Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

CHAPTER IU.K.GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1U.K.Subject matter and purpose

1.This Regulation lays down rules for the authorisation of plant protection products in commercial form and for their placing on the market, use and control within [F1Great Britain].

2.This Regulation lays down both rules for the approval of active substances, safeners and synergists, which plant protection products contain or consist of, and rules for adjuvants and co-formulants.

3.The purpose of this Regulation is to ensure a high level of protection of both human and animal health and the environment and to improve the functioning of the F2... market through the harmonisation of the rules on the placing on the market of plant protection products, while improving agricultural production.

4.The provisions of this Regulation are underpinned by the precautionary principle in order to ensure that active substances or products placed on the market do not adversely affect human or animal health or the environment. In particular, [F3a competent authority] shall not be prevented from applying the precautionary principle where there is scientific uncertainty as to the risks with regard to human or animal health or the environment posed by the plant protection products to be authorised in their [F4constituent] territory.

Article 2U.K.Scope

1.This Regulation shall apply to products, in the form in which they are supplied to the user, consisting of or containing active substances, safeners or synergists, and intended for one of the following uses:

(a)protecting plants or plant products against all harmful organisms or preventing the action of such organisms, unless the main purpose of these products is considered to be for reasons of hygiene rather than for the protection of plants or plant products;

[F5(b ) influencing the life processes of plants, such as substances influencing their growth, other than as a nutrient or a plant biostimulant;]

(c)preserving plant products, in so far as such substances or products are not subject to [F6retained EU law] provisions on preservatives;

(d)destroying undesired plants or parts of plants, except algae unless the products are applied on soil or water to protect plants;

(e)checking or preventing undesired growth of plants, except algae unless the products are applied on soil or water to protect plants.

These products are referred to as ‘plant protection products’.

2.This Regulation shall apply to substances, including micro-organisms having general or specific action against harmful organisms or on plants, parts of plants or plant products, referred to as ‘active substances’.

3.This Regulation shall apply to the following:

(a)substances or preparations which are added to a plant protection product to eliminate or reduce phytotoxic effects of the plant protection product on certain plants, referred to as ‘safeners’;

(b)substances or preparations which, while showing no or only weak activity as referred to in paragraph 1, can give enhanced activity to the active substance(s) in a plant protection product, referred to as ‘synergists’;

(c)substances or preparations which are used or intended to be used in a plant protection product or adjuvant, but are neither active substances nor safeners or synergists, referred to as ‘co-formulants’;

(d)substances or preparations which consist of co-formulants or preparations containing one or more co-formulants, in the form in which they are supplied to the user and placed on the market to be mixed by the user with a plant protection product and which enhance its effectiveness or other pesticidal properties, referred to as ‘adjuvants’.

Article 3U.K. [F7Definitions: general]

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

[F23Article 3AU.K. Definitions: competent authority, constituent territory and appropriate authority

1.In this Regulation, a reference to a competent authority or a constituent territory is to be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

2.The Secretary of State is the competent authority for the constituent territory of England.

3.The Welsh Ministers are the competent authority for the constituent territory of Wales.

4.The Scottish Ministers are the competent authority for the constituent territory of Scotland.

6.In this Regulation, “the appropriate authority” means—

(a)for regulations applying in relation to England, the Secretary of State;

(b)for regulations applying in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;

(c)for regulations applying in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;

7.But the appropriate authority is the Secretary of State if consent is given by—

(a)for regulations applying in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;

(b)for regulations applying in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;]

CHAPTER IIU.K.ACTIVE SUBSTANCES, SAFENERS, SYNERGISTS AND CO-FORMULANTS

SECTION 1U.K.Active substances

Subsection 1U.K.Requirements and conditions for approval

Article 4U.K.Approval criteria for active substances

1.An active substance shall be approved in accordance with Annex II if it may be expected, in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge, that, taking into account the approval criteria set out in points 2 and 3 of that Annex, plant protection products containing that active substance meet the requirements provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3.

The assessment of the active substance shall first establish whether the approval criteria set out in points 3.6.2 to 3.6.4 and 3.7 of Annex II are satisfied. If these criteria are satisfied the assessment shall continue to establish whether the other approval criteria set out in points 2 and 3 of Annex II are satisfied.

2.The residues of the plant protection products, consequent on application consistent with good plant protection practice and having regard to realistic conditions of use, shall meet the following requirements:

(a)they shall not have any harmful effects on human health, including that of vulnerable groups, or animal health, taking into account known cumulative and synergistic effects where the scientific methods accepted [F24in accordance with paragraph 8] to assess such effects are available, or on groundwater;

(b)they shall not have any unacceptable effect on the environment.

For residues which are of toxicological, ecotoxicological, environmental or drinking water relevance, there shall be methods in general use for measuring them. Analytical standards shall be commonly available.

3.A plant protection product, consequent on application consistent with good plant protection practice and having regard to realistic conditions of use, shall meet the following requirements:

(a)it shall be sufficiently effective;

(b)it shall have no immediate or delayed harmful effect on human health, including that of vulnerable groups, or animal health, directly or through drinking water (taking into account substances resulting from water treatment), food, feed or air, or consequences in the workplace or through other indirect effects, taking into account known cumulative and synergistic effects where the scientific methods accepted [F25in accordance with paragraph 8] to assess such effects are available; or on groundwater;

(c)it shall not have any unacceptable effects on plants or plant products;

(d)it shall not cause unnecessary suffering and pain to vertebrates to be controlled;

(e)it shall have no unacceptable effects on the environment, having particular regard to the following considerations where the scientific methods accepted [F26in accordance with paragraph 8] to assess such effects are available:

4.The requirements of paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be evaluated in the light of uniform principles as referred to in [F27Article 29(6)(a) which apply to each constituent territory to which approval of the active substance relates].

5.For approval of an active substance, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be deemed to be satisfied where this has been established with respect to one or more representative uses of at least one plant protection product containing that active substance.

6.In relation to human health, no data collected on humans shall be used to lower the safety margins resulting from tests or studies on animals.

7.By way of derogation from paragraph 1, where on the basis of documented evidence included in the application an active substance is necessary to control a serious danger to plant health which cannot be contained by other available means including non-chemical methods, such active substance may be approved for a limited period necessary to control that serious danger but not exceeding five years even if it does not satisfy the criteria set out in points 3.6.3, 3.6.4, 3.6.5 or 3.8.2 of Annex II, provided that the use of the active substance is subject to risk mitigation measures to ensure that exposure of humans and the environment is minimised. For such substances maximum residue levels shall be set in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

This derogation shall not apply to active substances which are or have to be classified in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, as carcinogenic category 1A, carcinogenic category 1B without a threshold, or toxic for reproduction category 1A.

[F28A competent authority] may authorise plant protection products containing active substances approved in accordance with this paragraph only when it is necessary to control that serious danger to plant health in [F29its constituent] territory.

At the same time, [F30the competent authority] shall draw up a phasing out plan concerning the control of the serious danger by other means, including non-chemical methods, and shall without delay [F31publish that plan in a manner which the competent authority considers appropriate].

[F328.For the purposes of paragraphs 2(a) and 3(b) and (e), scientific methods are accepted if they are accepted—

(a)in relation to England, by the Secretary of State;

(b)in relation to Wales—

(i)by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Welsh Ministers, or

(ii)by the Welsh Ministers;

(c)in relation to Scotland—

(i)by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Scottish Ministers, or

(ii)by the Scottish Ministers;]

[F33Article 5U.K.First approval

1.First approval must be for a period not exceeding—

(a)10 years for an active substance, safener or synergist;

(b)15 years for a low-risk active substance (see Article 22);

(c)7 years for a candidate for substitution (see Article 24).

2.Paragraph 1 is subject to Article 17.

3.Approval for a basic substance (see Article 23) is for an unlimited period.]

Article 6U.K.Conditions and restrictions

[F341.] Approval may be subject to conditions and restrictions including:

[F362.A competent authority may request from a specified competent authority a copy of any confirmatory information received in accordance with paragraph 1(f), which the specified competent authority must provide as soon as reasonably practicable.

3.In this Article, “specified” means specified in the condition referred to in paragraph 1(f).]

Subsection 2U.K.Approval procedure

Article 7U.K.Application

[F371.An application for the approval of an active substance may be submitted by the producer of the active substance to a competent authority.

1A.An application for an amendment to the conditions of an approval may be submitted by the producer of the active substance to a competent authority for a constituent territory to which the approval applies.

1B.A joint application may be submitted under paragraph 1 or 1A by an association of producers designated by the producers for the purpose of compliance with this Regulation.

