WHO assesses applications for active ingredient source materials, intended for use in the formulation of public health pesticides, submitted by manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with WHO-recommended quality standards. Those source materials found to comply with the WHO specifications are considered acceptable for use in the formulation of Vector Control Products (VCP) which have been prequalified or are proposed to be assessed by WHO for the purpose of prequalification.

Ensuring compliance of source materials with the established specifications is a critical component which directly impacts the quality, safety, and efficacy of end use pesticides used in vector control activities to protect the health of at-risk populations around the world from vector-borne diseases.

The quality, safety and efficacy of a VCP is dependent on the quality of the active ingredients (AIs) used for its production. The manufacturer of the VCP is responsible for the finished product, which includes the choice of the suppliers and manufacturers of the ingredients. In the context of globalization, AIs are sourced in a worldwide market and there is therefore a risk of sourcing substandard or contaminated products. A proper system of assessment of suppliers can promote the regular sourcing of AIs of appropriate quality and thereby safeguard public health interests.  To this end, WHO PQT/VCP relies on the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Specifications (JMPS) scientific assessment of manufacturer submitted data/information pertaining to the production process and physical chemical characteristics to establish and/or assess that a vector control active ingredient product (VCAI) is compliant with the WHO specifications for public health pesticides and therefore acceptable for use in the formulation of prequalified VCPs, on a per product basis.

The draft document "Overview of the WHO Assessment of Vector Control Active Ingredient Products" was developed to provide manufacturers and other stakeholders with an overview of the WHO assessment for VCAIs. Manufacturers wishing to apply for WHO assessment of their VCAI product(s) should read this document before applying, so that they can be aware of, and prepared for, all aspects of the VCAI assessment confirmation of compliance process.

These procedures describe the roles and responsibilities of WHO as well as the terms and conditions agreed to by manufacturers as part of their voluntary participation in the process of WHO specification development and confirmation of compliance.  

Ensuring the quality of the active ingredient source materials used in prequalified VCPs is critical for ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of end use products.  These procedures address WHO’s use of the recommendations provided through the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Specifications (JMPS) to support the listing of those source material producers who have demonstrated compliance with the established WHO specifications.  Furthermore, it ensures WHO can manage and maintain its decisions to list products throughout their regulatory lifecycle.

Publication for public comment

The draft document "Overview of the WHO Assessment of Vector Control Active Ingredient Products" is open for stakeholder comments until 8 October 2025. Please submit comments by email to pqvectorcontrol@who.int. After this consultation period, all submitted comments will be considered for the publication of the final document.