Bayer AG

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans in March 2015^S1. The US EPA has concluded glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic, but the Ninth Circuit vacated the human health part of its 2020 interim decision, and EPA withdrew that decision in 2022^S2. A Missouri jury awarded a Roundup user more than US$1 million. The US Supreme Court reversed on 25 June 2026, holding the claim preempted by federal law^S3. Monsanto announced a class settlement of up to US$7.25 billion in February 2026 with no admission of liability^S4. It won preliminary approval^S6. A final approval decision was pending after a September 2026 hearing^S5.

Also known as: Bayer, Monsanto Company, Monsanto
Headquarters: Germany
Records from: United States
Current status: Operating German life sciences group that owns Monsanto Company. On 25 June 2026 the US Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that federal pesticide law preempts a Missouri failure-to-warn claim over Roundup^S3. A proposed Roundup class settlement of up to US$7.25 billion received preliminary approval in March 2026^S6 and awaited a final approval decision after a hearing on 14 September 2026^S5^S7.

Scope. This record covers Roundup and glyphosate litigation and the related cancer classifications in the United States. It does not cover Bayer's pharmaceutical business, PCB litigation, dicamba cases or any regulator outside the United States.

Claims assessed

5 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.

Unresolved66
Plaintiffs in US Roundup lawsuits have claimed that exposure to the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma in humans.
Court filing, 25 June 20264 records citedProduct claims
Partly supported77
Monsanto said in February 2026 that regulators, including the US EPA and EU bodies, conclude that glyphosate-based herbicides can be used safely and are not carcinogenic.
Company statement, 17 February 20264 records citedProduct claims
Outdated86
The US EPA's February 2020 interim registration review decision found that glyphosate is unlikely to be a human carcinogen.
Regulator statement, February 20203 records citedProduct claims
Supported95
The US Supreme Court held in June 2026 that federal pesticide law preempts a Missouri Roundup user's failure-to-warn claim against Monsanto.
Court filing, 25 June 20263 records citedCorporate status
Unresolved67
Monsanto said in February 2026 that a class settlement of up to US$7.25 billion would resolve current and future Roundup claims tied to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Company statement, 17 February 20265 records citedCorporate status

Cases and proceedings

Monsanto Company v. DurnellSupreme Court of the United States. Civil. 24-1068.Stage: Decided on 25 June 2026. Missouri judgment reversed and remanded.
- 25 June 2026 FIFRA preempts the state-law failure-to-warn claim, judgment reversed and remanded, 7-2^S3
Roundup class plaintiffs and Monsanto CompanyCircuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Civil. Not published.Stage: Preliminary approval granted. Final approval hearing held on 14 September 2026, decision pending.
- March 2026 Preliminary approval granted^S6
- 14 September 2026 Final approval hearing held before Judge Timothy Boyer, decision reserved^S5^S7

Responses on record

Monsanto Company, 17 February 2026, on Monsanto said in February 2026 that a class settlement of up to US$7.25 billion would reso...
Monsanto said the settlement agreements contain no admission of liability or wrongdoing and that it acted to contain the litigation.^S4

Revision history

25 October 2026 Profile and 5 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.

Source records

S3Tier A Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, No. 24-1068, slip opinionSupreme Court of the United States. Court judgment. 25 June 2026.Holds that FIFRA preempts the failure-to-warn claim. It does not decide whether glyphosate causes cancer.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S6Tier C Bayer Wins Court Nod for $7.25 Billion Roundup SettlementClaims Journal. Press report. 5 March 2026.Report by Sonja Wind on preliminary approval by St. Louis Circuit Judge Tim Boyer and the 4 June opt-out deadline. It does not cover final approval.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S5Tier B Roundup™ LitigationBayer. Company statement. 11 August 2026, modified 17 September 2026.Company statement that the final approval hearing took place on 14 September 2026 and the decision will come later. It does not report a ruling.
S7Tier C Bayer’s Monsanto unit urges Missouri judge to approve $7.25 billion Roundup settlementReuters (via Investing.com). Press report. 14 September 2026.Report by Dietrich Knauth on the final approval hearing before Judge Timothy Boyer. It confirms no ruling was expected at the hearing. It does not report a later decision.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S4Tier B Monsanto announces Roundup™ class settlement agreement to resolve current and future claimsBayer. Company statement. 17 February 2026.Company account of the settlement terms and its view of regulators' conclusions. It is not a court record.
S1Tier A Q&A on GlyphosateInternational Agency for Research on Cancer. Government press release. 1 March 2016.Official IARC explanation of its March 2015 Group 2A classification. It is a hazard classification and does not measure risk at actual exposure levels.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
S2Tier A GlyphosateUS Environmental Protection Agency. Regulator press release. Last updated 26 August 2026.EPA page on its cancer conclusion, the 2022 vacatur and withdrawal of the 2020 interim decision, and the pending update. It does not give a date for a new registration decision.Link working, checked 25 October 2026