Insecticides: Regulation
Why Europe banned neonicotinoids and India banned old sprays
What this tab covers How it is regulated and what could disrupt supply: hazard classification, rules in the EU, US and India, anti-dumping duties and other trade measures, and supply-risk notes.Hazards
| Classification | UN number | Key risks |
|---|---|---|
| varies; organophosphates acute toxicity cat 1-3; pyrethroids and neonicotinoids aquatic acute and chronic 1 | UN2783/UN3018 (organophosphorus), UN3349/UN3352 (pyrethroid), UN3077/UN3082 | Acute poisoning of farmers, especially with organophosphates; Yavatmal (Maharashtra) poisonings in 2017 killed over 20 farmers (indicative). Bee and aquatic toxicity. |
Main rules
| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| EU | Regulation 1107/2009; neonicotinoid outdoor ban (2018); chlorpyrifos non-renewal (2020) | pushes to newer and biological products |
| US | FIFRA and Endangered Species Act; chlorpyrifos tolerance actions (2021-2024) | label restrictions |
| Global | Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions; WHO-FAO Code of Conduct on highly hazardous pesticides | prior informed consent for banned actives |
India
| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| Insecticides Act 1968; CIBRC registration | registration of technicals and formulations |
| Ban orders on several older molecules (e.g. 2018 ban on 18 pesticides, indicative) | removes old organophosphates and carbamates |
| MSIHC Rules 1989 for hazardous chemical sites | safety reporting for plants |
Trade measures
- US tariff changes in 2025 affected Chinese and Indian agrochemical imports (ICRA via Alchempro, 2025, indicative)
Supply risk
Concentrated in China for intermediates such as CCMP and pyrethroid acids. Not on critical minerals lists, but a food-security input.