families for which herbicidal/plant growth regulatory action has been found. Where, from the mode of action, it can be clearly established that either seedling emergence or vegetative vigour is only affected, only the relevant study shall be conducted.
Dose-response tests on a selection of 6 to 10 monocotyledon and dicotyledon plant species representing as many taxonomic groups as possible shall be required.
Where on the basis of screening data or other available information, a specific mode of action is evident, or significant differences in species sensitivities are identified, that information shall be used in the selection of the relevant test species.
If as a result of conducting studies in accordance with points 10.6.1 and 10.6.2 and carrying out a risk assessment, a high risk has been identified, an extended laboratory study on non-target plants addressing lower tier concerns may be required by the national competent authorities. The study shall provide information regarding the potential effects of the plant protection product on non-target plants following a more realistic exposure.
The type and conditions of the study to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
Semi-field and field tests to study effects observed on non-target plants following realistic application may be submitted as a basis for a refined risk assessment. Testing shall address effects on plant abundance and biomass production at varying distances from the crop or at exposure levels representing varying distances from the crop.
The type and conditions of the study to be performed shall be discussed with the national competent authorities.
Any available data on the effects of the plant protection product on other terrestrial organisms shall be submitted.
Available monitoring data concerning effects of the plant protection product to non-target organisms shall be reported.
A summary of all relevant data from the scientific peer reviewed open literature on the active substance, metabolites and breakdown or reaction products and plant protection products containing the active substance shall be submitted.
Proposals for the classification and labelling of the plant protection product in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, where applicable, shall be submitted and justified, including:
pictograms,
signal words,
hazard statements, and
precautionary statements.
The term ‘micro-organism’ as defined in the introduction of part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013, also applies to the Part B of this Annex.
The information provided, taken together with that provided for the micro-organism(s), must be sufficient to precisely identify and define preparations. The information and data referred to, unless otherwise specified, are required for all plant protection products. This is with the view to identify if any factor could alter the properties of the micro-organism as a plant protection product in comparison to the micro-organism as such, which is treated in Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
The name and address of the applicant must be provided as must the name, position, telephone and fax number of the appropriate person to contact.
Where, in addition, the applicant has an office, agent or representative in the Member State in which the authorisation is being sought, the name and address of the local office, agent or representative shall be provided, as shall the name, position, telephone and fax number of the appropriate person to contact.
The name and address of the manufacturer of the preparation and of each micro-organism in the preparation must be provided as must the name and address of each manufacturing plant in which the preparation and micro-organism are manufactured.
A contact point (preferable a central contact point, to include name, telephone and fax numbers) must be provided for each manufacturer.
If the micro-organism originates from a producer from which data in accordance with Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 had not been submitted previously, detailed information on the name and species description, as required in point 1.3 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 and on impurities, as required in point 1.4 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 have to be provided.
All former and current trade names and proposed trade names and development code numbers of the preparation referred to in the dossier as well as the current names and numbers must be provided. Full detail of any differences must be provided. (The proposed trade name must not give rise to confusion with the trade name of already authorised plant protection products.)
the content of the micro-organism(s) in the plant protection product and the content of the micro-organism in the material used for manufacturing of plant protection products. These must include the maximum, minimum and nominal content of the viable and non-viable material,
the content of co-formulants,
the content of other components (such as by-products, condensates, culture medium, etc.) and contaminating micro-organisms, derived from production process.
The contents shall be expressed in terms as provided for in Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(16) for chemicals and appropriate terms for micro-organisms (number of active units per volume or weight or any other manner that is relevant to the micro-organism).
adhesive (sticker),
antifoaming agent,
antifreeze,
binder,
buffer,
carrier,
deodorant,
dispersing agent,
dye,
emetic,
emulsifier,
fertiliser,
odorant,
perfume,
preservative,
propellant,
repellent,
safener,
solvent,
stabiliser,
synergist,
thickener,
wetting agent
miscellaneous (specify).
Contaminating micro-organisms must be identified as outlined in point 1.3 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Chemicals (inert components, by-products, etc.) must be identified as outlined in point 1.10 of Part A of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
Where the information provided does not fully identify a component, such as condensate, culture medium, etc., detailed information on the composition must be provided for each such component.
The type and code of preparation must be designated in accordance with the ‘Catalogue of pesticide formulation types and international coding system (GIFAP Technical Monograph No 2, 1989)’.
