Toxicity tests on pesticide products are carried out to test for specific adverse effects or endpoints, for example, mortality, cancer, teratogenicity, irritation, etc., on certain target species. Furthermore, toxicity testing helps determine the effective dosage for practical application of the pesticide. In addition, the results of toxicity tests are generally required as supporting data for registration of pesticide products before trading for safety purposes.

In Indonesia, toxicity testing is one of the technical requirements in the registration of pesticide products. This is regulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture.  In this regulation, the toxicity test is divided into three based on the duration of the study, namely the acute toxicity test (±24 hours), subchronic (3 months), and chronic (2 years). Also divided into two based on the study target, namely mammalian toxicity (using rodents as animal models) and the environment (soil and aquatic). However, the need for toxicity testing varies depending on the type of pesticide product proposed.

The subchronic toxicity test referred to in the regulation of pesticide requirements above examines adverse effects, such as carcinogenic, teratogenic, and/or mutagenic, of the product’s active ingredients on model animals after repeated exposure for three months.

How SIG can help

The SIG laboratory can conduct toxicity tests on pesticide product matrices following the provisions stipulated in the regulations as an accredited toxicity testing agency.

Method of Analysis

The toxicity test method refers to the standard method stipulated by the Director-General on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture.