Chemical name: 6,9-Methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin, 6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-, 3-oxide

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

All formulations and uses are prohibited

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

Importation of small quantity of endosulfan active ingredient for research and education purposes may be permitted provided approval is obtained from the Pesticides Board.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The Pesticides Board of Malaysia issued a circular letter dated 15 February 2004, informing the industry of the Board decision to phase out the registration of endosulfan effective from the date 15 August 2005. The Pesticides Board ceased accepting new and renewal application to register and re-register pesticides products containing endosulfan from the date of the circular letter. All new and renewal applications which are pending for approval or in the process of evaluation, will be automatically cancelled. However, those endosulfan products which have already been registered may continue to be exported, manufactured, imported, sold and used until 15 November 2005. After this date, no products containing endosulfan can be exported, imported and manufactured for sale and used in the country.

Nevertheless, importation of small quantity of endosulfan active ingredient for research and educational purposes may still be permitted provided approval is obtained from the Pesticides Board.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Final regulatory action to phase out the registration of endosulfan products was based on the following factors:

1. Endosulfan is very toxic to aquatic life and due to its persistence in the environment it has the potential to contaminate the water sources and the environment.

2. There has been a number of reports of contamination of endosulfan in the environment namely in surface water in Malaysia.

3. It was found that products containing endosulfan was widely misused by farmers in the paddy areas as a molluscicide and rodenticide even though its recommendation for its use is paddy areas has been withdrawn.

4. As part of the post registration activities of the Pesticides Board aimed at reducing risk of pesticides by carrying out reviews on problematic pesticides.

5. There are many cost-effective alternative insecticides which are less hazardous compared to endosulfan.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

1. Reduction in endosulfan contamination in surface water

2. Reduction in toxicity to aquatic life

3. Reduction in poisoning cases from ingestion or suicide using endosulfan.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 15/11/2005