Where a particular preparation is not defined precisely in that catalogue, a full description of the physical nature and state of the preparation must be provided, together with a proposal for a suitable description of the type of preparation and a proposal for its definition.
The biological function must be specified from among the following:
control of bacteria,
control of fungi,
control of insects,
control of mites,
control of molluscs,
control of nematodes,
control of weeds,
other (must be specified).
The extent to which plant protection products for which authorisation is sought comply with relevant FAO specifications, as agreed by the Group of Experts on Pesticide Specification of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Specifications, Registration Requirements and Application Standards, must be stated. Divergences from FAO specifications must be described in detail, and justified.
A description of both the colour and odour, if any, and the physical state of the preparation, must be provided.
Effect of exposure to air, packaging, etc., on the product stability must be explored.
Explosivity and oxidising properties will be determined as defined in point 2.2 of Part A of this Annex, unless it can be justified that it is technically or scientifically not necessary to perform such studies.
Flash point and flammability must be determined, as defined in point 2.3 of Part A of this Annex, unless it can be justified that it is technically or scientifically not necessary to perform such studies.
Acidity, alkalinity and pH will be determined as defined in point 2.4 of Part A of this Annex, unless it can be justified that it is technically or scientifically not necessary to perform such studies.
Viscosity and surface tension will be determined as defined in point 2.5 of Part A of this Annex, unless it can be justified that it is technically or scientifically not necessary to perform such studies.
The technical characteristics of the preparation must be determined to permit a decision to be made as to its acceptability. If tests have to be performed, they must be done at temperatures compatible with survival of the micro-organism.
The wettability of solid preparations which are diluted for use (e.g. wettable powders and water dispersible granules), must be determined and reported in accordance with CIPAC Method MT 53.3.
The persistence of foaming of preparations to be diluted with water, must be determined and reported in accordance with CIPAC Method MT 47.
The suspensibility of water dispersible products (e.g. wettable powders, water dispersible granules, suspension concentrates) must be determined and reported in accordance with CIPAC Method MT 15, MT 161 or MT 168 as appropriate.
The spontaneity of dispersion of water dispersible products (e.g. suspension concentrates and water dispersible granules) must be determined and reported in accordance with CIPAC Methods MT 160 or MT 174 as appropriate.
In order to ensure that dustable powders have a suitable particle size distribution for ease of application, a dry sieve test must be conducted and reported in accordance with CIPAC Method MT 59.1.
In the case of water dispersible products, a wet sieve test must be conducted and reported in accordance with CIPAC Method MT 59.3 or MT 167 as appropriate.
The nominal size range of granules for direct application must be determined and reported in accordance with CIPAC MT 58.3, for water dispersible granules in accordance with CIPAC MT 170.
The physical compatibility of recommended tank mixes must be determined and reported.
The chemical compatibility of recommended tank mixes must be determined and reported except where examination of the individual properties of the preparations would establish beyond reasonable doubt that there is no possibility of reaction taking place. In such cases it is sufficient to provide that information as justification for not practically determining the chemical compatibility.
The biological compatibility of tank mixes must be determined and reported. Effects (e.g. antagonism, fungicidal effects) on the activity of the micro-organism after mixing with other micro-organisms or chemicals must be described. The possible interaction of the plant protection product with other chemical products to be applied on the crops under the expected condition of use of the preparation shall be investigated, based on the efficacy data. Intervals between application of the biological pesticide and chemical pesticides shall be specified, if appropriate, in order to avoid loss of efficacy.
In the case of preparations for seed treatment, both distribution and adhesion must be investigated and reported; in the case of distribution in accordance with CIPAC Method MT 175.
The field(s) of use, existing and proposed, for preparations containing the micro-organism must be specified from among the following:
field use, such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry and viticulture,
protected crops (e.g. in glasshouses),
amenity,
weed control on non-cultivated areas,
home gardening,
house plants,
stored products,
other (specify).
The way by which uptake of the product may occur (e.g. contact, stomach, inhalation) or the pest controlling action (fungitoxic, fungistatic action, nutrient competition, etc.) must be stated.
It must also be stated whether or not the product is translocated in plants and, where relevant, if such translocation is apoplastic, symplastic or both.
Details of the intended use, e.g. types of harmful organisms controlled and/or plants or plant products to be protected, must be provided.
