European Commission Prohibits Future Imports of Terbufos

Background

Regulatory Context

Terbufos has been recognised as a hazardous chemical under the Rotterdam Convention, which requires prior informed consent for its international trade. At the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, held in Geneva from 1-12 May 2023, terbufos was listed in Annex III of the Convention, thereby becoming subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

European Union's Position

According to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, terbufos is not approved for use in plant protection or biocidal products within the EU. Consequently, the European Commission decided against consenting to the future import of terbufos into the Union.

Official Decision

No Consent for Import

The Commission's sole article in the decision states a clear "no consent" to the import of terbufos. This stance applies uniformly to all potential sources and prohibits domestic production for domestic use.

Legal and Administrative Basis

The decision is based on the stringent regulatory framework governing the market and use of hazardous chemicals in the EU. Terbufos has not been approved under the relevant EU regulations for plant protection and biocidal products due to its hazardous nature.

Classification and Hazards

Under the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, as implemented by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, terbufos is classified as:

• Acute Toxicity 2* – Fatal if swallowed.
• Acute Toxicity 1 – Fatal in contact with skin.
• Aquatic Acute 1 – Very toxic to aquatic life.
• Aquatic Chronic 1 – Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

The European Commission's decision reflects the Union's commitment to protecting public health and the environment by strictly regulating hazardous chemicals. The prohibition of terbufos imports aligns with the EU's rigorous safety standards and international obligations under the Rotterdam Convention.