In May 2000, the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee reconsidered the scheduling of methiocarb. The committee included methiocarb in schedule 7 (Dangerous Poison) of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). Formulations containing 20 per cent or less of methiocarb were placed in schedule 6 (Poison), and products containing 2 per cent or less remained in Schedule 5 (caution) of the SUSMP. Existing products had their labels amended to reflect the scheduling changes.
Component assessment reports on toxicology, occupational health and safety, environment and residues and trade were published in April 2005, along with the Preliminary Review Findings (PRF) (see Phase 6). These assessment reports were since updated to take into account the public comments on the PRF and the additional data received after the publication of the PRF report.
The 2005 toxicology and OHS assessments were updated by Office of Chemical Safety (OCS) and were published in June 2013. The OCS assessed toxicology data submitted to the review, together with information from its toxicological database and relevant published data. The 2013 assessment report recommended continued approval and registration of methiocarb, and revised the safety directions and first aid instructions for all methiocarb products.
In May 2017, the APVMA published a supplementary OHS report to update the 2013 OHS assessment. This report contains contemporary First Aid Instructions and Safety Directions for all methiocarb products.
In August 2018, the APVMA published the updated methiocarb toxicology report. This third toxicology report incorporates consideration of additional toxicological studies received after the publication of the 2013 toxicology report. As an outcome of this report the acute reference dose (ARfD) for methiocarb has been amended from 0.03 mg/kg bw to 0.005 mg/kg bw. Further, there have been no changes recommended to the approval status of the active constituent or to the current poisons schedule of methiocarb.
In August 2018, the APVMA published the updated methiocarb residues and trade report. This second residues report incorporates consideration of new information received after the publication of the 2005 PRF report. This report recommended that the label instructions be varied to delete, add or amend certain use patterns and amend withholding periods. It was recommended that the maximum residue limits (MRLs) standard of methiocarb be amended to reflect the findings of the residue assessments. Further, there have been no changes to the current residues definition of methiocarb and it remained appropriate for enforcement and dietary risks assessment purposes.
In August 2018, the APVMA published the updated methiocarb environmental report. This second environmental report incorporates consideration of new information received after the publication of the 2005 PRF report. This report recommended that label instructions be varied to minimise the risk to aquatic organisms resulting from runoff and harmful effects to birds and mammals.
