Review of the Agency’s work on glyphosate
Before a plant protection product can be marketed, the active substance(s) it contains must have been approved at European level. A substance is approved for a specific period of time. Its re-assessment takes account of developments in scientific knowledge and legislation. Commercial products must then obtain authorisation before they can be placed on the market in each Member State. Each plant protection product is subject to a scientific assessment at zonal level (three product assessment zones have been defined in the European Union by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009) according to criteria laid down by European legislation.
What is glyphosate?
Glyphosate is an active substance found in various herbicide products and used to eliminate unwanted vegetation. It is applied by spraying and is effective on all types of plants. It can be used in a wide range of applications: weed control for vines and orchards, elimination of vegetation or intercrops before sowing annual crops such as wheat or rapeseed, weed control for railways and industrial sites, etc.
Did you know?
Glyphosate is an active substance and not a product
Glyphosate is a non-selective compound, meaning that it has a herbicidal effect on all plants. It is used as an ingredient in several plant protection products marketed by different companies. A product may contain several active substances. The class of products containing glyphosate are the most widely used herbicides in the world.
The quantities of glyphosate used in France are falling. This may be partly explained by restrictions on conditions of use.
While there were more than 200 products on the French market at the end of 2018, there were only around 20 by early 2023. However, when a product is withdrawn from the market, buyers tend to switch to other products (including glyphosate products) that can still be used: another glyphosate product may be used if it is still on the market and intended for the same use. Product withdrawals serve to refocus the product range on those offering the best safeguards to health and the environment.
Marketing authorisations are granted on a product-by-product basis, with conditions laid down for each of the use
A manufacturer wishing to market a glyphosate product must submit a marketing authorisation application in the country where it wishes to sell the product. The authorisations issued are product-specific, with the types of uses and quantities applied per hectare duly defined.
Product assessment takes place according to geographical zone
The assessments conducted on a product are pooled by several countries of the European Union. France is part of the "South" zone: a manufacturer can therefore apply for assessment in France, Italy or Spain. The marketing authorisation is then issued at national level by each country in this zone, on the basis of the common assessment carried out by one of the Member States.