According to the review programme of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), four active substances used for biocidal preservation—BIT (1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one), Formic acid, DBNPA (2,2-dibromo-2-cyanoacetamide), and MIT (2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one)—are scheduled to receive formal approval between October 2026 and February 2027.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has initiated public consultations regarding the approval and renewal of four biocidal active substances under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). The consultations concern substances identified as Candidates for Substitution (CfS), with several also meeting the exclusion criteria which requires specific derogations for approval.

On December 16, 2025, the European Commission proposed an amendment to the Biocidal Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) to extend the data protection period for existing active substances under review until December 31, 2030. This proposal aims to address delays in the review programme for biocidal active substances while balancing the interests of data owners and other market participants.

Recently, the European Commission officially launched a comprehensive evaluation of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal products (BPR). According to the latest announcement, the Commission opened the public consultation and Call for Evidence on its official "Have Your Say" portal on 11 December 2025.

On 15 October 2025, the European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2068, officially renewing the approval of milbemectin in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market. The decision extends the substance's approval period for 15 years, from November 16, 2025, to November 15, 2040.

List of intended studies for the renewal of the approval of Mesotrione as pesticide active substance

The European Commission has recently made the significant decision not to renew the approval for the active substance flufenacet, widely used in plant protection products. This decision comes after a thorough evaluation process under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, which governs the authorization of pesticides in the EU. The non-renewal will take effect shortly, and it is expected to impact manufacturers, suppliers, and users of plant protection products in the European market.

As part of the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU BPR), active substance approvals must be renewed before their expiry date to continue being used in biocidal products. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) mandates that renewal applications be submitted at least 550 days before the expiry date. To avoid disruptions and ensure continued market access in Northern Ireland (NI), it is crucial to meet these upcoming deadlines.

In November 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identified fludioxonil, a widely used fungicide, as an endocrine disruptor affecting estrogen, androgen, and steroidogenesis (EAS) pathways. This classification has significant implications for regulatory compliance, consumer safety, and environmental health.

In November 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released its peer review on fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, a common post-emergence herbicide used in crops like wheat, barley, and rye. This comprehensive assessment, part of the EU’s regulatory framework, highlights critical concerns about its safety for human health and the environment.