The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) have announced considerable changes to the criteria and circumstances for issuing experimental activity licenses for plant protection products. Tukes Updates Experimental Licence Terms went into effect in October 2025. These revisions are intended to improve health and environmental protection while making the permit application process more transparent to stakeholders.

The regulatory adjustments are largely aimed at tighter control on trial sizes and clearer guidelines for the end use of harvested crops.

Key Regulatory Amendments

Limited Area Restrictions: Maximum trial areas are limited and cannot be exceeded.

Open field cultivation: 50 ha

Greenhouse cultivation: 20 ha

Tunnel cultivation: 20 ha

Forest land: 50 ha

IPM Exemption Removed: The exception that formerly allowed for bigger experimental sites for integrated pest management (IPM) research has been withdrawn to ensure equal treatment of applicants.

Food/Feed Harvest Rule: If the harvest is utilized for food or feed, the product must have a valid EU Member State approval. Operators must adhere to the authorized operating instructions to avoid exceeding Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).

Tukes Updates Experimental Licence Terms Application Update

Tukes also changed the application form and instructions. The amended terms will apply to all applications submitted beginning October 3, 2025.