1C.For the purposes of this Subsection, “the assessing competent authority” in relation to an application is the competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or 1A respectively, except where a transfer has been agreed under Article 12A(1).

1D.An application under paragraph 1 or 1A must be submitted together with a summary and a complete dossier as provided for in Article 8(1) and (2) or a scientifically reasoned justification for not providing certain parts of those dossiers, demonstrating that the active substance fulfils the approval criteria provided for in Article 4.]

F382.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.When submitting the application, the applicant may pursuant to Article 63 request certain information, including certain parts of the dossier, to be kept confidential and shall physically separate that information.

[F39The assessing competent authority] shall assess the confidentiality requests. Upon a request for access to information, the [F40assessing competent authority] shall decide what information is to be kept confidential.

4.When submitting the application the applicant shall at the same time join a complete list of tests and studies submitted pursuant to Article 8(2) and a list of any claims for data protection pursuant to Article 59.

[F415.When assessing the application the assessing competent authority may obtain independent scientific advice, where the assessing competent authority considers it appropriate to do so.]

Article 8U.K.Dossiers

1.The summary dossier shall include the following:

(a)information with respect to one or more representative uses on a [F42crop grown in the United Kingdom] of at least one plant protection product containing the active substance, demonstrating that the approval criteria provided for in Article 4 are met; where the information submitted does not F43... concern a crop F44... , justification for this approach;

(b)for each point of the data requirements for the active substance [F45which apply in each of the constituent territories to which the application relates], the summaries and results of tests and studies, the name of their owner and of the person or institute that has carried out the tests and studies;

(c)for each point of the data requirements for the plant protection product [F46which apply in each of the constituent territories to which the application relates], the summaries and results of tests and studies, the name of their owner and of the person or institute that carried out the tests and studies, relevant to the assessment of the criteria provided for in Article 4(2) and (3) for one or more plant protection products which are representative of the uses referred to in point (a), taking into account the fact that data gaps in the dossier, as provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article, resulting from the proposed limited range of representative uses of the active substance, may lead to restrictions in the approval;

(d)for each test or study involving vertebrate animals, a justification of the steps taken to avoid animal testing and duplication of tests and studies on vertebrate animals;

(e)a checklist demonstrating that the dossier provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article is complete in view of the uses applied for;

(f)the reasons why the test and study reports submitted are necessary for first approval of the active substance or for amendments to the conditions of the approval;

(g)where relevant, a copy of an application for a maximum residue level as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 or a justification for not supplying such information;

(h)an assessment of all information submitted.

2.The complete dossier shall contain the full text of the individual test and study reports concerning all the information referred to in points (b) and (c) of paragraph 1. It shall not contain any reports of tests or studies involving the deliberate administration of the active substance or the plant protection product to humans.

F473.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F484.The appropriate authority may by regulations prescribe the data requirements for—

(a)one or more active substances, safeners and synergists for the purposes of paragraph 1(b);

(b)plant protection products for the purposes of paragraph 1(c).]

5.Scientific peer-reviewed open literature, as [F49described in guidance issued under Article 77], on the active substance and its relevant metabolites dealing with side-effects on health, the environment and non-target species and published within the last 10 years before the date of submission of the dossier shall be added by the applicant to the dossier.

Article 9U.K.Admissibility of the application

1.Within 45 days of receiving the application, the [F50assessing competent authority] shall send the applicant a written acknowledgement, stating the date of receipt, and check whether the dossiers submitted with the application contain all the elements provided for in Article 8, using the checklist referred to in point (e) of Article 8(1). It shall also check the requests for confidentiality referred to in Article 7(3) and the complete lists of tests and studies submitted pursuant to Article 8(2).

2.Where one or more of the elements provided for in Article 8 are missing, the [F51assessing competent authority] shall inform the applicant, setting a period for their submission. Such period shall be a maximum of 3 months.

Where at the end of that period, the applicant has not submitted the missing elements, the [F51assessing competent authority] shall inform the applicant [F52and the other competent authorities] that the application is inadmissible.

A new application for the same substance may be submitted at any time.

3.Where the dossiers submitted with the application contain all the elements provided for in Article 8, the [F53assessing competent authority] shall notify the applicant [F54and the other competent authorities] of the admissibility of the application and start assessing the active substance.

After receiving that notification, the applicant [F55must on request] forward the dossiers as provided for in Article 8 to the other [F56competent authorities], including the information about those parts of the dossiers in respect of which confidentiality has been requested as referred to in Article 7(3).

Article 10U.K.Access to the summary dossier

The [F57assessing competent authority] shall without delay make the summary dossier referred to in Article 8(1) available to the public, excluding any information in respect of which confidential treatment has been requested and justified pursuant to Article 63, unless there is an overriding public interest in its disclosure.

Article 11U.K.Draft assessment report

1.Within 12 months of the date of the notification provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 9(3), the [F58assessing competent authority] shall prepare and submit to the [F59other competent authorities] a report, referred to as the ‘draft assessment report’, assessing whether the active substance can be expected to meet the approval criteria provided for in Article 4.

2.The draft assessment report shall also include where relevant, a proposal to set maximum residue levels.

The [F60assessing competent authority] shall make an independent, objective and transparent assessment in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge.

Where, pursuant to Article 4(1), the assessment establishes that the approval criteria set out in points 3.6.2 to 3.6.4 and 3.7 of Annex II are not satisfied, the draft assessment report shall be limited to those parts of the assessment.

3.Where the [F61assessing competent authority] needs additional studies or information, it shall set a period in which the applicant must supply those studies or that information. In that case, the 12-month period shall be extended by the additional period granted by the [F61assessing competent authority]. The additional period shall be of a maximum of 6 months and shall cease at the moment when the additional information is received by the [F61assessing competent authority]. It shall inform the [F62other competent authorities] accordingly.

Where at the end of the additional period, the applicant has not submitted the additional studies or information, the [F63assessing competent authority] shall inform the applicant [F64and the other competent authorities,] and shall state the missing elements in the assessment included in the draft assessment report.

F654.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 12U.K.Conclusion by the [F66assessing competent authority]

1.[F67(a)The assessing competent authority must circulate the draft assessment report to the applicant and the other competent authorities at the latest 30 days after its completion. The assessing competent authority may ask the applicant to circulate any updated dossier to the assessing competent authority and the other competent authorities.]

[F68(b)] The [F69assessing competent authority] shall make the draft assessment report available to the public, after giving the applicant two weeks to request, pursuant to Article 63, that certain parts of the draft assessment report be kept confidential.

[F68(c)] The [F70assessing competent authority] shall allow a period of 60 days for the submission of written comments.

2.F71...

Within 120 days of the end of the period provided for the submission of written comments, the [F72assessing competent authority] shall adopt a conclusion in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge using guidance documents available at the time of application on whether the active substance can be expected to meet the approval criteria provided for in Article 4 and shall communicate it to the applicant [F73and the other competent authorities,] and shall make it available to the public. [F74In the event that independent scientific advice is obtained by the assessing competent authority in accordance with Article 7(5), the 120-day period must be extended by 90 days.]

Where appropriate, the [F75assessing competent authority] shall address in its conclusion the risk mitigation options identified in the draft assessment report.

3. [F76(a)]Where the [F77assessing competent authority] needs additional information, it shall set a period of a maximum of 90 days for the applicant to supply it to the [F78assessing competent authority and the other competent authorities].

[F79(b)The assessing competent authority must assess the additional information, and for that purpose the period provided for in paragraph 2 may be extended by a maximum of 60 days.]

[F80(c)] The [F81assessing competent authority] may F82... consult a F83... reference laboratory, designated pursuant to [F84Regulation (EU) 2017/625] for the purposes of verifying whether the analytical method for the determination of the residues proposed by the applicant is satisfactory and meets the requirements in Article 29(1)(g) of this Regulation. The applicant shall, if requested by the F83... reference laboratory, provide samples and analytical standards.

4.The conclusion of the [F85assessing competent authority] shall include details concerning the evaluation procedure and the properties of the active substance concerned.

F865.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.The time [F87limit] for decisions on applications concerning maximum residue levels set out in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 shall be without prejudice to the time limits laid down in this Regulation.

F887.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F888.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F89Article 12AU.K. Application for approval: transfer of assessment functions

1.The assessing competent authority may by agreement transfer the functions listed in paragraph 2 in relation to an application for approval to another competent authority for a constituent territory in relation to which the same application has been made, and upon transfer that competent authority is the assessing competent authority for the purposes of this Subsection.

