Biopesticides

Netherlands Supreme Court Upholds Conviction for Illegal Marketing of Unauthorised Plant Protection Products

The Dutch Supreme Court has upheld a criminal conviction and fine against a company for marketing unauthorized plant protection products and forging documentation (March 2026). This ruling confirms that market access violations in the chemicals sector carry significant criminal liability and financial risk, reinforcing the need for rigorous compliance and documentation audits.

2 Apr 2026, 16:41deeplink.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Supreme Court Reduces Sentence in Case on Unauthorized Plant Protection Products and Document Forgery

The Netherlands Supreme Court has upheld the criminal conviction of a company manager for marketing unauthorized plant protection products and document forgery. This ruling reinforces the risk of personal criminal liability for corporate officers and signals rigorous enforcement of biocide and pesticide authorization requirements.

2 Apr 2026, 10:20uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Supreme Court Clarifies Profit Forfeiture for Sale of Unauthorized Plant Protection Products

The Dutch Supreme Court has upheld a significant profit forfeiture order against a director for marketing unauthorized plant protection products, confirming that illicit gains are calculated without hypothetical tax deductions. This judgment underscores the severe personal financial liability for executives overseeing the sale of non-compliant chemicals and reinforces a strict enforcement stance on market authorization requirements.

2 Apr 2026, 10:19uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

EFSA Peer Review Intake and Upcoming Consultation for Black Pepper Oleoresin (BPO) Under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009

EFSA has scheduled a public consultation on the assessment of Black Pepper Oleoresin (BPO) as a new pesticide active substance, closing June 6, 2026. Stakeholders should review the assessment report to anticipate potential use restrictions and ensure the regulatory dossier supports the eventual EU approval of this botanical extract.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU/EFSA Registers Intake Application for Allyl Isothiocyanate as New PPP Active Substance

EFSA has commenced the formal risk assessment of allyl isothiocyanate following a March 2026 application for its approval as a new active substance in plant protection products. This signals the potential expansion of the EU’s approved pesticide portfolio, requiring stakeholders to monitor the assessment for future market access and substitution opportunities.

1 Apr 2026, 14:17open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Switzerland Temporarily Authorises Helicovex (HearNPV) For Emergency Maize Pest Control

Switzerland has granted a temporary emergency authorization for the biopesticide Helicovex (HearNPV) to control maize pests through November 2026. This provides a critical short-term biological control option for agricultural operators while highlighting the continued reliance on emergency derogations for pest management in the Swiss market.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29fedlex.data.admin.chSwitzerland

Norway Consults on Amendments to Plant Protection Products Regulation

Norway has proposed amendments to its Plant Protection Products Regulation, introducing stricter security checks for high-hazard gassing and new certifications for biological forestry treatments. These changes signal a shift toward more granular risk management, balancing simplified access for biological controls with enhanced environmental and user-safety safeguards.

31 Mar 2026, 21:28hoering.mattilsynet.noNorway

EU Draft Implementing Regulation Proposes Renewal of cis‑tricos‑9‑ene for Biocidal Product‑Type 19

The European Commission has proposed the renewal of cis-tricos-9-ene (muscalure) for biocidal product-type 19 (repellents and attractants), with a WTO comment deadline of May 22, 2026. Manufacturers should prepare for continued market access under updated use conditions and restrictions, ensuring product formulations and labels align with the forthcoming Annex requirements.

31 Mar 2026, 19:40members.wto.orgEuropean Union

EU Commission Regulation Amending Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on MRLs for Certain Substances

The European Commission is moving to exempt five substances, including magnesium hydroxide and grape seed extract, from pesticide residue limit (MRL) requirements under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. This inclusion in Annex IV reduces the regulatory burden for food and feed operators, streamlining market access for products treated with these low-risk substances.

31 Mar 2026, 19:01ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Launches Re-evaluation of 41 Pesticide Active Ingredients (MAFF Notice No. 433)

Japan's MAFF has designated 41 pesticide active ingredients for formal re-evaluation, with dossier submission windows staggered between April 2028 and March 2029. Registrants must prepare comprehensive technical data and 15-year literature reviews to maintain market access, as outcomes may lead to registration revisions or revocations.

