Protection, control products and residues Unit
This unit conducts research and delivers services for characterising plant protection products (PPPs) and biocides, and determining what happens to them in food, the environment and in treated substrates. The aim is to provide a guarantee as to their quality and safety in use, and to ensure reliable protection for the health of users, consumers and the environment.
Objectives
Helping to protect plants from diseases, pests and adventives and to protect human health from vector-borne diseases.
Studying the physico-chemical properties of plant protection products (PPP) and biocides in preparation for their approval at Belgian, European and international level. Studying the quality of treatments on treated substrates (seeds, mosquito nets, textiles, ...). Quality control of PPPs and public health products in accordance with the specifications of the FAO, WHO and the European Union.
Studying pesticide residues and their metabolites in farm produce, foodstuffs (fruit, vegetables, cereals, processed products) and the environment (water, soil, air). Monitoring pesticide residues and their metabolites in the agri-food chain and the environment.
Developing and validating chromatographic analysis methods (HPLC, GC, MS) for active substances, impurities and additives in plant protection products (PPPs) and biocides. Developing and validating methods for analysing the physico-chemical properties of PPPs and biocides.
Developing and validating chromatographic analysis methods (LC-MS/MS, LC-HRMS, GC-MS, GC-MS/MS) for pesticide residues and their metabolites in farm produce, foodstuffs and the environment.
Expert appraisals of PPPs and biocides for public, regional, federal, European and international authorities, international organisations, universities, scientific institutions, the professional sector (PPPs and biocides industry, seed companies, agri-food industries, farmers, ...), consumer representatives and environmental associations.
