French authority publishes list of plant protection substances of concern needing urgent reassessment

The French authority ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) has published its latest opinion on plant protection active substances identified as giving cause for concern (IGAS/CGEDD/CGAAER Report).

In this expert opinion, ANSES identified some substances currently authorised at EU level that may no longer satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 (e.g. substances being carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic Category 1, or considered as POP, PBT, vPvB) or presenting potential endocrine-disrupting (ED) properties or with potential impact on the environment.

ANSES is therefore recommending the non-approval of two active substances (Mancozeb, Reprotoxic Category 1B, and Thiophanate methyl, Mutagenic Category 2), currently under renewal at EU level.

Additionally, ANSES has announced it will proactively reassess the risks of products placed on the French market that contain these substances, prior to any review undertaken at EU level. The Agency states it will prioritise the review of these approvals according to the active substances’ expiry approval date and the identified hazards.

As a result, in the period 2020-2021, ANSES will prioritise the evaluation of products containing the following substances 8-hydroxyquinoline, ipconazole, flurochloridone, spiridiclofene, halosulfuron-methyl, prochloraz, and prosulfocarb. The Agency has identified a further set of 41 substances as second priority due to indications of potential ED properties (Category II).

How TSG can help

TSG Consulting’s regulatory and scientific experts are available to help clients identify the risk of the ANSES’ opinion to products currently on the French market. We can support clients in defending products and / or substances considered as having ED properties, environmental or human health classifications presenting risks.

TSG’s experts are also available to assist in dossier preparation for the renewal of active substances at EU level.