The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published its final decision on the reconsideration of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide used for the control of pests in various agricultural, horticultural and commercial situations.

The APVMA has:

  • varied and affirmed 17 active constituent approvals that comply with specific purity requirements
  • varied and affirmed 48 chemical product registrations and associated label approvals where at least one use pattern is proposed to be supported
  • cancelled remaining active constituent approvals, chemical product registrations and associated label approvals.

This decision follows consideration of all information received during the public consultation on the proposed regulatory decision and refinement of the underlying scientific risk assessments. A summary of the refined risk assessments and the APVMA’s consideration of matters raised in submissions has been published in the Chlorpyrifos Final Review Technical Report. A summary of the chlorpyrifos uses, and whether they were supported or not supported in this decision, is also available on the APVMA website.

The APVMA has made a determination that allows the continued sale of product in the supply chain that bears the previous label for one year from the date of variation. The APVMA has also invoked a deemed permit which authorises possession, custody, use and supply of the cancelled active constituents and products for one year from the date of cancellation. The instructions for possession, custody, use and supply of the cancelled active constituents and chemical products are provided in the Special Gazette of 3 October 2024.

This final regulatory decision follows interim actions previously taken by the APVMA to reduce the risk associated with the use of certain products containing chlorpyrifos.

Enquiries about the final decision or the public consultation can be directed to enquiries@apvma.gov.au.

Media enquiries must be directed to media@apvma.gov.au.

Media release

A media release is also available about the final regulatory decision for chlorpyrifos reconsideration.

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