Approval to use an active substance in a pesticide
An applicant (for example, a pesticide manufacturer) must apply for the approval of an active substance to be used in a PPP in Great Britain (GB).
Approval process for a new active substance in GB.
Application evaluation
HSE is the assessing competent authority for GB and will evaluate the application.
A new active substance is evaluated in the areas of:
- physical chemical properties
- analytical methods
- mammalian toxicology
- operator exposure
- environmental fate
- ecotoxicology
- consumer exposure
Enough information is needed to show an application meets the criteria in Article 4 of retained Regulation 1107/2009 (Legislation.gov.uk).
GB Approvals Register
The GB Approvals Register includes active substances that are approved in GB. Active substances listed in the approvals register may be used and sold in plant protection products in GB.
GB Pesticides Approvals Register
Types of approval
There are several kinds of active substance approvals with different approval periods:
- standard chemicals and microbials – maximum approval of 10 years (first approval)
- basic substances – maximum approval of 10 years
- low risk substances – maximum approval of 15 years
- candidate for substitution – maximum approval of 7 years
- emergency approval – maximum approval of 5 years
Use of active substance in a product
Only active substances that are approved in Great Britain (GB) may be authorised in a Plant protection product for use in GB.
Apply for authorisation of a plant protection product
Trial applications
You must apply for a trials permit (previously experimental approval) if you wish to carry out research and development work involving the release into the environment of a plant protection product that is not authorised.
There are 4 different types of trials permits:
- administrative trials permits
- extrapolated trials permits (ETPs)
- consumer-assessed trials permits
- fully assessed trials permits
Apply for these trial permits using an application form.
Extra information will also be required in the submission depending on the permit type.
Active substance renewal
Once the approval of an active substance reaches its expiry date, it should be re-assessed to ensure it does not present an unacceptable risk to people or the environment under the latest standards of assessment.
Information on active substance renewal
Adverse data
Authorisation holders must submit any new information on the potentially dangerous effects of the product or active substance contained in the product for human or animal health, ground water or the environment.
Information on adverse data in the Applicant Guide
Other applications
Article 7 Amend the conditions of approval of an active substance
Conditions of approval may be amended if an amendment is applied for under Article 7 of the Regulation.
Information on Article 7 amendments
Article 21 Review of pesticide active substance approvals
Approval of an active substance may be reviewed if it comes to light that approval criteria may no longer be met.
Information on Article 21 review
Confirmatory data
Additional confirmatory information may be requested to be submitted to HSE shortly after an approval of an active substance.
Information on confirmatory data
Fees
Fees are charged according to the individual application.
New active substances, synergists, safeners, basic substances and renewal of existing active substances are charged the same fees.
Bio-pesticides and pheromones are charged lower fees.