Chlorpropham review history and regulatory outcomes

Nomination for review

In 1997 the APVMA (formerly the NRA) began a review of chlorpropham because of concerns over the lack of supporting toxicological data. The former Drugs and Poisons Schedule Standing Committee (DPSSC) of the National Health and Medical Council (NHMRC) had placed chlorpropham in Appendix M of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP). Chlorpropham was included in Appendix M of the SUSDP; this appendix applied to, ‘Substances for which registration under agricultural and veterinary chemicals legislation cannot be supported by scheduling until further toxicological information becomes available’.

Final review and outcomes

In November 1997 the APVMA released the Chlorpropham Review Final Report. The final report was based on information obtained from a variety of sources including scientific studies and other information submitted by registrants, contributions from members of the public, community and government organisations, and from a search of the scientific literature.

The APVMA report established new occupational health and safety standards and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). At about the same time as the review, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for chlorpropham.

In the final report the APVMA recommended:

• varying labels to include strengthened first aid instructions, safety directions and re-entry period statements
• varying labels to include strengthened MRLs for potatoes, onions (bulb) and garlic.

As an outcome of the review the NDPSC placed chlorpropham in Schedule 5 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP).

For more information please contact the Chemical Review Program on (02) 6210 4749 or by email to chemrev@apvma.gov.au