Approval of basic substances

The use of basic substances in the EU is approved by the European Commission.

An applicant files an application for the approval of a basic substance with the European Commission. The application must be accompanied by an assessment of the potential effects of the substance on human or animal health or the environment carried out by any organisation in the EU in relation to the authorised use of the substance, and any other relevant information on the potential effects of the substance on human or animal health or the environment.

The European Commission makes a request to the European Food Safety Authority for technical and scientific asssistance and an opinion on the application. On the basis of this opinion, the European Commission approves or does not approve a substance as a basic substance. An approved basic substance is entered in a special part of the approved active substance list. 

Use of basic substances in organic production

Organic producers may use some of basic substances for plant protection in organic production, exept for weed suppression. You will find allowed substances for use in Annex I, Point 1 of Implementing Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 of 15 July 2021 authorising certain products and substances for use in organic production and establishing their lists.