The UK government is in the process of negotiating a new strategic partnership for the trade of sanitary and phytosanitary goods (SPS). SPS goods include plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food.
As part of these discussions, several key Great Britain (GB) regulations – which were originally derived from EU legislation and subsequently assimilated into GB law following Brexit – have been confirmed to be within the scope of the negotiations. These include:
- Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 – Authorisation of plant protection products (PPP)
- Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 – Maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides
- Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 – Making available on the market and use of biocidal products (BPR)
The aim of the agreement is to “cut red tape and costs for importing and exporting with the EU.” For many businesses operating across both markets, this could represent a welcome step towards reducing regulatory friction.
However, the potential implications are complex. Since the UK left the EU, some regulatory divergence has already occurred, and companies have invested significant time and resources to ensure compliance with the evolving GB frameworks. If alignment with EU rules is reintroduced in certain areas, businesses may question whether some of that regulatory effort – and cost – could ultimately prove unnecessary.
The UK government advises that negotiations are expected to conclude later in 2026 with the SPS agreement anticipated to come into effect from mid-2027.
For organisations planning product authorisations, renewals, or regulatory strategy over the coming years, the evolving UK–EU relationship raises important questions. How might future alignment affect current submissions, data requirements, or long-term market access strategies?
Blue Frog Scientific is closely monitoring these developments and their potential impact on regulatory pathways for pesticides and biocides. If you would like to discuss how these negotiations could affect your regulatory strategy or product portfolio, please get in touch with our team of expert regulatory consultants.
