Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance S‐metolachlor excluding the assessment of the endocrine disrupting properties

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State Germany and co‐rapporteur Member State France for the pesticide active substance S‐metolachlor are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. In September 2022, the European Commission asked EFSA to deliver its conclusion on the available outcomes of the assessments in all areas excluding the full assessment of endocrine disrupting properties as several critical areas of concern related to the protection of the environment were identified. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of S‐metolachlor as a herbicide on maize and sunflower. The reliable end points, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. The concerns identified are presented.