Spinosad 2026: error correction affecting plant protection products and agriculture

Key data

Manufacturers of plant protection products containing spinosad and farmers using them have an immediate task: review the corrected version of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351. This error correction, published on 17 April 2026, may have modified conditions of use, restrictions or technical data that directly affect the product authorizations in force in the Member States.

Spinosad is a naturally-derived insecticide widely used in both organic and conventional agriculture. Its renewal as an approved active substance under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 was published on 19 February 2026. Now, the error correction requires careful re-reading of that text.

What does this regulation establish?

This publication is an error correction (errata) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351, which renewed the approval of spinosad as an active substance in plant protection products. Error corrections in the EU Official Journal are published when the original text contains inaccuracies that may affect its correct application.

The two regulations affected by this correction are:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351, of 18 February 2026: the regulation that formally renewed the approval of spinosad as an active substance.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 540/2011: the regulation that maintains the official list of all approved active substances in the European Union for use in plant protection products.

The corrections may affect one or more of the following elements of the original regulation:

• Specific conditions of use for spinosad
• Application restrictions (crops, doses, safety periods)
• Technical data included in the text of the regulation
• Entries or values in the list of Regulation 540/2011

To find out exactly what text has been corrected, it is essential to consult the official text of the correction on EUR-Lex and compare it with the original Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this correction depends directly on what specific text has been modified. However, there are operational consequences that any company in the sector must consider:

• Product authorizations in Member States: If the correction modifies conditions of use or restrictions, plant protection products authorized with spinosad may require a review of their national authorization. This involves administrative time and potentially processing costs.
• Labeling and technical sheets: If conditions of use change, manufacturers may be required to update the labeling of their products to comply with current regulations.
• Agricultural practices: Farmers using spinosad-based products must ensure that their application practices remain compliant with updated conditions, especially in organic agriculture where spinosad is one of the most widely used permitted natural insecticides.
• Active substance registration: The modification of Regulation 540/2011 may affect how spinosad appears in the official list, with possible implications for new product authorization applications.

Who does it affect?

• Manufacturers of plant protection products that formulate or market products with spinosad as an active substance in the EU.
• Organic and conventional farmers who use spinosad-based insecticides on their farms.
• Competent authorities of the Member States responsible for managing and reviewing plant protection product authorizations at national level.
• Agricultural advisors and field technicians who recommend the use of spinosad to their farmer clients.
• Importers and distributors of plant protection products containing spinosad operating in the European market.

Practical example

A Spanish insecticide manufacturer has in its catalog a product formulated with spinosad, authorized for use in citrus and vegetable crops in both organic and conventional agriculture. The product was authorized under the conditions established in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351.

Following the publication of this error correction on 17 April 2026, the manufacturer must:

1. Download and read the text of the correction on EUR-Lex to identify exactly what has changed compared to the original text of 19 February 2026.
2. Compare the corrected conditions with those in the national authorization of its product.
3. If the conditions of use or restrictions have changed, contact the competent national authority (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to review whether the product authorization needs to be updated.

If it fails to conduct this review and continues to market the product under conditions that are no longer compliant, it exposes itself to problems in inspections and to the possible suspension of the product authorization.

What should companies do now?

1. Download the official correction: Access the text of the correction on EUR-Lex (CELEX:32026R0351R(01)) and compare it with the original Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351 (OJ L, 2026/351, 19.2.2026).
2. Identify the specific changes: Determine whether the corrections affect conditions of use, restrictions, technical data or the entry of spinosad in Regulation 540/2011.
3. Review current product authorizations: Compare the corrected conditions with the national authorizations of plant protection products containing spinosad that are marketed or used.
4. Update technical documentation and labeling: If the changes affect conditions of use, update technical sheets, labels and training materials for applicators.
5. Contact the competent authority if necessary: If the correction implies substantial changes in the authorization conditions, initiate the process of reviewing or updating the national authorization of the product.
6. Inform farmers and advisors: Distributors and field technicians must communicate relevant changes to end users to ensure compliant use.