The EU decision making process for active substances
Contents
1.Introduction
2.The process for new active substance approval
Application by a producer
Data requirements and dossier structure
Electronic Submission of Dossiers
Fees
Evaluation by a Member State
The evaluation process and production of the draft assessment report (DAR)
Volume 1
Annex A (volume 2)
Annex B (volume 3)
Annex C (volume 4)
EFSA risk assessment process
Role of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Commenting on the Draft Assessment Report – production of the Reporting Table and Evaluation Table
Expert meetings and expert meeting reports
Evaluation meeting and the draft EFSA conclusion
Finalisation of the EFSA conclusion
HSE Peer-review of other Member States active substance assessments
Further Information
Commission risk management and decision making process.
What happens after an active substance is approved?
What happens after a decision not to approve an active substance?
3.Renewal of Approval for active substances already approved for use in plant protection products in the EU
First stage of renewal (7 active substances)
Second stage of renewal (31 active substances)
Procedure for the second stage renewal process.
Procedure for the third stage renewal process.
Role of CRD as co-rapporteur Member State for renewal of active substances
Further Information
1.Introduction
The process for deciding whether a new active substance can be approved for use in plant protection products, in the European Union (EU), involves all Member States, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission. Members of the public and other interested parties can also provide comments for consideration in the process, specifically through the public consultation process of EFSA. Only approved active substances can be authorised in plant protection products in the EU. An active substance can only be approved if it meets the requirements and conditions specified in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
Link to flow chart giving simple overview of the process for approval of a new substance.
It should be noted that these requirements and processes also apply to applications for approval of new safeners and synergists for use in plant protection products.
A similar process also operates for the renewal of active substances already approved for use in plant protection products. A flow chart giving a simple overview of the process for renewal of an active substance is available here.
2.The process for new active substance approval
Application by a producer
An application is made by a producer (e.g. pesticide manufacturer) for the approval of an active substance. The application must comprise a complete ‘dossier’ addressing fully the data requirements contained in Regulations (EU) No 283/2013 and 284/2013 that implement Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
It should be noted that these requirements and processes also apply to applications for approval of new safeners and synergists for use in plant protection products.
Data requirements and dossier structure
To support an application for an active substance a complete 'dossier' must be submitted which must fully address the data requirements given in Commission Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 (for the active substance) and Commission Regulation (EU) No 284/2013 (for the plant protection product) [see link to EC Pesticides Legislation page below]. The complete dossier is a very extensive set of documentation comprising not only the required tests and studies, but also a series of supporting documents providing background information on the active substance and its uses. A set of 'tiered' summaries detailing the applicant's evaluation and risk assessment for the active substance and product (the summary dossier) is required in addition to full copies of all the individual study reports.
Link to EC Pesticides Legislation website page
To enable a risk assessment to be conducted, at least one plant protection product must be supported by the dossier with comprehensive data to support the risk assessment required for approval of the active substance.
The dossier should be presented in the format agreed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is an internationally agreed format for regulatory dossier structure.
For chemical substances, the ‘OECD guidelines and criteria for industry for the preparation and presentation of complete dossiers and of summary dossiers for plant protection products and their active substances in support of regulatory Decisions in OECD countries (Revision 2, May 2005)’ should be used.
For microbial pesticides, the ‘OECD Guidance for Industry Data Submissions for Microbial Pest Control Products and their Microbial Pest Control Agents (Dossier Guidance for Microbials), February 2004, Series on Pesticides No. 23’ should be used.
The OECD guidance documents are based on and are consistent with the previous European Commission Guidance Document 1663/VI/94 Rev 8 (2 April 1998) and have been approved by the OECD Working Group on pesticides.
Electronic Submission of Dossiers
Dossiers can be submitted in paper and electronic formats. Electronic submission of complete dossiers is strongly recommended by CRD provided that they are submitted in the CADDY format (Computer Aided Dossier Design and supply). Details of our requirements in terms of numbers of dossier copies are given below:
CRD's requirements for EU regulatory submissions
New active substances if dossier is available on CADDYNo. of complete paper sets of the full dossier. / No. of CADDY CD-ROM sets for the dossier.
Acting as rapporteur / 0 / 2
Not rapporteur / 0 / 2
New active substances if dossier is not available on CADDY
No. of complete paper sets of the full dossier. / No. of CADDY CD-ROM sets for the dossier.
Acting as rapporteur / 2
Not acting as rapporteur / 1
Renewal of Approved active substances if Dossier is available on CADDY
No. of complete paper sets of the full dossier. / No. of CADDY CD-ROM sets for the dossier.
