Plant Protection Products
Application Forms
Parallel Trade
Mutual Recognition (MR) and concerned Member State (cMS)
Application Form for the Authorisation of a Plant Protection Product (PPP) and Adjuvants
Zonal Applications
Application Form for the Zonal Authorisation of a Plant Protection Product
Other
Application Form for the Authorization of Research and Development of a Plant Protection Product
Application Form for Professional Users and Distributors of Plant Protection Products
What are 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.
Legislation in Malta on Plant Protection Products:
Plant Protection Products Regulations
Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides in Produce of Plant Origin Regulations
Plant Protection Products (Implementation) Regulations
Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulations
Guidance Documents
Guidance Documents on the placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market
Guidance Documents on Pesticide Residues
Guidance Documents on authorisations of plant protection products in Malta
Guidance Document on Metaldehyde containing products for distributors
General Information
Mancozeb | General Information
Mancozeb | Alternative products
Placing on the Market
List of Authorised Plant Protection Products - as at 23 April 2025
List of Authorised Adjuvants - as at 18 December 2024
List of Revoked Plant Protection Products - as at 14 March 2025
Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC relates to the placing on the market of plant protection products, specifying strict criteria for approval of substances, to ensure a high level of protection for human and animal health and the environment. In particular this Regulation provides that carcinogens, mutagens, endocrine disruptors, substances toxic for reproduction or which are very persistent will not be approved, unless exposure to humans is negligible. It also establishes a mechanism for the substitution of more toxic pesticides by safer (including non-chemical) alternatives. Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 is implemented in national legislation through subsidiary Legislation SL 430.07.
Only plant protection products which are authorised for use in Malta may be applied on crops. The list of current authorised plant protection products for use in Malta can be found above. For further information on authorisation or importation of plant protection products, kindly contact [email protected].
Maximum Residue Levels for Plant Protection Products (MRLs)
Regulation (EC) no 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC completes the harmonisation and simplification of pesticide MRLs, whilst ensuring better consumer protection throughout the EU. In line with these Regulations, MRLs undergo a common EU assessment to make sure that all classes of consumers, including the vulnerable ones, like babies and children, are sufficiently protected. Regulation (EC) 396/2005 is implemented in national legislation through subsidiary Legislation SL 430.02.
MRLs are the upper legal level of a concentration for a pesticide residue in or on food or feed set in accordance with this Regulation, based on good agricultural practice and the lowest consumer exposure necessary to protect vulnerable consumers
Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products
Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides establishes a framework to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promoting the use of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides. Directive 2009/128/EC is implemented in national legislation through subsidiary Legislation SL 430.08
The implementation of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulations, relies on the training on various stakeholders involved at all levels of the industry, including Professional Users of Plant Protection Products, Distributors of Plant Protection Products, Advisors, Trainers and the general public.
Metaldehyde Containing Products – Guidance Material
Metaldehyde containing Products – Guidance material for Distributors
Guidance for non-professional Users - Guidelines For Non-Professional Users Of Pesticides
National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides
A National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides for Malta 2019-2023 (Il-Pjan ta' Azzjoni Nazzjonali għall-Użu Sostenibbli tal-pestiċidi f'Malta 2019 - 2023) has been developed as a strategy to minimise human and environmental health impacts resulting from the use of pesticides and as a requisite of the Directive.
Professional Users of Plant Protection Products
A professional user is any person who uses pesticides in the course of their professional activities, including operators, technicians, employers and self-employed people, both in the farming and other sectors. Professional users are required to undergo training to be certified. A list of MCCAA authorised trainers who may be contacted can be found below. The application form for professional user certification can be found the above section.
List of Authorised Trainers (last updated 17 October 2024)
Pesticide Application Equipment
Pesticide application equipment is any equipment specifically intended for the application of pesticides, including accessories that are essential for the effective operation of such equipment, such as nozzles, manometers, filters, strainers and cleaning devices for tanks. Pesticide application equipment is use requires testing. For further information on which equipment type is eligible for testing, and the procedure to apply for the testing, can be found at the below links.
Pesticides Application Equipment
Testing of Pesticides Application Equipment
Distributors of Plant Protection Products
A distributor is any natural or legal person who makes a plant protection product available on the market, including wholesalers, retailers, vendors and suppliers. A list of MCCAA certified distributors can be found below. The application form for distributor certification can be found the above section.
List of Certified Distributors
Advisors
An advisor is any person who has acquired adequate knowledge and advises on pest management and the safe use of plant protection products, in the context of a professional capacity or commercial service, including private self-employed and public advisory services, commercial agents, food producers and retailers where applicable. A list of MCCAA certified distributors can be found below.
List of the MCCAA Recognised Advisors
Integrated Pest Management - IPM
An integral part of the National Action Plan for Sustainable Use of Pesticides in Malta is the development of Guidelines for Integrated Pest Management for Malta. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to humans, animals, and the environment. The following guidelines have been adopted for the Maltese Islands.
Guidelines For Integrated Pest Management For Malta
Non-Professional Users of Pesticides
One of the provisions of the National Action Plan for Sustainable Use of Pesticides, is the development of Guidelines for Non-professional Users of Pesticides i.e. the use of pesticides by the general public. The main aim of these guidelines is to reduce risks and impacts of pesticides use on human and environmental health. Therefore, the guidelines encompass the use of pesticides of low toxicity, ready to use formulations and limitations on sizes of containers and packaging. This information, in combination with guidelines for the protection of human health, the safe use of pesticides during handling, storing, application and disposal and non-chemical methods have been adopted for non-professional users of pesticides.
Guidelines For Non-Professional Users Of Pesticides
Harmonised Risk Indicators
Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides requires the establishment and calculation of Harmonised Risk Indicators (HRIs) by using statistical data collected in accordance with the Community Legislation concerning the statistics on plant protection products together with relevant data.
These HRIs are necessary to measure progress in meeting the objective of the SUD in the reduction of risks for pesticide use for human health and the environment. Harmonised Risk Indicators for Malta can be found at the below link.
Harmonised Risk Indicators for Malta 2011 - 2017
Harmonised Risk Indicators for Malta 2011- 2018
Harmonised Risk Indicators for Malta 2011- 2019
Harmonised Risk Indicators for Malta 2011- 2020
Harmonised Risk Indicators for Malta 2011-2021
For further information or in case of queries kindly contact [email protected]
