Frequently Asked Questions

AgriGuide, a CropLife Europe initiative, is a digital platform that provides future-proof infrastructure contributing to the responsible use of plant protection products (PPPs). It presents a modern solution for dealing with increasingly complex regulations by reducing operational and administrative burdens faced by farmers. As a key feature, AgriGuide provides a digital labelling platform that goes beyond simple label digitisation to facilitate compliant PPP usage through access to up-to-date label information. 

AgriGuide aims to provide farmers with easy access to digital plant protection product labels, supports electronic record-keeping and helps to reduce complexity in agricultural practices whilst supporting compliance with evolving regulations. In the future, AgriGuide enhancements will integrate with farm management systems and machinery directly helping farmers to apply products in a compliant manner.

Label digitisation is essential for providing instant access to approved safety information of plant protection products. Digital labels will make it possible to offer easy access to updated information, which makes compliance with  regulations less complex. Another benefit is that digital labels will contribute to utilise full potential of modern and future technologies in plant protection, like precision and digital farming, while ensuring compliance. 

AgriGuide provides farmers quick access to digital product labels on mobile or desktop devices. A farmer scans the product label with their smartphone or  searches for a product on their desktop device and receives immediate access to the current PPP use instructions. This supports farmers through easy access to use and safety instructions covering all preparation, application and management operations. Future platform development will incorporate functionalities for electronic record-keeping and field-specific guidance.

AgriGuide is a multi-stakeholder platform. AgriGuide welcomes companies from across the EU who are interested in using AgriGuide. This applies equally to CropLife Europe and non-CropLife Europe member companies. 

Labels accessible via AgriGuide are provided and reviewed by the representatives of participating PPP companies, which ensures that AgriGuide contains the latest information with high accuracy of data. These labels will be machine-readable, ensuring interoperability with farm management systems and precision agriculture equipment. AgriGuide is the first EU-wide and industry-wide initiative aiming to set an industry standard, which would be beneficial for all stakeholders (farmers, regulators, and all the industry)

No, AgriGuide is completely free for all users. Farmers, agricultural workers, and other users will be able to download the AgriGuide app on their mobile devices or access it through the web at no charge starting next year. There are no subscription fees or hidden costs – the platform is provided as a free service to support the agricultural community in accessing up-to-date product information to ensure safe use of plant protection products.

Digital labels will become  a regulatory requirement following the entry into force of the revision of the labelling regulation of plant protection products which will replace the Regulation 547/2011.

The pilot phase, started in April 2024 by testing the digital label platform and the AgriGuide web/app across three countries – Germany, Italy and Romania. We are aiming to digitise most of the labels in these three pilot countries well before label digitisation would become a legal requirement. 

AgriGuide aims to roll out the platform across all EU27 countries. The ambition for the 24 EU countries that were not part of the pilot phase is to have a set of sample labels digitised by the end of 2025. This will provide a good basis for companies across all the EU countries to further digitise the rest of their labels moving forward. 

• In scope: All products authorised based on Regulation 1107/2009, including conventional pesticides, organic pesticides, biologicals, and uses regulated by Regulation 1107/2009.
• Out of scope: biostimulant & fertiliser, products not regulated by Regulation 1107/2009. 

Basic substances (substances that do not require PPP labels under current regulations) are not included in AgriGuide’s scope, as the platform focuses specifically on Plant Protection Products.

Yes, digital and paper labels will contain the same information. The machine-readable digital format enhances interoperability with farm management systems and farm machinery equipment. The digital label information provided through AgriGuide does not substitute the approved label. In case of discrepancies, the approved label shall prevail over the digital label information

Yes, AgriGuide will provide the digital labels for the countries in the official language(s) applicable within the country.

AgriGuide implements robust security protocols, including data encryption and access controls, designed to align with EU data protection legislation and industry security standards. Security measures are continuously reviewed to maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

We aim for accurate and timely updates based on the latest product label information, with participating companies being responsible for this. A specific field/value will be used to indicate the last update date for digital labels. Companies will maintain physical and digital labels and ensure timely updates within prescribed timelines.

This is recognised as an important challenge, particularly in rural areas, and is under consideration for future development. Currently, users can save frequently used products for easier access on both their mobile and computer devices.

IPM recommendations will be incorporated into relevant label fields. Further discussions with authorities are needed to ensure that all fields applicable to IPM are integrated in a meaningful way into AgriGuide.

Interoperability is a core principle for AgriGuide. The platform offers machine-readable digital labels that adhere to industry standards, ensuring seamless integration with existing farm management systems and machinery equipment. This commitment to interoperability will continue to guide AgriGuide’s entire future development roadmap, ensuring that the platform enhances rather than seeks to replace existing technology investments. The concept is that AgriGuide will provide a reliable platform which can be built upon by third party providers to offer additional functionalities, so making the platform both dynamic and future-proof.

AgriGuide provides access to digital label information to farmers who do not have access to FMIS. This also covers access to digital labels for users who do not need FMIS access in their roles, but benefit from access to labels (operators, workers). In the medium term, AgriGuide will engage with FMIS providers to ensure broad access to digital labels in the AgriGuide Platform.

AgriGuide is developing the platform in three main stages, referred to as work packages. Each work package contains new features being built on top of the ones available in the previous work packages. The work packages are built up as follows:  

• Work Package 1: Building the digital label platform and providing access to the label data
• Work Package 1.5: Adding a simple application that facilitates electronic record keeping for farmers as required by new regulations 
• Work Package 2: Providing farmers with compliance use instructions on the field by integrating Field Specific Data

More information about AgriGuide can be found on the AgriGuide Webpage: www.agriguide.eu. 

Stakeholders can subscribe to the AgriGuide bi-Monthly newsletter, wherein the most recent developments related to the project are shared. You can subscribe to the newsletter on the AgriGuide Webpage: www.agriguide.eu

There is an FAQ available on the web application, which provides answers to commonly asked technical questions. If you cannot find your answer, please send an email to support@agriguide.eu with the details of your issue.

For questions and comments, feel free to send an email to contact@agriguide.eu or fill in the contact form on the AgriGuide Webpage: www.agriguide.eu