Maltodextrin in plant protection products: what changes with the 2026 error correction

Key data

European manufacturers and distributors of plant protection products containing maltodextrin must review the corrected text of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/312. On 30 April 2026, an error correction was published in the Official Journal of the EU that adjusts technical or administrative aspects of the original regulation, published on 11 February 2026.

This regulation renews the approval of maltodextrin as a low-risk active substance in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The correction does not change that status, but may affect details of the text that serve as the basis for product authorizations in the various Member States.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/312 renewed the approval of maltodextrin as a low-risk active substance under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, which regulates the marketing of plant protection products in the European Union. It also amended Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011, which is the annex listing approved active substances.

The error correction published on 30 April 2026 adjusts technical or administrative aspects of the original text. The publication does not specify exactly what those errors are, but their formal publication implies that the corrected text is the one with legal validity.

Classification as a low-risk substance has a direct practical consequence: plant protection products containing maltodextrin can benefit from simplified authorization procedures in EU Member States. This reduces documentary requirements and processing times compared to conventional active substances.

Economic and operational impact

For most operators in the sector, the immediate impact of this correction is administrative and documentary. It does not involve product reformulation or new use restrictions. However, ignoring an error correction can create problems in product authorization or renewal processes before the competent authorities.

• Manufacturers who have initiated or have pending a product authorization application based on Regulation 2026/312 must ensure they are working with the corrected text.
• Distributors marketing plant protection products containing maltodextrin must verify that the technical documentation of their suppliers reflects the current text.
• The low-risk status is maintained, so there are no changes to simplified procedures already underway.
• No specific penalties associated with this correction have been published in the available data.

Who does it affect?

• Manufacturers of plant protection products that formulate products with maltodextrin as an active substance and market them in the European market.
• Distributors and marketers of plant protection products containing maltodextrin in the EU who need to keep their technical documentation up to date.
• Professional users of plant protection products containing maltodextrin (farmers, cooperatives, agricultural service companies) who must demonstrate the use of authorized products.
• Regulatory and legal affairs departments of agrochemical companies that manage authorizations before national authorities.
• Advisors and consultants in the plant protection sector who support their clients in product authorization or renewal processes.

Practical example

A plant protection product manufacturer has a product authorization application pending before the Ministry of Agriculture for a new product containing maltodextrin as an active substance. Since it is a low-risk substance under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, the authorization procedure is simplified.

The regulatory department of this company must verify that the file submitted refers to the corrected text of Regulation 2026/312 (published on 30 April 2026) and not just the original text of 11 February 2026. If the correction affects any technical or administrative data relevant to the application, it will need to update the documentation before the competent authority resolves it.

This type of documentary review is common in the sector and does not involve reformulation costs, but does require dedication from the regulatory team to locate the specific changes between the original and corrected text.

What should companies do now?

1. Download the corrected text of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/312 from the Official Journal of the EU and compare it with the original text of 11 February 2026 to identify exactly what technical or administrative aspects have been corrected.
2. Review authorization files in progress or pending resolution that reference Regulation 2026/312, and update the documentation if any of the corrected elements affect the application.
3. Inform the regulatory team and suppliers that the current text is the corrected one, to prevent the original text from being used in new applications or renewals.
4. Verify the entry into force date of the correction by consulting the full text, as it is not specified in the available data from the 30 April 2026 publication.
5. Document the review carried out to demonstrate, if necessary before a competent authority, that the company works with the current and correct regulatory text.