In late June Fera Science held a webinar entitled: “From Research to Regulation: A deep dive into bacteriophage applications and challenges”. As the name suggests, the webinar focused on bacteriophages (viruses that devour bacteria) as a form of biocontrol against microbial pathogens. The webinar featured five guest speakers who discussed academic […]

Kerona Scientific is delighted to be attending the upcoming CropLife UK Conference in York. We are looking forward to catching up with our UK clients in person and learning about the latest UK regulatory developments. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please get in touch with us at info@kerona.ie

Kerona Scientific attended the 17th Fitoymposium on March 13th to 15th in Seville, Spain. This three-day gathering brought together experts, public and private organizations, and professionals from the plant protection and fertilizer sectors. The main discussions during the event were regarding food quality and safety at European level; the new updates […]

Dr Irene McGrath and Rosa Mª Miras López from Kerona Scientific are looking forward to attending the 17º Symposium Nacional de Sanidad Vegetal (Fitosymposium) in Seville 13, 14, 15 March 2024. The National Plant Health Symposium is organised by Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Agrícolas de Andalucía Occidental, and will focus on […]

At the Dublin PPP Symposium in November 2023, Bart Vanhoof from UPL, Netherlands, shared his industry feedback regarding experiences with the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. Along with Regulation 1107/2009 are several associated legislations such as the MRL Regulation (396/2005), Transparency legislation, Regulation 1272/2008 for classification and labeling, and […]

At the Dublin Plant Protection Symposium in November 2023, Dr Maristella Rubbiani, Policy Officer at Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission, talked about the way forward in the EU for co-formulants in plant protection products. Dr Maristella explained why the assessment of Plant Protection Products (PPPs) and […]

Laurent Oger, Deputy Director General at CropLife Europe, spoke at Kerona Scientific’s 4th Dublin PPP Symposium in November 2023. To explain the most recent developments and concerns regarding the PPP Legislation in the EU: Situation for active substances (AS) and plant protection products (PPP) Since the implementation of Regulation (EC) No. […]

Monika Pawlowicz from the Polish Ministry spoke at Kerona Scientific’s 4th Dublin PPP in November 2023. Poland was the chair of the Central Zone Steering Committee (CZSC) in 2023, and Monika is the coordinator of the team responsible for risk management and regulatory decision on authorization and amendments of PPP in […]

At Kerona’s Dublin Plant Protection Product Symposium in November 2023, we welcomed Dr Danae Pitarokili, Chair of the Southern Member States (SMS) Steering Committee, and Head of the Department of Plant Protection Products of the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food in Athens. In 2023, the SMS issued an updated […]

Kerona Scientific was delighted to host Darren Flynn from the UK Chemical Regulation Division (CRD) as a speaker at the Dublin Plant Protection Product Symposium in November 2023. Darren gave a detailed update on Plant Protection Product (PPP) Registration in GB, including information on the approval of new active substances, the […]

During the 2023 Dublin PPP Symposium in November, Jeroen Meeussen, Regulatory Adviser at IBMA spoke about the current developments in biological control in the EU. Jeroen started by presenting the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA). This organization is the voice of the biocontrol technologies industry and advocates for proportionate regulation of […]

Last week, the European Commission adopted three legislative proposals under the ‘one substance, one assessment’ concept (1S1A), a key deliverable of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, where significant tasks will be reallocated between four EU agencies, notably to ensure coherent and transparent assessments of chemicals used in products, including medical devices, […]

On the 21st and 22nd of November 2023, Kerona Scientific hosted its fourth annual Plant Protection Products (PPPs) Symposium, providing a unique opportunity to hear from and interact with industry and regulatory experts about recent developments for PPPs across Europe. Among the speakers at the symposium was Jana Johansen-Hladilova from the […]

On November 21st, during the 2023 Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, Dr Gabe Weyman, an independent consultant with a vast experience in regulatory ecotoxicology, talked about the new EFSA guidance for Birds and Mammals. Ecotoxicological guidance is being continually updated with increasing requirements making them more extensive and complex and the new […]

