EU denies expansion of nettle use in plant protection products: what changes for farmers and organic sector

Key data

Farmers and organic producers who were counting on nettle as a low-impact plant protection alternative now face a closed door. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2340, published on 23 October 2026, formally denies the expansion of Urtica spp. use as a basic substance under the Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 on the placing of plant protection products on the market.

The technical evaluation concluded that the proposed new uses do not meet the current approval criteria, especially regarding efficacy and safety. This is not a total ban: previously approved uses for this substance remain in force.

What does this regulation establish?

Basic substances are products in common use—such as nettle—that are not primarily intended for plant protection but can be used for that purpose under a more flexible regulatory regime than conventional plant protection products. Nevertheless, any expansion of their approved uses requires passing through a rigorous technical evaluation process.

In this case, the expansion request was evaluated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and the result was negative. The specific reasons that determined the denial were:

• Insufficient efficacy: the proposed new uses did not demonstrate sufficient efficacy according to the required technical criteria.
• Unproven safety: the data presented do not meet the safety requirements established in current regulations.

The decision does not modify or revoke nettle uses that were already approved previously. Those uses remain valid and can continue to be applied without additional restriction.

Economic and operational impact

The denial has direct consequences for those who had incorporated or planned to incorporate the new nettle uses into their plant protection strategy:

• Reformulation costs: manufacturers of nettle-based preparations who had designed products or product lines around the denied new uses will need to reorient their R&D or reformulate their products.
• Search for alternatives: farmers and organic producers who expected this expansion to replace other inputs will need to identify other basic substances or authorized plant protection products, with the associated cost and time.
• Investment in scientific evidence: if the sector wants to reopen the expansion pathway, it will need to generate new scientific evidence that meets the efficacy and safety criteria of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, which requires significant investment in studies and trials.
• No impact on already approved uses: operators who only use nettle in previously authorized uses do not need to make any operational changes or incur additional costs.

Who does it affect?

• Farmers who were using or planning to use nettle preparations for the new requested plant protection uses.
• Organic producers who were seeking in nettle a natural and low-impact alternative to other conventional plant protection products.
• Manufacturers and formulators of plant protection products who had developed or had in development product lines based on the new uses of Urtica spp.
• Agronomic advisors and field technicians who recommended or evaluated nettle as a solution within integrated pest management programs.

Not affected are operators who only use nettle in uses that were already approved before this decision.

Practical example

An organic farming cooperative had included in its campaign plan the use of a nettle preparation for a new type of plant protection application—one of the uses whose expansion was requested and has now been denied. Faced with this decision, the cooperative faces two options:

1. Replace that use with another approved basic substance or with a plant protection product authorized for organic production, assuming the cost of changing suppliers, adjusting doses and possible impact on organic certification.
2. Collaborate with research centers or sector associations to generate the new scientific evidence required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and submit a new expansion request in the future.

In contrast, if that same cooperative only used nettle for uses that were already approved prior to this regulation, it does not need to make any changes: those uses remain fully valid.

What should companies do now?

1. Review what nettle uses currently apply: verify whether current uses correspond to previously approved uses (no changes) or to the new denied uses. Only in the latter case is action necessary.
2. Identify authorized plant protection alternatives: consult the list of basic substances approved by the EU and plant protection products authorized for organic production that can replace the denied uses.
3. Update technical data sheets and application protocols: if the new denied uses were being used, remove them from treatment plans and replace them with valid alternatives before the next campaign.
4. Inform agronomic advisors and field technicians: ensure that technical teams are aware of this decision so they do not recommend or apply the denied uses.
5. Evaluate the feasibility of a new request: if the sector considers the expansion of nettle uses strategic, assess the investment in new efficacy and safety studies that would allow submitting a strengthened request to the European Commission.

Official source

Consult the complete regulation at the official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602340