Before an agricultural chemical product can be sold, supplied or used in Australia, it must be assessed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). We determine if the product meets the criteria in Australian law related to safety, efficacy, trade and labelling. This is to ensure the proposed uses will:
- not be harmful to human beings
- not have an unintended effect that is harmful to animals, plants, or things, or to the environment
- be effective when used as directed
- not unduly prejudice trade.
How does the APVMA determine if a product meets the criteria?
The APVMA regulates agricultural and veterinary chemicals according to risk. This means we consider the likelihood that a harmful effect will occur if a product is used correctly according to the approved label instructions.
The difference between hazard and risk is important to understand:
Hazard is the potential of a substance to cause harm.
Risk is the likelihood that harm will occur.
Harm cannot occur if a person or place is not exposed to the hazard.
Heat can be used as an analogy to show the difference between hazard and risk. Heat has the potential to cause serious injuries or death – heat is a serious hazard. However, all of us safely use heat to cook our meals or warm our homes every day. The risk of harm from heat is very low because we are easily able to control how much heat we are exposed to.
When assessing the risk of an agricultural chemical product, the first step is to assess the hazard of the product. We review the results of scientific trials, including published scientific papers, to determine if a product has the potential to cause harm. Once we’ve determined the hazard of the product, the next step is to assess the possible exposure resulting from its use. The hazard and exposure are used together to complete a risk assessment. Only products that can be used in a way that is unlikely to have a harmful effect are registered by the APVMA for use in Australia.
In assessing the risks to people, we consider the possibility of exposure from using the product. We also consider exposure from eating food containing chemical residues and from contact with areas where the product has been used. Our environmental safety assessments consider the potential for off-target effects through runoff and spray drift, and unintended effects on pollinators and other beneficial insects.
If we determine the risk of using a product is unacceptable, we consider whether the risk can be managed by reducing the likely exposure. This could be by using personal protective equipment or by changing the way the product is applied. If the risk cannot be reduced to an acceptable level then the product is not allowed to be used.
Scientific publications about glyphosate that have been considered by the APVMA
The APVMA’s scientists monitor scientific journals for new peer-reviewed publications related to chemicals currently approved for use in Australian agricultural and veterinary chemical products. A list of publications about glyphosate that have been considered by the APVMA’s scientists is available to be downloaded. As of January 2024, 5319 publications about glyphosate have been considered by the APVMA.
Polyethoxylated tallow amines in glyphosate-based products
Some international regulators have been criticised for assessing only glyphosate, and not all ingredients in the entire product. Some glyphosate products contain polyethoxylated tallow amines (POEAs) as wetting agents to improve absorption into plants. POEAs are also used as wetting agents in other products that do not contain glyphosate. Concerns have been raised that POEAs may be more toxic to humans than glyphosate itself.
When the APVMA assesses a product, we assess the whole product, including all ingredients.
Products registered by the APVMA that contain both glyphosate and POEAs are safe to use according to the instructions on the label. The safety of these products is based on an assessment of all ingredients in the product, not just glyphosate. We will continue to maintain a close watch for any new reports that indicate this position should be revised.