2.For the purposes of paragraph 1 the functions are the functions of the assessing competent authority under Articles 7(3) and (5), 9, 10, 11 and 12.

3.Following a transfer under paragraph 1, the assessing competent authority must notify the applicant of the transfer.

4.A transfer in accordance with paragraph 1 does not—

(a)affect anything done by the assessing competent authority prior to transfer;

(b)affect the timing of any requirements placed on the assessing competent authority under this Subsection.]

[F90Article 13U.K.Approval Decision

1.Within six months of the relevant conclusion date, a competent authority for a constituent territory to which the application relates must decide to do one of the following—

(a)approve the active substance, subject to conditions or restrictions, as referred to in Article 6(1), where appropriate;

(b)amend the conditions of the approval; or

(c)refuse to approve the active substance.

2.In making a decision under paragraph 1, the competent authority must have regard to—

(a)the conclusion of the assessing competent authority;

(b)any comments received by the assessing competent authority in relation to the application, including any environmental monitoring information submitted by an appropriate agency;

(c)where the competent authority considers it appropriate to obtain it, any independent scientific advice obtained;

(d)where the conditions laid down in Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety are relevant, the precautionary principle;

(e)any other matters which the competent authority considers relevant to the competent authority's decision.

3.As soon as reasonably practicable after making a decision under paragraph 1, the competent authority must—

(a)notify the applicant and the other competent authorities in writing of the decision and the reasons for it, and

(b)update the approvals register accordingly.

4.The Secretary of State may make a decision under paragraph 1 instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers;

5.Where the Secretary of State makes a decision in accordance with paragraph 4—

(a)a reference in paragraphs 2 and 3 to the competent authority is to be read as a reference to the Secretary of State;

(b)paragraph 3(a) is to be read as if “other” were omitted.

6.In paragraph 1, the “relevant conclusion date” means—

(a)where the competent authority is the assessing competent authority, the date on which the competent authority adopts a conclusion under Article 12(2);

(b)otherwise, the date on which the competent authority receives the conclusion of the assessing competent authority in accordance with Article 12(2).

7.In paragraph 2(b), “appropriate agency” means one of the following—

(a)the Environment Agency;

(b)the Natural Resources Body for Wales;

(c)the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.]

Subsection 3U.K.Renewal and review

Article 14U.K.Renewal of approval

1.On application the approval of an active substance shall be renewed where it is established that the approval criteria provided for in Article 4 are satisfied.

Article 4 shall be deemed to be satisfied where this has been established with respect to one or more representative uses of at least one plant protection product containing that active substance.

Such renewal of the approval may include conditions and restrictions, as referred to in [F91Article 6(1)].

[F922.The renewal of the approval must be for a period not exceeding—

(a)where the active substance is covered by Article 4(7), 5 years;

(b)for a candidate for substitution (see Article 24), 7 years;

(c)otherwise, 15 years.

3.Paragraph 2 is subject to Article 17.]

Article 15U.K.Application for renewal

1.The application provided for in Article 14 shall be submitted by a producer of the active substance to a [F93competent authority for a constituent territory in relation to which the active substance is approved], no later than three years before the expiry of the approval.

[F941A.For the purposes of this Subsection, “the assessing competent authority” in relation to an application is the competent authority referred to in paragraph 1, except where a transfer has been agreed under Article 15A(1).]

2.When applying for renewal, the applicant shall identify new data he intends to submit and demonstrate that they are necessary, because of data requirements or criteria which were not applicable at the time of the last approval of the active substance or because his request is for an amended approval. The applicant shall at the same time submit a timetable of any new and ongoing studies.

The applicant shall identify, giving reasons, the parts of the information submitted that he requests to be kept confidential in accordance with Article 63 and at the same time any data protection claims pursuant to Article 59.

[F953.The assessing competent authority must notify the other competent authorities as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of an application under paragraph 1.

4.A competent authority which receives a notification under paragraph 3 may request in writing from the applicant a copy of the application and any accompanying information, which the applicant must provide as soon as reasonably practicable.]

[F96Article 15AU.K. Applications for renewal: transfer of assessment

1.The assessing competent authority may by agreement transfer the function of assessing an application for renewal to another competent authority for a constituent territory in relation to which the active substance to be renewed is approved, and upon transfer that competent authority is the assessing competent authority for that application for the purposes of the renewal provisions.

2.The application for renewal and any supporting dossiers or information must be transferred at the same time as the transfer under paragraph 1.

3.Following a transfer under paragraph 1, the assessing competent authority must notify the applicant of the transfer.

4.A transfer in accordance with paragraph 1 does not—

(a)affect anything done by the assessing competent authority prior to transfer;

(b)affect the timing of any requirements placed on the assessing competent authority under the renewal provisions.

5.In this Article, the “renewal provisions” means the provisions of—

(a)this Subsection, and

(b)Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012 setting out the provisions necessary for the implementation of the renewal procedure for active substances.]

Article 16U.K.Access to the information for renewal

The [F97assessing competent authority] shall, without delay, make available to the public the information provided by the applicant under Article 15, excluding any information in respect of which confidential treatment has been requested and justified pursuant to Article 63, unless there is an overriding public interest in its disclosure.

Article 17U.K.Extension of approval period for the duration of the procedure

[F981.Where for reasons beyond the control of the applicant it appears to a competent authority that the approval is likely to expire before a decision has been taken on renewal, the competent authority must extend the approval period by a further period sufficient to examine the application.]

F99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F1003.]The length of that period shall be established on the basis of the following:

[F1014.As soon as reasonably practicable after extending the approval period in accordance with the first paragraph, the competent authority must—

(a)notify the applicant and the other competent authorities of the extension, and

(b)update the approvals register accordingly.

5.The Secretary of State may extend approval under paragraph 1 instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

6.Where the Secretary of State extends approval in accordance with paragraph 5, paragraph 4 is to be read as if—

(a)in the words before point (a), the reference to the competent authority were a reference to the Secretary of State;

(b)in point (a), “other” were omitted.]

Article 18U.K.Work programme

[F1021.][F103A competent authority] may establish a work programme grouping together similar active substances setting priorities on the basis of safety concerns for human and animal health or the environment and taking into account, as far as possible, the need for an effective control and resistance management of target pest. The programme may require interested parties to submit all the necessary data to the [F104competent authority] within a period provided for in the programme.

[F1052.]The programme shall include the following:

[F1073.The competent authority may vary or withdraw a work programme established by it.

4.The competent authority must publish the work programme and notice of any variation or withdrawal of a work programme in such manner as the competent authority thinks appropriate.

5.The Secretary of State may establish, vary or withdraw a work programme under paragraph 1 or 3 instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

6.Where the Secretary of State establishes, varies or withdraws a work programme in accordance with paragraph 5, a reference in paragraph 4 to the competent authority is to be read as a reference to the Secretary of State.

7.Where the Secretary of State establishes, varies or withdraws a work programme in accordance with paragraph 5 in respect of one or more competent authorities, the programme must also include an allocation of evaluation of active substances to the Secretary of State and those competent authorities, taking into account a balance in the responsibilities and work to be done among the Secretary of State and those competent authorities.

8.A competent authority may request in writing from the competent authority which receives data relating to an active substance in accordance with a work programme under this Article a copy of that data, which the competent authority must provide as soon as reasonably practicable.]

[F108Article 19U.K.Implementing measures

The appropriate authority may, by regulations, make provision necessary for the implementation of the renewal procedure. ]

[F108Article 20U.K.Renewal decision

1.Within six months of the relevant conclusion date, a competent authority for a constituent territory to which the application relates must decide to either—

(a)renew the approval of the active substance, subject to conditions or restrictions, as referred to in Article 6(1), where appropriate; or

(b)refuse to renew approval of the active substance.

2.In making a decision under paragraph 1, the competent authority must have regard to—

(a) the conclusion of the assessing competent authority and the opinion of the Agency, if any, referred to in Article 37(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008;

(b)any comments received by the assessing competent authority in relation to the application, including any environmental monitoring information submitted by an appropriate agency;

(c)where the competent authority considers it appropriate to obtain it, any independent scientific advice obtained;

(d)where the conditions laid down in Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council are relevant, the precautionary principle;

(e)any other matters which the competent authority considers relevant to the competent authority's decision.

3.Where the reasons for not renewing the approval of an active substance—

(a)relate to immediate concerns for the protection of human or animal health or the environment, plant protection products containing that active substance must be withdrawn from the market immediately;

(b)do not fall within point (a), the competent authority must set a grace period in respect of existing stocks of the plant protection products containing that active substance.

