Division 2.7.4 Member States shall evaluate the possibility of exposure of organisms in the terrestrial compartment to the plant protection product under the proposed conditions of use; if this possibility exists they shall evaluate the risks arising for the terrestrial compartment. A micro-organism may give rise to risks because of its potential through multiplication to establish itself in the environment and can therefore have a long-lasting or permanent impact on microbial communities or their predators.

This evaluation will take into consideration the following information:

1. (a)

   the biological properties of the micro-organism,

2. (b)

   the survival of the micro-organism in the environment,

3. (c)

   its ecological niche,

4. (d)

   the natural background level of the micro-organism, where it is indigenous,

5. (e)

   information on fate and behaviour in the various parts of the environment,

6. (f)

   where relevant, other authorised uses of plant protection products in the area of envisaged use, e.g. containing the same active substance or which gives rise to the same residues.