Diquat chemical review

Diquat active constituents, chemical products and labels were nominated for review in response to an invitation to the public by the APVMA (then the NRA) on 1 November 1994. Eighty of the nominated chemicals, including diquat, were included in the priority candidate review list published in the Gazette on 2 May 1995.

The scope of the review includes reconsideration of diquat active constituents, chemical products and labels through assessments related to toxicology, work health and safety, chemistry, residues and environment.

The work plan was first published on 1 July 2015.

The s 32 notice of reconsideration for active constituents, chemical products and labels for diquat was published in the Gazette on 2 December 1997. The deadline for submissions was 31 May 1998. This deadline was extended to 30 September 1998 as published in the Gazette on 7 April 1998.

The s 32 notice of reconsideration was given to holders and chemical coordinators of the states and territories on commencement of the review on 27 October 1997.

Additional s 32 notices were sent to holders on 1 July 2015, 10 May 2016, 16 August 2017 and 28 February 2024 to include all approved actives, registered products and approved labels in the review.

An s 33 notice was sent to a holder on 3 March, 22 August, and 23 October 2023 to request additional data.

The APVMA published the draft Diquat Review Technical Report on 30 July 2024.

The APVMA published the proposed regulatory decision (PRD) for the diquat reconsideration in an APVMA Special Gazette on 30 July 2024. Submissions on the proposed decision are invited until 29 October 2024 (see the Special Gazette for instructions on making a submission).

A 3-month public consultation for the proposed regulatory decision closed was held from 30 July to 29 October 2024. The APVMA received 171 submissions during the public consultation period. Submissions are published on the APVMA website, excluding those which requested to remain confidential. A summary of the submissions and the APVMA’s response to the matters raised is also provided in the Diquat Final Review Technical Report.

The final regulatory decision was made on 22 June 2026 and published in the APVMA Special Gazette, 23 June 2026.

The following active constituent approvals have been varied and affirmed:

Table 1: Active constituent approvals that have been varied and affirmed

A deemed permit is in force that authorises possession, custody, and supply of the varied products bearing the previously approved labels for one year from the date of cancellation. Instructions for possession, custody, use and supply are provided in the APVMA Special Gazette, 23 June 2026.  

After 22 June 2028, products must bear labels containing the new label approval number. It will be an offence to have possession or custody of, or to use the following varied products bearing the previously approved label approval numbers.

Table 2: Product registrations and label approvals that have been varied and affirmed