4.The grace period—

(a)for the sale and distribution of the plant protection products must take into account the normal period of use of those plant protection products but must not exceed six months;

(b)for the disposal, storage, and use of the plant protection products must be consecutive to the period described in point (a) and must not exceed one year.

5.As soon as reasonably practicable after making a decision under paragraph 1, the competent authority must—

(a)notify the applicant and the other competent authorities in writing of the decision under paragraph 1, the reasons for that decision and the details of any grace period set in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4, and

(b)update the approvals register accordingly.

6.The Secretary of State may make a decision under paragraph 1 instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

7.Where the Secretary of State makes a decision in accordance with paragraph 6, a reference in paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 to the competent authority is to be read as a reference to the Secretary of State.

8.In paragraph 1, the “relevant conclusion date” means—

(a)where the competent authority is the assessing competent authority, the date on which the competent authority adopts a conclusion under Article 13(1) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012;

(b)otherwise, the date on which the competent authority receives the conclusion of the assessing competent authority in accordance with Article 13(1) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012.

9.In paragraph 2(b), “appropriate agency” has the meaning given by Article 13(7).]

[F108Article 20AU.K. Review of further information submitted

1.Where an approval is subject to a condition in accordance with Article 6(1)(f), any confirmatory information received within the period specified in the condition must be assessed by the reviewing authority.

2.Within 6 months of receipt of the confirmatory information, the reviewing authority must—

(a)assess that information, and

(b)submit its assessment to the other competent authorities.

3.For the purposes of this Article, the “reviewing authority” is—

(a)the competent authority specified in the condition to which the approval is subject, or

(b)a competent authority to which the function of reviewing the confirmatory information is transferred in accordance with paragraph 4.

4.The reviewing authority may by agreement transfer the function of reviewing confirmatory information received to another competent authority.

5.Any confirmatory information received must be transferred at the same time as the transfer under paragraph 4.

6.Following a transfer under paragraph 4, the competent authority to which the function is transferred must notify the applicant of the transfer.

7.A transfer in accordance with paragraph 4 does not—

(a)affect anything done by the reviewing authority prior to transfer;

(b)affect the timing of the requirement in paragraph 2.]

[F108Article 21U.K.Review of approval

1.A competent authority may review the approval of an active substance in relation to its constituent territory at any time.

2.The competent authority must review the approval of an active substance in relation to its constituent territory where—

(a)the competent authority has assessed confirmatory information as reviewing authority in accordance with Article 20A(1),

(b)the competent authority receives the assessment of the reviewing competent authority in accordance with Article 20A(2)(b), or

(c)further information required in accordance with a condition under Article 6(1)(f) has not been provided within the period specified in the condition.

3.Where the competent authority considers that—

(a)in light of new scientific and technical knowledge or the assessment of the reviewing authority in accordance with Article 20A, there are indications that the active substance no longer satisfies the approval criteria provided for in Article 4, or

(b)further information required in accordance with a condition under Article 6(1)(f) has not been provided

the competent authority must inform each of the other competent authorities and the producer of the active substance accordingly, setting a period for the submission of comments.

4.The competent authority may obtain independent scientific advice, where the competent authority considers it appropriate to do so.

5.Where the competent authority concludes, having considered comments received during the period set in accordance with paragraph 3 and any other information or matters that the competent authority considers relevant to the review, that paragraph 3(a) or (b) apply, the competent authority must decide to either—

(a)amend the conditions or restrictions of the approval, or

(b)withdraw the approval.

6.Where the reasons for withdrawing the approval of an active substance—

(a)relate to immediate concerns for the protection of human or animal health or the environment, plant protection products containing that active substance must be withdrawn from the market immediately;

(b)do not fall within point (a), the competent authority must set a grace period in respect of existing stocks of the plant protection products containing that active substance.

7.The grace period—

(a)for the sale and distribution of the plant protection products must take into account the normal period of use of those plant protection products but must not exceed six months;

(b)for the disposal, storage, and use of the plant protection products must be consecutive to the period described in point (a) and must not exceed one year.

8.As soon as reasonably practicable after making a decision under paragraph 5, the competent authority must—

(a)notify the producer of the active substance and the other competent authorities in writing of the decision, the reasons for that decision, and the details of any grace period set in accordance with paragraphs 6 and 7, and

(b)update the approvals register accordingly.

9.The Secretary of State may review an active substance under paragraph 1 or 2 instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

10.Where the Secretary of State reviews an active substance in accordance with paragraph 9, a reference in paragraphs 3 to 6 and 8 to the competent authority is to be read as a reference to the Secretary of State.]

Subsection 4U.K.Derogations

[F109Article 22U.K.Low-risk active substances

1.An active substance complying with the criteria provided for in Article 4 must be approved as a low-risk active substance where—

(a)that substance complies with the criteria in point 5 of Annex 2, and

(b)it may be expected that plant protection products containing that substance will pose only a low risk to human and animal health and the environment as provided for in Article 47(1).

2.Articles 4 to 21 apply.

3.The appropriate authority may, by regulations, amend point 5 of Annex 2 to specify new criteria for approving an active substance as a low-risk active substance.]

Article 23U.K.Approval criteria for basic substances

1.Basic substances shall be approved in accordance with [F110this Article]. F111...

For the purpose of [F110this Article], a basic substance is an active substance which:

(a)is not a substance of concern; and

(b)does not have an inherent capacity to cause endocrine disrupting, neurotoxic or immunotoxic effects; and

(c)is not predominantly used for plant protection purposes but nevertheless is useful in plant protection either directly or in a product consisting of the substance and a simple diluent; and

(d)is not placed on the market as a plant protection product.

For the purpose of this Regulation, an active substance which fulfils the criteria of a ‘foodstuff’ as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 shall be considered as a basic substance.

2.By way of derogation from Article 4, a basic substance shall be approved where any relevant evaluations, carried out in accordance with other F112... legislation regulating the use of that substance for purposes other than for a plant protection product, show that the substance has neither an immediate or delayed harmful effect on human or animal health nor an unacceptable effect on the environment.

3.By way of derogation from Article 7 an application for the approval of a basic substance shall be submitted F113... by any interested party to the [F114the competent authority for the constituent territory in relation to which approval is sought].

The application shall be accompanied by the following information:

(a)any evaluations of its possible effects on human or animal health or the environment carried out in accordance with other F115... legislation regulating the use of the substance; and

(b)other relevant information on its possible effects on human or animal health or the environment.

F1164.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F1175.Article 6 applies to the approval of a basic substance.

5A.Within the decision period following receipt of the application and accompanying information, the competent authority must decide to either—

(a)approve the basic substance, subject to conditions or restrictions, as referred to in Article 6(1), where appropriate, or

(b)refuse to approve the basic substance.

5B.In paragraph 5A, the “decision period” is—

(a)where the competent authority obtains independent scientific advice in respect of the application, nine months;

(b)otherwise, six months.

5C.In making a decision under paragraph 5A, the competent authority must have regard to—

(a)the application and accompanying information,

(b)where the competent authority considers it appropriate to obtain it, any independent scientific advice obtained,

(c)where the conditions laid down in Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council are relevant, the precautionary principle, and

(d)any other matters which the competent authority considers relevant to the competent authority's determination of the application.

5D.As soon as reasonably practicable after making a decision under paragraph 5A, the competent authority must—

(a)notify the applicant and the other competent authorities in writing of that decision and the reasons for it, and

(b)update the approvals register accordingly.

5E.Article 20A applies to an approval of a basic substance which is subject to a condition in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) as it applies to an approval of an active substance.

5F.The Secretary of State may make a decision under paragraph 5A instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

5G.Where the Secretary of State makes a decision in accordance with paragraph 5F, a reference in paragraphs 5A to 5D to the competent authority is to be read as a reference to the Secretary of State.]

F1186.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F119Article 23AU.K. Review of basic substance approval

1.A competent authority may review the approval of a basic substance at any time.

2.A competent authority must review the approval of a basic substance where—

(a)the competent authority has received and assessed confirmatory information in accordance with Article 20A (as applied by Article 23(5E));

(b)further information required in accordance with a condition under Article 6(1)(f) has not been provided within the period specified in that condition.

3.Where the competent authority considers that there are indications that the substance no longer satisfies the criteria provided for in Article 23(1) to (3), the competent authority must inform the other competent authorities and the interested party referred to in Article 23(3) accordingly, setting a period for the submission of comments.

4.The competent authority may obtain independent scientific advice, where the competent authority considers it appropriate to do so.