Intervals between the application of the plant protection product containing micro-organisms and chemical pesticides, or a list with active substances of chemical plant protection products not to be used together with the plant protection product containing micro-organisms on the same crop, shall also be provided.
For each method of application and each use, the rate of application per unit (ha, m2, m3) treated, in terms of g or kg or l for the preparation and in terms of appropriate units for the micro-organism, must be provided.
Application rates shall normally be expressed in g or kg/ha or in kg/m3 and where appropriate in g or kg/tonne; for protected crops and home gardening use rates shall be expressed in g or kg/100 m2 or g or kg/m3.
The content of micro-organism shall be reported, as appropriate, in number of active unit/ml or g or any other relevant unit.
The method of application proposed must be described fully, indicating the type of equipment to be used, if any, as well as the type and volume of diluent to be used per unit of area or volume.
The maximum number of applications to be used and their timing, must be reported. Where relevant the growth stages of the crop or plants to be protected and the development stages of the harmful organisms, must be indicated. Where possible and necessary the interval between applications, in days, must be stated.
The duration of protection afforded both by each application and by the maximum number of applications to be used, must be indicated.
Where relevant, minimum waiting periods between last application and sowing or planting of succeeding crops, which are necessary to avoid phytopathogenic effects on succeeding crops, must be stated, and follow from the data provided under Section 6, point 6.6.
Limitations on choice of succeeding crops, if any, must be stated.
The proposed instructions for use of the preparation, to be printed on labels and leaflets, must be provided.
Cleaning procedures for both application equipment and protective clothing must be described in detail. The effectiveness of the cleaning procedure must be determined, using e.g. biotests, and reported.
The information provided must follow from and be supported by the data provided for the micro-organism(s) and that provided under Sections 7 and 8.
pre-harvest interval (in days) for each relevant crop,
re-entry period (in days) for livestock, to areas to be grazed,
re-entry period (in hours or days) for man to crops, buildings or spaces treated,
withholding period (in days) for animal feedingstuffs,
waiting period (in days), between application and handling treated products.
The recommended methods and precautions concerning handling procedures (detailed) for the storage, at both warehouse and user level of plant protection products, for their transport and in the event of fire must be provided. Where relevant, information on combustion products must be provided. The risks likely to arise and the methods and procedures to minimise the hazards arising, must be specified. Procedures to preclude or minimise the generation of waste or leftovers must be provided.
Where relevant, assessment has to be done in accordance with ISO TR 9122.
The nature and characteristics of protective clothing and equipment proposed must be provided. The data provided must be sufficient to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness under realistic conditions of use (e.g. field or glasshouse circumstances).
Whether arising during transport, storage or use, detailed procedures to be followed in the event of an accident, must be provided and include:
containment of spillages,
decontamination of areas, vehicles and buildings,
disposal of damaged packaging, adsorbents and other materials,
protection of emergency workers and bystanders,
first aid measures.
Procedures for destruction and decontamination must be developed for both small quantities (user level) and large quantities (warehouse level). The procedures must be consistent with provisions in place relating to the disposal of waste and of toxic waste. The means of disposal proposed shall be without unacceptable influence on the environment and be the most cost effective and practical means of disposal feasible.
In many cases the preferred or sole means to safely dispose of plant protection products and in particular the co-formulants contained in it, contaminated materials, or contaminated packaging, is through controlled incineration in a licensed incinerator.
The applicant must provide detailed instructions for safe disposal.
Other methods to dispose of plant protection products, packaging and contaminated materials, where proposed, must be fully described. Data must be provided for such methods, to establish their effectiveness and safety.
The provisions of this Section only cover analytical methods required for post-registration control and monitoring purposes.
It is desirable to have a plant protection product without contaminants, if possible. The level of acceptable contaminants shall be judged from a risk assessment point of view, by the competent authority.
Both production and product must be subject to a continuous quality control by the applicant. The quality criteria for the product shall be submitted.
For analytical methods used for generation of data as required in this Regulation or for other purposes the applicant has to provide a justification for the method used; where necessary separate guidance will be developed for such methods on the basis of the same requirements as defined for methods for post-registration control and monitoring purposes.
Descriptions of methods must be provided and include details of equipment, materials and conditions used. The applicability of existing CIPAC methods must be reported.
