Chemical name: Ethanimidothioic acid, N,N'-[thiobis[(methylimino)carbonyloxy]]bis-, dimethyl 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 plant protection product.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

None

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 thiodicarb. Thiodicarb is not included in the list of authorized active ingredients in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC. The authorizations for plant protection products containing thiodicarb had to be withdrawn by 25 November 2007. From 31 May 2007 no authorizations for plant protection products containing thiodicarb 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:

Risk assessment of the representative uses of thiodicarb as an insecticide and molluscicide (foliar spraying in table and wine grapes and spreading baits to control slugs and snails in cereals) indicated an acute dietary risk for toddlers resulting from the consumption of treated table grapes and for adults resulting from the consumption of wine produced from treated wine grapes.

Data gaps were also identified in the risk assessment of the use of thiodicarb as a molluscicide, in particular regarding the operator exposure.

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

Reduction of risk from the use of plant protection products.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

A high acute risk to terrestrial vertebrates was identified with regards to the metabolite, methomyl. For use of the pellet formulation (Skipper), high acute and long-term risks were identified for birds and mammals from direct consumption of pellets and additionally an acute risk from consumption of methomyl contaminated earthworms.

With regard to the use of Larvin, risk mitigation comparable to a 40 m buffer zone is required to protect aquatic organisms. If Skipper is used on soils more vulnerable to drainage, there is a potential risk for exposure of surface water via drainage.

Thiodicarb is toxic to honeybees and there is a long-term risk to earthworms from exposure to methomyl.

Important data gaps were identified concerning the use of thiodicarb as a molluscicide. For that use, the possibility of surface and groundwater contamination cannot be excluded.

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

Reduction of risk from the use of plant protection products.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 31/05/2007

Any period of grace granted by Member States in accordance with Article 4(6) of Directive 91/414/EEC shall be as short as possible and shall expire on 25 November 2008 at the latest.