Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for the active substance metazachlor in light of confirmatory data submitted

Abstract

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessment carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance metazachlor are reported. The context of the peer review was that requested by the European Commission following the submission and evaluation of confirmatory data regarding the groundwater exposure of metabolites and their toxicological relevance triggering an assessment. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of metazachlor as a herbicide on winter and spring rapeseed and on ornamental trees and shrubs. The reliable endpoints concluded as being appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, derived from the available studies and literature in the dossier peer reviewed, are presented. Concerns are identified.

Keywords: confirmatory data; herbicide; metazachlor; peer review; pesticide; risk assessment.