As far as practicable these methods must employ the simplest approach, involve the minimum cost, and require commonly available equipment.
For this Section the following applies:
| Impurities, metabolites, relevant metabolites, residues | As defined in Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 |
|---|---|
| Relevant impurities | Impurities, as defined above, that are of concern for human or animal health and/or the environment |
On request the following samples must be provided:
samples of the preparation;
samples of the micro-organism as manufactured;
analytical standards of the pure micro-organism;
analytical standards of relevant metabolites and all other components included in the residue definition;
if available, samples of reference substances for the relevant impurities.
Methods, which must be described in full, must be provided for the identification and the determination of the content of the micro-organism in the preparation. In the case of a preparation containing more than one micro-organism, methods capable of identifying and determining the content of each one should be provided.
Methods to establish regular control of the final product (preparation) in order to show that it does not contain other organisms than the indicated ones and to establish its uniformity.
Methods to identify any contaminating micro-organisms of the preparation.
Methods used to determine the storage stability and shelf life of the preparation must be provided.
Analytical methods for the determination of residues, as defined in point 4.2 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 must be submitted unless it is justified that the information already submitted in accordance with the requirements of point 4.2 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 is sufficient.
The data supplied must be sufficient to permit an evaluation of the plant protection product to be made. In particular it must be possible to evaluate the nature and extent of benefits that accrue following use of the preparation, where they exist in comparison to suitable reference products and damage thresholds, and to define its conditions of use.
The number of trials to be conducted and reported depends mainly on factors such as the extent to which the properties of the active substance(s) it contains are known and on the range of conditions that arise, including variability in plant health conditions, climatic differences, the range of agricultural practices, the uniformity of the crops, the mode of application, the type of harmful organism and the type of plant protection product.
Sufficient data must be generated and submitted to confirm that patterns determined hold for the regions and the range of conditions, likely to be encountered in the regions concerned, for which its use is to be recommended. Where an applicant claims that tests in one or more of the proposed regions of use are unnecessary because conditions are comparable with those in other regions where tests have been carried out, the applicant must substantiate the claim for comparability with documentary evidence.
In order to assess seasonal differences, if any, sufficient data must be generated and submitted to confirm the performance of the plant protection product in each agronomically and climatically different region for each particular crop (or commodity)/harmful organism combination. Normally trials on effectiveness or phytotoxicity, where relevant, in at least two growing seasons must be reported.
If to the opinion of the applicant the trials from the first season adequately confirm the validity of claims made on the basis of extrapolation of results from other crops, commodities or situations or from tests with closely similar preparations, a justification, which is acceptable to the competent authority for not carrying out a second season's work must be provided. Conversely, where, because of climatic or plant health conditions or other reasons the data obtained in any particular season are of limited value for the assessment of performance, trials in one or more further seasons must be conducted and reported.
Reports in summary form of preliminary tests, including glasshouse and field studies, used to assess the biological activity and dose range finding of the plant protection product and of the active substance(s) it contains, must be submitted when requested by the competent authority. These reports will provide additional information for the competent authority when it evaluates the plant production product. Where this information is not submitted a justification which is acceptable to the competent authority must be provided.
The tests shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the level, duration and consistency of control or protection or other intended effects of the plant protection product in comparison to suitable reference products, where they exist.
Normally a trial consists of three components: test product, reference product and untreated control.
The performance of the plant protection product must be investigated in relation to suitable reference products, where they exist. A suitable reference product is defined as an authorised plant protection product which has proved a sufficient performance in practice under the agricultural, plant health and environmental (including climatic) conditions in the area of proposed use. In general, formulation type, effects on the harmful organisms, working spectrum and method of application shall be close to those of the tested plant protection product.
Plant protection products must be tested in circumstances where the target harmful organism has been shown to have been present at a level causing or known to cause adverse effects (yield, quality, operational benefit) on an unprotected crop or area or on plants or plant products which have not been treated or where the harmful organism is present at such a level that an evaluation of the plant protection product can be made.
Trials to provide data on plant protection products for control of harmful organisms must show the level of control of the species of harmful organisms concerned or of species representative of groups for which claims are made. Trials must include the different stages of growth of life cycle of the harmful species, where this is relevant and the different strains or races, where these are likely to show different degrees of susceptibility.
