1.[EU BPR]The First opinion on Union authorization was adopted The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) supported applications for EU-wide access to the market  of two biocidal product families containing iodine/PVP-iodine for use in veterinary hygiene on 20 December 2017. It is the first opinion supporting applications for Union authorization which means that it is realized successfully that companies are allowed to place their biocidal products on the market throughout the entire Union with one authorization form. 2.[US EPA-FIFRA]Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act (PRIA 4) will recently be updated PRIA 3 is about to expire and PRIA 4 will enable after PRIA 3 is invalid. While PRIA 3 was originally set to expire December 8, 2017, now for the duration of that Continuing Resolution period, it has been extended until January 19, 2018. When PRIA 4 is expected to be enabled, a number of new registration types, such as disinfectant devices identification, will be added, as well as additional review costs. 3.[Chinese disinfectant products] The relevant standards for relevant Chinese disinfectant products are to be issued. NHFPC (National Health and Family Planning Commission) is working to formulate or revise relevant standards for disinfection products, including the classified catalogue of disinfection products, hygienic safety evaluation, test contents, disinfecting wipes, etc. These are expected to be announced in the first half year of 2018. 4.[EU BPR]Draft guidance for identifying endocrine disruptors was issued This draft guidance for identifying endocrine disruptors which will be used to evaluate pesticides and biocides has been developed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with the support of the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). ECHA and EFSA are inviting interested parties to comment on the draft guidance document for the identification of endocrine disruptors under EU legisl

On 29 Dec 2017, China ICAMA opened a 60-day consultation on the” Pesticide guidelines for large area field efficacy trials”. China implemented new registration data requirements on 1 Nov 2017 in which a 1-year large area efficacy trial conducted in 2 different administrative regions will be required for registration of new agricultural and environmental use pesticides of chemical, biochemical, microbial and botanical origin.

On 25 Dec 2017, China MOA and MEP jointly solicited public comments on a draft of “Administration Measures for the Recycling and Disposal of Pesticide Packaging Waste”. The draft defines the obligation and requirements on the collection, transportation, transfer, storage and disposal of pesticide packaging waste. The expense will be borne by pesticide producers and dealers.

No.1 Top-down Renewal of Pesticide Regulations in China On 8 Feb 2017, China’s State Council approved the revised draft of “Regulation on the Administration of Pesticides”, which was implemented as of 1 Apr. Thereafter, 5 administrative measures were released in the form of ministerial regulations concerning the registration experimentation, registration, production, marketing and labeling of pesticide. On September, 6 supporting documents were issued under series of MoA Announcements. These productive legislative actions constitute a comprehensive regime of product registration and 3-element licensing system of pesticide: State Council Decree Ministerial Regulation MoA Announcement Decree 677- Regulation on the Administration of Pesticide MoA Order 3 of 2017 "Administrative Measures for the Registration of Pesticide" MoA Order 4 of 2017 "Administrative Measures for the Production License of Pesticide" MoA Order 5 of 2017 "Administrative Measures for the Marketing License of Pesticide" MoA Order 6 of 2017 "Administrative Measures for the Registration Experimentation of Pesticide" MoA Order 7 of 2017 "Administrative Measures for Pesticide Labels and Manuals" MoA Announcement 2569 "Data Requirement on Pesticide Registration" MoA announcement 2567-"Catalogue of Restricted Pesticides (Version 2017)" MoA announcement 2568-" Rules for the Inspection on Pesticide Production License"; MoA announcement 2579-"Announcement concerning the Format and Generation of 2D Codes on Pesticide Labels";  MoA announcement 2570-"Rules for the Accreditation on Testing Facilities for Pesticide Registration & Good Laboratory Practice for the Experimentation of Pesticide Registration" (2 document)

On 4 Dec 2017 China MIIT opened a 30-day consultation on the pending mandatory standard, “Fertilizer Grading and Requirements”. Depending on hazard identification result and harmful substance content, all fertilizers will be rated and labeled as ecological grade fertilizer, field grade fertilizer and garden grade fertilizer, which correspond to their permitted application area of organic agriculture, ordinary agriculture and garden use respectively.   All commercial fertilizers will be labeled and rated as ecological grade, field grade and garden grade, which correspond to their permitted application area of organic agriculture, ordinary agriculture and garden use respectively; Fertilizers with higher grade are subject to more stringent requirements on hazards, maximal limits of heavy metals, organic and microbial contaminants and veterinary antibiotics; Terrestrial plant growth test would be required for novel products prior to the placement on the market; Disclosure of plant growth hormone ingredient and raw materials in ecological grade fertilizers will be mandatorily required;

On 27th Nov 2017, China MoA officially released the expert panelists of the 9th National Committee on Pesticide Registration. The panelists were nominated on the commendation of government departments including MIIT, MEP, NHFPC, AQSIQ, SAWS and CFDA to fit specific personnel composition requirements as designated by the MoA earlier this year. Nominations were open to public consultation since 17th of October 2017. The new committee will offer technical advice in accordance with the new data requirements, which entered into force on 1 Nov 2017.

On 17 Nov 2017, the Chinese State Council's Legislative Affairs Office released the draft of “Regulation for the Prevention and Management of Agricultural Pests” and will solicit public comments until 17 Dec 2017. The draft was compiled by the MoA and clarifies the responsibilities of government departments at all levels and entities engaged in agricultural production and pest control service, as well as standardizes the practices of pest monitoring, forecast, prevention and control.

Dozens of Shandong pesticide producers have already been ordered to halt operations starting from 15 Nov 2017 to 15 Mar 2018. Moreover, Jilin, Sichuan and Henan provinces have also joined the campaign meaning 34 cities in 8 provinces are now affected. In these regions there are hundreds of pesticide and intermediate producers in various scales so we can expect high prices to continue throughout next year.

On 10 Nov 2017, China ICAMA opened a 30-day consultation on the “Guideline on Pesticide Residue Trials on Crop”. As a vital component of pesticide management, residue trial provides scientific justification for MRL development and good agricultural practice for pesticide application, which is of great significance in ensuring food safety.

On 2 Nov2017, China ICAMA released 3 draft guidelines for health risk assessment of pesticide and will solicit public opinion until 2 Dec 2017. All drafts are compiled under voluntary agricultural standards.