Chemical name: Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl O-[6-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-pyrimidinyl] ester

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 the applications as a plant protection product.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

Uses of diazinon in flea collars placed on the market as veterinary medicinal products pursuant to Directive 2001/82/EC on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 1) remain allowed.

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

Summary of the final regulatory action:

It is prohibited to place on the market or use plant protection products containing diazinon. Diazinon is not included in the list of authorised active substances in Annex 1 to Directive 91/414/EEC. Authorisations for plant protection products containing diazinon had to be withdrawn by 6 December 2007. As of 9 June 2007, no authorisations for plant protection products containing diazinon can be granted or renewed.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Diazinon is harmful if swallowed. Inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase activity is the primary toxic effect for acute, short- or long-term exposure. Concerns were raised regarding very toxic impurities (TEPP, O,S-TEPP and S,S-TEPP) that have not been adequately analysed; thus a maximum level for such impurities, based upon their toxicological/ecotoxicological properties cannot be set.

The estimated operator, worker and bystander exposure assessment models gave values that are higher than the AOEL (0.0002 mg/kg bw/day) for use on sugar beets, even with the use of personal protective equipment.

Short and long-term exposure assessments indicated potential exceedences of the ADI (0.0002 mg/kg bw/day) and the ARfD (0.025 mg/kg bw/day) for diazinon, which in some cases appeared to be severe, in particular for both toddlers and infants consuming apples and pears treated with the plant protection product. Chronic exposure to diazinon residues was below the ADI (0.0002 mg/kg bw/day) in adults with an average consumption of pome fruits. For other groups of consumers, the chronic ADI is exceeded.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

Reduction of risk from the use of plant protection products containing diazinon, in particular for operators, workers, bystanders and consumers.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Diazinon is classified as very toxic to aquatic organisms; may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. A high acute, short- and long-term risk to insectivorous birds was identified for the use in sugar beet and orchards. A long-term risk to insectivorous mammals was identified for the use in sugar beet and orchards. A risk for secondary poisoning of earth-worm eating mammals in sugar beet, and birds and mammals in orchards was identified. A risk for secondary poisoning of fish-eating birds was identified for the use in orchards. Toxicity to bees is high but the risk was considered low because application in orchards is late in the season after flowering.

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

Reduction of risk from the use of plant protection products, in particular for birds and mammals.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 06/12/2008

Complete entry into force of all provisions of Commission Decision 2007/393/EC of 6 June 2007 was 6 December 2008 since all uses of plant protection products containing diazinon were prohibited as from that date at the latest.