5.Where the competent authority concludes that, having considered comments received during the period set in accordance with paragraph 3 and any other information or matters that the competent authority considers important and relevant to the review, the substance no longer satisfies the criteria provided for in Article 23(1), the competent authority must decide to either—

(a)amend the conditions of the approval, or

(b)withdraw the approval.

6.As soon as reasonably practicable after making a decision under paragraph 5, the competent authority must—

(a)notify the other competent authorities and the interested party referred to in Article 23(3) in writing of the decision and the reasons for it, and

(b)update the approvals register accordingly.

7.The Secretary of State may review an active substance under paragraph 1 or 2 instead of a competent authority—

(a)in relation to Wales, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers;

(b)in relation to Scotland, with the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

8.Where the Secretary of State reviews an active substance in accordance with paragraph 7, a reference in paragraphs 3 to 6 to the competent authority is to be read as a reference to the Secretary of State.]

Article 24U.K.Candidates for substitution

1.An active substance complying with the criteria provided for in Article 4 shall be approved F120... as a candidate for substitution if it meets one or more of the additional criteria laid down in point 4 of Annex II. F121...

2.Without prejudice to paragraph 1, Articles 4 to 21 shall apply. F122...

SECTION 2U.K.Safeners and synergists

Article 25U.K.Approval of safeners and synergists

1.A safener or synergist shall be approved, where it complies with Article 4.

2.Articles 5 to 21 shall apply.

F1233.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F124Article 25AU.K. Safeners and synergists on the market on or before 14th June 2011

1.A safener or synergist is deemed to be approved for the purposes of this Regulation in each constituent territory if on or before 14th June 2011 it was—

(a)held for the purpose of sale within the European Union, an EEA state or the United Kingdom, including being offered for sale or other form of transfer, whether free of charge or not;

(b)sold, distributed or otherwise transferred within the European Union, an EEA state or the United Kingdom, but not including return to the previous seller; or

(c)released for free circulation into the territory of the European Union, an EEA state or the United Kingdom.

2.For the purposes of paragraph 1, “the European Union” does not include the Republic of Croatia.

3.A safener or synergist is deemed to be approved in accordance with paragraph 1 in a constituent territory until—

(a)where an application for approval of that safener or synergist is received in accordance with Article 7 (as applied by Article 25(2)), the date on which a decision is made by the competent authority for that constituent territory or the Secretary of State in accordance with Article 13 (as applied by Article 25(2));

(b)otherwise, the earliest of the following dates—

(i)the date on which the competent authority or the Secretary of State decides to withdraw approval of the safener or synergist for that constituent territory in accordance with Article 21 as applied by paragraph 4;

(ii)the date on which the first regulations made under Article 8(4)(a) in respect of safeners or synergists (as the case may be) which apply to that constituent territory come into force.

4.Article 21 applies to a safener or synergist deemed to be approved in accordance with paragraph 1 as if—

(a)a reference to an active substance were a reference to that safener or synergist;

(b)paragraph 2 were omitted;

(c)in paragraph 3—

(i)in point (a), the words from “or the assessment” to “Article 20A,” were omitted;

(ii)point (b) (and the “or” immediately preceding it) were omitted;

(d)in paragraph 5, for “or (b) apply” there were substituted “applies”;

(e)paragraph 8(b) (and the “and” immediately preceding it) were omitted;

(f)in paragraph 9, in the words before point (a) “or 2” were omitted.]

Article 26U.K.Safeners and synergists already on the market

By 14 December 2014, a Regulation shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 79(4) establishing a work programme for the gradual review of synergists and safeners on the market when that Regulation enters into force. The Regulation shall include the establishment of data requirements, including measures to minimise animal testing, notification, evaluation, assessment and decision-making procedures. It shall require interested parties to submit all the necessary data to the Member States, the Commission and the Authority within a specified period.

SECTION 3U.K.Unacceptable co-formulants

Article 27U.K.Co-formulants

1.A co-formulant shall not be accepted for inclusion in a plant protection product where it has been established that:

(a)its residues, consequent on application consistent with good plant protection practice, and having regard to realistic conditions of use, have a harmful effect on human or animal health or on groundwater or an unacceptable effect on the environment; or

(b)its use, consequent on application consistent with good plant protection practice and having regard to realistic conditions of use, has a harmful effect on human or animal health or an unacceptable effect on plants, plant products or the environment.

2.Co-formulants which are not accepted for inclusion in a plant protection product pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be included [F125on the unacceptable co-formulants register].

3.[F126A competent authority may review co-formulants which are not accepted in the competent authority's constituent territory for inclusion in a plant protection product at any time.] [F127The competent authority] may take into account relevant information provided by [F128the other competent authorities].

F1294.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F1305.The appropriate authority may, by regulations, make provision necessary for the implementation of this Article.]

[F131SECTION 4U.K.Registers

Article 27AU.K. Approvals register

1.The competent authorities must jointly establish and maintain a register of active substances, safeners, synergists, low-risk active substances, basic substances and candidates for substitution approved in accordance with this Regulation.

2.The entry on the register for each substance must contain the following information—

(a)the common name and identification numbers of the substance;

(b)the IUPAC name of the substance, where available;

(c)the minimum purity of the substance;

(d)in respect of each constituent territory to which the entry relates—

(i)whether the substance has been approved as an active substance, safener, synergist, low-risk active substance, basic substance or candidate for substitution;

(ii)the date of the approval decision;

(iii)except in relation to approved basic substances, the expiration date of approval;

(iv)information on any specific provisions, conditions or requirements in respect of the approved substance.

3.The register must contain a search facility.

4.The competent authorities must jointly make the register available for inspection by the public on a website maintained by one or more of the competent authorities.

Article 27BU.K. Unacceptable co-formulants register

1.The competent authorities must jointly establish and maintain a register of co-formulants which are not acceptable for inclusion in a plant protection product in accordance with Article 27.

2.The entry on the register for each co-formulant must contain the following information—

(a)the common name of the co-formulant;

(b)the IUPAC name of the co-formulant (where available);

(c)the CAS number of the co-formulant (where available);

(d)the EC number of the co-formulant (where available);

(e)in respect of each constituent territory to which the entry relates—

(i)the date of the decision that the co-formulant was not acceptable for inclusion in a plant protection product;

(ii)the sunset date for the co-formulant;

(iii)any conditions of restriction relating to the co-formulant;

(iv)any other information regarding the co-formulant that the competent authority considers relevant.

3.The register must contain a search facility.

4.The competent authorities must jointly make the register available for inspection by the public on a website maintained by one or more of the competent authorities.]

CHAPTER IIIU.K. PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS

F132F133SECTION 1U.K.Authorisation

Subsection 1U.K.Requirements and contents

Article 28U.K.Authorisation for placing on the market and use

1.A plant protection product shall not be placed on the market or used [F134in a constituent territory] unless it has been authorised [F135by the relevant competent authority] in accordance with this Regulation.

2.By way of derogation from paragraph 1, no authorisation shall be required in the following cases:

(a)use of products containing exclusively one or more basic substances;

(b)placing on the market and use of plant protection products for research or development purposes in accordance with Article 54;

(c)production, storage or movement of a plant protection product intended for use in [F136the constituent territory of another competent authority], provided that the product is authorised [F137by that other competent authority for that constituent territory];

(d)production, storage or movement of a plant protection product intended for use [F138outside Great Britain] provided that [F139there are inspection requirements in place] to ensure that the plant protection product is exported from [F140the United Kingdom or, where the product is intended for use in Northern Ireland, is transported to Northern Ireland];

(e)placing on the market and use of plant protection products for which a parallel trade permit [F141is in force] in accordance with [F142Article 52A and, for these purposes, a plant protection product subject to a grace period granted in accordance with Article 46 (as applied by Article 52A) is to be treated as though it were a product for which a parallel trade permit is in force].

Article 29U.K.Requirements for the authorisation for placing on the market

1.Without prejudice to Article 50 a plant protection product shall only be authorised where following the uniform principles referred to in paragraph 6 [F143for the constituent territory of authorisation] it complies with the following requirements:

(a)its active substances, safeners and synergists [F144are approved in the constituent territory of authorisation, and approval is not suspended in accordance with Article 69];

(b)where its active substance, safener or synergist is produced by a different source, or by the same source with a change in the manufacturing process and/or manufacturing location:

(c)its co-formulants are not included [F146on the unacceptable co-formulants register in relation to the constituent territory of authorisation];

(d)its technical formulation is such that user exposure or other risks are limited as much as possible without compromising the functioning of the product;

(e)in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge, it complies with the requirements provided for in Article 4(3);

(f)the nature and quantity of its active substances, safeners and synergists and, where appropriate, any toxicologically, ecotoxicologically or environmentally relevant impurities and co-formulants can be determined by appropriate methods;

(g)its residues, resulting from authorised uses, and which are of toxicological, ecotoxicological or environmental relevance, can be determined by appropriate methods in general use in [F147Great Britain], with appropriate limits of determination on relevant samples;

(h)its physical and chemical properties have been determined and deemed acceptable for the purposes of the appropriate use and storage of the product;

(i)for plants or plant products to be used as feed or food, where appropriate, the maximum residue levels for the agricultural products affected by the use referred to in the authorisation have been set or modified [F148in relation to the constituent territory of authorisation] in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

2.The applicant shall demonstrate that the requirements provided for in points (a) to (h) of paragraph 1 are met.