Acting as rapporteur / 0 / 2
Not acting as rapporteur / 0 / 2
Revewal of Approved active substances if dossier is not available on CADDY
No. of complete paper sets of the full dossier. / No. of CADDY CD-ROM sets for the dossier.
Acting as rapporteur / 2
Not acting as rapporteur / 1
Further information is available on theCADDY website.
Fees
We charge fees to ensure that the full economic costs of evaluating and processing applications are recovered. Each year we review the costs of the work (using detailed work recording data), and following consultation with applicants and approval holders, we set the fees for the next year.
More on Application Fees...
Evaluation by a Member State
Producers apply to a Member State of their choice (called a ‘rapporteur’ member state, or RMS) to initially assess and evaluate their dossier.
The first step of the assessment by the RMS is to ensure that the application dossier (complete data package) is compliant with the requirements of the Regulation (this is the admissibility check). The RMS then reports their findings to the applicant, other Member States, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission.
The applicant’s summary dossier (set of 'tiered' summaries detailing the applicant's evaluation and risk assessment for the active substance and product), excluding confidential information defined in the Regulation, is made publicly available at this stage by EFSA.
If the RMS concludes that the dossier is not complete, the applicant is allowed 3 months to provide the missing elements. If the applicant cannot do this within 3 months, the application is declared inadmissible and rejected.
The evaluation process and production of the draft assessment report (DAR)
The dossier is evaluated by specialist scientists in the areas of physical chemical properties; analytical methods; mammalian toxicology; operator exposure; environmental fate and ecotoxicology.
A series of guidance documents have been established to support the harmonisation of the evaluation and risk assessment process. These are publicly available on the Commission’s website.
Following detailed evaluation of the dossier, the RMS produces a report of their evaluation termed the Draft Assessment Report (DAR). The DAR comprises the following documents:
Volume 1
This presents the overall conclusion on the active substance and comprises four levels:
Level 1 Statement of the subject matter and purpose of the DAR;
Level 2 Summary of the conclusions reached in each area of the evaluation and risk assessment;
Level 3 Proposed decision on whether the substance should be approved together with any proposed conditions or restrictions that should be associated with an approval, if appropriate;
Level 4 Where necessary, a list of further studies or information necessary to allow a decision to be made and information or studies necessary to remove any conditions or restrictions associated with the inclusion.
Annex A (volume 2)
A full listing of all tests and studies submitted as part of the dossier.
Annex B (volume 3)
A detailed scientific evaluation of the tests, studies and other information considered in preparing the DAR. This provides a comprehensive risk assessment considering the risks posed to human health and the environment from the active substance and its supported use(s) in the formulated product(s). This will include a list of tests and studies considered to have been relied on for the conclusions reached.
Annex C (volume 4)
Confidential information, for example method of manufacture and technical specification for the active substance and formulated product(s).
The finalised DAR is submitted to the PesticidesUnit of EFSA by the RMS.
EFSA risk assessment process
Role of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was established as an independent European Agency operating separately from the European Commission, Parliament and Member States. One of EFSA’s roles is to provide independent scientific advice and risk assessments to underpin European food safety. EFSA's remit includes plant protection and, in close collaboration with Member States, EFSA is responsible for the peer review of active substances used in plant protection products. EFSA is required to provide an authoritative conclusion on whether the active substance can be expected to meet the approval criteria of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Risk management decisions are taken by the European Commission and Member States following consideration of the conclusions of the EFSA risk assessment process.
Commenting on the Draft Assessment Report – production of the Reporting Table and Evaluation Table
Once the rapporteur's Draft Assessment Report (DAR) has been received by EFSA's Pesticides Unit, arrangements are made for its distribution to all Member States and the applicant as part of a commenting process. Comments are invited on all aspects of the DAR in a standardised format. EFSA experts also consider the DAR at this stage and provide their own comments. EFSA's Pesticides Unit also makes the DAR available for public consultation (specified confidential information is removed) at this stage. Open public consultations are listed on the EFSAwebsite. Comments on the risk assessment can be submitted by any member of the public or interested party.
EFSA provides all the comments received to the rapporteur Member State which compiles a Reporting Table with comments grouped in a column in relation to the relevant section of the DAR. The rapporteur then provides their response in a column alongside each comment received. The completed table is returned to EFSA whose experts assess the responses and indicate in a final column their proposals for further action. The table therefore identifies whether the comment is addressed, or whether it remains as a concern to be considered further (an open point), or would need to be addressed by further data or information (a ‘data gap’). It also identifies if discussion of any open points identified should take place at an expert meeting. Depending on the risks identified, and the process being followed, there may be further consultation at this stage to decide if further EFSA consideration is merited, and if expert consultation is necessary.
