South Africa’s wine regions—often celebrated for their breathtaking landscapes and exports to European markets—hide a much harsher reality. Behind the idyllic image lies a world marked by the use of dangerous pesticides and disregard for workers’ rights, especially for women and migrants. An investigation by Euronews¹ has exposed the difficult conditions faced by agricultural workers, who are confronted daily with the harmful effects of chemicals banned in Europe but still used in South African fields.
¹Euronews is a global news channel offering a European perspective.

In South Africa, 192 highly dangerous pesticides are legal—57 of which are banned in the European Union. These pesticides, often neurotoxic or carcinogenic, cause serious harm to both health and the environment. Agricultural workers, many of whom live close to the treated fields, are especially vulnerable, facing direct exposure without proper protection. Overworked, underpaid, and poorly protected, these workers have little to no say in the decisions made by large landowners.

Testimonies reveal growing frustration within local communities, particularly among farm workers, who have long reported the devastating impacts of these chemicals on both people and nature.

This situation highlights a major gap in international regulation: pesticides banned in Europe are exported to countries with looser laws, endangering workers’ health and damaging the environment. Wineries and organizations involved in South Africa’s agricultural sector must adopt measures that ensure safe, environmentally responsible working conditions by eliminating harmful pesticides and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Although some wineries have begun experimenting with more sustainable solutions, the broader international legal framework remains unchanged. European laws ban the use of these pesticides within the EU but do not prohibit their production and export. This practice amounts to environmental and health dumping—a global inequality that places the burden of risk on workers in the Global South in the name of profit.

In a global system still lacking uniform protections, Regg3 offers companies a way to move beyond mere compliance. Where international law is silent or ineffective, the ability to measure social and environmental impact becomes a competitive advantage.

By analyzing territorial data and scientific indicators, Regg3 helps steer production practices toward regenerative models—rewarding those who create shared value. Not just to meet current regulations, but to anticipate future ones and strengthen their standing in markets that increasingly demand real accountability and impact transparency.