Similarly, trials to provide data on plant protection products which are plant growth regulators, must show the level of effects on the species to be treated, and include investigation of differences in the response of a representative sample of the range of cultivars on which its use is proposed.
In order to clarify the dose response, dose rates lower than the recommended one must be included in some trials in order to enable to assess whether the recommended rate is the minimum necessary to achieve the desired effect.
The duration of the effects of treatment must be investigated in relation to the control of the target organism or effect on the treated plants or plant products, as appropriate. When more than one application is recommended, trials must be reported which establish the duration of the effects of an application, the number of applications necessary and the desired intervals between them.
Evidence must be submitted to show that the dose, timing and method of application recommended give adequate control, protection or have the intended effect in the range of circumstances likely to be encountered in practical use.
Unless there are clear indications that the performance of the plant protection product is unlikely to be affected to a significant degree by environmental factors, such as temperature or rain, an investigation of the effects of such factors on performance must be carried out and reported, particularly where it is known that the performance of chemically related products is so affected.
Where proposed label claims include recommendations for the use of the plant protection product with other plant protection product(s) or adjuvant(s) information on the performance of the mixture must be provided.
Trials must be designed to investigate specified issues, to minimise the effects of random variation between different parts of each site and to enable statistical analysis to be applied to results amenable to such analysis. The design, analysis and reporting of trials must be in accordance with European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) guidelines 152 and 181. The report shall include a detailed and critical assessment of the data.
The trials must be carried out in accordance to specific EPPO guidelines, where available, or with guidelines satisfying at least the requirements of the corresponding EPPO guideline.
A statistical analysis of results amenable to such analysis must be carried out; where necessary the test guideline used must be adapted to enable such analysis.
Laboratory data and where it exists, field information relating to the occurrence and development of resistance or cross-resistance in populations of harmful organisms to the active substance(s), or to related active substances, must be provided. Where such information is not directly relevant to the uses for which authorisation is sought or to be renewed (different species of harmful organism or different crops), it must, if available, nevertheless be provided, as it may provide an indication of the likelihood of resistance developing in the target population.
Where there is evidence or information to suggest that, in commercial use, the development of resistance is likely, evidence must be generated and submitted as to the sensitivity of the population of the harmful organism concerned to the plant protection product. In such cases a management strategy designed to minimise the likelihood of resistance or cross-resistance developing in target species must be provided.
The tests shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the possible occurrence of taint or odour or other quality aspects of plants or plant products after treatment with the plant protection product.
The possibility of the occurrence of taint or odour in food crops must be investigated and be reported where:
the nature of the products or its use is such that a risk of occurrence of taint or odour might be expected, or
other products based on the same or a closely similar active ingredient have been shown to present a risk of occurrence of taint or odour.
The effects of plant protection products on other quality aspects of treated plants or plant products must be investigated and reported where:
the nature of the plant protection product or it use could have an adverse influence on other quality aspects (for example in the case of use of plant growth regulators close to the harvest), or
other products based on the same or a closely similar active ingredient have been shown to have an adverse influence on the quality.
Testing shall be conducted initially on the main crops on which the plant protection product is to be used, at twice the normal rates of application and using, where relevant, the main methods of processing. Where effects are observed it is necessary to perform testing at the normal rate of application.
The extent of investigation necessary on other crops will depend on their degree of similarity of the main crops already tested, the quantity and quality of data available on those main crops and how far the manner of use of the plant protection product and methods of processing the crops, are similar. It is generally sufficient to perform the test with the main formulation type to be authorised.
The tests shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the possible occurrence of adverse effects after treatment with the plant protection product on transformation processes or on the quality of their products.
When the treated plants or plant products are normally intended for use in transformation process such as wine making, brewing or bread making and when at harvest significant residues are present, the possibility of the occurrence of adverse effects must be investigated and reported where:
there are indications that the use of the plant protection product could have an influence on the processes involved (for example in the case of use of plant growth regulators or fungicides close to the harvest), or
other products based on the same or a closely similar active ingredient have been shown to have an adverse influence on these processes or its products.
It is generally sufficient to perform the test with the main formulation type to be authorised.
The test shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the performance of the plant protection product and of possible occurrence of yield reduction or loss in storage of treated plants or plant products.
The effects of plant protection products on the yield or yield components of treated plant products must be determined where relevant. When treated plants or plant products are likely to be stored the effect on the yield after storage, including data on storage life must be determined where relevant.
