On August 31, 2018, the European Union notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) to approve the re-assessment of copper compounds. Copper compounds include copper hydroxide, king copper, copper oxide, copper sulfate, and Bordeaux mixture. The approval period is valid for 5 years. The official announcement has not been announced.
 
Copper compounds are Candidate for Substitution (CfS) in the European Union, the first assessment under the old regulations (Directive 91/414/EEC), and the re-assessment under the new regulations (Regulation (EC) 1107/2009). In the assessment and peer review process in member countries, many key issues have not been resolved. According to the conclusions of the EFSA assessment report of the European Food Safety Authority, the main contents are as follows:
 
(1) Copper compounds are highly risky for birds, mammals, aquatic organisms, and soil microorganisms.
 
(2) Copper, as a metal element, has unique chemical behavior in the environment like other metal elements. However, there are currently no fully applicable environmental risk assessment guidelines for the use of metals and metal compounds as plant protection products.
 
In summary, EFSA decided to limit the use of copper compounds as plant protection products with a maximum application rate of 4 kg/ha/year. In addition, the European Commission requires EFSA to develop environmental risk guidelines for metals and metal compounds. Therefore, copper compounds will be reviewed again within 5 years.