Catherine Al-Haddad and Evangelia Chatzaki from Kerona Scientific attended the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) on the 23rd to 25th of October 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. Exhibitors and speakers from all over the world were present, representing both industry and the regulatory bodies. This provides an excellent opportunity for delegates to […]

On the 3rd and 4th of October Dr Irene McGrath and Diego Medina attended the fifteenth edition of Fruit Attraction in Madrid. Fruit Attraction is the main fruit and vegetable fair in Spain and is one of the biggest events in the sector at European and global level. The event brought […]

Catherine Aqleh Alhaddad and Evangelia Chatzaki from Kerona Scientific are looking forward to attending ABIM in Basel, Switzerland from 23 – 25 October 2023. During the three days over 1500 delegates from over 50 countries representing more than 500 companies and organisations from all over the globe can be expected to […]

Fruit Attraction 2023 Dr Irene McGrath and Diego Medina Collado from Kerona Scientific are looking forward to attending Fruit Attraction in Madrid from October 3rd to 5th, 2023. In its 15th Anniversary, Fruit Attraction will bring together more than 90,000 delegates from 135 countries looking for the latest trends in the fruit and […]

Kerona Scientific is delighted to announce our upcoming virtual Fertiliser Symposium on the 28th of September. We hope that you can join us for this exciting opportunity to hear from regulatory experts in the European fertiliser industry. Experience with CE Marking of Plant Biostimulants under the FPR, Dr. Ildikó Varga and Júlia […]

Dr Irene McGrath and Greg O’Brien from Kerona Scientific are looking forward to attend ICSCE (International Crop-Science Exhibition), India’s biggest agri inputs trade show, in New Delhi on the 7th and 8th of September 2023. Please get in touch at info@kerona.ie to arrange a meeting in New Delhi if you are […]

On the 13th of June 2023, Kerona attended the online information session on the new EFSA Bee Guidance. The guidance incorporates many new criteria to have an exhaustive analysis of the potential effects of Plant Protection Products (PPPs) on bees and other non-target arthropods. It will enter into force in the […]

When you apply for registration of a pesticide in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you need to submit an assessment of surface water exposure via drainflow. If you cannot show an acceptable risk using lower tier methods, you will need to submit a higher tier drainflow exposure assessment. The HSE HTDF […]

On the 13th of March 2023, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/574 was published setting out detailed rules for the identification of unacceptable co-formulants in plant protection products (PPPs) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and Council. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/574 lays down detailed rules and […]

At Kerona Scientific’s Plant Protection Symposium, Markus Persigehl, Senior Study Director from tier 3 solutions GmbH, Germany, provided an in-depth view of the considerations required for addressing data requirements for bees. Around 70% of plant species are pollinated by bees. Honeybees, bumble bees and solitary bees are the bee species considered […]

Day two of Kerona Scientific’s virtual Dublin PPP Symposium featured a presentation by Dr Gábor Tőkés on PPP and yield enhancer registration in Hungary. This focused on three main topics: Solutions for PPP authorisation capacity problems, handling borderline cases/non-PPP and parallel authorisation systems for fertilisers. Dr Tőkés explained that products used […]

Kerona Scientific held their third PPP Symposium dealing with key regulatory aspects relevant to the registration of products and active substances under the Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The second day of the symposium included presentations on CLH processes for active substances, plant biostimulants and fertilisers, and updates from […]

At Kerona Scientific’s virtual Plant Protection Symposium in November 2022, Dra Elisabetta Garatti from Expedia MRCC Srl, spoke about the procedures in the authorization process of Plant Protection Products (PPP) in Italy. After a quick review of the European System of Zonal Authorization, Elisabetta explained the Italian authorization procedures. Article 75 […]

