Introduction
In Australia, Regulatory measures introduced by the APVMA are now translating into concrete compliance obligations, reshaping how products are assessed, approved, and maintained on the market.
Key developments taking effect in 2026 for Australia's pesticide regulations include higher technical thresholds for simplified registrations through stricter reference product standards, intensified regulatory controls on high-risk active substances, and the practical rollout of Trans-Tasman joint evaluation mechanisms with New Zealand.
APVMA Rises Thresholds for Simplified Pathways by Tightening Reference Product Standards
In 2025, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) introduced two major regulatory measures that significantly tightened the simplified registration pathways based on reference products.
In June, APVMA issued an update on application requirements for ‘closely similar’ Item 6 and 7 applications, clarifying that these must include supporting technical data relevant to whether the product meets safety, efficacy, and trade criteria; if not, the requirements are considered met only if APVMA already holds sufficient data for the nominated reference product.
In December, APVMA further released the guidance on using reference products to satisfy the statutory criteria, clarifying the nomination and assessment of reference products for Items 6, 7, 10, 12, and 14 applications, and systematically defining eligibility criteria, data accessibility, and compliant citation pathways for reference products.
These measures signal a clear shift in APVMA’s regulatory approach—from formal similarity toward substantive, data-supported equivalence—raising both the technical rigor and entry threshold for simplified registrations.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
For pending applications, immediately review the completeness and compliance status of referenced products, and consider withdrawal and resubmission with an optimized strategy where necessary.
For new submissions, verify through APVMA public databases or official channels that reference products meet the latest requirements, and carefully design registration strategies based on single or multiple reference products.
Avoid reliance on nominal similarity and ensure that all technical dossiers provide substantial and defensible supporting data to mitigate the risks of application rejection and associated time costs.
APVMA Intensifies Regulatory Actions on High-Risk Pesticide Active Substances
In the second half of 2025, the APVMA advanced its regulatory agenda for high-risk active substances. This period was marked by significant progress in ongoing reconsideration programs as well as immediate regulatory interventions for specific compounds, including the following decisions:
Paraquat and Diquat: Influenced by the US EPA’s assessment conclusions, the APVMA announced on November 26, 2025, a further extension for their reconsideration decisions. The final regulatory decisions are now expected by mid-2026.
Dimethoate: Effective November 11, 2025, the APVMA has confirmed it has suspended the product registration and label approval of chemical products containing dimethoate for use on blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Fenitrothion: The APVMA issued a final regulatory decision on August 19, 2025, revoking the majority of current uses, including applications in broad acre, pastures, horticulture, grain storage, and poultry houses.
These adjustments reflect the APVMA’s tightening oversight on substances with high toxicity, persistence, or ecological risks.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
For Technical Material (TC) Suppliers: Conduct comprehensive reviews of approved or planned technical materials against APVMA’s latest standards, and prepare supplementary data or exit strategies in advance.
Formulation Companies: Verify the regulatory status of technical material sources used in formulations, and confirm that approved uses remain within authorized scopes, to avoid market disruption resulting from use withdrawals.
All Australia-related Stakeholders: Establish routine monitoring mechanisms to closely track final decisions on paraquat, diquat, and other key substances in 2026, and adjust product portfolios and registration strategies accordingly.
Australia and New Zealand Sign Landmark Agreement on Joint New Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Evaluations
On November 24, 2025, the APVMA and New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) signed a landmark cooperation agreement. This pact establishes a shared framework for the evaluation of new pesticide and veterinary medicine products.
Aimed at streamlining regulatory resources and eliminating redundant reviews, this agreement marks a substantive leap toward Trans-Tasman regulatory integration, significantly enhancing market access efficiency for both nations.
For industry stakeholders, this cooperation implies that a single high-quality assessment could potentially support registration applications in both Australia and New Zealand, drastically shortening time-to-market and reducing compliance expenditures.
REACH24H's Recommended Actions for Enterprises:
Enterprises should view Australia and New Zealand as a unified regional market, coordinating registration strategies for both countries during the initial product planning phase.
Closely monitor the implementation rules, paying particular attention to potential variances in data formats, local use-pattern adaptations, and labeling requirements.
Engage in proactive pre-submission communications with APVMA or NZFS to confirm eligibility for the shared assessment mechanism and determine the optimal filing pathway.
Conclusion
As APVMA tightens data requirements, strengthens oversight of high-risk substances, and advances Trans-Tasman regulatory cooperation, companies must proactively recalibrate their registration and compliance strategies to stay competitive in the Australian market.
If you need support with pesticide compliance in Australia, please contact REACH24H for solutions.
