Does the EU authorise the placing on the market of pesticides?

No, that's the role of the Member States, but active substances in the pesticides have to be approved at EU level.

Once an active substance has been approved or renewed at EU level, the safety evaluation of every pesticide (also referred to as Plant Protection Products PPPs) formulation is done at a later stage by individual Member States before they grant, refuse or restrict – the use of pesticides formulations at national level.

In their authorisation decision, Member States can therefore define the conditions for use of the product, for instance; restricted to certain crops; to professional use; for use in glass houses only.

Active substances:

An active substance undergoes an intensive evaluation and peer-review by Member States and the European Food Safety Authority, before a decision can be made on approval.

Before an active substance can be used within a product in the EU, it must be approved at EU level.

Pesticides:

Pesticides and herbicides sold in the market also referred to as Plant Protection Products (PPPs) contain at least one approved active substance.

Before any pesticide can be placed on the market or used, it must be authorised in the Member State(s) concerned.

Member States could grant, refuse or restrict the use of a specific product.

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 lays down the rules and procedures for authorisation of Plant Protection Products.