The import of plant protection products (PPP) in Albania is carried out through licenses issued by the NBC, based on certain preliminary criteria to be fulfilled by the commercial company, while inspections are performed by the National Food Authority (NFA). The NFA assessment is based on the review of submitted documentation and on-site inspection to verify compliance with mandatory legal requirements and standards. This license is issued through the NBC.

According to Law No. 105/2016 “On Plant Protection” in Albania, only registered PPPs may be imported. All PPPs marketed or used in Albania must undergo the registration procedure. Only PPPs registered in one of the EU member states may be registered in Albania. Registration procedures are carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through a 5-member commission.

A registration fee schedule exists, based on the joint instruction of the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to current legislation, the general requirements for registering a PPP are:

·        Active substance(s) must be approved by ministerial order;

·        Must be effective against harmful organisms as specified in the PPP dossier;

·        Must not have unacceptable adverse effects on plants or plant products where applied;

·        Must not cause unacceptable suffering in vertebrates;

·        Must not have harmful effects on human or animal health through drinking water, food, or groundwater;

·        Must comply with packaging and labeling requirements under the law;

·        Physico-chemical properties must be suitable for use and storage;

·        Methods for determining active substances, impurities, toxic/ecologically harmful residues must be part of the dossier;

·        Must have a unique trade name not causing confusion or deception.

Applicants must submit the registration request in Albanian, with technical data in Albanian or English, both in electronic and hard copy, along with an MSDS (16 sections) translated into Albanian. Evidence must also be provided that the PPP is registered by the applicant in an EU member state.