3.Compliance with the requirements set out in point (b) and points (e) to (h) of paragraph 1 shall be established by official or officially recognised tests and analyses carried out under agricultural, plant health and environmental conditions relevant to the use of the plant protection product in question and representative of the conditions prevailing in the [F149areas of Great Britain] where the product is intended to be used.

F1504.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1505.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.[F151(a)The appropriate authority may, by regulations, prescribe uniform principles for the evaluation and authorisation of plant protection products.]

[F152(b)]Following these principles, interaction between the active substance, safeners, synergists and co-formulants shall be taken into account in the evaluation of plant protection products.

Article 30U.K.Provisional authorisations

1.By way of derogation from Article 29(1)(a), Member States may authorise for a provisional period not exceeding 3 years, the placing on the market of plant protection products containing an active substance not yet approved, provided that:

(a)the decision on approval could not be finalised within a period of 30 months from the date of admissibility of the application, extended by any additional period set in accordance with Article 9(2), Article 11(3) or Article 12(2) or (3); and

(b)pursuant to Article 9 the dossier on the active substance is admissible in relation to the proposed uses; and

(c)the Member State concludes that the active substance can satisfy the requirements of Article 4(2) and (3) and that the plant protection product may be expected to satisfy the requirements of Article 29(1)(b) to (h); and

(d)maximum residue levels have been established in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

2.In such cases the Member State shall immediately inform the other Member States and the Commission of its assessment of the dossier and of the terms of the authorisation, giving at least the information provided for in Article 57(1).

3.The provisions laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply until 14 June 2016. If necessary, that time limit may be extended in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 79(4).

Article 31U.K.Contents of authorisations

1.The authorisation shall define plants or plant products and non-agricultural areas (for example railways, public areas, storage rooms) on which and the purposes for which the plant protection product may be used.

2.The authorisation shall set out the requirements relating to the placing on the market and use of the plant protection product. Those requirements shall as a minimum include the conditions of use necessary to comply with the conditions and requirements provided for in the [F153approval of] the active substances, safeners and synergists [F154in the constituent territory of authorisation].

The authorisation shall include a classification of the plant protection product for the purpose of [F155Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council]. [F156A competent authority] may provide that authorisation holders shall classify or update the label without undue delay following any change to the classification and labelling of the plant protection product in accordance with [F157Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council]. In such cases, they shall immediately inform the competent authority thereof.

3.The requirements referred to in paragraph 2 shall also include where applicable:

(a)the maximum dose per hectare in each application;

(b)the period between the last application and harvest;

(c)the maximum number of applications per year.

4.The requirements referred to in paragraph 2 may include the following:

(a)a restriction with respect to the distribution and use of the plant protection product in order to protect the health of the distributors, users, bystanders, residents, consumers or workers concerned or the environment, taking into consideration requirements imposed by other [F158retained EU law]; such restriction shall be indicated on the label;

(b)the obligation before the product is used to inform any neighbours who could be exposed to the spray drift and who have requested to be informed;

(c)indications for proper use according to the principles of Integrated Pest Management referred to in Article 14 of and Annex III to Directive 2009/128/EC;

(d)designation of categories of users, such as professional and non-professional;

(e)the approved label;

(f)the interval between applications;

(g)the period between the last application and consumption of the plant product where applicable;

(h)the re-entry interval;

(i)the packaging size and material.

[F1595.For the purposes of paragraph 4(c), Directive 2009/128/EC is to be read as if—

(a)Article 3(10)(b) were omitted;

(b)in Article 14—

(i)obligations on Member States were obligations on the competent authorities;

(ii)paragraph 3 were omitted.]

Article 32U.K.Duration

1.The period of authorisation shall be laid down in the authorisation.

Without prejudice to Article 44, the duration of an authorisation shall be set for a period not exceeding 1 year from the date of expiry of the approval [F160in the constituent territory of authorisation] of the active substances, safeners and synergists contained in the plant protection product and thereafter for as long as the active substances, safeners and synergists contained in the plant protection product are approved [F161in the constituent territory of authorisation].

This period shall allow the examination as provided for in Article 43 to be carried out.

2.Authorisations may be granted for shorter periods to synchronise the re-evaluation of similar products for the purposes of a comparative assessment of products containing candidates for substitution as provided for in Article 50.

Subsection 2U.K.Procedure

Article 33U.K.Application for authorisation or amendment of an authorisation

[F1621.An applicant or a representative of the applicant may apply to the competent authority for authorisation to place a plant protection product on the market in a constituent territory.

1A.An applicant or a representative of the applicant may apply to the competent authority which granted an authorisation to amend that authorisation.]

2.The application shall include the following:

(a)a list of intended uses [F163and the competent authorities to whom] the applicant has made or intends to make an application;

F164(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)where relevant, a copy of any authorisations already granted for that plant protection product [F165by a competent authority];

(d)where relevant, a copy of any conclusion of the [F166competent authority] assessing equivalence as referred to in Article 38(2).

3.The application shall be accompanied by the following:

(a)for the plant protection product concerned, a complete and a summary dossier for each point of the data requirements of the plant protection product;

(b)for each active substance, safener and synergist contained in the plant protection product, a complete and a summary dossier for each point of the data requirements of the active substance, safener and synergist;

(c)for each test or study involving vertebrate animals, a justification of the steps taken to avoid animal testing and duplication of tests and studies on vertebrate animals;

(d)the reasons why the test and study reports submitted are necessary for first authorisation or for amendments to the conditions of the authorisation;

(e)where relevant a copy of the application for a maximum residue level as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 or a justification for not supplying such information;

(f)where relevant for an amendment of an authorisation an assessment of all information submitted in accordance with point (h) of Article 8(1);

(g)a draft label.

4.When submitting the application, the applicant may pursuant to Article 63, request certain information, including certain parts of the dossier, to be kept confidential and shall physically separate that information.

The applicant shall at the same time submit the complete list of studies submitted pursuant to Article 8(2) and a list of test and study reports for which any claims for data protection pursuant to Article 59 are requested.

Upon a request for access to information the [F167competent authority] examining the application [F168(see Article 35)] shall decide what information is to be kept confidential.

[F1695.Where permitted by the competent authority, the applicant may submit an application in a language other than English.]

6.On request, the applicant shall provide the [F170competent authority] with samples of the plant protection product and analytical standards of its ingredients.

Article 34U.K.Exemption from the submission of studies

1.Applicants shall be exempted from supplying the test and study reports referred to in Article 33(3) where the [F171competent authority examining the application] has the test and study reports concerned and the applicants demonstrate that they have been granted access in accordance with Article 59, 61 or 62 or that any data protection period has expired [F172, or where paragraph 3 applies].

2.However, applicants to whom paragraph 1 applies shall provide the following information:

(a)all necessary data for the identification of the plant protection product including its complete composition as well as a declaration that [F173, in respect of each constituent territory to which the application relates,] no unacceptable co-formulants are used;

(b)the information needed to identify the active substance, safener or synergist, where they have been approved [F174in respect of each constituent territory to which the application relates], and to establish whether the conditions for approval are met and comply with point (b) of Article 29(1), where appropriate;

(c)on the request of the [F175competent authority examining the application], the data needed to demonstrate that the plant protection product has comparable effects to the plant protection product for which they show access to the protected data.

[F1763.This paragraph applies where another competent authority has the test and study reports concerned.

4.Where paragraph 3 applies—

(a)the competent authority examining the application must request those reports from the competent authority which has those reports, and

(b)the competent authority which has those reports must send them to the competent authority examining the application as soon as reasonably practicable.]

[F177Article 35U.K.Competent authority examining the application

1.For the purposes of this Subsection “the competent authority examining the application” is the competent authority which receives the application under Article 33.

