Biocides, Pyraclostrobin and Agri-food Data Infrastructure

Three EU decisions are changing the operational framework for hygiene, raw material controls and data projects. A new biocidal product receives a short authorisation tied to specific procedures. Pyraclostrobin remains approved until 2041, although data on metabolites and water treatment must still be submitted. Meanwhile, European agricultural and food data infrastructure is gaining its own legal personality.

ERO MN: PT4 Authorisation within Tightly Defined Process Conditions

The European Commission has granted a Union authorisation for ERO MN. It applies from 29 September 2026 to 31 August 2030 and covers veterinary hygiene applications as well as the disinfection of hard, non-porous surfaces in food and feed areas. For this PT4 application, the product is intended to be sprayed after preliminary cleaning. The product authorisation number is EU-0035833-0000 and covers several trade names [1].

Its practical scope is narrower than the term ‘food area’ might suggest. Efficacy against bacteria and yeasts was established at a dilution of 0.25 per cent, an application rate of 150 millilitres per square metre, a contact time of five minutes and a temperature of 20–25 °C. A subsequent rinse with drinking water is required. The product contains alkyl(C12–16)dimethylbenzylammonium chloride and glutaraldehyde and is intended exclusively for professional users [1][2].

Hygiene programmes therefore need to consider the complete procedure: pre-cleaning, concentration, surface application rate, temperature, contact time and rinsing. Adding the product to a chemicals list without checking operating instructions, dosing equipment and material compatibility would not fully reflect the authorised use. The short authorisation period is also notable: suitable alternatives have been identified for use in animal housing and food and feed areas; under the current decision, only vehicle disinfection is, in principle, eligible for renewal [1].

Pyraclostrobin: Long Renewal, with Data Outstanding until 2028

The EU is renewing approval of the fungicidal active substance pyraclostrobin from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2041. The technical specification requires at least 980 grams of active substance per kilogram; dimethyl sulphate must not exceed 0.001 grams and toluene 8 grams per kilogram of technical material. When authorising products, Member States must consider, among other factors, co-formulants, aquatic organisms and consumer exposure to metabolites [3].

The lengthy approval period does not conclude the scientific assessment. By 12 September 2028, supplementary information must be submitted on the toxicological profile of metabolite 500M07 and changes to pyraclostrobin residues during drinking water treatment. For grapes, the Regulation also identifies metabolite 500M54 as a focus of the consumer assessment [3]. These are specific uncertainties in the authorisation dossier, not findings of an acute risk to consumers.

For food manufacturers, the distinction between the legal regimes is crucial. Approval of the active substance under plant protection legislation replaces neither product-specific authorisations for plant protection products nor the maximum residue levels established under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 [4]. Specifications and monitoring plans should therefore continue to reflect the raw material, origin, use pattern and applicable maximum residue level. The renewal alone is not a reason to raise existing analytical limits across the board.

Agri-Food EDIC: a Legal Entity for Cross-border Data Projects

With effect from 9 September, the Commission established the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium for Agri-Food. Austria is among its founding members; Germany participates as an observer. The Paris-based legal entity can enter into contracts, hold assets and intellectual property rights, and implement joint projects [5].

Its mandate covers interoperable data infrastructures, high-quality cross-border datasets and AI, licensing, testing and validation services. Data exchange between businesses, consumers and authorities is envisaged. For manufacturers and retailers, this could eventually affect master data, traceability, sustainability information and regulatory reporting. However, the decision itself specifies neither a mandatory data format nor an immediately usable service. Whether and how companies can participate depends on the use cases, technical specifications, access conditions and governance rules still to be prioritised [5].

Wishing you a pleasant weekend

Sources

All sources last checked and accessed on 10 September 2026.

1. DVO (EU) 2026/1974, Art. 1–2 und Anhang, 09.09.2026.
2. ECHA: BPC Opinion on ERO MN, 02.10.2025.
3. DVO (EU) 2026/1976, Art. 1–3 und Anhänge I–II, 09.09.2026.
4. VO (EG) Nr. 396/2005, Art. 18 und Anhänge II–III.
5. Durchführungsbeschluss (EU) 2026/1978, Art. 1–2 und Anhang, 09.09.2026.

Note: These updates provide technical context and do not replace legal, hygiene, toxicological or product-specific assessment of an individual case. Image: AI-generated.