A record number of comments were received during EFSA and ECHA’s consultations on the draft assessments of glyphosate, indicating that it is a highly relevant substance. The level of public participation in the evaluation of active substances in the EU highlights the importance of transparency.
As of 10 May 2022, EFSA added significant new data to a dossier containing far more scientific evidence than are normally available for such assessments with the input received from the consultations and responses received from the applicant (the Group on the Renewal of Glyphosate) in response to the agency’s request for additional information.
The Assessment Group on Glyphosate (AGG), composed of four EU Member States – France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden – that is currently updating its initial draft renewal assessment report (dRAR), will thoroughly review the additional information.
To accommodate this context, EFSA and ECHA revised the timeline for the remaining steps in the process of re-evaluation.
ECHA’s classification
As part of its plenary meeting on 30-31 May, the ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) is scheduled to discuss the hazards of glyphosate. As part of its review, the Committee will examine carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, as well as environmental classification. A draft of RAC’s opinion will be made available to EFSA and published on ECHA’s website within 8-10 weeks (i.e., mid-July to the end of August 2022). As part of the peer review of the dRAR, the EFSA will take into account the RAC opinion.
EFSA’s peer review
The EFSA received 368 responses to its public consultation, many of which included multiple comments. Additionally, EFSA received approximately 2400 comments from Member State experts and the Glyphosate Renewal Group (GRG). The GRG and the AGG will need to review approximately 3000 pages of these contributions, which will serve as the basis for developing an updated dRAR.
As per AGG’s notification to EFSA, the updated dRAR is scheduled for submission on 30 September 2022. The Pesticides Peer Review meetings will therefore be held between November and December 2022 at EFSA, and the conclusions will be finalized by July 2023. EFSA will evaluate all possible risks associated with glyphosate exposure, including those to humans, animals, and the environment. In addition to considering all comments, this updated timeline reflects our obligation to conduct a thorough risk assessment.
