EU Commission to Renew Glyphosate Approval with Conditions

Key Takeaways

1. Renewal of Glyphosate Approval: The EU Commission will renew glyphosate’s approval with certain conditions and restrictions.
2. The basis for Decision: Renewal based on comprehensive safety assessments by EFSA and ECHA, considering extensive scientific data.
3. Member States’ Role: Member States are responsible for national authorization of products containing glyphosate, considering EU-level approval and national circumstances.
4. 10-Year Renewal Period: Glyphosate’s renewal period is 10 years, reflecting recent comprehensive assessments and ongoing research.
5. Conditions and Restrictions: New conditions include prohibition as a desiccant, limits on impurities, specific risk assessments, and application rate guidelines.
6. Carcinogenic Concerns: EFSA and ECHA assessments found no evidence of glyphosate being carcinogenic.
7. Potential Review: The decision may be reviewed if new scientific evidence questions glyphosate’s safety.

The European Union Commission plans to renew the approval of glyphosate, subject to specific conditions and restrictions, following extensive safety assessments.

Assessment and Decision Basis

The renewal decision is based on thorough evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Beginning in December 2019, the assessment process involved a comprehensive review of over 16,000 published studies, with 780 deemed relevant.

National Authorizations and EU Role

While the EU sets the approval framework, Member States are responsible for nationalizing plant protection products containing glyphosate. They must consider EU conditions and national factors like geo-climatic conditions.

Renewal Duration and Rationale

Instead of the typical 15, Glyphosate’s ten-year renewal is based on recent, rigorous evaluations. This period may see new research insights, and the EU Commission is prepared to amend or withdraw approval if necessary.

Conditions for Safe Use

New conditions for glyphosate’s approval include a ban on its use as a desiccant, setting maximum limits for impurities, specific risk assessments, and maximum application rates.

Addressing Carcinogenic Concerns

EFSA and ECHA concluded that glyphosate is not carcinogenic, aligning with global regulatory agencies’ views. It is also not classified as an endocrine disruptor.

Provision for Future Evidence

The Commission is open to amending or withdrawing approval if new evidence indicates the non-fulfillment of approval criteria.