Pesticides include Plant Protection Products and Biocidal Products.

As per Pesticides Control Act, 2001 and the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority Act, 2011, the competent authority for the authorisation and regulation of pesticides in Malta is the MCCAA.

The competent authority responsible for implementation and enforcement is the MCCAA, which is obliged to provide the authorisation and control in relation to dealing, advertising and use of any plant protection product and biocidal product or any other active substances intended for use in any plant protection and/or biocidal product.

Pesticides

Main Legislation: Pesticides Control Act, 2001

Plant Protection Products

Plant Protection Products are defined as products, in the form in which they are supplied to the user, consisting of or containing active substances, safeners or synergists, and intended for one of the following uses:

• protecting plants or plant products against all harmful organisms or preventing the action of such organisms, unless the main purpose of these products is considered to be for reasons of hygiene rather than for the protection of plants or plant products;
• influencing the life processes of plants, such as substances influencing their growth, other than as a nutrient;
• preserving plant products, in so far as such substances or products are not subject to special Community provisions on preservatives;
• destroying undesired plants or parts of plants, except algae unless the products are applied on soil or water to protect plants;
• checking or preventing undesired growth of plants, except algae unless the products are applied on soil or water to protect plants.

Biocidal Products

Biocidal Products are defined as active substances and preparations containing one or more active substances, put up in the form in which they are supplied to the user, intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means.

Pesticide Residue Monitoring

Pesticide residue monitoring is implemented to check whether pesticide residue in food of plant and animal origin are found above the maximum residue levels that are set at EU level.  Pesticide residue monitoring results are published annually and can be found at the below links.

Contact Us

Need further information or assistance?

Feel free to send us an email - pesticides.regulations@mccaa.org.mt  or give us a call at +356 23952000.