REQUIREMENTS FOR REVIEWING HOW TO REFINE THE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR AQUATIC ORGANISMS

Currently when assessing the risk to aquatic organisms from pesticides, HSE CRD follows EFSA 2013 (Guidance on tiered risk assessment for plant protection products for aquatic organisms in edge-of-field surface waters).

Risk mitigation

Where the outcome of the first tier aquatic risk assessment indicates concern, there is a need for risk mitigation or refinement. Mitigation may reduce the usefulness of the product (e.g. buffer zones), while refinement methods can be difficult to carry out due to their bespoke nature. HSE CRD is requesting a review of appropriate refinements for the aquatic risk assessment, including: consideration of pros and cons; issues that require consideration when using a particular refinement and restrictions to the circumstances in which a particular refinement may be used. This review will aid the applicant, and hence the regulator, in determining whether the risk to aquatic life is acceptable. Additionally HSE CRD is requesting a review of the approach used to determine the risk to sediment dwelling invertebrates, to determine whether it is fit for purpose. Currently this is carried out by comparing the NOEC or EC10 value (from either a water or spiked sediment effect study) with a PEC value (in terms of mg a.s./L or mg a.s./kg sediment).

Additional information: All tender documents are available via the HSE In-Tend supplier e-procurement portal. All responses and requests for clarification must be submitted via the portal. Registration is free of charge and can be completed via the following link:

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hse