The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has stepped back up to the plate to review the risks of using paraffin oil as a pesticide, aiming to clarify safety for all involved stakeholders—from farmers to EU regulatory bodies—as of 3 February 2026. The peer review could spark reactions among agricultural producers reliant on paraffin oil, national authorities who enforce pesticide regulations, environmental NGOs monitoring chemical impacts, and consumers concerned with food safety.
This fresh insight comes from EFSA’s scientific panel, documented in the conclusion on pesticide peer review published on 3 February 2026. The agency evaluated reports initially prepared by Greece and France in their roles as rapporteur and co-rapporteur Member States, fulfilling EU Commission regulations concerning pesticide active substance assessments.
The document serves as an official conclusion following EFSA's peer review process for the pesticide active substance paraffin oil (CAS 64742-46-7, chain lengths C16–C25). It evaluates the substance's use primarily as an insecticide on citrus trees. It lays out concrete findings, including data gaps and concerns, rather than simply issuing broad recommendations. This makes it a significant regulatory checkpoint rather than a mere consultative note.
EFSA’s assessment leans towards tightening EU pesticide regulation by identifying essential missing information necessary to fully confirm paraffin oil’s safety profile. It may thus result in increased scrutiny on pesticide producers, more rigorous data requirements, and potential impact on authorization statuses. The balance tilts towards improving consumer and environmental protection by demanding robust scientific evidence, potentially raising regulatory barriers for pesticide industry stakeholders.
Farmers and agricultural producers face possible operational challenges if use restrictions or additional data submissions become mandatory. Meanwhile, national authorities and EFSA themselves gain clearer parameters for oversight, bolstering regulatory strength. Consumer groups and environmental NGOs stand to benefit from enhanced safety assurances. However, pesticide manufacturers may incur higher compliance costs due to the identified data needs.
This EFSA conclusion marks a continuation of the EU’s pesticide risk assessment process, serving as a foundation for regulatory decision-making ahead. Following this, national authorities and the European Commission are expected to consider EFSA’s findings to determine authorization conditions or renewal of paraffin oil's approval within the EU.