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Overall, pesticides are grouped in different ways depending on the defining interest group, usage or others. Main classifications are usually based on a biological, chemical or technical basis. Whereas the biological goal seems to be very relevant e.g. the pests they control or the target organisms they kill, inhibit or destroy in one way or another, other important definitions derive from their chemical structure (e.g. organophosphate insecticides or neonicotinoids, organochlorine etc.) or their method of application. The definitions between these groups are rather fluid but most often the classification might clearly define all of the four main pesticide classes: “an insecticidal acetyl-choline esterase inhibiting fumigant pesticide of the organophosphate substance class” (Lewis, et al., 2016).

Based on the given definitions, grouping of pesticides within this report were based on their usage and their mode of action (MoA). This grouping is in a way comparable to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) based “Cumulative Assessment Group or CAG” [1].

According to their usage, the report focusses on the three groups (i) herbicides, (ii) insecticides and (iii) fungicides. The herbicides should control unwanted plants, insecticides are used to prevent unwanted insect infestation, and fungicides to kill parasitic fungi or their spores.

The classification according to the MoA of pesticides is oriented towards their effects in the non-human organisms. Table 2.1 lists the different MoA, which were assigned to the pesticides available under Waterbase – Water Quality in the time period 2007 – 2017 (see Annex 5).

[1] Source: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/consultations/call/180508-0