Paraquat chemical review

Paraquat active constituents, chemical products and labels were nominated for review in response to an invitation to the public by the APVMA (then the NRA) on 1 November 1994. Eighty of the nominated chemicals, including paraquat, were included in the priority candidate review list published in the Gazette on 2 May 1995.

The scope of the review includes reconsideration of paraquat active constituents, chemical products and labels through assessments related to residues, environment and human health, including work health and safety.

The work plan was first published on 1 July 2015.

The s 32 notice of reconsideration for active constituents, chemical products and labels for paraquat was published in the Gazette on 2 December 1997. The deadline for submissions was 31 May 1998 and was extended until 30 September 1998 as published in the Gazette on 7 April 1998.

The s 32 notice of reconsideration was given to holders and chemical coordinators of the states and territories upon commencement of the review on 27 October 1997.

Additional s 32 notices were sent to holders on 4 March 1998 to request technical data.

Additional s 32 notices were sent to holders on 1 July 2015, 10 May 2016, 16 August 2017, and 28 February 2024 to include all approved actives and registered products in the review.

Additional s 33 notices were sent to a holder on 2 September 2021 and 28 August 2023 to request additional data.

The APVMA published the draft Paraquat Review Technical Report on 30 July 2024.

The APVMA published the proposed regulatory decision (PRD) for the paraquat reconsideration in an APVMA Special Gazette on 30 July 2024. Submissions on the proposed decision are invited until 29 October 2024 (see the Special Gazette for instructions on making a submission).

A 3-month public consultation for the proposed regulatory decision was held from 30 July to 29 October 2024. The APVMA received 171 submissions during the public consultation period. Submissions are published on the APVMA website, excluding those which requested to remain confidential. A summary of the submissions and the APVMA’s response to the matters raised is also provided in the Paraquat Final Review Technical Report.

The final regulatory decision was made on 22 June 2026 and published in the APVMA Gazette, 23 June 2026.

The following active constituent approvals have been varied and affirmed:

A deemed permit is in force that authorises possession, custody, and supply of the varied products bearing the previously approved labels for two years from the date of cancellation. Instructions for possession, custody, use and supply are provided in the APVMA Special Gazette of 23 June 2026. 

After 22 June 2028 paraquat products must bear labels containing the new label approval number. It will be an offence to have possession or custody of, or to use the following varied products bearing the previously approved label approval numbers. 

The following product registrations and label approvals have been varied and affirmed.