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Pesticide

In the EU, all pesticides sold or used must be registered first before they can be placed on the EU market. The most important pesticide regulation is the Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 (also known as Plant Protection Products Regulation, which lays down both rules for the approval of active substances (including micro-organisms), safeners and synergists, and the authorization of plant protection product formulations.

Pesticides sold and used in the United States are strictly regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and state regulations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for managing pesticide registration. If a pesticide product is exported to the United States and intended for use within the country, it must be registered with the US EPA first according to Section 136 of FIFRA, unless it is exempted.

China to Approve the First RNA Pesticides

10 April 2026, the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (ICAMA) in China officially released a new batch of new pesticide registrations to be approved for public consultations. Among them, the first RNA interference (RNAi)-based biopesticides developed by Silicon Gene were on the list. This breakthrough signifies that RNAi technology has successfully transitioned from laboratory research to commercial application in China.

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models are theoretical models that can be used to quantitatively or qualitatively predict the physicochemical, biological (e.g. an (eco) toxicological endpoint) of impurities in pesticides and pharmaceuticals. CIRS provides full-range QSAR modelling services to support your pesticide registration and hazard screening.

Year-end Review: Summary of China’s New Pesticide Registration Policies in 2025

To further improve the pesticide management system, the Department of Crop Production and the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, considering the development of China's pesticide industry and environmental protection requirements, formulated and issued a series of relevant policies in 2025, especially the revisions of four regulations, including the Measures on the Management of Pesticide Registration.

Major Changes in Pesticide Registration Management in China

The final versions of five regulations on pesticide registration have recently been released. The regulatory update has undergone a multi-year review process. Beginning in April 2022, China's Pesticide Management Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA) solicited feedback on these pesticide regulations for the first time. This was followed by a second draft released for comment in early 2023 and a third notification in November 2024. The process has now concluded with the official issuance of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Order No. 3 and Announcement No. 925. These five regulations will come into effect from January 1, 2026.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) defines a "pesticide device" an instrument or contrivance that work using physical or mechanical means and do not contain any active pesticide ingredients, but claim to kill, inactivate, or inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, or fungi; reduce or eliminate microorganisms or allergens in the air or water; repel pests such as birds, subterranean animals, and rodents; or kill or trap insects/pests. Pesticide devices sold to the United States require establishment registration with EPA and must comply with labelling requirements.

In EU, application of technical equivalence (TE) assessment is the easiest way to gain market access for your pesticide technical materials or active substances. If the new source (i.e., your product) has the same or less harmful effects due to its impurities compared to the reference source of an approved technical material, then the new source can be considered (eco)toxicologically equivalent to the reference source. Once the TE application is approved, you can sell your technical materials to all EU Member States.