Sampling and Testing of Agricultural Active Constituents
The APVMA conducts a formal sampling and testing program to provide assurance that records required under the Conditions of Registration are valid and accurate.
Each financial year, the APVMA determines a list of active constituents for sampling and testing. Active constituents are selected for the program on a risk basis. Sampled chemical products containing nominated active constituents are tested to ensure the actives comply with the applicable APVMA standard.
The program focuses on active constituent in products released into the Australian marketplace. This ensures products formulated overseas are subject to the same scrutiny as domestically formulated products.
Sampling is undertaken in one of two ways. Either an APVMA Compliance Officer will attend and oversee on-site sampling or, a product registrant will be asked to undertake sampling in accordance with strict APVMA procedures. The APVMA will determine which process is appropriate.
The samples are tested by independent accredited laboratories with results compared to the registrant's records.
Where there is a discrepancy between APVMA analytical results and the registrant's records, the APVMA may conduct a more comprehensive on-site audit.
As well as testing for impurities the APVMA also determines the active constituent concentration in the product. If the concentration is not consistent with APVMA records, the APVMA will take enforcement action.
Where samples are found to be non-compliant the company will be asked to provide comment and show cause why further compliance action should not be taken. Actions may include re-analysis of the sample, product recall, testing orders, suspension or cancellation of product registration. The enforcement action applied will depend on the nature of the failure, its significance and what risks the failure may present.
See the current sampling and testing results.