Glyphosate Regulation Amendment: What Manufacturers and Farmers Must Review

Key data

Glyphosate herbicide manufacturers and farmers using them have a new review obligation: the amendment published on 24 July 2026 in the EU Official Journal corrects technical errors in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660, which in November 2023 renewed the approval of glyphosate as an active substance in plant protection products until 15 December 2033.

Although the changes are technical in nature and do not alter the renewal decision, their publication in the Official Journal means that the corrected conditions are the officially applicable ones. Ignoring them could create misalignments in product authorizations.

What does this regulation establish?

The amendment published on 24 July 2026 corrects errors detected in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660. This original regulation, approved on 28 November 2023, renewed the approval of glyphosate as an active substance in plant protection products, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and amended Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.

The key aspects established by the corrected regulatory framework are:

• Glyphosate maintains its approval as an active substance in plant protection products until 15 December 2033.
• The corrections are technical in nature and do not modify the substance of the renewal decision.
• The conditions of use established to protect human health and the environment remain fully in force.
• The regulation applies directly in all EU Member States without the need for national transposition.
• Authorizations for plant protection products containing glyphosate must comply with the conditions updated by this amendment.

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide globally. Its renewal in 2023 was the subject of intense scientific and political debate about its safety for human health and the environment. The amendment published in 2026 does not reopen that debate, but rather technically refines the applicable legal text.

Economic and operational impact

For pesticide manufacturers, the most immediate operational impact is the need to review their product authorizations. If the corrected technical conditions differ from those in their current authorizations, they will need to initiate the update process with the competent authorities of each Member State.

For farmers and operators using glyphosate herbicides, the impact is one of compliance: they must ensure that the products they use are correctly authorized under the updated conditions and that their application practices comply with current restrictions on protecting human health and the environment.

Who does it affect?

• Pesticide and herbicide manufacturers containing glyphosate as an active substance.
• Farmers using glyphosate herbicides on their farms.
• Professional operators applying plant protection products with glyphosate (agricultural treatment companies, professional gardening, infrastructure maintenance).
• Distributors and marketers of plant protection products containing glyphosate.
• Agricultural advisors and plant protection technicians who recommend or supervise the use of these products.

Practical example

A Spanish herbicide manufacturer marketing a product with glyphosate as an active substance has a current authorization granted under the conditions of the original Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660. Following publication of this amendment on 24 July 2026, it must compare the corrected technical conditions with those in its current authorization.

If the amendment modifies any technical specification relevant to its product (for example, conditions of use, application restrictions or labeling requirements), it must communicate this to the competent authority of its Member State and, if necessary, request an update to the authorization. Failure to do so could mean that the product is marketed or used under conditions that do not comply with current regulations.

Similarly, a farmer using that herbicide must verify that the product remains correctly authorized and that updated use instructions have not introduced new restrictions affecting their usual application method.

What should companies do now?

1. Download and read the official amendment: Access the text published on 24 July 2026 in the EU Official Journal (reference OJ:L_202690622) and compare it with the original Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2660.
2. Review current product authorizations (manufacturers): Verify that the technical conditions of each product authorization with glyphosate comply with the corrected conditions. If there are discrepancies, initiate the update process with the competent authority.
3. Confirm the authorization status of products used (farmers and operators): Ensure that the glyphosate herbicides being used are correctly authorized under the updated conditions.
4. Review application practices: Check that methods of use, doses and precautions comply with the restrictions established to protect human health and the environment.
5. Consult with technical or legal advisors if the amendment introduces changes affecting registration processes, labeling or marketing of specific products.

Official source

View complete regulation in 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_202690622