This information will normally be available from the tests required under the provisions of point 6.2.
The test shall provide sufficient data to permit an evaluation of the performance of the plant protection product and of the possible occurrence of phytotoxicity after treatment with the plant protection product.
For herbicides and for other plant protection products for which adverse effects, however transitory, are seen during the trials, performed in accordance with point 6.2, the margins of selectivity on target crops must be established, using twice the recommended rate of application. Where serious phytotoxic effects are seen, an intermediate application rate must also be investigated.
Where adverse effects occur, but are claimed to be unimportant in comparison with the benefits of use or transient, evidence to support this claim is required. If necessary, yield measurement must be submitted.
The safety of a plant protection product to the main cultivars of the main crops for which it is recommended must be demonstrated, including effects of crop growth stage, vigour, and other factors which may influence susceptibility to damage or injury.
The extent of investigation necessary on other crops will depend on their degree of similarity to the main crops already tested, the quantity and quality of data available on those main crops and how far the manner of use of the plant protection product, if relevant, is similar. It is generally sufficient to perform the test with the main formulation type to be authorised.
Where proposed label claims include recommendations for the use of the plant protection product with other plant protection product(s), the previous paragraphs apply for the mixture.
Observations concerning phytotoxicity must be performed in the tests provided for in point 6.2.
Where phytotoxic effects are seen, they must be accurately assessed and recorded in accordance with EPPO guideline 135 or when a Member State requires so and when the test is carried out on the territory of this Member State, with guidelines satisfying at least the requirements of this EPPO guideline.
A statistical analysis of results amenable to such analysis must be carried out, where necessary the test guideline used must be adapted to enable such analysis.
Sufficient data must be reported to permit an evaluation of possible adverse effects of a treatment with the plant protection product on succeeding crops.
Where data, generated in accordance with point 9.1, shows that significant residues of the active substance, its metabolites or degradation products, which have or may have biological activity on succeeding crops, remain in soil or in plant materials, such as straw or organic material up to sowing or planting time of possible succeeding crops, observations must be submitted on effects on the normal range of succeeding crops.
Sufficient data must be reported to permit an evaluation of possible adverse effects of a treatment with the plant protection product on other plants, including adjacent crops.
Observations must be submitted on adverse effects on other plants, including the normal range of adjacent crops, when there are indications that the plant protection product could affect these plants via vapour drift.
Sufficient data must be reported to permit an evaluation of possible adverse effects of a treatment with the plant protection product on plants or plant products to be used for propagation.
Observations must be submitted on the impact of plant protection products on plant parts used for propagation except where the proposed uses preclude use on crops intended for production of seeds, cuttings, runners or tubers for planting, as appropriate.
for seeds — viability, germination and vigour;
for cuttings — rooting and growth rates;
for runners — establishment and growth rates;
for tubers — sprouting and normal growth.
Seeds testing shall be done in accordance with ISTA Methods.
Any effects, positive or negative, on the incidence of other harmful organisms, observed in the tests performed in accordance with the requirements of this Section, shall be reported. Any observed environmental effects must also be reported, especially effects on wildlife and/or beneficial organisms.
A summary of all data and information provided under points 6.1 to 6.6 must be provided, together with a detailed and a critical assessment of the data, with particular reference to the benefits that the plant protection product offers, adverse effects that do or may arise and measures necessary to avoid or minimise adverse effects.
For proper evaluation of the toxicity including potential for pathogenicity and infectiveness of preparations sufficient information shall be available on acute toxicity, irritation and sensitisation of the micro-organism. If possible, additional information on mode of toxic action, toxicological profile and all other known toxicological aspects of the micro-organism shall be submitted. Special attention shall be given to co-formulants.
While performing toxicology studies, all signs of infection or pathogenicity shall be noted. Toxicology studies shall include clearance studies.
In the context of the influence that impurities and other components can have on toxicological behaviour, it is essential that for each study submitted, a detailed description (specification) of the material used, be provided. Tests must be conducted using the plant protection product to be authorised. In particular, it must be clear that the micro-organism used in the preparation, and the conditions of culturing it, are the same for which information and data are submitted in the context of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
A tiered testing system will be applied to the study of the plant protection product.
