The European Union is on the brink of a game-changing move for the agri-input industry: introducing an official legal definition for biocontrol products. While this might seem like a bureaucratic detail, its implications are enormous — for startups, multinational corporations, and farmers across Europe and beyond.

As of now, biologicals — like microbial pesticides, semiochemicals, and plant extracts — are scattered across fragmented regulations under EU law. Without a dedicated definition, companies often face long delays, inconsistent interpretations across member states, and costly regulatory ambiguity. That’s about to change.

What’s Happening?

According to recent updates shared by IBMA (International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association) and reported in AgroPages, the European Commission plans to finalize a legal definition of biocontrol products by late 2025. This definition will anchor biologicals more clearly within EU law, aligning them with sustainable agriculture objectives under the Farm to Fork strategy and the revised Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR).

Why a Legal Definition Matters

• Clarity for Industry: Right now, companies are navigating overlapping EU regulations like the Plant Protection Products (PPP) Regulation, Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR), and borderline product rulings. A unified definition will help determine which route a product takes — and reduce uncertainty and duplication.
• Faster Market Access: Biocontrol innovators have long faced delays of 5–8 years for approvals. With a defined category, EU policymakers can create dedicated pathways that are science-based but streamlined.
• Investor Confidence: With legal clarity, investors and R&D teams can confidently back the next generation of biological inputs — knowing the rules of the game are established.
• Boost to Farm-Level Adoption: Farmers are more likely to adopt biologicals if they’re registered, trusted, and consistently regulated across the EU. This builds credibility in the market and encourages sustainable transitions.

How the EU Compares Globally

Brazil is already a biocontrol powerhouse — over 60% of its agricultural land uses biological inputs, supported by fast-track approvals and government incentives.

The Netherlands leads within the EU by offering fast-track registration for low-risk biological products. The broader EU can learn from this approach to scale up access and reduce barriers.

What’s Next?

The definition is just the beginning. For the EU’s biocontrol vision to work, follow-up steps must include:

• Creating a dedicated Biocontrol Unit within EFSA or the European Commission
• Setting up accelerated risk-assessment frameworks tailored for biological modes of action
• Ensuring harmonized implementation across all 27 EU member states

Final Thoughts

This upcoming definition isn’t just a regulatory checkbox — it’s a potential unlock for Europe’s agtech transformation. By giving biocontrols their rightful place in legislation, the EU is signaling that nature-based solutions are not fringe alternatives — they are the future.

As this definition takes shape, startups, legacy players, and even farmers should watch closely. Because the moment “biocontrol” gets its legal identity, everything from funding to field adoption could accelerate at scale.