The EFSA guidance document on risk assessment for birds and mammals published in 2009 will soon be replaced by a new version. In November 2021, EFSA closed the public consultation on the new guidance, which will likely have similar principles to the 2009 version, but with more detailed, improved and generally […]

Camilla Thorin from the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) delivered an interesting presentation during our recent PPP Symposium to give updates on the Northern Zone (NZ) in relation to plant protection products. There is ongoing work in determining unacceptable co-formulants in the NZ phys-chem group. For ongoing product authorisations which will be […]

Dr Flavio Marchetto, Scientific Officer at the ECHA Classification and Labelling Unit, spoke at the recent Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, presented by Kerona Scientific Ltd. in November 2022 and explained the CLH process for plant protection product active substances.   The general CLH process starts with the submitters, manufacturers or member […]

At the recent Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, presented by Kerona Scientific Ltd, Caroline Raine, Technical Associate Director of Ricardo Energy and Environment spoke about the Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF) and its Implications for the PPP Industry. Caroline explained how the European green deal is changing the panorama in the PPP industry […]

Dr Irene McGrath and Greg O’Brien from Kerona Scientific are looking forward to attending ICSCE in Dubai on the 15th and 16th of February 2023. Please get in touch at info@kerona.ie to arrange a meeting in Dubai if you are around.

At the 2022 Plant Protection Symposium, Darren Flynn of the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) presented an overview of the registration of PPPs in GB. Darren provided an overview of the structure of the key players in PPP Regulation in GB, the interplay between the HSE, the Chemicals Regulation Division […]

On November 29th – 30th 2022, Kerona Scientific held their third Dublin PPP Symposium dealing with key regulatory aspects relevant to the registration of products and active substances under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The first day of the symposium included presentations on future outlook for pesticides, data requirements for bees, and […]

At Kerona Scientific’s virtual Dublin Plant Protection Symposium in November 2022, Ian Wheals, Head of Regulatory Policy at Syngenta, shared his experiences with European Registration of Plant Protection Products. Ian began with an overview of the farm-to-fork strategy and the REFIT report on PPP Regulation. He reiterated the unrealistic objective of […]

On December 1, 2022, Kerona participated in the “Workshop on plant protection products – Preparation of microbial dossiers based on the new legislation” conducted by the Ctgb at its headquarters in Ede, The Netherlands. The workshop focused on recent changes to the current rules relevant to microorganisms, due to the establishment […]

On 3rd March 2021, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2021/383 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 listing co-formulants which are not accepted for inclusion in plant protection products. It lists the co-formulants which are banned in the composition of plant protection products and adjuvants. The Regulation entered into […]

Our Regulatory Consultant Amanda Araujo de França will participate in the Ctgb’s “Workshop on Plant Protection Products – The preparation of microbial active substance and product dossiers based on the new legislation” on the 1st of December 2022 in Ede, Netherlands. Please contact us at info@kerona.ie  if you need regulatory support […]

Dr Irene McGrath is attending ABIM in Basel. Please get in touch at info@kerona.ie if you would like to arrange a meeting.

Kerona Scientific is delighted to welcome two new expert members to our growing EU regulatory team, based in our Spanish office. Luis Guillermo Fresco Dorrio Luis is an environmentalist toxicologist with a degree in Environmental Sciences from Universidad de Vigo, Ourense, a Master’s degree in water treatment and purification management and […]

A new EFSA draft guidance document for environmental risk assessment for bees is open now for public consultation until October 3rd 2022. When accessing the available documents, you will notice that, as for other non-target organisms, the complexity of regulatory guidelines is increasing. The document has more than 100 pages and […]

From September 5th to 9th, the Kerona team attended the course on Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) of Plant Protection Products: Current Situation and Future Developments, held at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra in Portugal. The course covered aspects related to ecological risk assessment of non-target organisms, […]

In June 2022, the Management Board of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) selected Dr Sharon McGuinness as Executive Director. Dr Sharon McGuinness, an Irish national, is the CEO of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland since 2018. Dr McGuinness was one of the candidates preselected by the European Commission […]

