EUROPE – EFSA: Draft statement on the general framework for assessing indirect effects of Plant Protection Products on biodiversity
23 June 2026
On 18 June 2026, Anses published an information note for marketing authorization applicants regarding the implementation of Decree No. 2025-629 of 8 July 2025, which contains various provisions relating to the authorization of plant protection products (PPPs). This note specifies the additional procedures relating to the processing of applications by Anses.
The two new provisions covered are the prioritization of some applications and the consideration of additional data in applications for authorization through mutual recognition.
Prioritization of applications
The Ministry of Agriculture, by Order of 6 March 2026, and after consultation with INRAE, established an official list of specific priority uses. The current list includes 123 uses (out of the more than 1,800 in the current French catalog (DGAL/SDSPV/2025-236)).
Applicants for marketing authorizations must inform Anses of the existence of a “listed use” in their application, so that this point can be identified and tracked. This information must be made upon notification for applications requiring notification and, in all cases, at submission, as applicable.
Anses will prioritize applications including “listed uses” if possible, given legal obligations (constraints related to the renewal of marketing authorizations, other time constraints related to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, etc.) and the existing schedule for other applications. Therefore, to allow for dedicated processing of applications including “listed uses” Anses requests, where possible, to only apply for priority uses, or to submit an application containing a limited number of additional non listed uses. If prioritizing an application results in a delay in the processing of another application for which a time slot had been allocated, the concerned applicant will be informed.
It should be noted that Anses recalls in this note that applications for biocontrol products, demands for authorization through mutual recognition (Article 40 of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009) and demands of extension for minor uses under Article 51 are already being prioritized in France.
Mutual Recognition
Decree No. 2025-629 stipulates that Anses must take into account information relating to the agronomic, phytosanitary, and environmental circumstances, including climatic conditions, prevailing in France, and that information relating to these circumstances may be transmitted either at its own initiative or at the applicant’s.
An Order of the Ministry in charge of Agriculture dated 17 June 2026 introduced this provision in the composition of the applications for authorization through mutual recognition by amending the Order of 30 June 2017 as regards the composition and procedures for submissions of applications for approval.
Anses emphasizes that information submitted at the applicant initiative must be transmitted as early as possible, and preferably with the initial submission, so that the evaluation is compatible with the regulatory processing time of 120 days.
For information purposes, Anses outlines the types of additional information that can be submitted to supplement the reference Member State’s assessment report and meet national requirements. Examples include data on residues, the composition of co-formulants, assessments required by the Order of 20 November 2021, concerning the protection of bees and other pollinating insects, information on personal protective equipment, etc.
Anses clearly states that, with the exception of residue data and assessments submitted to meet the requirements of the Order of 20 November 2021, and given the 120-day procedure period, a new risk assessment using the methodology in force at the time the application is submitted to Anses, or a modification of an assessment value based on a new study not evaluated by the reference Member State, cannot be considered.
The decree also proposed the possibility of excluding certain areas of the territory from authorization granted under mutual recognition agreements. Given the difficulty of implementing such restrictions, this approach has not been adopted by Anses.
To download (in French) :
Order of 17 June 2026 modifying Order of 30 June 2017
See also our previous articles:
FRANCE: Publication of a Decree on provisions relating to marketing authorisations
FRANCE: Publication of the list of priority plant protection uses
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