Several days ago the MIIT and MOF jointly published a notification (gongxinbulianjie[2014]168) specifying plans to substitute the use of highly toxic pollutants including mercury, lead and highly-toxic pesticides(HTP),including: Methidathion, Thimet, Isofenphos-Methyl, Carbofuran, Methomyl.

Highly-toxic pesticide have caused a number of prominent accidents which have grabbed media attention in recent times most notably lasts years discovery of highly toxic ginger and leek in Shandong Province. There are still 12 types of highly-toxic pesticide circulating on the Chinese pesticide market. These 12 substances represent 2.5% of the total pesticide output. In addition, there are also 300,000MT of harmful organic solvents used in pesticide formulation.

The main objective of the new plan is to reduce HTP output by 50,000 MT per year and to reduce the volume of harmful solvents (such as benzene, toluene, and xylene) by 330,000MT per year.

HTP substitution and reduction plan:

l  Replacement of HTPs by effective, safe and environmentally friendly pesticide

l  Optimizing and upgrading pesticide formulations.

l  Replace outdated formulations such as powder formulation by water based formulation

l   Expedite substitute substance registration application of harmful adjuvants (such as alkylphenol) in pesticide formulation

l   Reduce the amount of harmful organic solvents used

The 12 priority HTP include: Methidathion, Thimet, Isofenphos-Methyl, Carbofuran, Methomyl, Ethoprophos, Aldicarb, Aluminium Phosphide, Omethoate, Isocarbophos, Methyl Bromide, Endosulfan.

The reduction of harmful organic solvents is of primary relevance for EC products. For more information concerning Chinese EC product policies and regulatory status please refer to: China EC Pesticide Products: Current Status and Regulatory Overview.

For more information on the management of HTPs in china, Check out our upcoming article titled: China management of Highly-toxic pesticide, past and present.