EU denies consent to the import of carbosulfan and fenthion

The European Commission has adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1977, establishing, on behalf of the European Union, the final response concerning the future import of carbosulfan and fenthion in ultra-low-volume (ULV) formulations containing 640 g/L or more of active substance, under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure established by the Rotterdam Convention and implemented in the EU by Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 (PIC).

The two substances were recently added to Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention and are therefore subject to the PIC procedure. Carbosulfan was listed as a pesticide, while the fenthion formulations covered by the Decision were listed as severely hazardous pesticide formulations.

The Commission has established a final response of non-consent to import for both substances:

• for carbosulfan, the Union does not consent to its future import, as the substance is not approved in the EU as an active substance in plant protection products under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, nor for use in biocidal products under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012;
• for fenthion, the same position applies specifically to ULV formulations containing 640 g/L or more of active substance, which are likewise not authorised in the EU for use as an active substance in plant protection or biocidal products.

The Union’s response expressly states that imports from all sources are prohibited and that the production of the substances concerned in the Union for domestic use is also prohibited.

The Decision forms part of the system established by the Rotterdam Convention, which aims to promote the exchange of information on hazardous chemicals subject to international trade and to ensure that importing countries can make informed decisions regarding their future import.

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1977 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 9 September 2026 and shall apply from 29 September 2026.