New Sustainability Requirements within the Plant Protection Regulation 1107/2009

Natalie Konings is a Partner in the Brussels office of Bird & Bird. Natalie has specialised experience in biocides alongside her work on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) matters. She is regularly instructed to advise on product authorisations, labelling and recall of chemical products and is also involved in the establishment and running of task forces and consortia related to REACH and the Biocidal Products Regulation. Her expertise also covers the chemical regulatory aspects of cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceutical and other products. Additionally, Natalie is often involved in litigation and represents clients in front of arbitration instances, as well as in ECHA Board of Appeal cases.

Claudio Mereu is a Partner in the Brussels office of Bird & Bird. With over 26 years’ experience, Claudio focusses on EU regulatory law with an emphasis on chemicals (REACH/CLP) and biocides, as well as other related consumer, professional and industrial goods (cosmetics, medical devices etc.). His practice can be divided in three main streams: advisory, advocacy and litigation, at both EU and national levels. This includes assisting clients in navigating the EU regulatory landscape, policies and compliance requirements across various sectors. Claudio also provides advocacy support to clients, engaging with EU and Member State policy makers and government officials, working in partnership with the EU Focus Group providing input on public consultations and product related decisions and restrictions. He also has a very active litigation practice both domestically and internationally, having defended over 40 cases before the EU courts.

Adrián Parra García is a Senior Associate at Bird & Bird in Brussels (since 2025), specialising in EU regulatory and administrative law with a focus on chemicals, agrochemicals, biostimulants and fertilisers. He advises clients on EU and national approval and registration procedures and acts as a key point of contact for Spain‑related regulatory matters. He is also a Lecturer in EU Regulatory Law at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (since 2023), teaching in the Master in European Union Law programme. Before joining Bird & Bird, Adrián spent more than four years at Fieldfisher Belgium, progressing from Associate to Senior Associate and representing clients in administrative and judicial procedures before Spanish ministries, EU institutions and other Member State authorities. Earlier in his career, he worked in the legal department of IBM and gained experience in EU, competition and regulatory law at Jones Day. Adrián holds an LLM in European Union Law from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and is admitted to the Spanish Bar.