Market control – quality of plant protection products in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the market control of plant protection products is organized in a close collaboration of the cantonal laboratories, the registration authority and Agroscope. From 2008 to 2012, five campaigns with a total of 106 plant protection products were performed. The quality of the active ingredient and the most important physico-chemical properties of the samples were analyzed in the laboratory. One product did not contain the declared active ingredient. However, the concentrations of the relevant impurities with toxicological concerns were in all cases below the specified level. With respect to the physicochemical properties, about 10 % of the products did not meet all the requirements. In one case, a white powder was sold instead of water-soluble granules. Incorrect or insufficient information on the label was found with more than 40 % of the products tested. This had to be addressed and corrected by the responsible companies. The market control is important to maintain the safety and good quality of plant protection products in Switzerland.