Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2025 renews the European Union approval for the active substance **mecoprop-P**, a chemical used in plant protection products. The regulation classifies the substance as a “candidate for substitution,” meaning it is subject to stricter regulatory scrutiny due to its persistence and toxicity profile. This renewal allows the substance to remain on the EU market until 30 September 2033, provided that specific safety and risk mitigation conditions are met by Member States. ****: As this regulation governs the safety standards for agricultural chemicals used in food production, it has direct implications for the safety of agricultural imports and the alignment of food safety standards for countries trading with the EU, including Ukraine.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The act is structured into three articles and two annexes:
* **Articles 1–3:** Formally renew the approval, mandate the necessary amendments to the existing list of approved substances (Regulation (EU) No 540/2011), and set the date of application for 1 October 2026.
* **Annex I:** Defines the technical specifications of mecoprop-P (purity requirements) and outlines the “Specific Provisions” that Member States must enforce during the authorization of products containing this substance.
* **Annex II:** Updates the master list of approved active substances in the EU by moving mecoprop-P from Part A to Part E of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.
Compared to previous versions, this regulation reflects an updated risk assessment that addresses concerns regarding endocrine disruption, which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded are not met by this substance.
### Key Provisions for Implementation
The most critical aspects for the practical application of this regulation include:
1. **Candidate for Substitution:** Because mecoprop-P is persistent in fresh water and toxic to aquatic organisms, it is officially designated as a candidate for substitution. This requires Member States to perform a comparative assessment when evaluating applications for plant protection products containing this substance to see if safer alternatives exist.
2. **Mandatory Risk Mitigation:** Member States are explicitly required to focus on:
* **Dietary exposure:** Monitoring residues in food of plant and animal origin.
* **Child safety:** Protecting children residing near treated fields from vapor and spray drift.
* **Occupational safety:** Protecting operators and workers during mixing, loading, and crop inspection.
* **Environmental protection:** Safeguarding non-target terrestrial plants and birds.
3. **Confirmatory Information:** The applicant is under a legal obligation to submit a full Avian Reproduction Test (OECD Test Guideline 206) by 1 April 2027. Failure to provide this data may lead to a review of the approval.
4. **Removal of Use Restrictions:** Unlike previous authorizations, this renewal does not restrict the substance solely to use as a herbicide, allowing for broader authorization potential provided the safety conditions are satisfied.