Two weeks ago, the European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) was launched. The aim is to develop a next-generation chemical risk assessment, incorporating both human health and the environment in a “One Health” approach. It will support the the European Union’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the European Green […]

The Kerona team recently attended the event entitled ‘EU Fertilising Products – How to CE mark your products’, held by ‘The Grow F2 Fertilisers Team’ of the European Commission. The workshop featured the presentation of several experts in the area and gave an overview of the new requirements for the approval […]

Catherine Alhaddad, Senior Regulatory Consultant at Kerona Scientific, presented a webinar organised by CHCS (Chemical Hazards Communication Society) about the regulation of endocrine disruptors in the European Union (EU). Catherine spoke about practical implications for stakeholders in the EU dealing with substances and products that need to undergo assessment for potential […]

At Kerona’s 2021 Dublin PPP Symposium, Agata Jakubowska of Applied Insect Science (APIS) gave a helpful overview of new developments in the approval of microbial active substances under the PPP Regulation. Microorganisms are one of several categories of biopesticides, along with natural substances, semiochemicals and beneficial organisms. The presentation began with […]

At the 2021 Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, Dr Dimitra Kardassi and Alessia Verani of EFSA, gave a presentation on various new aspects of the EFSA peer review. To start with, the four pillars of the Transparency Regulation 2019/1381, which is applicable for new dossiers and applications submitted on or after 27th […]

Kerona’s virtual symposium ‘Innovation in the EU Regulation of Plant Protection Products’ was concluded with a very interesting presentation by Dr Mike Carroll from Eden Research on the registration of biopesticides in the EU under Regulation 1107/2009. The global picture of biopesticide regulations is mixed: there is specific legislation in some […]

At the 2021 Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, Laurent Oger, Director for Regulatory Affairs at CropLife Europe, spoke about the “Status of the Regulation 1107/2009 – Current Challenges and Opportunities” He started by describing the main issues currently going on with regulation 1107/2009: problems with the zonal system, the ability of authorities […]

We are delighted to announce that Eimear Deery has joined the Kerona Scientific team in Ireland. Eimear joined Kerona after graduating from University College Dublin with a BSc in Agri-Environmental Sciences. At Kerona, Eimear prepares product dossiers and risk assessments for biocides and plant protection products, from national biocide applications under […]

At the Dublin Plant Protection Symposium in December 2021, Dr Christine Snaith gave a presentation titled “The Latest from the UK – Operating a GB Pesticides Regime”. She is Head of Plant Protection Products, HSE/Chemical Regulation Division (CRD) in the UK. Christine began the presentation with the main changes that have […]

In November 2021, Kerona Scientific attended the Applicants’ Conference 2021 organized by the German Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and received first-hand information about the latest developments in the field of plant protection product approval in Germany. Since 2017, the BVL has been undergoing a reorganization, which […]

At the Dublin Plant Protection Symposium in December 2021 Natalia Nogueira de Diego spoke on “Updates from the Southern Zone”. Natalia is the Head of the Spanish Plant Protection Products Register in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fish (MAPA). Spain has just started chairing the Southern Member State Steering Committee […]

At the 2021 Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, Mariann Leps, advisor at the Agriculture and Food Board in Estonia, presented an “Update from the Northern Zone”. The Northern Zone (NZ) steering committee (NZSC) is chaired for one year on a rotating basis. The chair in 2021 has been Estonia, and Sweden will […]

At the 2021 Dublin PPP Symposium, Sadhbh O’Dwyer from the Pesticides Registration and Control Division (PRCD) of the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine spoke about “Updates from the Central Zone”. Ireland is currently chairing the Central Zone Steering Committee (CZSC), and Sadhbh represents Ireland at their meetings. Sadhbh […]