2.But a competent authority may examine an application on behalf of one or more of the other competent authorities (and consequently for the purposes of this Subsection is “the competent authority examining the application”) where—

(a)each competent authority receives the same application;

(b)each competent authority agrees which competent authority is to examine the application;

(c)each active substance, safener or synergist in the plant protection product to which the application relates—

(i)is approved in relation to the constituent territory of each competent authority, and the conditions of each approval are compatible with the proposed authorisation, and

(ii)has an equivalent technical specification in relation to each constituent territory, where necessary as determined in accordance with Article 38;

(d)any co-formulant in the plant protection product to which the application relates is not included on the unacceptable co-formulants register in relation to the constituent territory of each competent authority; and

(e)any data requirements specified in regulations made under Article 8(4)(a) and (b), any uniform principles for evaluation and authorisation of plant protection products prescribed in regulations made under Article 29(6)(a) and any guidance relating to those requirements or principles are the same in relation to the constituent territory of each competent authority.

3.Where paragraph 2 applies in relation to an application—

(a)the competent authority examining the application must inform the applicant that it is to examine the application;

(b)the other competent authorities must —

(i)not proceed to determine the application pending assessment by the competent authority examining the application;

(ii)at the request of the competent authority examining the application, cooperate to ensure a fair division of the workload.]

Article 36U.K.Examination for authorisation

1.The [F178competent authority] examining the application shall make an independent, objective and transparent assessment in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge using guidance documents available at the time of application. [F179Where Article 35(2) applies in relation to an application, the competent authority examining the application must give the other competent authorities] the opportunity to submit comments to be considered in the assessment.

It shall apply the uniform principles for evaluation and authorisation of plant protection products, referred to in [F180Article 29(6)(a)], to establish, as far as possible, whether the plant protection product meets the requirements provided for in Article 29 F181... , where used in accordance with Article 55, and under realistic conditions of use.

[F182Where Article 35(2) applies in relation to an application, the competent authority examining the application must make available its assessment to the other competent authorities.]

2.[F183Where Article 35(2) applies in relation to an application, the competent authorities which received that application] shall grant or refuse authorisations accordingly on the basis of the conclusions of the assessment of the [F184competent authority] examining the application as provided for in Articles 31 and 32.

3.By way of derogation from paragraph 2 and subject to [F185retained EU] law, appropriate conditions may be imposed with respect to the requirements referred to in Article 31(3) and (4) and other risk mitigation measures deriving from specific conditions of use.

Where the concerns of a [F186competent authority] relating to human or animal health or the environment cannot be controlled by the establishment of the F187... risk mitigation measures referred to in the first subparagraph, [F188that competent authority] may refuse authorisation of the plant protection product in its [F189constituent] territory if, due to its specific environmental or agricultural circumstances, it has substantiated reasons to consider that the product in question still poses an unacceptable risk to human or animal health or the environment.

That [F190competent authority] shall immediately inform the applicant and the [F191other competent authorities] of its decision and provide a technical or scientific justification therefor.

F192...

Article 37U.K.Period for examination

1.The [F193competent authority] examining the application shall decide within 12 months of receiving it whether the requirements for authorisation are met.

Where the [F193competent authority] needs additional information, it shall set a period for the applicant to supply it. In that case, the 12-month period shall be extended by the additional period granted by the [F193competent authority]. That additional period shall be a maximum of 6 months and shall cease at the moment when the additional information is received by the [F193competent authority]. Where at the end of that period the applicant has not submitted the missing elements, the [F193competent authority] shall inform the applicant that the application is inadmissible.

2.The time limits provided for in paragraph 1 shall be suspended during the application of the procedure set out in Article 38.

3.For an application for authorisation of a plant protection product containing an active substance not yet approved, the [F194competent authority] examining the application shall start the evaluation as soon as [F195the draft assessment report for that active substance is circulated in accordance with Article 12(1)(a)]. In case the application concerns the same plant protection product and the same uses as contained in the dossier referred to in Article 8, the [F194competent authority] shall decide on the application at the latest within six months of the active substance being approved.

[F1963A.Where Article 35(2) applies in relation to an application, the requirement in paragraph 3 to decide on the application within 6 months of the active substance being approved is to be read as a requirement to decide on the application within 6 months of the earliest date on which the active substance is approved by one of the competent authorities which received the application for authorisation.]

4.[F197Where Article 35(2) applies in relation to an application, the competent authorities which received the application for authorisation] shall at the latest within 120 days of the receipt of the assessment report and the copy of the authorisation of the [F198competent authority] examining the application decide on the application as referred to in Article 36(2) and (3).

[F199Article 38U.K.Assessment of equivalence under Article 29(1)(b)

1.This Article applies where it is necessary in relation to an application to establish for an active substance, safener or synergist whether a different source or, for the same source a change of the manufacturing process or location complies with Article 29(1)(b).

1A.Where this Article applies, equivalence—

(a)may be assessed by a competent authority examining the application, where—

(i)each of the other competent authorities examining the application consents to that competent authority assessing equivalence, and

(ii)in relation to the active substance, safener or synergist for which equivalence is to be assessed, any data requirements specified in regulations made under Article 8(4)(a) and (b), any uniform principles for evaluation and authorisation of plant protection products prescribed in regulations made under Article 29(6)(a) and any guidance issued under Article 77 relating to those requirements or principles are the same in relation to the constituent territory of each competent authority examining the application;

(b)otherwise, must be assessed by each competent authority examining the application.

1B.The applicant must submit all necessary data to each competent authority assessing equivalence.

2.A competent authority assessing equivalence must—

(a)give the applicant the opportunity to submit comments,

(b)prepare a report on the competent authority's conclusion on equivalence within 60 days from receiving the application, and

(c)provide a copy of that report to—

(i)the applicant, and

(ii)where the assessment is undertaken in accordance with paragraph 1A(a), the other competent authorities examining the application.

3.Where an assessment is undertaken in accordance with paragraph 1A(a), a competent authority examining the application which does not agree with the conclusion in the report provided in accordance with paragraph 2(c)(ii) must notify the competent authority which assessed equivalence, the other competent authorities examining the application and the applicant, stating its reasons for not agreeing.

3A.Following a notification under paragraph 3, the competent authorities concerned must—

(a)give the applicant the opportunity to submit comments, and

(b)try to reach agreement on whether Article 29(1)(b) is complied with.

4.Article 29(1)(b) is deemed not to be complied with where the competent authorities concerned under paragraph 3A do not reach agreement within 45 days of the latest date on which a notification from a competent authority is communicated in accordance with paragraph 3.]

Article 39U.K.Reporting and exchange of information on applications for authorisation

1.[F200A competent authority] shall compile a file on each application [F201it receives]. Each file shall contain the following:

(a)a copy of the application;

(b)a report containing information on the evaluation of and decision on the plant protection product; F202...

(c)a record of the administrative decisions taken by the [F203competent authority] concerning the application and of the documentation provided for in Article 33(3) and Article 34 together with a summary of the latter;

(d)the approved label, where applicable.

2.On request, [F204a competent authority] shall, without delay, make available to the other [F205competent authorities] a file containing the documentation provided for in points (a) to (d) of paragraph 1.

3.On request, applicants shall provide a copy of the documentation to be submitted with an application pursuant to Article 33(3) and Article 34 to [F206the competent authorities].

F2074.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Subsection 3U.K. [F132Ongoing applications for] mutual recognition of authorisations

F208Article 40U.K.Mutual recognition

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F209Article 40AU.K. Application and interpretation

1.This Subsection applies where—

(a)before IP completion day the holder of an authorisation of a plant protection product granted by a member State or EEA state in accordance with Article 29 as it had effect immediately before IP completion day had applied for—

(i)authorisation of the same product in the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 40 as it had effect immediately before IP completion day, or

(ii)authorisation of the same product for minor uses in accordance with Articles 40 and 51(7) as those Articles had effect immediately before IP completion day, and

(b)immediately before IP completion day that application had not been determined.

2.In this Subsection—

(a)a reference to an Article as it had effect immediately before IP completion day in relation to an EEA state is a reference to that Article as adapted by the EEA Agreement as it had effect immediately before IP completion day;

(b)“reference state” means the member State or EEA state referred to in paragraph 1(a).]

Article 41U.K.Authorisation

1.The [F210competent authority] to which an application under Article 40 [F211as it had effect immediately before IP completion day] is submitted shall, having examined the application and the accompanying documents referred to in Article 42(1), as appropriate with regard to the circumstances in its territory, authorise the plant protection product concerned under the same conditions as the [F212reference state], except where Article 36(3) applies.

