These Regulations amend the Plant Protection Products (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (S.S.I. 2003/579) (“the 2003 Regulations”) which implement in Scotland Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (O.J. No. L 230, 19.8.91, p.1 as read with corrigendum published in O.J. No. L 170, 25.6.92, p.40) (“the Directive”).

The Regulations implement Commission Directives 2003/112/EC (O.J. No. L 321, 6.12.03, p.32), 2003/119/EC (O.J. No. L 325, 12.12.03, p.41), 2004/20/EC, (O.J. No. L 70, 9.3.04, p.32), 2004/30/EC (O.J. No. L 77, 13.3.04, p.50), 2004/58/EC (O.J. No. L 120, 24.4.04, p.26), 2004/60/EC (O.J. No. L 120, 24.4.04, p.39), 2004/62/EC (O.J. No. L 125, 28.4.04, p.38) and 2004/71/EC (O.J. No. L 127, 29.4.04, p.104).

These 8 Directives add 17 substances to the list of active substances in Annex I of the Directive. The 8 Directives and the additional 17 active substances are therefore added to Schedule 1 to the 2003 Regulations by substituting the Schedule to these Regulations for Schedule 1 to the 2003 Regulations (regulation 2(3) and the Schedule). In consequence the list of active substances which can be used in products capable of being approved under regulations 5 and 6 of the 2003 Regulations for placing on the market is extended accordingly.

In addition, the Regulations make minor amendments to regulation 28 of the 2003 Regulations, substituting the reference to Schedule 3 with the correct reference to Schedule 4 and omitting paragraph 4 (regulation 2(2)).

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared in respect of these Regulations because they have no impact on the costs of business.