Division 2.7 Fate and behaviour in the environment

The biocomplexity of the ecosystems and interactions in the microbial communities concerned must be taken into account.

Information on the origin and properties (e.g. specificity) of the micro-organism/its residual metabolites/toxins and its intended use forms the basis for an assessment of environmental fate and behaviour. The mode of action of the micro-organism shall be taken into consideration.

An assessment shall be made of the fate and behaviour of any known relevant metabolite that is produced by the micro-organism. The assessment shall be made for each environmental compartment, and shall be triggered on the basis of the criteria specified in section 7 (iv) of part B of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 544/2011.

In the assessment of the environmental fate and behaviour of plant protection products, F1competent authorities shall have regard to all aspects of the environment, including biota. The potential for persistence and multiplication of micro-organisms has to be assessed in all environmental compartments unless it can be justified that particular micro-organisms shall not reach a specific compartment. The mobility of micro-organisms and their residual metabolites/toxins must be considered.