Pesticides Regulation Services
Pesticides are a broad group of substances used to control or repel a wide range of pests, including plants, insects, microorganisms and animals associated with agricultural, industrial and consumer environments. In most countries, before a pesticide product can be marketed and used to manage the pest problems, it must be registered with the government agency responsible for regulating the sale, distribution and use of pesticide products. With the expansion of requirements for registration of pesticide products, each statement on the label must be supported by evidence that the product will not adversely affect humans or the environment. Regulatory laws govern the presence of pesticides in water and air, cleanup of spills and releases, the concentrations of pesticide residues in raw materials and processed foods, effects on endangered species, transportation of pesticides, working conditions for manufacturers and applicators, and their disposal of pesticides. The purpose of pesticide registration is to ensure that when the pesticide product is used in accordance with label instructions, it does not pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. Therefore, a diversity of testings are required to determine whether a pesticide has the potential to cause adverse effects on humans, wildlife, fish, and plants. In general, potential human risks are determined by using the results of laboratory tests, including acute toxic reactions such as poisoning, skin and eye irritation, and possible long-term effects such as cancer, birth defects, and reproductive disorders. Data on environmental fate are also needed to determine whether a pesticide poses a threat to ground or surface water. BOC Sciences specializes in providing comprehensive strategic insight in obtaining effective market approvals of the pesticides products in target regions worldwide.
The Three Main Priorities of Pesticide Regulation
- Registration of new pesticides and re-registration of existing pesticides
- Monitoring of pesticide levels in food
- Monitoring of pesticide levels in the environment, especially in groundwater and surface water
Data Requirements for Pesticide Product Registration
- Product chemistry: Describes all chemical parameters of the physical components of the pesticide product.
- Residue chemistry: Estimates the pesticide residues in food for the general population.
- Environmental fate: Assesses the pesticide toxicity to humans through exposure to post-application residues. The required studies focus on degradation, metabolism, mobility, dissipation, and accumulation
- Toxicology. A variety of acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity tests, as well as tests to assess mutagenicity and pesticide metabolism, are available, and these data allow assessment of the hazard to humans and animals.
- Re-entry protection. Assess the hazards to workers re-entering areas treated with pesticides.
- Spray drift: Assess the pesticide spray drift and develop general exposure that estimates affecting non-target organisms.
- Non-target organisms: Assess the hazards to non-target organisms such as birds, mammals, fish, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, and plants. Both short- and long-term studies are included.
- Product performance: Determine the effectiveness of the pesticide product.
Figure 1. The scheme of the main impacts of pesticides. (Roman, D.; et al. 2018)
Our Capabilities
- Regulatory support for research, preparation and resolution of regulatory approvals for new products and revisions/updates of existing products
- Research and write read-across or exemption argument to avoid costly testing requirements
- Evaluation and monitoring safety and efficacy studies to support regulatory submissions
- Monitor and calculate pesticide residue tolerances limits
BOC Sciences Advantages
- Highly specialized technical and analytical services for the worldwide registration and regulatory compliance of agrochemicals
- Robust analytical testing programs that span from research and product development through the production process to final product
- Relies on broad industrial experience, ensuring that all of our work meets the high standards expected by our clients
- Our regulatory experts, toxicology consultants, scientists and inspectors will ensure that you receive maximum levels of guidance, testing and inspection you need.
Reference
- Roman, D.; et al. The application of pesticides and mineral fertilizers in agriculture. MATEC Web of Conferences. 2018. 245: 11003.