The studies, data and information to be provided and evaluated, must be sufficient to permit the identification of effects following a single exposure to the plant protection product, and in particular to establish, or indicate:
the toxicity of the plant protection product,
toxicity of the plant protection product relative to the micro-organism,
the time course and characteristics of the effect with full details of behavioural changes and possible gross pathological findings at post-mortem,
where possible the mode of toxic action, and
the relative hazard associated with the different routes of exposure.
While the emphasis must be on estimating the toxicity ranges involved, the information generated must also permit the plant protection product to be classified in accordance with Directive 1999/45/EC or Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. The information generated through acute toxicity testing is of particular value in assessing hazards likely to arise in accident situations.
An acute oral test shall always be carried only if the applicant cannot justify an alternative approach under Directive 1999/45/EC or Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, where applicable.
The test must be carried out in accordance with Method B.1 bis or B.1 tris of Regulation (EC) No 440/2008.
The test will provide the inhalation toxicity to rats of the plant protection product.
The test must be carried out where the plant protection product:
is used with fogging equipment,
is an aerosol,
is a powder containing a significant proportion of particles of diameter < 50 micrometre (> 1 % on a weight basis),
is to be applied from aircraft in cases where inhalation exposure is relevant,
is to be applied in a manner which generates a significant proportion of particles or droplets of diameter < 50 micrometre (> 1 % on a weight basis),
contains a volatile component at greater than 10 %.
The test must be carried out in accordance with Method B.2 of Regulation (EC) No 440/2008.
An acute percutaneous test shall be conducted only if the applicant cannot justify an alternative approach under Directive 1999/45/EC or Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, where applicable.
The test must be carried out in accordance with Method B.3 of Regulation (EC) No 440/2008.
The test will provide the potential of skin irritancy of the plant protection product including the potential reversibility of the effects observed.
The skin irritancy of the plant protection product must always be determined, except where the co-formulants are not expected to be skin irritant or the micro-organism is shown not to be skin irritant or where it is likely, as indicated in the test guideline, that severe skin effects can be excluded.
The test must be carried out in accordance with Method B.4 of Regulation (EC) No 440/2008.
The test will provide the potential for eye irritation of the plant protection product, including the potential reversibility of the effects observed.
The eye irritancy of the plant protection product must be determined, where the co-formulants are suspected to be eye irritant, except where the micro-organism is eye irritant or where it is likely, as indicated in the test guideline, that severe effects on the eyes may be produced.
The eye irritation must be determined in accordance with Method B.5 of Regulation (EC) No 440/2008.
The test will provide sufficient information to assess the potential of the plant protection product to provoke skin sensitisation reactions.
The test must be carried out where the co-formulants are suspected to have skin sensitising properties, except where the micro-organism(s) or the co-formulants are known to have skin sensitising properties.
The tests have to be carried out in accordance with Method B.6 of Regulation (EC) No 440/2008.
The risks for those in contact with plant protection products (operators, bystanders, workers), depend on the physical, chemical and toxicological properties of the plant protection product as well as the type of the product (undiluted/diluted), formulation type, and on the route, the degree and duration of exposure. Sufficient information and data must be generated and reported to permit an assessment of the extent of exposure to the plant protection product likely to occur under the proposed conditions of use.
In the cases where there is particular concern on the possibility of dermal absorption based on the information for the micro-organism available in Section 5 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013, or from the information provided for the preparation in this Section, further dermal absorption data can be necessary.
Results from exposure monitoring during production or use of the product must be submitted.
The abovementioned information and data must provide the basis for the selection of appropriate protective measures including personal protective equipment to be used by operators and workers and to be specified on the label.
Where relevant, the following information shall be submitted for each co-formulant:
the registration number as referred to in Article 20(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006(17),
the study summaries included in the technical dossier as referred to in Article 10(a)(vi) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, and
the safety data sheet as referred to in Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
All other available information shall be submitted.
In certain cases it may be necessary to carry out the studies as referred to under points 7.1 to 7.2.3 for a combination of plant protection products where the product label includes requirements for use of the plant protection product with other plant protection products and/or with adjuvants as a tank mix. Decisions as to the need for supplementary studies must be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the results of the acute toxicity studies of the individual plant protection products, the possibility for exposure to the combination of the products concerned and available information or practical experience with the products concerned or similar products.
