Globally, the biopesticide market is currently on the rise. Although sales remain lower than those of conventional pesticides, many market studies predict substantial growth in the coming years. In fact, it is estimated that in the main international markets (Colombia, Peru, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands and Turkey), sales could double in five years.
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effects associated with traditional chemicals. It is therefore logical that there is a demand for safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Government initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of agricultural systems are playing a key role in the transition towards biological solutions. In this context, regulations are evolving to adapt to this new reality.
This is where biopesticides come in. As they contain naturally derived substances, they tend to have a much more favourable toxicological profile: very low levels of toxicity, exposure and risk. That’s why they show no evidence of significant adverse impacts.
An example of this tendency is the approach adopted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which in late 2024 announced measures to streamline the registration review process for certain biopesticides used in agricultural, commercial and residential applications.
This new approach allows for the optimisation of resources and accelerates the availability of safer solutions on the market. At the same time, the update of resources such as the Biopesticide Registration website, which was completed in mid-2025, reflects a growing institutional interest in facilitating access to information and improving the transparency of the process.
Given the vast and diverse nature of the biological sector, the EPA has developed specific procedures designed to assess each product on a case-by-case basis rather than in general terms.
For example, biochemical and microbial products are subject to different data requirements than conventional chemical pesticides, as set out in 40 CFR Part 158. This means that registration strategies must be specifically tailored to these types of products.
Furthermore, the EPA itself recommends that, before initiating a registration application or an amendment to an existing one, companies should request a pre-submission meeting when registrating a biopesticide. This step is crucial for aligning regulatory expectations, confirming data requirements and properly defining the product labelling, thereby reducing risks and delays in the process.
Taken together, all these factors — market demand, regulatory advances and institutional support — point to a scenario in which biopesticides will not only grow in volume but will also establish themselves as a key component of sustainable agriculture in the future.
Let us hope that in Europe the proposed regulatory changes favourable to this type of product will come to fruition very soon too.