At the 2021 Dublin Plant Protection Symposium, Dr Nigel Uttley of Enigma Marketing Research gave a presentation titled “Patent searching for generic agrochemical companies”. Patent data are essential for generic companies, so they can know when it’s possible to enter the market. As Dr Uttley noted, some 42 major commercial active […]

The virtual symposium with live presentations hosted by Kerona Scientific will be held next week Tuesday 30th November and Wednesday 1st December 2021 (09:00h to 12:00h GMT/10:00h-13:00h CET). The theme of the programme ‘Innovation in the EU Regulation of Plant Protection Products’ was chosen after taking into account feedback from last […]

The virtual symposium with live presentations hosted by Kerona Scientific will be held  Tuesday 30th November and Wednesday 1st December 2021 (09:00h to 12:00h GMT/10:00h-13:00h CET). The theme of the programme ‘Innovation in the EU Regulation of Plant Protection Products’ was chosen after taking into account feedback from last year’s attendees […]

We are delighted to announce that Amanda Araujo de França has joined the Kerona Scientific team in Ireland. Amanda has a Master’s degree in Chemistry from University of Paraná in Brazil and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from University of Viçosa in Brazil. She is currently completing her PhD dissertation […]

Kerona has been delivering training courses for many years, ranging from webinars and workshops to bespoke training delivered either remotely or in person. Our courses are tailored to the biocides and plant protection industries, with a series of modules designed to provide an overview of the regulatory environment. This week we […]

Due to the difficulties with international travel during the global pandemic Kerona Scientific will not be able to attend the ACE in Shanghai in person this year. We would like to meet with you to discuss your regulatory needs for product registrations in Europe and we are offering to meet you […]

A list of co-formulants that are banned in plant protection products (PPPs) and adjuvants has been published in an amendment to the PPP Regulation (Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009). Co-formulants are considered unacceptable in PPP if either their residues or their use will have a harmful effect on human […]

A major update to the SANCO guidance document on zonal evaluation, mutual recognition, withdrawal and amendment of authorisations under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 (SANCO/13169/2010 Rev. 11) was published on 25 January 2021. This guidance document was last updated in 2010 and the latest version is a major revision which applies to […]

At the virtual Dublin Plant Protection Symposium held on 1-2 December 2020, Dr. Katja Bidovec, Head of the Plant Protection Products Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food in Slovenia, presented the status of zonal authorisations in the Central Zone. Dr. Bidovec opened her presentation by describing the plans […]

On December 1st – 2nd 2020, Kerona Scientific held their first PPP symposium dealing with key regulatory aspects relevant to the registration of products and active substances under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Most of the first day of the symposium was focused on the zonal authorisation processes in the three different […]

Kerona Scientific held a very successful Plant Protection Symposium on 1-2 December 2020, with a range of speakers represented from UK and EU Ministries, Consultancies and Industry.   Darren Flynn of the UK CRD (HSE) presented an update from the UK with respect to changes in . Darren noted that the […]

If an active substance contained in a plant protection product has been designated a Candidate for Substitution, a “comparative assessment” will be required for product authorisation. The European Commission has created a list of Candidates for Substitution – active substances that are approved under the plant protection products regulation (Regulation (EC) […]

Kerona Scientific are delighted to announce our participation in this year’s Agri Business Global Trade Summit (21-25 September). The Trade Summit online business platform will allow us to connect with you during Advance Week (14-20 September) and during Continued Engagement (21 September – 23 October). If you would like to arrange […]

EFSA is making its plant pest survey cards available in an easy-to-use, interactive format. The cards are designed to help EU Member States to plan their annual surveys of quarantine pests to current international standards. They contain vital information such as the pest’s host range, distribution, biology and risk factors, as […]

The traditional risk assessment for Plant Protection Products (PPP) in the EU focused only on the acute effects on honey bees. A new EFSA guidance has been developed, which covers more risk scenarios, and also considers bumble bees and solitary bees. Dr Neus Rodriguez- Sanchez, of Kerona Scientific,  presented a poster […]