A summary of all data and information provided under paragraphs 7.1 through 7.5, must be submitted, and include a detailed and critical assessment of those data in the context of relevant evaluative and decision-making criteria and guidelines, with particular reference to the risks for man and animals that may or do arise, and the extent, quality and reliability of the database.
The same provisions as detailed in Section 6 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013, apply; the information required in accordance with this Section has to be provided unless it is possible to extrapolate the residue behaviour of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism. Special attention shall be paid towards the influence of formulation substances on the residue behaviour of the micro-organism and its metabolites.
The same provisions as detailed in Section 7 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 apply; the information required in accordance with this Section has to be provided unless it is possible to extrapolate the fate and behaviour of the plant protection product in the environment on the basis of the data available in Section 7 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013.
specify the hazard symbols, the indications of danger, and relevant risk and safety phrases or the pictograms, signal words, relevant hazard and precautionary statements, for the protection of the environment, to be mentioned on packaging (containers),
permit an evaluation of the short- and long-term risks for non-target species — populations, communities, and processes as appropriate,
permit an evaluation whether special precautions are necessary for the protection of non-target species.
For the estimation of exposure of organisms all relevant information on the plant protection product and on the micro-organism must be taken into account. Where relevant the parameters provided for in this Section shall be used. Where it appears from available data that the plant protection product has a stronger effect than the micro-organism, the data on effects on non target organisms of the plant protection product have to be used for the calculation of relevant effect/exposure ratios.
The same information as provided in point 8.1 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 has to be reported where it is not possible to predict the effects of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism, unless it can be justified that exposure of birds is unlikely to occur.
The same information as provided in point 8.2 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 has to be reported where it is not possible to predict the effects of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism, unless it can be justified that exposure of aquatic organisms is unlikely to occur.
The same information as provided in point 8.3 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 has to be reported where it is not possible to predict the effects of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism, unless it can be justified that exposure of bees is unlikely to occur.
The same information as provided in point 8.4 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 has to be reported where it is not possible to predict the effects of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism, unless it can be justified that exposure of arthropods other than bees is unlikely to occur.
The same information as provided in point 8.5 of Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 has to be reported where it is not possible to predict the effects of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism, unless it can be justified that exposure of earthworms is unlikely to occur.
The same information as provided in point 8.6 Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 has to be reported where it is not possible to predict the effects of the plant protection product on the basis of the data available for the micro-organism, unless it can be justified that exposure of non target soil micro-organisms is unlikely to occur.
Expert judgement is required to decide whether additional studies are necessary. Such decision will take into consideration the available information in this and other Sections, in particular data on the specificity of the micro-organism, and the expected exposure. Useful information may also be available from the observations carried out in efficacy testing.
Special attention shall be given to possible effects on naturally occurring and deliberately released organisms of importance in IPM. In particular the compatibility of the product with IPM shall be taken into consideration.
Additional studies might include further studies on additional species or higher tier studies such as studies on selected non-target organisms.
Before performing such studies, the applicant shall seek agreement of the competent authorities on the type of study to be performed.
A summary and evaluation of all data relevant to the environmental impact shall be carried out in accordance with the guidance given by the competent authorities of the Member States concerning the format of such summaries and evaluations. It shall include a detailed and critical assessment of those data in the context of relevant evaluative and decision making criteria and guidelines, with particular reference to the risks for the environment and non-target species that may or do arise, and the extent, quality and reliability of the database. In particular the following issues shall be addressed:
prediction of distribution and fate in the environment, and the time courses involved,
identification of non-target species and populations at risk, and prediction of the extent of potential exposure,
identification of precautions necessary to avoid or minimise contamination of the environment, and for the protection of non-target species.
See page 1 of this Official Journal.
United Nations New York and Geneva (2009) Publication ISBN 978-92-1-139135-0.
LD50, abbreviation for ‘Lethal Dose, 50 %’, that is to say the dose required to kill half the members of a tested population after a specified test duration.
LR50, abbreviation for ‘Lethal Rate, 50 %’, that is to say the application rate required to kill half the members of a tested population after a specified test duration.
ER50, abbreviation for ‘Effect Rate, 50 %’, that is to say the application rate required to cause an effect on half the members of a tested population after a specified test duration.
USEPA Microbial Pesticide Test Guidelines, OPPTS Series 885, February 1996(http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/biopesticides/guidelines/series885.htm).