28 Mar 2026, 20:30kanpo.go.jpJapan

France – Nouvelle-Aquitaine BSV Signals Reduced Sensitivity to Flonicamide in Apple and Pear Surveillance

French regional authorities reported laboratory-confirmed sensitivity shifts for flonicamide in apple and pear orchards in March 2026. This signals potential future efficacy loss and increased regulatory scrutiny, requiring manufacturers and growers to prioritize resistance management and biocontrol alternatives.

28 Mar 2026, 20:27opusv2-prod.chambres-agriculture.frFrance

US EPA Announces NovoFly GE Screwworm Biopesticide Registration Application and Section 18 Emergency Exemption

The US EPA is reviewing a registration application and emergency exemption for NovoFly, a novel genetically engineered biopesticide, with comments due by April 26, 2026. This signals a move toward large-scale deployment of GE insect technology, requiring stakeholders to monitor evolving biopesticide approval pathways and environmental impact standards.

28 Mar 2026, 16:32public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

California DPR Lists Agragene Knockout-SWD (PRO-2600416) as Entering Pesticide Registration Evaluation

California has commenced the technical review of a novel gene-edited biological insecticide targeting invasive pests in soft-skinned fruit crops. The entry of CRISPR-based products into the pesticide registration pipeline marks a shift toward biotechnology-driven pest management and sets a precedent for the evaluation of non-traditional active ingredients.

27 Mar 2026, 18:41cdpr.ca.govUnited States

Netherlands LVVN Committee Holds Roundtable on EU Food and Feed Safety Simplification Package (Plant Protection Products)

The Dutch Parliament is scrutinizing the EU Food and Feed Safety Simplification Package, focusing on streamlined authorizations for plant protection products, biocides, and feed additives. Businesses should prepare for potential shifts in market access timelines and residue enforcement as the EU moves toward faster biocontrol approvals and digital labeling.

27 Mar 2026, 07:56tweedekamer.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

EU Draft Decision To Repeal Postponement of cis‑Tricos‑9‑ene PT 19 Approval Expiry

The European Commission has proposed repealing the temporary expiry postponement for cis-tricos-9-ene (PT 19) as a formal renewal of the substance's approval is now finalized. Impacted manufacturers must transition to the specific conditions and new expiry dates set out in the forthcoming renewal regulation to maintain biocidal product compliance.

27 Mar 2026, 07:50members.wto.orgEuropean Union

GB HSE Announces Upcoming Biocidal Active Substance Expiry Dates Under GB BPR

The UK HSE has confirmed expiry dates for several biocidal active substances, including clothianidin and folpet, between June 2026 and June 2027. Impacted businesses must initiate phase-out plans for biocidal products and treated articles to ensure compliance and prevent market access disruptions in Great Britain.

27 Mar 2026, 07:45content.govdelivery.comUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Parliament Proposes Extra 2026–2028 Funding for Ctgb Plant Protection and Biocides Authorisations

The Dutch Parliament is considering a budget amendment to provide EUR 3 million in additional funding to the Ctgb between 2026 and 2028. This investment aims to accelerate the authorization of sustainable plant protection products and biocides, signaling a shift toward faster market entry for "green" alternatives.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Parliamentary Committee Debates Implementation of Motion on Low-Risk Plant-Protection Products

The Netherlands is intensifying pressure on the EU to establish faster, simplified authorization pathways for low-risk plant protection products. This signals a strategic shift toward biopesticides and "green" alternatives, requiring manufacturers to align R&D and portfolio planning with emerging preferential regulatory tracks.

26 Mar 2026, 19:20tweedekamer.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

California Water Board Seeks Comment On Metropolitan Water District Aquatic Pesticide Plan Under Order 2016-0041-DWQ

California is seeking public comment on the Metropolitan Water District's plan to use copper, sodium hypochlorite, and biopesticides for invasive species control in major water infrastructure. Operators and pesticide suppliers should monitor these approvals as they define the operational limits and monitoring requirements for chemical discharges into California's primary water conveyance systems.

26 Mar 2026, 12:13waterboards.ca.govUnited States

Norway: Mattilsynet Updates Pesticide Residue Regulation to Exempt Three Active Substances From MRLs

Norway has exempted three active substances—Betabaculovirus phoperculellae, elemental iron, and rapeseed oil—from specific pesticide residue limits (MRLs) effective March 21, 2026. This alignment with EU Annex IV removes the default 0.01 mg/kg residue threshold, easing compliance for these low-risk substances in food and feed supply chains.

26 Mar 2026, 11:59mattilsynet-xp7prod.enonic.cloudNorway