This is the third and final part of our series on changes in MRL standards, if you haven’t seen the previous publications – we encourage you to read part one and part two.
Active substances are withdrawn or their approvals are not renewed when they do not meet current safety or quality criteria established by EU legislation.
The withdrawal of active substances is the result of continuous scientific and legal evaluation, aimed at ensuring the maximum level of protection of human, animal health as well as the environment. Decisions not to renew approvals are based both on new research results and on manufacturers’ failure to meet procedural requirements.
Active substances withdrawn in 2024
| Active substance | The ban on the use of from | Application | Reason for non-renewal of approval |
| Ipconazole | 29.02.2024 | Cereal protection | – long-term risk to grain-eating birds
– substance harmful to reproduction |
| Dimoxystrobin | 31.07.2024 | Crop protection (rapeseed) | – Contamination of groundwater with toxicologically relevant metabolites of dimoxystrobin |
| Clofentezine | 11.11.2024 | Control of mite eggs and larvae in orchards | – Endocrine-disrupting properties – Long-term risk to birds and wild mam |
| Triflusulfuron-methyl | 20.08.2024 | Herbicide for sugar beet | – Groundwater contamination with toxicologically significant metabolites – Endocrine-disrupting properties |
| Metiram | 28.11.2024 | Protection of potatoes and apple trees | – Endocrine-disrupting properties – Risk to aquatic organisms and arthropods – High risk of exposure for operators, bystanders, and residents |
| S-metolachlor | 23.07.2024 | Control of monocot weeds (corn) | – Groundwater contamination and risk to drinking water – Risk of secondary poisoning of mammals feeding on earthworms |
| Benthiavalicarb | 13.12.2024 | Fungicide used in potato and tomato cultivation | – Carcinogenic substance – Endocrine-disrupting properties |
| Abamectin*
Authorized until 31.03.2038 |
01.04.2024 → only in permanent greenhouses |
Insecticide | Only allowed in applications enabling controlled exchange of matter and energy with the environment and preventing plant protection products from being released into the environment. |
*Abamectin – its agricultural use has been significantly restricted. According to the European Commission’s guidelines, from 1 April 2024, it may only be used to control pests in permanent greenhouses.
Active substances withdrawn in 2025
| Active substance | Ban on use from | Application | Reason for withdrawal of approval |
| Metribuzin | 24.11.2025 | Control of mono- and dicotyledonous weeds (potatoes, soybeans, tomatoes, cereals) | – Endocrine-disrupting properties – High risk of exposure for bystanders and residents – Risk to bees |
| Tritosulfuron | 07.11.2025 | Weed control in cereals | – applicant → withdrawal of application for renewal of approval |
| Mepanipyrim | 20.05.2025 | Fungicide used in strawberry cultivation | – Endocrine-disrupting properties – Long-term risk to wild mammals |
| Dimethomorph | 20.05.2025 | Fungicide for crops in the nightshade, onion, gourd, and grapevine families | – Reproductive toxicity – Endocrine-disrupting properties |
Expiry of approvals in 2025
Chemical companies are required to submit an application to renew the approval of their active substance to the EU authorities. If they fail to do so, the approval of the active substance in the EU will automatically expire by a certain date. The table below lists the active substances whose approval will expire in the near future due to failure to submit a renewal application or withdrawal of the renewal application.
| Active substance | Ban on use from | Application |
| Spirotetramat | 31.10.2025 | Insecticide for strawberries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, potatoes, carrots |
| Penflufen | 31.05.2025 | Fungicide for seed treatment of potatoes, alfalfa, cereals, vegetables, legumes, and oilseeds |
| Pyridalyl | 30.06.2025 | Insecticide for ornamental trees and shrubs, and cotton |
| Spinetoram | 30.06.2025 | Insecticide for apples and pears |
| Chromafenozide | 31.03.2025 | Insecticide for apples, pears, strawberries, cherries, rice, cabbage, lettuce, tea, sugar beet, ornamentals, cotton |
| Meptyldinocap | 31.03.2025 | Fungicide for cucurbits and fruits (apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, grapes) |
Renewals and extensions of pesticide approvals in 2025
The EU recently renewed the approval of mepiquat chloride until 29 February 2040 (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/150 of 29 January 2025).
If the renewal application cannot be fully evaluated before the expiration date, the approval may be extended to allow the evaluation to be completed. Accordingly, so far in 2025, the EU has extended the approvals of the substances listed in the table below. If the renewal assessment is concluded before the end of the extended period, the Commission will issue a decision on the renewal or non-renewal of the approval at the earliest opportunity. In the event of a non-renewal decision, the previously granted extension will cease to apply. It may be that some of the following active substances will not be approved for further use.
Extension of approval in 2025
| Active substance | Application (according to the MRiRW list) | Approval extended until |
| Milbemectin | Currants, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, gooseberries, strawberries, pears, apples, hops | 31.05.2026 |
| Pyrimethanil | Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, gooseberries, grapes, apples, pears, peas, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, onions, pumpkins | 30.06.2026 |
| Formetanate | Tomatoes, eggplants, ornamental plants | 30.09.2026 |
| Phenmedipham | None specified | 30.09.2026 |
| Cyprodinil | Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, cranberries, apples, cherries, pears, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, lettuce, green beans | 31.10.2026 |
| Dichlorprop-P | None specified | 31.10.2026 |
| Fosetyl | Apples, pears, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, cabbage, ornamentals, tobacco | 31.10.2026 |
| Pyrimicarb | Apples, cabbage, wheat, barley | 31.10.2026 |
| Spinosad | Blueberries, gooseberries, currants, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, leeks | 31.10.2026 |
| Halosulfuron-methyl | None specified | 15.11.2026 |
| Triticonazole | Corn, wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, ornamentals | 31.01.2027 |
| Ziram | Corn | 31.01.2027 |
| Imazamox | Peas, soybeans, broad beans, faba beans, alfalfa, clover, rapeseed, sunflower | 30.06.2027 |
| Pyriofenone | Wheat, barley, triticale | 30.06.2027 |
| Benalaxyl-M | None specified | 30.09.2027 |
| Pyroxsulam | Wheat, rye | 30.09.2027 |
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