Overview
ISO 765:2016 - "Pesticides considered not to require common names" is an international standard that lists pesticide chemicals whose chemical or trivial names are already short and distinctive, so assigning a separate recommended common name is deemed unnecessary. Published as the second edition in 2016, ISO 765:2016 updates the original 1976 edition and is maintained by ISO/TC 81 (Common names for pesticides and other agrochemicals). The standard covers bilingual (English/French) entries and accompanies each name with authoritative identifiers such as IUPAC names, CAS registry numbers, molecular formulae, InChI/InChIKey and registration numbers.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Inclusion criteria: Compounds with reasonably short, distinctive chemical or trivial names where a recommended common name is unnecessary; all isomers of a given pesticide group are intended to be covered so that locants need not be added.
- Entry format: Each entry includes English and French names, IUPAC (and UICPA) names, CAS information, chemical formula, InChI/InChIKey and a registry number where available.
- Use classification: A standardized one-letter code set denotes functional use (for example H = Herbicide, I = Insecticide, F = Fungicide, P = Plant growth regulator). Multiple uses are listed alphabetically.
- Annexes and indexes: Informative annexes provide an index of French names, an index of molecular formulae and a CAS Registry Number® index to support database cross-referencing.
- Editorial updates: Reflects changes since ISO 765:1976 - e.g., discontinuation of alternative name listings, standardized “f” spelling for sulfur-related names, and alphabetical ordering of names.
Practical applications and users
ISO 765:2016 is useful for:
- Regulatory agencies and pesticide registrars - to harmonize naming conventions in registration dossiers and labeling where assigning a new common name is unnecessary.
- Agrochemical manufacturers and distributors - for consistent product identification, packaging and safety data sheets.
- Analytical and research laboratories - for database curation, reporting and cross-referencing chemical identifiers (CAS, InChI).
- Database managers, catalogs and standards bodies - to maintain authoritative chemical name lists and support interoperability across multilingual systems.
- Publishers and scientific writers - to use consistent, internationally-recognized names in literature and technical documentation.
Related standards
- ISO 1750 (common names for pesticides and agrochemicals) - referenced for nomenclature practices and supplementary information.
- ISO/IEC Directives - editorial rules applied in drafting.
ISO 765:2016 helps ensure consistent pesticide nomenclature, simplifies data exchange, and reduces ambiguity in labeling, registration and scientific communication.