The Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire (Anses) has published Version 5 of its Information Note on the national provisions for the protection of bees and other pollinating insects, updated as of July 1st 2026. The update introduces several important clarifications affecting plant protection product (PPP) registration, authorization maintenance, renewal strategies, and pollinator risk assessment obligations.
For authorization holders, and regulatory teams in France, these changes reinforce the importance of proactive pollinator data planning and timely dossier submissions to ensure continued access to uses on flowering and bee-attractive crops.
Key Changes Introduced in the July 2026 ANSES Information Note
1. Clarified submission pathways for additional pollinator data
Anses has clarified how applicants should provide additional data required under the French bee protection framework when submitting applications under Article 33 or Article 43 procedures.
- When France acts as the zonal Rapporteur Member State (zRMS), French-specific data requirements should be addressed directly within the draft Registration Report (dRR).
- When France is a Concerned Member State (cMS) or for Mutual Recognition (MR) applications, applicants may submit a national addendum to address French-specific pollinator requirements.
This clarification helps companies better align regulatory strategies across national processes, reducing uncertainty during dossier preparation.
2. Foliar pheromone products no longer exempt
Previously, all products containing only pheromones could be considered outside the scope of certain national bee protection requirements. Under the revised guidance, pheromone products applied via foliar spray are no longer eligible for the “not applicable” status.
3. Generic products must follow reference product conclusions
Anses has confirmed that generic products will follow the same conclusions as their reference products regarding use on flowering crops and foraging areas.
4. Critical deadline for pollinator data submission
A major regulatory milestone has now taken effect.
From 1 January 2026, plant protection products may only be used on attractive crops during flowering and in foraging areas if the data required for pollinator risk assessment were submitted to Anses before 1 January 2026.
However, Anses maintains a transitional exception for products authorized on crops that became newly classified as attractive following the revised list published on 5 July 2024. For these uses, applicants have been granted an extended deadline until 1 July 2026 to submit the additional required data.
As a reminder the crops added to the attractive crop list include:
- Lentil
- Pea (Pisum sativum)
- Soybean
- Grapevine
How SynTech Research can support you
At SynTech Research, we support agrochemical and biocontrol product developers with the scientific and regulatory expertise needed to meet evolving pollinator protection requirements.
Our services include:
- Pollinator risk assessment support
- Field, semi-field, and laboratory ecotoxicology programs
- Regulatory strategy for EU and national registrations
- Dossier preparation and submission support
- Regulatory support for Article 33, Article 43, and Mutual Recognition applications
As Anses continues to refine its pollinator protection framework, having a robust scientific and regulatory strategy is becoming increasingly important for successful product registration and continued market access.
Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes
Need support navigating the latest ANSES bee protection requirements or assessing your pollinator data strategy? Contact the SynTech Research regulatory and ecotoxicology experts at info@syntechresearch.com