In April 2026 the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) took steps in its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU.

The deal will see the UK adopt dynamic alignment of EU food and agricultural rules. Changes will apply to crop protection and biocide manufacturers who can expect the UK to adopt an SPS framework for active ingredient approvals, plant protection products (PPP) and biocide authorizations, and PPP maximum residue levels (MRLs) based on EU developments.
The UK’s DEFRA foresees the deal as offering cost savings due to less complex trade paperwork, faster flow of trade amid better supply chains, access to new markets in the EU, as well as benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Full implementation is anticipated for mid-2027. This means the time is now for companies to prepare for a “smooth transition” however without detail or practical guidance on what that future operating environment will look like, you will be excused for asking do we prepare for a cliff edge scenario or a managed alignment?

Contact Matthew at LKC for support on how to prepare for a dynamic alignment of an EU & UK SPS deal.

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