European Commission proposes open-ended approval for pesticide active substances

24 October 2026

As part of a drive to streamline and simplify European Union laws, the European Commission has proposed sweeping changes to agriculture and food safety legislation.
These include a move to ease the rules controlling the use of pesticides and herbicides.
Under current European Union rules, which date back to 2011, primary pesticide components, or active substances, are granted approval only for limited periods of no more than 15 years.
The Commission's proposed revamp would allow indefinite approval of certain active substances.
The Commission says the change will make it easier for farmers to adopt more environmentally friendly options, while health and environmental experts have said the risks are too great.