If expert consideration is required, an ‘Evaluation Table’ may be produced which lists all the open points and data gaps identified in the commenting period. This Evaluation Table is considered together with the DAR and, in some circumstances, any Addenda (evaluating further studies or information) to the DAR at expert meetings organised by the Pesticides Unit of EFSA. If EFSA needs additional information this can be requested from the applicant and evaluated by the rapporteur Member State. There are set deadlines for the submission and evaluation of additional information.
Expert meetings and expert meeting reports
Several active substances are considered in a ‘round’ of expert meetings which usually comprises 5 meetings: physical chemistry and methods; mammalian toxicology; residues; environmental fate; and ecotoxicology. Experts are drawn from Member States and EFSA. The meeting conclusions are recorded in an expert meeting report (discussion table) and the Evaluation Table is updated. In some circumstances, depending on the extent of the areas of uncertainty in the risk assessment, a substance will only be considered at specific meetings, alternatively, the meetings may be replaced with 'teleconferences' targeted at specific areas of concern. EFSA has an established policy to ensure the independence of its risk assessment work which includes measures to ensure experts are selected on the basis of their scientific expertise and experience in risk assessment and to address any potential conflicts of interest.
Evaluation meeting and the draft EFSA conclusion
The rapporteur is consulted on the outcome of the expert discussions and may be required to revise the risk assessment documentation, taking into account the outcome of expert discussions. EFSA then draft their conclusion document which is circulated to all Member States. The views of Member States are considered by EFSA when finalising their conclusion document; however, the final document presents the independent conclusion reached by the Authority.
Finalisation of the EFSA conclusion
The EFSA conclusion is a key document as it presents a comprehensive independent summary of the risk assessment. It lists the specific conclusions, reference values and endpoints; identifies particular conditions that may need to be considered in relation to the risk; and the critical areas of concern.
The finalised conclusion is sent to the European Commission. On completion of the risk assessment, EFSA makes the conclusion and all of the supporting documentation (with the exception of some specified limited confidential information) publicly available on their website.
HSE Peer-review of other Member States active substance assessments
Certain active substance evaluations for plant protection products under EU Regulation 1107/2009 prepared by other Member States are peer-reviewed by HSE and comments submitted to the relevant parties. These evaluations may include draft assessment reports for new active substances, draft renewal assessment reports and confirmatory information assessments. The commenting is limited to active substances of concern or importance to the UK. This work involves the peer-review of the assessment received, preparation of comments, subsequent follow-up processes, attendance at expert meetings at EFSA (European Food Standard Authority) and review of the final output (EFSA Conclusion).
Further Information
Rapporteur Member State assessment reports submitted for the EU peer review of active substances used in plant protection products
Public consultation on rapporteur Member State assessment reports submitted for the EU peer review of active substances used in plant protection products
Commission risk management and decision making process.
The final conclusion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is made available to all Member States and the European Commission.
Within six months of receiving the conclusion from EFSA, the European Commission is required to present a report (termed the Review Report) and a draft Regulation to the Standing Committee on Pesticides, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF). TheSCoPAFF committee, attended by all Member States, considers wider regulatory and legislative aspects to assist the European Commission in formulating regulatory proposals. Consideration will, for example, be given to the need to impose specific provisions to ensure effective risk management such as limitations on the rates and range of uses that may be authorised; the need for no-spray zones; requirements for protective equipment etc. In addition, confirmatory information, to be generated in a specified period (usually within two years of inclusion), may be identified as being necessary to address new requirements established during the evaluation process or that result from new scientific and technical knowledge.
The Standing Committee on Pesticides, Animals, Food and Feed formally gives an opinion (by qualified majority vote) on the proposals made by the European Commission. (Agendas and summaries of meetings are available on the European Commission's website - look for 'phytopharmaceuticals' meetings.) The Implementing Regulation will then be finalised (adopted) by the European Commission, taking account of the opinion of the SCoPAFF, and published in the Official Journal. The review report is also made available to the public. The European Commission maintains a database on the current status of active substances in the EU.
What happens after an active substance is approved?
Once an active substance is approved, it can be considered for authorisation and use in plant protection products in the EU. Member States take decisions at a national level, within a zonal authorisation process, on whether individual products with specific use recommendations can be authorised. Member States must ensure authorised plant protection products comply with harmonised European standards and reflect any conditions or restrictions that have been agreed for the active substance where appropriate to the plant protection product. In particular, dossiers supporting products must be evaluated in accordance with the Uniform Principles which are set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 546/2011.
What happens after a decision not to approve an active substance?
The active substance cannot be used in plant protection products in the EU. However, where an active substance had previously been approved, but failed renewal of approval, products may be given a period of grace to be withdrawn from the market.
It should be noted that the above processes also apply to applications for approval of new safeners and synergists for use in plant protection products.