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2026/2299

Maximum residue level for difenoconazole

  • Pesticide MRLs

Summary

The European Union (EU) has updated the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for difenoconazole. For some products where there is not enough data available to rule out risks to consumers, the MRLs have been lowered to the limit of determination (LOD). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)

For other products, MRLs based on Codex Amimentarius MRLs have been set following an evaluation that raised no consumer safety concerns.

Updated EU MRLs for difenoconazole will apply from 5 May 2027 with a particular impact on watercresses and certain fruits, roots, herbal infusions and spices

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2299 of 15 October 2026 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for difenoconazole in or on certain products

Update

The European Union (EU) has updated the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for difenoconazole. For some products where there is not enough data available to rule out risks to consumers, the MRLs have been lowered to the limit of determination (LOD). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)

For other products, MRLs based on Codex Amimentarius MRLs have been set following an evaluation that raised no consumer safety concerns.

Impacted Products

Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine kernels, pistachios, walnuts, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats/Japanese medlars, cherries (sweet), plums, cranberries, azaroles/Mediterranean medlars, currants, dewberries, elderberries, gooseberries, rose hips, mulberries, American persimmons/Virginia kaki, carambolas, dates, figs, jambuls/jambolans, litchis/lychees, star apples/cainitos, kaki/Japanese persimmons, mangoes, papayas, breadfruits, cherimoyas, durians, granate apples/pomegranates, pineapples, soursops/guanabanas, guavas, passionfruits/maracujas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava roots/manioc, yams, arrowroots, garlic, onions, shallots, aubergines/eggplants, sweetcorn, broccoli, cauliflowers, Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai, kales, kohlrabies, Roman rocket/rucola, spinaches, purslanes, chards/beet leaves, grape leaves, watercresses, witloofs/Belgian endives, celery leaves, chervil, parsley, basil and edible flowers, beans and peas, lentils, asparagus, cardoons, celeries, bamboo shoots, palm hearts, fungi, mosses and lichens, algae and prokaryotes, lentils, lupins/lupini beans, linseeds, mustard seeds, castor beans, hemp seeds, peanuts/groundnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soyabeans, cotton seeds, borage seeds, oil palm kernels, oil palm fruits, kapok, buckwheat and other pseudocereals, common millet/proso millet, maize/corn, sorghum, rye, wheat, oats, teas, valerian, ginseng, anise/aniseed, black caraway/black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice/pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, juniper berry, peppercorn, vanilla, tamarind, capers, cinnamon, cloves, mace, saffron, liquorice, turmeric/curcuma, sugar canes, beetroots, carrots, horseradishes, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley roots/Hamburg root parsley, radishes, salsifies, swedes/rutabagas, turnips, other roots/tubers, celeriac/turnip rooted celeries

What is changing?

The EU has updated the MRLs for difenoconazole as summarised in Table 1.

For many of the products listed in Table 1 with MRLs above the LOD, the EU plans a further review within 2 years, as the available data on these products is currently limited.

Why?

A series of assessments of difenoconazole residues were undertaken by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2024, 2025).

MRLs were amended for the following reasons:

  • MRLs were maintained or lowered where there was sufficient supporting data on good agricultural practices and no risk for consumers was identified
  • MRLs were set on the basis of Codex Alimentarius MRLs (CXLs) where no risk for consumers was identified
  • when no information was available to allow risk assessment, MRLs were reduced to the LOD.

Timeline

The new MRLs apply from 5 May 2027.

Recommended Actions

Exporters of all products should review their current use of difenoconazole to see whether agricultural practices need to be adjusted to comply with the updated MRLs. Where MRLs have been reduced to the LOD, exporters need to look for alternative solutions.

Background

MRLs are set in accordance with the rules set out in Regulation 396/2005. For information on current MRLs for other substances, please consult the EU Pesticide Residues database.

Resources

EFSA (2024) Review of the existing maximum residue levels for difenoconazole according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No396/2005. EFSA Journal, 22(8): e8987.

EFSA (2025) Setting of import tolerances for difenoconazole in various crops. EFSA Journal, 23:(6) e9472.

Regulation (EU) 2024/2612 as regards maximum residue levels for chitosan, clopyralid, difenoconazole, fat distillation residues, flonicamid, hydrolysed proteins, and lavandulyl senecioate in or on certain products, and Corrigendum.

