In 1998, the APVMA released the Endosulfan interim report, which recommended a number of changes to the use of endosulfan to reduce risks to the environment and worker safety and to reduce residues in commodities. The changes included:
- declaring endosulfan products to be restricted chemical products
- requiring users of endosulfan to undertake specified training
- restricting the number of applications for endosulfan per season.
As the review progressed, the APVMA made a series of changes to the registrations and label approvals of endosulfan products during the period from 1998 to 2001.
In 2002, the APVMA introduced further restrictions to endosulfan products after the analysis of new residue information. The data showed that the use of endosulfan on brussels sprouts, pak choi, bok choi, choi sum, Chinese cabbage, Savoy cabbage, head lettuce, Japanese greens, and leafy lettuce varieties such as rocket lettuce, endives, spinach, Swiss chard and a variety of other salad greens, resulted in an occasional detection of residues exceeding the permitted levels. The APVMA suspended product registrations and issued new directions for the supply and use of the suspended products. The new directions included changes to the restricted crop uses, withholding periods and livestock feeding restraints.
In May 2004, the APVMA released the Preliminary review findings report, in which it imposed mandatory buffer zones for spraying and required neighbourhood notification before application. This followed reports of endosulfan residues being found in beef as a result of spray drift. Ultimately, the APVMA cancelled the registration of ultra-low-volume endosulfan products to help reduce the long-distance drift of very fine spray mists.