Division 2.7.4

F1Competent authorities 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 shall 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.