Sources

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2299 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for difenoconazole in or on certain products

Tables & Figures

Table 1: Changes to maximum residue levels for difenoconazole

Food category Products Difenoconazole[1] (mg/kg)
Old MRL New MRL
Tree nuts Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine kernels, pistachios, walnuts 0.05* 0.03
Pome fruits Apples, pears, quinces, medlars 0.8 0.4
Loquats/Japanese medlars 0.8 0.6
Stone fruits Cherries (sweet) 0.3 0.4
Plums 0.5 0.4
Berries and small fruits Cranberries 0.1 0.6
Azaroles/Mediterranean medlars 0.8 {0.01*}
Currants 0.2 {0.01*}
Dewberries, elderberries, gooseberries, rose hips, mulberries 0.1 {0.01*}
Miscellaneous fruit American persimmons/Virginia kaki, carambolas, dates, figs, jambuls/jambolans,kiwi fruits, litchis/lychees, star apples/ cainitos 0.1 {0.01*}
Kaki/Japanese persimmons 0.8 {0.01*}
Mangoes 0.1 0.2
Papayas 0.2 0.3
Breadfruits, cherimoyas, durians, granate apples/ pomegranates, pineapples, soursops/guanabanas 0.1 {0.01*}
Guavas 0.1 0.15
Passionfruits/maracujas 0.1 0.05
Root and tuber vegetables Potatoes, sweet potatoes 0.1 0.07
Cassava roots/manioc, yams, arrowroots 0.1 {0.01*}
Beetroots, carrots, horseradishes, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley roots/Hamburg root parsley, radishes, salsifies, swedes/rutabagas, turnips, other roots/tubers 0.4 0.5
Celeriac/turnip rooted celeries 2 0.5
Bulb vegetables Garlic, onions, shallots 0.5 0.2
Fruiting vegetables Aubergines/eggplants 0.6 0.5
Sweet corn 0.05* 0.01*
Brassica vegetables Broccoli 1 0.7
Cauliflowers 0.2 0.15
Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai 2 3
Kales 2 1.5
Kohlrabies 0.05* 0.02
Leaf vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers Roman rocket/rucola, spinaches 3 4
Purslanes 3 2
Chards/beet leaves 4 3
Grape leaves and similar species 0.05* 0.01*
Watercresses 0.5 {0.01*}
Witloofs/Belgian endives 4 0.08
Celery leaves, chervil, parsley 10 15
Basil and edible flowers 10 4
Legume vegetables Beans and peas (with pods) 1 0.7
Beans and peas (without pods) 1 0.6
Lentils 0.05* 0.01*
Stem vegetables Asparagus 0.05* 0.03
Cardoons, celeries 7 5
Bamboo shoots, palm hearts 0.05* 0.01*
Fungi, mosses, and lichens 0.05* 0.01*
Algae and prokaryotic organisms 0.05* 0.01*
Pulses Beans 0.06 0.05
Lentils, lupins/lupini beans 0.06 0.04
Oilseeds Linseeds, mustard seeds 0.2 0.5
Castor beans, hemp seeds, peanuts/groundnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds 0.05* 0.01*
Soyabeans 0.1 0.15
Cotton seeds 0.05* 0.4
Borage seeds 0.05* 0.5
Oil fruits Oil palm kernels, oil palm fruits, kapok 0.05* 0.01*
Cereals Buckwheat and other pseudocereals, common millet/proso millet, maize/corn, sorghum 0.05* 0.01*
Oats 0.05* 0.02
Teas 0.05* 20
Herbal infusions Valerian, ginseng 20 4
Any parts of the plant except flowers, leaves, herbs, roots 20 {0.05*}
Spices Anise/aniseed, black caraway/black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice/pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, juniper berry, peppercorn, vanilla, tamarind 0.3 0.15
Capers, cinnamon, cloves, mace, saffron 0.3 {0.05*}
Liquorice, turmeric/curcuma 3 1.5
Sugar plants Sugar canes 0.05* 0.01*
Products of animal origin Muscle of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, and horses 0.05 0.08
Fat of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, and horses 0.05 0.2
Muscle of other farmed terrestrial animals 0.1 0.08
Fat of other farmed terrestrial animals 0.1 0.2
Liver, kidney, and edible offals of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and other farmed terrestrial animals 0.2 1.5
Poultry muscle, fat, liver, and edible offals 0.1 {0.01*}
Milk (cattle, sheep, goat, horse) 0.005* 0.02
Bird eggs (chicken, duck, geese, quail) 0.05* 0.03
Amphibians and reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates, and wild terrestrial vertebrates 0.05* 0.01*

* Limit of determination. MRLs reduced to the limit of determination (LOD), shown in brackets, are the ones most likely to cause trade disruptions. Operators should pay attention to all changes to MRLs as adaptions to good agricultural practices may be required.
[1] Difenoconazole (sum of constituent isomers) (R) (F)

Source: Regulation 2026/2299

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.

Updated EU MRLs for difenoconazole will apply from 5 May 2027 with a particular impact on watercresses and certain fruits, roots, herbal infusions and spices

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2299 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for difenoconazole in or on certain products

What is changing and why?

The European Union (EU) has updated the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for difenoconazole. For some products, where there is not enough data available to rule out risks to consumers, the MRLs have been lowered to the limit of determination (LOD). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)

For other products, MRLs based on the Codex Alimentarius MRLs have been set following an evaluation that raised no consumer safety concerns.

Actions

Exporters of all products should review their current use of difenoconazole to see whether agricultural practices need to be adjusted to comply with the updated MRLs. Where MRLs have been reduced to the LOD, exporters need to look for alternative solutions in preparation for the MRL changes.

