According to EFSA assessment, there is no critical area of ​​concern with glyphosate

The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) did not identify a critical area of ​​concern in its review of the assessment of the active substance glyphosate in relation to risk to humans, animals or the environment. A concern is defined as critical when it affects all proposed uses of the active substance under evaluation, thereby precluding its approval or renewal.

In 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) carried out a risk assessment of glyphosate and concluded that it did not meet the scientific criteria to be classified as a carcinogen, mutagen or toxic to reproduction.

In biodiversity, experts recognized that the risks associated with representative uses of glyphosate are complex and depend on multiple factors. They also noted the lack of harmonized methodologies and agreed specific protection targets. Overall, the available information does not allow firm conclusions to be drawn on this aspect of the risk assessment and risk managers may consider mitigating measures.

Regarding ecotoxicology, the data package enabled a conservative risk assessment approach, which identified a high long-term risk to mammals in 12 of the 23 proposed uses of glyphosate.

Process transparency

“The risk assessment and peer review of glyphosate represents the work of dozens of scientists from EFSA and member states in a process that lasted more than three years. It is based on the evaluation of many thousands of studies and scientific articles, and also incorporates valuable information gathered during the public consultation,” said EFSA Head of Risk Assessment Production Department, Guilhem de Seze.

About glyphosate

Glyphosate is a chemical used in several herbicide products and its use in Europe is subject to regulation. It is currently approved for use in the EU until December 15, 2023. Risk assessment by member states and subsequent peer review by EFSA were carried out as part of the legal process to renew approval for its use in Europe.

Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide, an organophosphate compound (phosphonate). Its properties were discovered by chemist John E. Franz in the late 1960s. Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of an enzyme known as 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS).

This enzyme plays a critical role in the shikimic acid metabolic pathway in plants, which is necessary for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. These amino acids are essential components of proteins and are also precursors to many other bioactive compounds in plants. Therefore, by inhibiting EPSPS, glyphosate prevents the synthesis of vital proteins and other metabolites, eventually leading to the death of the plant.

Next steps and publication

EFSA's findings from the peer review of the risk assessment for glyphosate have been shared with the European Commission and member states to inform their decision on whether to maintain glyphosate on the EU list of approved pesticide active substances.

Before publication, EFSA is legally obliged to ensure that all content complies with rules on the protection and confidentiality of personal data.

As with all peer reviews of pesticide active substances, and in accordance with EU pesticide legislation, EFSA provides materials intended for publication to the applicant who has the right to request confidentiality for elements relating to personal data or information commercially sensitive. Candidates cannot request changes to the conclusions or the assessment itself or submit additional information.

Once this process is complete, EFSA will publish its conclusions and all background documents related to the peer review and risk assessment in full on its website. The conclusions are expected to be published by the end of July 2023 and the base documents, several thousand pages long, between the end of August and mid-October 2023.