EU Sets Withdrawal Dates After Buprofezin Non-Renewal

The European Commission has decided not to renew EU approval of the pesticide active substance buprofezin. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2517, published on 13 November 2026, requires Member States to withdraw authorisations for plant protection products containing it by 3 June 2027.

The decision affects products authorised with buprofezin as an active substance. It enters into force on 3 December 2026 and deletes buprofezin's entry from the EU list of approved active substances.

Withdrawal And Grace Periods

Member States may grant grace periods when withdrawing product authorisations. Any such period must expire by 3 December 2027. The regulation does not automatically give every product a grace period lasting until that date.

The Commission describes the identified concerns as serious but not immediate within the meaning of the relevant plant-protection legislation. Its recital 16 explains the basis for allowing Member States to grant grace periods.

Assessment Behind The Decision

The regulation records the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) conclusion that buprofezin meets the criteria for a human endocrine disruptor affecting the thyroid. It also says negligible human exposure under the proposed realistic conditions of use had not been demonstrated.

Other assessments could not be completed because of missing data. These included consumer risks from potential residues in honey and succeeding crops, and risks to aquatic organisms.

Earlier Extension Replaced

Regulation (EU) 2026/2348 had extended the approval period to 15 March 2027 so the renewal process could be completed. The new regulation records that extension and provides for the non-renewal decision to take effect before the extended expiry date.