Towards more Sustainability within the Regulatory Framework of the EU

Building on the success of our 2024 edition, Novel Pesticides 2026 will once again unite regulators, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss the next generation of sustainable plant protection in Europe. As demand grows for low-risk and innovative solutions from microbial products and pheromones to RNAi technologies, peptides, and antibodies – the need for regulatory frameworks that keep pace with innovation has never been greater.

Join us to explore the latest scientific breakthroughs, regulatory updates since 2024, and real-world experiences from both applicants and authorities. This conference offers a forward-looking platform to align innovation, regulation, and sustainability – and to help ensure that novel pesticides can fully contribute to the EU’s long-term agricultural and environmental objectives.

Highlights

Regulatory Update & Synergies with other areas

• Update from the European Commission
• Industry perspective on biocontrol developments
• Biochemicals and the Omnibus: latest industry insights
• Lessons from GM crops for novel pesticide regulation

Risk Assessment

• As under discussion in the respective working groups (EFSA / OECD): Fit-for-purpose risk assessment for biocontrol substances, including problem formulation approaches
• Update on the RATION Project

Safety & Market Access

• Industry Experiences with registering bacteriophages as crop protection products
• Environmental safety of biotechnological plant protection products (ENSAFE project)
• Accelerating market access for biocontrol – a Ctgb perspective

Socio-Economics, Real-World Experience & Emerging Tools

• Sustainability and socio-economic impact of biopesticides
• AI in Plant Protection Regulation: Opportunities, challenges, and practical implications

Who should attend this conference?

Groups that should take part:

• Managing directors, managers, consultants, and scientists working in the field of biological control
• Producers, distributors and downstream users of biologicals, pesticides that fall under low-risk category or were specifically developed to increase agricultural sustainability
• Technical Experts from Research & development
• Risk assessors
• Toxicologists
• Ecotoxicologists
• Product Stewards
• Regulators

Sectors that should take part:

• Agrochemical industry
• Biotech Industry
• Research institutes
• Authorities
• Professional associations
• Contract laboratories/consultancies