Q1. How do I find out if a pesticide is authorised for use in the UK?
Q2. Is my pesticide product still authorised?
Q3. How can I check whether I can use a particular pesticide on a particular crop?
Q4. I have a problem with a particular pest/weed. What can I use to control it?
Q5. What is an Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use - EAMU (previously known as 'off-label' approval)?
Q6. Can treated seed be brought into the UK from another EU Member State or from a country outside the EU?
Q7. If a pesticide is not authorised in the UK can it be used here?
Q8. Why are some pesticide products withdrawn?
Q9. Where can I find a list of active substances that are approved for use in the EU?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I find out if a pesticide is authorised for use in the UK?
You can search our database of authorised pesticide products. The easiest way is to type in the 'MAPP Number' which is given on the pesticide label. Otherwise you can use the product name. If the pesticide has an authorisation, the database will show you details including the expiry date. If you click on the name of the product in the table it will take you to full details of the product’s authorisation including its Notice of Authorisation
Q2. Does my pesticide product still have an authorisation ?
As explained above you can check the authorisation status of a product by using our website database (see Q1). If your search results in no record for the product that means the product is no longer authorised. If this is the case you will need to dispose of it responsibly. Professional users will need to contact a specialist company that deals with these types of products. Amateur users should contact their local Civic Amenity site and ask them for guidance on disposal.
Please note: It is illegal to use or store any pesticide product that is no longer authorised. In some cases the authorisation for using the pesticide product on a particular crop or situation may end before the expiry date for the pesticide product. If you wish to check whether this is the case, please see question 3 or contact us.
Q3. How do I check whether I can use a particular pesticide on a particular crop?
You will need to:
- search our database of authorised pesticide products to find the pesticide product you are looking for;
- look at the detailed information on the 'notice of authorisation' for that pesticide which will show the crops or situations where the product can be used;
- if the 'notice of authorisation' does not cover the crops you wish to treat you can also check whether there are any Extensions of authorisation for Minor Uses (previously known as 'off-label' approvals) for the product. These are authorised uses which are not given always given on pesticide labels. They are only available for agricultural (professional) pesticides. See Q5 for further information.
Q4. I have a problem with a particular pest/weed. What can I use to control it?
Our database does not give details of the problems that each pesticide controls. This information can be found on the pesticide label, from your pesticides supplier, DIY shop or gardening centre, or from the Authorisation Holder (pesticide company).
Q5. What are Extensions of authorisation for minor use (formerly know as 'off-labels' approvals) and the Long Term Arrrangments for Extension of Use?
"Extensions of authorisation" may not be listed on the product label. They only apply to agricultural uses of pesticides and the user must accept any commercial risk from their use.
There are two types.
i) The Long Term Arrangements for Extension of Use (LTAEUs)
We have made special arrangements to allow pesticides already authorised for use on one crop, to be used on similar crops without having to get another full authorisation. These arrangements are called the Long Term Arrangements for Extensions of Use (LTAEU). Link to further Information on LTAEU - you must read and follow this guidance in order to use these arrangements. However, please note that these arrangements are currently being phased out and now only apply to use on non-edible crops.
ii) Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (previously known as Specific Off-label Approvals - SOLAs).
Users and Authorisation holders of agricultural plant protection products may apply to have the authorisation of a specific product extended to cover additional uses to those shown on the product label. Any such “Extensions of Authorisation for Minor Use” granted may have additional conditions of use attached to them. Use in these cases is undertaken at the user's choosing, and the commercial risk is entirely theirs. Users are required to be in possession of the relevant "Extension of Use" details when using the product for that use, and must follow any extra conditions of use as well as those given on the product label. Electronic copies of Extensions of Use can be obtained from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) website database:
Extensions of Authorisation for Minor Use (formally known as Specific Off-Label Approvals or SOLA). Searches can be made by product name, crop and pests.
Q6. Can treated seed be brought into the UK from another EU Member State or from a country outside the EU?
Provided the seed is treated with a plant protection product that is authorised as a seed treatment for that use in at least one EU Member State it may be brought into the UK and marketed and used here.
The label and documents accompanying the treated seed must include:
- the name of the plant protection product with which the seed was treated;
- the name(s) of the active substance(s) in that product;
- the standard phrases for safety precautions as provided for in Regulation (EC) No.1907/2006; and
- any risk mitigation measures set out in the authorisation for that product where appropriate.
Please note that whilst Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 will ultimately replace Directive 1999/45/EC, the transitional arrangements in it permit Directive 1999/45/EC to continue until about 2015.
Footnotes:
1. The placing on the market and labelling of treated seeds in the UK is covered by Articles 49(1) and 49(4) respectively of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009. This Regulation forbids an EU Member State from prohibiting the placing on the market and use of seeds treated with a plant protection product authorised in another Member State.
2. Regulation 10(1) of the UK's Plant Protection Product Regulations 2011 states that a person must not place on the market or use seeds treated with plant protection products that are NOT authorised for use on such seeds in any EU Member State.
Q7. If a pesticide is not authorised in the UK can it be used here?
No, if a pesticide product does not have an authorisation for use in the UK, it is illegal to use that pesticide here.
There are several reasons why a pesticide may not be authorised in the UK:
- No one has applied for authorisation for the pesticide product in this country.
- The Authorisation Holder/Marketing company has withdrawn a previously authorised pesticide product from the market for commercial reasons such as declining sales, or a decision not to continue to support the product through EU Review processes for the active substance.
- New evidence has shown that the 'active substance' (chemical which makes it work) or product may be harmful to humans, animals or the environment, and previous authorisations have been revoked. Further information on the active substances which can be used in pesticide products is available on this website: Link to further information.
Q8. Why are some pesticide products 'withdrawn'?
Voluntarily withdrawn pesticide products:
As mentioned above in Q6., a company may withdraw their pesticide product from the market because:
- there are commercial reasons such as declining sales; and/or
- the pesticide is being reviewed and they do not want to pay for extra scientific studies to show it meets up-to-date safety standards.
It is possible that they may put the pesticide back on the market in the future, if demand improves or if the extra scientific studies required to meet the latest standards are provided
CRD Enforced withdrawal of pesticide products:
The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) may withdraw the authorisation for a pesticide product if new evidence has shown that the 'active substance' (chemical which makes it work) or product formulation may be harmful to humans, animals or the environment.
EU legislation (particularly Council Directive 79/117/EEC) has previously prohibited (sometimes known as "banned") the placing on the market and use of plant protection products containing certain active substances which, even if applied in an approved manner, could give rise to harmful effects on human health or the environment.
From 14 June 2011, the marketing of plant protection products in the EU has been subject to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. This Regulation prohibits use of any active substances in plant protection products unless they have been approved for that purpose in accordance with the Regulation. This means that theCouncil Directive 79/117/EEC is no longer needed, and the Directive was therefore repealed, also from 14 June 2011.
Link to further information
Q9. Where can I find a list of active substances that are approved for use in the EU?
The European Commission provides a database of active substances currently and previously approved for use in the EU.
The following guidance will help you to obtain an up to date list of the active substances in the European Union from the EC database:
- Please go to the following webpage: EU Pesticides database. Click on the small Active Substance button on the left hand side under the title "Active Substances - Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009" which will take you to another page titled "Active Substances";
- Use the Status box (the second box on the left hand side) to select either "All", "Not Approved" or "Approved", "Pending" or "Not a plant protection product".
- To export the list to an Excel file, click on the "Export list" button in the middle of the page.
