Pyrimethanil 2026: what changes for farmers and plant protection product manufacturers

Key data

Those who use, manufacture or market plant protection products containing pyrimethanil have an immediate task: review the updated conditions of use. The correction of errors published on 30 April 2026 modifies technical or formal aspects of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355, which on 19 February 2026 renewed the approval of this active substance in the European Union.

Pyrimethanil is a fungicide widely used in key crops such as grapes, apples and strawberries. Its approval is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, which regulates plant protection products in the EU. The correction also affects Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 540/2011, the official list of active substances approved in the EU.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355 renewed the approval of pyrimethanil as an active plant protection substance. This renewal was published on 19 February 2026 in the EU Official Journal. The correction of errors published on 30 April 2026 adjusts technical or formal aspects of that original text.

The correction modifies two regulations in force:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355: the main regulation that renews the approval of pyrimethanil.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 540/2011: the consolidated list of active substances approved in the EU for plant protection products.

Pyrimethanil remains approved as an active substance. The correction does not revoke or suspend its use, but may modify specific application conditions, restrictions, doses, authorized crops or other technical parameters contained in the original text. Since the correction adjusts the legally binding text, the corrected conditions are those that prevail over the text published in February.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this correction is operational, not economic in terms of new fees or penalties. No new direct economic burdens are introduced, but non-compliance with the updated conditions of use may result in relevant consequences:

• Products formulated or labeled in accordance with the February 2026 text may need review if the correction affects conditions of use, doses or authorized crops.
• Manufacturers who have initiated registration or reformulation processes based on the original text must verify whether technical parameters have changed.
• Distributors marketing products containing pyrimethanil must ensure that the information they provide to farmers reflects the corrected conditions.
• Farmers applying these products to grapes, apples and strawberries must confirm that the instructions for use of the products they purchase are aligned with the corrected text.

The main operational risk is applying the product under conditions that are no longer legally in force, which may cause problems in inspections, certification audits or crop marketing in markets that require plant protection traceability.

Who does it affect?

• Farmers using fungicides containing pyrimethanil on grape, apple and strawberry crops.
• Manufacturers of plant protection products that formulate or produce products whose active substance is pyrimethanil.
• Distributors and marketers of plant protection products that include pyrimethanil in their catalog.
• Agricultural advisors and field technicians who recommend plant protection treatments to agricultural operations.
• Compliance managers in agrochemical companies operating in the EU.

Practical example

A winery with its own vineyards in Spain regularly uses a registered fungicide whose active substance is pyrimethanil to control fungal diseases in grapes. The farm technician had reviewed the conditions of use following the renewal published in February 2026 and updated the treatment plan for the season.

Following the correction published on 30 April 2026, the technician must consult the corrected text of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355 again to verify whether any technical condition—for example, maximum dose, number of applications per season or restrictions at certain crop stages—has been modified compared to the February text. If the correction affects any of these parameters, the treatment plan must be adjusted before the next application.

This same process applies to the product manufacturer: if the correction modifies conditions of use, the label of the plant protection product may need updating to reflect the legally binding conditions.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the corrected text: Access the full text of the correction published on 30 April 2026 (OJ:L_202690340) to identify exactly which technical or formal aspects have been modified compared to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355 of February 2026.
2. Compare with the original February text: Review Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355 published on 19 February 2026 and contrast the differences with the correction to identify which conditions have changed.
3. Verify the updated Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 540/2011: Check how the pyrimethanil entry appears in the official list of approved active substances following the correction.
4. Review treatment plans and labels: If the correction affects conditions of use (doses, crops, restrictions), update agricultural treatment plans and, if you are a manufacturer, review whether the labels of registered products need modification.
5. Inform the distribution chain: Manufacturers and distributors must communicate to their agricultural customers any relevant changes in conditions of use resulting from the correction.
6. Document the review: Keep internal records that the correction has been reviewed and the actions taken, especially for certification audits or plant protection inspections.