The Applicant Guide: Emergency (120 day) Authorisation

Under certain circumstances it is possible for Member States to authorise the use of a plant protection product for a period not exceeding 120 days, for a limited and controlled use where such a measure is necessary because of a danger which cannot be contained by any other means as set out in Article 53 of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009. When issuing such emergency authorisations the MS concerned must inform the other MSs and the Commission of the authorisation given, detailed information about the situation and any measures taken to ensure consumer safety. If necessary the Commission will take a decision as to whether the MS can extend or repeat the emergency authorisation or not or whether the authorisation must be amended or withdrawn. Applications for emergency authorisation cannot be made for plant protection products containing or composed of genetically modified organisms unless such release has been accepted in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC. Agreement from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) would be required before authorisation could be agreed within the UK. Authorisation would be given for a maximum period of 120 days and as such it is a temporary solution to a pest problem for which a more permanent solution must be found

What are the requirements for an emergency authorisation?

You need to submit the following:

1. The documentation detailed in The Applicant Guide; and,
2. A full description of the pest or disease causing economic damage or issue relevant to public health; and,
3. Details of when the use is required and what would be the consequence if authorisation is not given by this date; and,
4. The approximate scale and scope of the problem and the potential for economic damage; and,
5. An explanation as to why alternative means of control (both existing on-label authorisations, extensions of use and cultural methods) cannot be used; and,
6. A reasoned case to demonstrate the ‘need’ of the proposed use for each crop/crop group (see the guidance document for extension of use); and,
7. A reasoned case to support the ‘urgency’ of your application and why it should be treated as an emergency (see the guidance document for extension of use); and
8. Details of any research work, proposals or progress towards a long term solution to the pest problem; and,
9. Data or cases to address the risk assessment in order to minimise risks to consumers, operators and the environment.Link to page giving further guidance on the information required.

Where the applicant is the authorisation holder rather than the user then the case for need and urgency must be supported by growers of the crop(s) concerned and for each crop/crop group.

As these applications are unusual, we suggest that you contact us for advice before making a submission. We will consider each application on its merits and the decision to accept an application for an emergency authorisation is made at our discretion. The fee for the application will be based on the amount of work required for that application (see the guidance document on application fees).

Once we have accepted your application as an emergency, we will contact you to discuss the date by which the authorisation is required and arrange a suitable processing target time for your application.