Timeline

The new MRLs apply from 5 May 2027.

Tables & Figures

Table 1: Changes to maximum residue levels for difenoconazole

Food category Products Difenoconazole[1] (mg/kg)
Old MRL New MRL
Tree nuts Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine kernels, pistachios, walnuts 0.05* 0.03
Pome fruits Apples, pears, quinces, medlars 0.8 0.4
Loquats/Japanese medlars 0.8 0.6
Stone fruits Cherries (sweet) 0.3 0.4
Plums 0.5 0.4
Berries and small fruits Cranberries 0.1 0.6
Azaroles/Mediterranean medlars 0.8 {0.01*}
Currants 0.2 {0.01*}
Dewberries, elderberries, gooseberries, rose hips, mulberries 0.1 {0.01*}
Miscellaneous fruit American persimmons/Virginia kaki, carambolas, dates, figs, jambuls/jambolans,kiwi fruits, litchis/lychees, star apples/ cainitos 0.1 {0.01*}
Kaki/Japanese persimmons 0.8 {0.01*}
Mangoes 0.1 0.2
Papayas 0.2 0.3
Breadfruits, cherimoyas, durians, granate apples/ pomegranates, pineapples, soursops/guanabanas 0.1 {0.01*}
Guavas 0.1 0.15
Passionfruits/maracujas 0.1 0.05
Root and tuber vegetables Potatoes, sweet potatoes 0.1 0.07
Cassava roots/manioc, yams, arrowroots 0.1 {0.01*}
Beetroots, carrots, horseradishes, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley roots/Hamburg root parsley, radishes, salsifies, swedes/rutabagas, turnips, other roots/tubers 0.4 0.5
Celeriac/turnip rooted celeries 2 0.5
Bulb vegetables Garlic, onions, shallots 0.5 0.2
Fruiting vegetables Aubergines/eggplants 0.6 0.5
Sweet corn 0.05* 0.01*
Brassica vegetables Broccoli 1 0.7
Cauliflowers 0.2 0.15
Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai 2 3
Kales 2 1.5
Kohlrabies 0.05* 0.02
Leaf vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers Roman rocket/rucola, spinaches 3 4
Purslanes 3 2
Chards/beet leaves 4 3
Grape leaves and similar species 0.05* 0.01*
Watercresses 0.5 {0.01*}
Witloofs/Belgian endives 4 0.08
Celery leaves, chervil, parsley 10 15
Basil and edible flowers 10 4
Legume vegetables Beans and peas (with pods) 1 0.7
Beans and peas (without pods) 1 0.6
Lentils 0.05* 0.01*
Stem vegetables Asparagus 0.05* 0.03
Cardoons, celeries 7 5
Bamboo shoots, palm hearts 0.05* 0.01*
Fungi, mosses, and lichens 0.05* 0.01*
Algae and prokaryotic organisms 0.05* 0.01*
Pulses Beans 0.06 0.05
Lentils, lupins/lupini beans 0.06 0.04
Oilseeds Linseeds, mustard seeds 0.2 0.5
Castor beans, hemp seeds, peanuts/groundnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds 0.05* 0.01*
Soyabeans 0.1 0.15
Cotton seeds 0.05* 0.4
Borage seeds 0.05* 0.5
Oil fruits Oil palm kernels, oil palm fruits, kapok 0.05* 0.01*
Cereals Buckwheat and other pseudocereals, common millet/proso millet, maize/corn, sorghum 0.05* 0.01*
Oats 0.05* 0.02
Teas 0.05* 20
Herbal infusions Valerian, ginseng 20 4
Any parts of the plant except flowers, leaves, herbs, roots 20 {0.05*}
Spices Anise/aniseed, black caraway/black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice/pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, juniper berry, peppercorn, vanilla, tamarind 0.3 0.15
Capers, cinnamon, cloves, mace, saffron 0.3 {0.05*}
Liquorice, turmeric/curcuma 3 1.5
Sugar plants Sugar canes 0.05* 0.01*
Products of animal origin Muscle of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, and horses 0.05 0.08
Fat of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, and horses 0.05 0.2
Muscle of other farmed terrestrial animals 0.1 0.08
Fat of other farmed terrestrial animals 0.1 0.2
Liver, kidney, and edible offals of pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and other farmed terrestrial animals 0.2 1.5
Poultry muscle, fat, liver, and edible offals 0.1 {0.01*}
Milk (cattle, sheep, goat, horse) 0.005* 0.02
Bird eggs (chicken, duck, geese, quail) 0.05* 0.03
Amphibians and reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates, and wild terrestrial vertebrates 0.05* 0.01*

* Limit of determination. MRLs reduced to the limit of determination (LOD), shown in brackets, are the ones most likely to cause trade disruptions. Operators should pay attention to all changes to MRLs as adaptions to good agricultural practices may be required.
[1] Difenoconazole (sum of constituent isomers) (R) (F)

Source: Regulation 2026/2299

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.