Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance ethephon

Abstract

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, the Netherlands and co-rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance ethephon are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of ethephon as a plant growth regulator on cereals (winter and spring barley, winter and spring wheat, winter rye, winter triticale, spelt, durum wheat). The reliable endpoints appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified.

Keywords: ethephon; peer review; pesticide; plant growth regulator; risk assessment.