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Testing of pesticide-leaching models is important in view of their increasing use in pesticide registration procedures in the European Union. This paper presents the methodology and major conclusions of a test of pesticide-leaching models. Twelve models simulating the vertical one-dimensional movement of water, solute, heat, and, in particular, pesticides, through the soil profile were used by 36 different modellers. The adopted modelling codes differ in terms of modelling concepts and modelling hypothesis. Modellers were affiliated to industry and to the scientific community as well. Four quality datasets were identified to perform the analysis. The dataset included field and lysimeter data, collected in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the UK. As well, non-structured as structured soils were available in the dataset. To elucidate the ability to model correctly water transport, solute transport, heat transport and …