Pesticides

Atualizado:

9 Fevereiro 2026

3 minutos de leitura

Pesticides are used to help control pests and keep plants healthy.

The term pesticides is commonly used for any substance or plant protection product that prevents, destroys or controls a harmful organism A living thing such as humans, animals, plants and microbes (e.g. bacteria, viruses) (pest) or disease.

They are mostly used in agriculture but also in gardens and for specific purposes such as the maintenance of railway lines.

Pesticides can also be used as biocides which control harmful organisms — like bacteria, insects, and mould.

These biocides are intended to kill, repel or stop organisms from causing harm to people, animals, materials or the environment.

Products include disinfectants, insect sprays, wood preservatives, or products that keep surfaces germ‑free.

The safety of biocides is assessed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Plant protection products include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, molluscicides, growth regulators and rodenticides.

Target pests include weeds, insects, nematodes, viruses and bacteria.

Pesticide Substance used to kill or control pests, including disease-carrying organisms and undesirable insects, animals and plants-based products are mixtures that contain at least one active substance - chemicals or microorganisms including viruses - that enables the product to perform its intended function.

Before an active substance can be used in a plant protection product in the EU, it must be approved by the European Commission, following a risk assessment A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation by EFSA, performed together with EU Member States. When pesticides are used to protect plants from pests, we may find traces - or residues - in food.

Our scientists assess these residues for possible risks to our health or the environment. The EU sets maximum residue levels to ensure our food is safe.

EFSA’s role

Our scientific advice informs regulatory decisions taken by the European Commission and EU Member States such as on the approval of active substances and setting legal limits for pesticide residues in food and feed (maximum residue levels, or MRLs).

Our expert Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel) develops scientific methodologies, including guidance documents, for the risk assessment of pesticides, and develops opinions on specific topics.

Peer review of active substances

Our scientists assess whether active substances, when used correctly, are likely to have any direct or indirect harmful effects on human or animal health – for example, through drinking water, food or feed – or on groundwater quality.

Together with other EU Member States, we peer review the draft assessment carried out by one or more Member State assessment bodies.

We also assess the potential impact that pesticides may have on the environment such as non-target organisms A plant, animal or insect that a pesticide is not meant to affect, but could be impacted..

Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a herbicide. It is one of the most used and most extensively studied active substances in the world. In July 2023, we published the conclusions of our latest peer review of the risk assessment of glyphosate, carried out by authorities in four EU Member States.

Pesticide residues in food

We give scientific advice to the European Commission on possible risks related to the presence of pesticide residues in food and feed treated with plant protection products and make recommendations regarding the setting of maximum residue levels, or MRLs.

EU framework

Plant protection products cannot be placed on the market or used without prior authorisation by the European Commission and national authorities.

EFSA evaluates the safety of active substances used in plant protection products, including assessing a representative product.

EU Member States evaluate and authorise formulated products at national level before they can be marketed on their territory.

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 regulates the authorisation and marketing of plant protection products in the EU.
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 sets legal limits for pesticide residues in food and feed and contains provisions on official controls.