[F2131A.But where the application was for authorisation of minor uses in accordance with Article 51(7) as it had effect immediately before IP completion day, the competent authority must authorise such uses, except where—

(a)Article 36(3) applies, or

(b)the competent authority considers that those uses are not minor.]

2.By way of derogation from [F214paragraphs 1 and 1A, the competent authority] may authorise the plant protection product where:

(a)an authorisation under point (b) of Article 40(1) [F215as it had effect immediately before IP completion day] was applied for;

(b)it contains a candidate of substitution; [F216or]

(c)Article 30 has been applied; or

F217(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 42U.K.Procedure

1.The application shall be accompanied by the following:

(a)a copy of the authorisation granted by the reference [F218state] as well as a translation of the authorisation into [F219English or another language permitted by the competent authority];

(b)a formal statement that the plant protection product is identical to that authorised by the reference [F220state];

(c)a complete or summary dossier as required in Article 33(3) [F221as it had effect immediately before IP completion day, when requested by the competent authority];

(d)an assessment report of the reference [F222state] containing information on the evaluation and decision on the plant protection product.

2.The [F223competent authority] to which [F224the application] is submitted shall decide on the application within 120 days.

[F2253.Where permitted by the competent authority, the applicant may submit an application in a language other than English.]

[F133Subsection 3AU.K.Mutual recognition of authorisations within Great Britain

Article 42AU.K. Mutual recognition

1.This Subsection applies where a plant protection product has been authorised by a competent authority in accordance with Article 29 (the “reference competent authority”).

2.The following persons may apply for an authorisation for the same plant protection product, the same use and under comparable agricultural practices within the constituent territory of another competent authority—

(a)the holder of the authorisation granted by the reference competent authority;

(b)an official or scientific body involved in agricultural activities or a professional agricultural organisation—

(i)with the consent of the authorisation holder, or

(ii)where consent is refused, with the consent of the competent authority to which the application is made on the grounds of public interest.

3.An applicant under paragraph 2(b) must demonstrate that the use of such a plant protection product is of general interest within the constituent territory of the competent authority.

4.An application may not be made under paragraph 2 where—

(a)the plant protection product contains an active substance, safener, synergist, low-risk active substance, basic substance or candidate for substitution which is not approved in relation to the constituent territory of the other competent authority;

(b)the plant protection product contains an active substance, safener, synergist, low-risk active substance, basic substance or candidate for substitution which is approved in relation to the constituent territory of the other competent authority, but—

(i)the conditions of that approval are incompatible with the product to which the application relates, or

(ii)the technical specification relating to that approval is not equivalent to the technical specification of the approval of the same substance, safener, synergist or candidate in relation to the constituent territory of the reference competent authority, where necessary as determined in accordance with Article 38;

(b)the plant protection product contains a co-formulant which is entered on the unacceptable co-formulants register in relation to the constituent territory of the other competent authority; or

(c)the relevant data requirements specified in regulations made under Article 8(4)(a) and (b), the relevant uniform principles for evaluation and authorisation of plant protection products prescribed in regulations made under Article 29(6)(a) or any guidance issued under Article 77 relating to those requirements or principles are not the same in relation to the constituent territory of each competent authority.

Article 42BU.K. Authorisation

1.The competent authority to which an application under Article 42A(2) is submitted, having examined the application and the accompanying documents referred to in Article 42C(1), and as appropriate with regards to the circumstances in its constituent territory, must authorise the plant protection product concerned under the same conditions as the reference competent authority, except in accordance with paragraph 2 or 3.

2.The competent authority may authorise the plant protection product where it contains a candidate for substitution or a substance approved in accordance with Article 4(7).

3.Paragraphs 1 and 2 do not apply where Article 36(3) applies.

Article 42CU.K. Procedure

1.An application under Article 42A must be accompanied by the following—

(a)a copy of the authorisation granted by the reference competent authority;

(b)a formal statement that the plant protection product is identical to that authorised by the reference competent authority;

(c)a complete or summary dossier as required in Article 33(3) when requested by the competent authority;

(d)an assessment report of the reference competent authority containing information on the evaluation and decision on the plant protection product.

2.The competent authority to which an application under Article 42A is submitted must decide on the application within 120 days.]

Subsection 4U.K.Renewal, withdrawal and amendment

Article 43U.K.Renewal of authorisation

1.An authorisation shall be renewed upon application by the authorisation holder, provided that the requirements referred to in Article 29 are still met.

2.Within 3 months from the renewal of the approval [F226in relation to a constituent territory] of an active substance, safener or synergist contained in the plant protection product [F227authorised in that constituent territory], the applicant shall submit the following information [F228to the competent authority for that constituent territory]:

(a)a copy of the authorisation of the plant protection product;

(b)any new information required as a result of amendments in data requirements or criteria;

(c)evidence that the new data submitted are the result of data requirements or criteria which were not in force when the authorisation of the plant protection product was granted or necessary to amend the conditions of approval;

(d)any information required to demonstrate that the plant protection product meets the requirements set [F229by the competent authority] on the renewal of the approval of the active substance, safener or synergist contained therein;

(e)a report on the monitoring information, where the authorisation was subject to monitoring.

3.[F230(a)][F231The competent authority examining the application] shall check compliance of all plant protection products containing the active substance, safener or synergist concerned with any conditions and restrictions provided for [F232on renewal of the approval of the active substance, safener or synergist].

[F233(b) The competent authority which examined the plant protection product application in accordance with Article 35(2) may coordinate the compliance check and assessment of the information submitted for all competent authorities which receive an application for renewal of authorisation for the same product, provided that the conditions in Article 35(2) apply in relation to the renewal application.]

F2344.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.[F235The competent authority examining the application] shall decide on the renewal of the authorisation of a plant protection product at the latest 12 months after the renewal of the approval of the active substance, safener or synergist contained therein.

6.Where, for reasons beyond the control of the holder of the authorisation, no decision is taken on the renewal of the authorisation before its expiry, the [F236competent authority examining the application] shall extend the authorisation for the period necessary to complete the examination and adopt a decision on the renewal.

Article 44U.K.Withdrawal or amendment of an authorisation

1.[F237A competent authority] may review an authorisation at any time where there are indications that a requirement referred to in Article 29 is no longer satisfied.

A [F238competent authority] shall review an authorisation where it concludes that the [F239environmental objectives of a river basin district] may not be achieved.

2.Where a [F240competent authority] intends to withdraw or amend an authorisation, it shall inform the authorisation holder and give him the possibility to submit comments or further information.

3.The [F241competent authority] shall withdraw or amend the authorisation, as appropriate, where:

(a)the requirements referred to in Article 29 are not or are no longer satisfied;

(b)false or misleading information was supplied concerning the facts on the basis of which the authorisation was granted;

(c)a condition included in the authorisation has not been met;

(d)on the basis of developments in scientific and technical knowledge, the manner of use and amounts used can be modified; or

(e)the authorisation holder fails to comply with the obligations resulting from this Regulation.

4.Where a [F242competent authority] withdraws or amends an authorisation in accordance with paragraph 3, it shall immediately inform the holder of the authorisation [F243and the other competent authorities]. The other [F244competent authorities may] withdraw or amend the authorisation accordingly taking into account [F245conditions in its constituent territory] and risk mitigation measures except for cases where the second [F246or third] subparagraphs of Article 36(3) have been applied. Article 46 shall apply where appropriate.

[F2475.In paragraph 1, “environmental objectives”—

(a)in relation to the Northumbria River Basin District, means the objectives referred to in the WFD Regulations as applied by regulation 5 of the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Northumbria River Basin District) Regulations 2003;

(b)in relation to the Solway Tweed River Basin District, means the objectives as defined in regulation 2 of the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Solway Tweed River Basin District) Regulations 2004;

(c)in relation to any other river basin district, within the meaning of the WFD Regulations, has the same meaning as in those regulations;

(d)in relation to a river basin district in Scotland, means the objectives set under section 9(1)(a)(i) of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003.

6.In paragraph 4, the “conditions” in the constituent territory of a competent authority include—

(a)any data requirements specified in regulations made under Article 8(4)(a) or (b) in relation to that constituent territory;

(b)any uniform principles prescribed by regulations made under Article 29(6)(a) in relation to that constituent territory;

(c)any guidance issued under Article 77 in relation to that constituent territory.

7.In this Article—

(a)“river basin district” means any of the following—

(i)the Northumbria River Basin District;

(ii)the Solway Tweed River Basin District;

(iii)a river basin district within the meaning of the WFD Regulations;

(iv)in relation to Scotland, an area designated as a river basin district by order under section 4(1) of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003;

(b)“the WFD Regulations” means the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017.]