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AgVetLink: Number 58, October 2006

Nonyl Phenol and Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate – EU Ban

Plant compounds

In early September 2006 the ACVM Group wrote to plant compound registrants regarding the EU ban on the use of the above ingredients in formulated products (see http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_178/l_17820030717en00240027. pdf). In this letter, the Group advised there was the possibility that the EU may embark on residue monitoring of food produce traded in or imported into the EU for these ingredients.

Such a scenario would cause significant issues for exporters because there is nothing on labels to indicate which products contain these ingredients, and there is the potential for multiple trade name products (each containing these ingredients) to be applied to a food crop. As a consequence, there may be a residue violation for food produce exported to the EU.

The ACVM Group has received information indicating that the EU is not as yet introducing such a monitoring programme, but there is proposed EU legislation for such a programme. The ACVM Group understands no date has been set for the introduction of this legislation.

Veterinary medicines

It should be noted that the EU ban also extends to emulsifiers in agricultural teat dips. Therefore, registrants of relevant veterinary medicines should take note of this as well.

While the ACVM Group is monitoring the situation, registrants of relevant trade name products may wish to consider re-formulating their products to remove these ingredients. At this stage, any formulation change and associated costs would be at the discretion of the registrant. In the event that EU legislation on monitoring is introduced or the regulatory status of these compounds changes overseas or in New Zealand, then the ACVM Group is likely to require the re-assessment of relevant trade name products.